In our Q&A series Last Call, we get down to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favourite celebs – from the last time they were starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, Isabella Ferreira takes our call.
Isabella Ferreira knew she wanted to play Gabriela in the movie “Crush” as soon as she read the script. “I really just enjoyed how the film embraces LGBTQ+ characters without revolving the narrative around any of their coming-out stories, and it’s a simple love story,” she tells POPSUGAR. “Characters are out, surrounded by supportive parents and classmates, and I just think this positive depiction normalises and encourages a safe environment for LGBTQ+ teens.”
Ferreira also loved that the character was a “popular It girl” who was also Latina. She says, “I’ve always wanted to play that character,” but she wasn’t sure she’d ever get the chance. She loved wearing Gabby’s bright and trendy costumes. “Gabby always had fruit earrings, and I thought that was super cute and quirky,” she says.
“I feel I would’ve loved to watch something like this when I was younger,”
In the movie, Paige (Rowan Blanchard) harbours a longstanding crush on Gabriela, but she struggles to be herself around her. She joins the school’s track team, where Gabriela is a star athlete, but she doesn’t expect to grow closer to Gabriela’s sister, AJ (Auli’i Cravalho), instead. Paige ends up torn between the two girls as they balance friendship, fun, and high school.
For Ferreira, the track scenes were some of the biggest challenges. “Luckily, we didn’t have to get too many shots of us running and stuff,” she jokes. Before production, she started running more to build her stamina, which was already pretty great because she used to be a dancer. But filming during the summer in Syracuse, NY, some days they were stuck running in the brutal heat. It also rained during some of the track scenes, making them a slog.
Filming in the small town of Syracuse really bonded the cast together, though. One of Ferreira’s favourite scenes is when the group of friends attends a house party. “It was really fun,” she explains. “It was late at night. We were all delirious and just having fun, and dancing.”
Ferreira also stars on “Love, Victor,” as Victor’s younger sister Pilar. The show is wrapping up this June with a third and final season. Ferreira is grateful to be a part of two projects that spotlight LGBTQ+ teens. “I feel I would’ve loved to watch something like this when I was younger,” she explains. “Just a fun movie or show that would make me feel safe and that also normalizes LGBTQ+ youth stories. And both the series ‘Love, Victor’ and ‘Crush’ are extremely funny, so there’s that.”
Keep reading to see what else Ferreira has to say about the filming “Crush,” her favourite snacks, and so much more in our Last Call interview.
What was the last day on the “Crush” set like?
I remember it being so late. We all wrapped at different times, but two of the actors wrapped before me and Rowan. So when I wrapped, it was probably around 3. And I remember that I had a flight at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., just to go back home. And so we were delirious, but it was so fun. I ended on a fun note because the scene that I did was my drunk scene. And so, we were all just having a ball, just jokes, and making the best of it.
Besides “Crush,” what was the last rom-com you watched?
“The Mirror Has Two Faces” with Barbra Streisand
Who was the last “Crush” costar you texted?
The last Crush costar I texted is definitely Teala [Dunn]. We send each other voice memos every single morning. I think we got really close after filming.
When was the last time you were starstruck?
This is just super random, but I was in Target one day in the bathing suit section, just looking at the bathing suits. And I look up and across from me is Chrissy Teigen also in the bathing suit section. And I think I was just so caught off guard. I was just like, “What is going on? Why is Chrissy Teigen right in front of me shopping in the same section as me?” It’s very random.
What was the last song you listened to?
“White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean
What was the last album you bought or streamed?
“Black & White” by The Pointer Sisters
What is the last photo on your camera roll?
The last photo is of my dog, for sure. I literally just took a picture of her. She’s on the bed with me right now, and she’s just cuddled up. So cute.
What was the last show you binge-watched?
“Forecasting Love and Weather” on Netflix
What was the last thing you bought online?
The last thing that I ordered online was a Chai Tea Slush from It’s Boba Time. It’s my favourite thing ever.
What was the last thing you did for fun?
I went to the beach recently. I love the beach. I go to the beach all the time. But I went with some of my “Love, Victor” castmates, and that was really fun, and we played volleyball.
What was the last book you read?
“We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart
What was the last gift you received?
It was a necklace from my mom, a Vivienne Westwood necklace that I really wanted. And it’s just the cutest little choker with pearls.
What was the last piece of advice you received that changed your life?
“If it’s meant to be, it will be.” I really just love this piece of advice because it helps me not dwell over things I can’t control.
