Student Highlight: Lily Moore

Get to know TAS alumni, Lily Moore, of Color My World With Love (Hallmark) and Never Have I Ever (Netflix) !

Periodically The Actor’s Scene likes to reach out to students and chronicle their success in the industry. Case and point: Lily Moore. Here’s what Lily has to say…

Hey Lily! We are so excited to speak with you! Let's start at the beginning, tell us what made you want to become an actor?

When we lived in Austria, I took a drama class and fell in love with it. When we moved back to the US , three years later, my mom signed me up for an acting class and I loved it even more. So I kept taking classes.

Then I booked a small job and I was hooked! My mom submitted me to over 20 agencies, I got one interview, and they signed me. I was so excited and started getting more auditions.

What drives you to stick with acting?

I’ve been doing this for 7 years and still love it just as much! I love meeting new people and playing different characters. I am accepted and respected when I go on set. It is my passion!

What is something that surprised you about working on a set?

How much you sit around waiting before you tape your scene. Also, how many times you have to redo your scene because they tape it from all different angles!

What are some of your favorite acting moments?

Definitely filming Color My World with Love for Hallmark! I was treated like a queen! I had my own driver, got to share my ideas with the director and producers, had a big dressing room, and so much more! We got to film in Canada, met amazing people, and I learned so much from Erica and Ben! It was a dream!

I also loved being on set with Never Have I Ever. My character, Rebecca, is sassy like me! Maitreyi is one of the nicest people in the world! And, Darren is the best!

How cool! Tell us about your latest project: Color My World with Love. What is the story about?

Color My World with Love is about a young woman with Down Syndrome, who meets a young man and they fall in love. They want to get married, but the mom struggles with letting go; letting her daughter grow up. The mom and daughter are close and work everything out…….you have to watch the movie to see what happens! My character, Kendall, is independent, an artist, and loves her mom and grandmother!

"If acting is something you really want to do, then treat it like a job and not a hobby. I have had to give up going to parties, sleepovers, school events, etc, to do auditions or work jobs, And, learn to let go of the rejection you get when you don't book a job. Just give yourself a hug and go do something fun!"

Lily Moore

Tell us Lily, what is the best acting advice you've been given?

My grandmother told me to always follow my dreams and to not give up- no matter how many times people tell you no! So, whenever I don’t get a job, I just say, “Well, they missed out on all of this“!

Also, my mom told me to advocate for myself when I think someone is talking down to me. I want to be respected as an actress and I do not want people to feel sorry for me because I have Down Syndrome. I am very happy with how God made me!

Great advice! So, do you have any acting projects coming up?

I’m taking a small break while I get used to Clemson University! Go Tigers!

What would be your dream project?

That’s a hard one! I think being a lead in a Marvel move would be amazing, working with Steven Spielberg would be incredible. I also would love to be a lead in a Disney show! I have so many dreams!

What advice do you have for new actors who are just getting started?

Kids should advocate for themselves if they haven’t been given time for lunch or breaks. Also, if they feel uncomfortable saying something or doing something that wasn’t in the script but added later. They should talk to the child coordinator on set and voice their issues.

And finally, what makes you feel confident?

I feel confident when I believe in the character and know my lines. And, when you have hair and make up make you feel special, it gets me energized to go do my job!

-PARENTS CORNER-

We have the honor of speaking with Natalie Moore, Lily’s mother. Even though Lily is an adult now, her acting journey began when she was a young child. Her mother provides valuable insight for parents of young actors on how to help your child achieve success in the industry.

Hi Natalie! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. What advice do you have for parents of new young actors just getting started? Ask questions and do your research so you can help your child feel confident in what they are doing. Also, when your child is on set, let them do their thing, you just sit and be quiet! That’s a hard thing for us to do, but this allows your child to advocate for themselves when it’s their time to shine! Every child learns lines differently. Find the way that works best for them and go with it.
Is there any system, tool, or advice that you have found to be especially helpful? Don’t get caught up in comparing your child with other children. Remember it is a journey and not a race! Most people take a while before they book.
Tell us what makes it all worth it? Why do you keep going, even when things get hard? It is worth it when your child books a job and you see their excitement. It is worth it when you get to set and watch your child feel confident and do what they are passionate about. All the early mornings, late nights, local hires (where we lost money), unpaid jobs, bringing our own wardrobe, unorganized jobs, long hours….it is all worth it because I am helping my child follow their dream.
Tell us about a proud mom moment you’ve had with Lily. We are sure there have been a bunch, but what is one that stands out as a highlight? Proud Mom Moment: Lily wanted to try out for cheerleading, but was recovering from surgery so I told her she could not try out. But, Lily talked with the coaches and she tried out with a full leg brace on! The coach later told me that it didn’t matter if she could do everything the other kids were doing because when she walked onto the floor, the judges could feel her energy and excitement. They said her smile lit up the room and she was so loud. When Lily came out to the parking lot, she announced, “I nailed it”! Indeed she did, She made that squad!

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Student Highlight: Lily Moore