Lotus Blossom is a young up-and-coming actress who stars in the hit Netflix movie We Can Be Heroes. In the movie which is a sequel to Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Lotus plays A-Capella, who moves objects by singing. This is Lotus’s first major motion picture and she stars opposite Pedro Pascal and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Dubbed the “Ninja Princess,” Lotus is following in her father’s footsteps. Her father is Ernie Reyes Jr., a Filipino martial arts action hero who has been seen in The Last Dragon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Lotus has a black belt in martial arts and trains with her father, she even performs her own stunts when the job requires it! Here, YEM speaks to Lotus about her role in We Can Be Heroes.
Young Entertainment Mag: Why did you decide to pursue acting? Is your father’s (Ernie Reyes Jr.) acting career a source of inspiration?
Lotus Blossom: I decided to pursue acting because I grew up watching my dad in his movies and always wanted to follow in his footsteps. I remember watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 35mm at the theater. It was so cool, and now to be working in movies myself is a dream come true.
YEM: What is your character from We Can Be Heroes? What kind of power does she have?
Lotus: I play the character Acapella. She has an extreme singing range. Acapella can sing high notes beyond human hearing and low notes to create vibrations that can move objects and make herself fly.
YEM: We Can Be Heroes was made by Robert Rodriguez who also made Spy Kids and SharkBoy and Lavagirl. Were you a fan of these film series before being cast?
Lotus: Sharkboy and Lavagirl were a huge part of my childhood. I watched that film countless times. And I think I probably know the whole film by heart. I was super excited about getting to work with Robert when I found out he was directing the movie. Everything turned out to be even better than I could have ever imagined!
YEM: What does it mean to get to be a superhero?
Lotus: A superhero is somebody who dedicates their life to helping other people and the planet. In this movie, the kids are the real superheroes because they get to save their parents and the world from an alien invasion. A superhero is also somebody that people can look up to as a positive role model.
Photographer: Jeffrey Fountain
Hair & Makeup: Brett Freedman
YEM: In We Can Be Heroes, the children of superheroes are fighting to rescue their parents. How is family connection an important message in this movie?
Lotus: Family connection is an important message in this movie because as our leader Missy Moreno says, “Alone our powers are special, but together, we’re unstoppable!” While working to save their parents, the kids have to work together as a team, just like a family.
YEM: You have a team of eleven kids on this mission. Is it important that you work together as a group and combine your powers? Why?
Lotus: Team work makes the dream work! There is no “I” in “team”. It is important that we work together because we’re like a family and we’re on a mission. In order for us to survive and win, it takes all of us working using our gifts. One of the themes of this movie is working together in unison and the power of family.
YEM: What did you enjoy most about working on We Can Be Heroes? Do you have any favorite memories of being on set?
Lotus: Honestly, I really enjoyed everything about working on this movie. I loved getting to work with Robert Rodriguez and the amazing cast and crew. Everyday we had so much fun! It was super cool to be able to work with the stunt team and film fight scenes.
YEM: You’ve trained with your father in martial arts. Did any of that knowledge come in handy in We Can Be Heroes?
Lotus: I train with my father regularly and my martial arts came in handy when filming the fight scenes. I was already used to kicking and punching and performing fight choreography. I was able to use some of the techniques I practice with my dad.
YEM: How have you been keeping your craft alive during these hard times?
Lotus: I have been able to keep my craft alive by continuing to read and draw. I work on acting scenes for auditions. I do voiceover for a Netflix animated tv show. And I go to school. My schedule is happily filled, but I am looking forward to getting back on set.
