Ray Diaz brings an authentic sense of self and experience to his role as Nick in East Los High, the Hulu series about a group of young adults growing up on ‘the wrong side of the tracks’ in East Lost Angeles. Here, Diaz talks about growing up, wardrobe high jinx, and his ‘tough guy mentality’.
YOUNG ADULT: What has it been like being singled out to play Nicolas on the new show East Los High?
Ray Diaz: It’s a dream come true. From the role to all the press that came with it, it still hasn’t even sunk in yet. I’ve always wanted to play the sweet guy who loves one girl. I’m a hopeless romantic.
YA: Talk to us about your character. How are you similar to him, and how is he different?
RD: Well, Nick is a streetwise senior who grew up in the streets of LA and New York. He was raised by foster grandparents and never met his father. His mother is in and out of rehab and is always looking for love through her relationships that don’t last. He gets caught up with the wrong people and is forced to live a life looking over his shoulder.
Nick and I are pretty similar, the obstacles that he has to overcome are parallel to obstacles I had to overcome in my life. He’s very passionate, caring, and wants to make everyone around him happy. What makes us different, is that I never grew up on the West Coast and never had to deal with my person of interest wanting to be with another female, at least that I know of…
YA: What were/are you most excited see on screen? And what are you excited for the audience to see in this HULU series that they haven’t seen before?
RD: I was more relieved than excited when I saw myself. You know, us actors are always worried about whether the emotions are resonating. Everyone on the cast brought such passion to their role and I just wanted to know I did my part. Which I think I did. But I’m very excited for the audience to go on the journey with Nick, and see how he gets out of the trench he ends up in and also, the new stories that unfold with each of the new characters. It’s going to be Drama, Drama, Drama!!!
YA: Any fun stories that happened off camera while on set?
RD: Yes, there are plenty. But the one that got me was when I got to my trailer, we were pressed on time and I had to do a quick change before lunch. I get into my trailer and they have fishnet neon yellow tights with a red half cut sports bra hanging as my next outfit. I start going trough my daily scenes and don’t see where this outfit fits in. So, I burst out the door and my wardrobe stylist is out there with his camera laughing. I said, “Do you want me to go put it on?” He said, “no no, we don’t have time now.” Haha. Had to be there.
YA: What has been the best acting or professional advice you’ve received?
RD: It would have to be from my teacher Chris Holder who said to me every class, and I quote “less is more but only when you create the more to show less of.”
YA: Who do you dream of working with? Who are your idols?
RD: I dream of working with Martin Scorsese. I love the grittiness and camera movements in all his films. Not to mention every one of his actors bring next level acting when they work with him. There are a lot of actors who are my idols: Leo DiCaprio, Channing Tatum, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, and last but not least Vin Diesel.
YA: If you could play any role from any film or TV show in history, who would it be and why?
RD: It would be Boardwalk Empire
YA: What would you say is your favorite YA story, book or film?
RD: I would have to say The Jungle Book