It’s safe to say Zoe Colletti is gearing up for a summer of a lifetime: the rising star plays Gia on Netflix’s new show Boo, Bitch, which was released on Friday, July 8, and she currently stars on Only Murders in the Building, starring opposite Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short.
“As soon as I read the part of Gia, it piqued my interest a lot,” she exclusively tells GRAZIA USA about Boo, Bitch, which is about two high school friends who attempt to be seen, but one of them becomes a ghost. “I’ve never actually played a character that is so similar to myself — you would think it’s easier, but it’s actually kind of harder to play a character that is similar to yourself. There’s a whole lot of unnecessary self-reflection that goes into it, and we both think about others and are there for our friends and family.”
In order to nab the role, the actress sent in a self-tape, and fortunately, someone watched it — and it didn’t go into a black hole. From there, Colletti did a chemistry read with the whole creative team, in addition to Lana Condor (who plays Erika Vu). “I did that, got through that round, and then I had to do another call with Netflix, where I had to do the scenes over again. Finally, after that call, I made it through, and I did it,” she shares.
“It’s really exciting and rewarding. I’ve been acting and auditioning since I was 4,” she gushes. “It’s been many years of sending in auditions and going to New York for auditions. It’s a lot of hard work, so when you do land a job, it makes up for all of the times that you’re not right for something.”
The cherry on top of it all is that Colletti got to work with Condor, who rose to fame when she starred in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix. “I could go on for 17 years about all of the reasons I love Lana, but that would take too much time,” she quips. “She is such a phenomenal person on the inside and the outside. She is not only amazingly sweet, but her work ethic is amazing — and she’s unbelievable talented. The chemistry we share on screen is real. From the first time we had a rehearsal together, we had an instant connection. I love her so much.”
Since the ladies got so close, they were both able to “learn so much from each other,” Colletti notes. “She’s definitely super experienced in the genre that we were filming in,” she says. “It’s not something that I had done a lot of in the past, so being with somebody seasoned in that genre was definitely helpful. She guided me and helped me figure out what it is to be in that young adult, romantic comedy kind of genre.”
Additionally, Colletti got the chance to work with some comedy legends — Martin and Short — when she starred as Lucy in Only Murders in the Building. “They are some of my favorite comedians of all time. They’re not only hilarious but some of the sweetest people I have ever met. It’s hard coming onto a set when it is in its second season, but I had such a great experience. The cast and crew were so accepting, so complimentary and so sweet.”
Prior to being cast, Colletti was a huge fan of Gomez. “When I was little, I would blast Selena’s records. I had a CD player in my dad’s old car, and I only had Selena’s CDs,” she admits. “I can say getting to work with her was very exciting because she is my favorite person in the entire world.”
Though they say not to meet your heroes, Colletti ended up being thrilled that Gomez was everything and more. “She is the sweetest person. She definitely lived up to all of my love for her throughout the years,” she says. “She is a gem. I have never met someone as genuine, sweet and down to earth on set.”
From starring on these two series, the Annie alum is more sure of herself. “It was a huge turning point in my confidence in general,” she notes. “I was a lot more confident in my ability. I didn’t get super nervous about it. Then, gaining that confidence has led me to a ton of other cool opportunities.”
Colletti thanks her lucky stars that she has been able to do dabble in different genres, but she still hopes to star in a horror flick or series. “That would be super fun,” she says.
“There’s so many avenues of different things I would love to be able to do,” she adds. “I’m a huge fan of all kinds of acting, but I truly love dramatic acting. I love getting to read a script that you can’t put down and then getting the opportunity to bring that to life, no matter the genre. I just want to get the chance to read something I’m excited about and getting the opportunity to bring it to life. It never gets old.”
