March 29, 2024

Hey Joshua! You started your acting career at a very young age. What inspired you to try acting?

My mom really got me in to it by getting me an agent and acting coach in Houston (where I grew up). We eventually moved to LA, got an agent there, and the rest is history!

What actor/actress are you influenced by?

I love Tina Fey’s work! I think the combination of her charity work and her hilarious on-screen performances are awesome!

You are known for your role on the Disney series “Andi Mack”. Can you explain the process of how you got this role?

Sure! It started off with a meeting with Terri Minsky in front of a casting director (which is not normal, it usually starts with an audition), followed by a callback, second callback (each with progressively more important people), and then a mix-and-match where they had us do scenes with randomly paired Buffys and Peyton, who was already cast. After that there was a screen test and a network test in front of Disney executives! When I made it past that I waited about a month until we found out we were cleared to shoot the pilot! After that, it was about 3 or 4 months until we got the green light to shoot Andi Mack as a Disney Original series, and, after some recasting and administrative stuff, we drove off to Salt Lake!

Can you tell us about the character you portray?

Cyrus is quirky, fun, and has two best friends: Andi and Buffy. He doesn’t exactly have too many friends aside from them and Jonah, but he wouldn’t want to anyway!

What do you think makes this show stand out from other Disney shows?

I think Andi Mack is very real. It feels like something that could be happening across the street, and I think that makes it really resonate with our audience!

Since getting the role, you must get recognized in public a lot more. What was that change like for you?

It’s been really crazy! I get really excited whenever someone asks me “are you Cyrus?”… especially when I’m just walking around and hanging out! When someone asks to take a picture with me I freak out!

What’s your favorite part about being on “Andi Mack”?

I think the fan reaction has been amazing. I’m on social media all the time, and I always stay up late after an episode comes out because it’s so cool to see everyone talk about the episode and what they think is going to happen next! I also like to laugh nefariously because I know who’s right and wrong!

What’s your favorite part about being on set?

The cast! Sometimes casts don’t immediately bond together tightly, but right from day one, Andi Mack has been a family, and I think that’s awesome!

How do you and the other cast members get along?

We’re a family, through and through. I love spending time with them and we laugh, get mad, and excited all as one. It’s been great.

What’s an average week like on set?

Monday or Tuesday we will get a new script for next week while shooting. On Tuesday we have a table read and then on Wednesday or Thursday we will usually be in Magna, UT, which is where the Spoon diner is. On Friday or Saturday we will be at the school because we have to be at the school. Our weekend is from Sunday to Monday, so that we can shoot on Saturday!

Did you want to be an actor when you were little or did that develop later on?

I’ve loved to be in front of the camera from day one… that’s why my mom got me into this work in the first place!

Have you ever been starstruck by anyone you’ve met so far?

I recently met George Takei. From his crazy cool work as Sulu, and now his incredible activism, he was the first person in a long time I’ve been starstruck to meet!

Are there any other projects in the works you can tell us about?

I’m focusing on Andi Mack and my Disney Junior show “The Lion Guard” right now!

What are your friends and parents thoughts on your career in acting?

My parents have been great supporters of me from the very beginning. My friends couldn’t care less because to them I’m not “Joshua Rush, actor” but instead I’m “Josh, weirdo I hang out with.” They watch my shows and they’re supporters too (one of my best friends, Sascha, is probably my biggest fan!) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sometimes you just need to be a kid, y’know?

What goals have you set out for yourself in your career and in your personal life?

I think everyone wants to hit the tangible goals: win an Oscar or an Emmy, get name recognition, etc., but I think that if I can use my work to make a tangible difference in the world, I’ve succeeded. That’s why I worked with GenerationOn and I currently work with UNICEF.

What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment so far in your career as an actor?

It’s not easy to juggle school, a family life, friends, and my work. I’m really proud of myself for being able to do that!

Do you have any advice for anyone trying to make it as an actor?

It’s hard. There are a thousand “no” answers for that one “yes.” But if it’s your deepest dream, don’t let anyone stop you. Step one is getting a professional acting coach, and then hitting the major auditions wherever you live. Eventually you need to find an LA (or NYC) agent and fly out for the biggest auditions and callbacks, and then even find an apartment in town. If you’re a kid, though, step one is getting your parent or guardian on board!

What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?

Twitter (@JoshuaRush), Instagram (@JoshuaRush), Snapchat (TrueJoshuaRush) and Musical.ly (which I swear I’m going to get in to more – TrueJoshuaRush), and Tumblr (persongoingfast.tumblr.com) are my main social media places!

How do you want your relationship to be with your fans?

I like my fans to feel like we have a friendship! I try to answer as many questions as I’m allowed to on Tumblr, and sometimes respond to DMs on Instagram when I can. It gets pretty hectic sometimes!

Does your fan base have a name?

RushNation!

What was the craziest fan encounter you have had?

I once was at camp and had at least 30 kids come up to me and ask if I was Cyrus from Andi Mack, take pictures with me, sign autographs, and answer questions! It went on for the whole week I was there! My camp counselors hated it but I thought it was hilarious!

Do you have any talents other than acting?

I love to sing (I consider myself a pro shower singer) and I can move my scalp! Seriously.

What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?

Clever, silly, overthinker.

If your life was a movie, what would be the title? Who would you want to play you?

Joshua Rush: Confused (which also happens to be my plan for the name of my first comedy special!). I’m not sure who I’d have play me, but I’d love to get some really critically acclaimed adult actor to play me at age 12… just to confuse the audience. Maybe Robert DeNiro or Daniel Day-Lewis. I’d love to see him go method to play me!

Do you have any last things you want to tell your fans?

Don’t forget to follow me on my social media! Thanks so much for being a part of RushNation! I love you guys so much!

Thanks for taking the time to do this interview!

Thanks for having me!

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