With SHAZAM! about to open in cinemas around the world, we caught up with talented young actress FAITHE HERMAN to learn about her role in the film, her career, and her thoughts on superpowers!
STARBURST: What are you allowed to tell us about your Shazam! role?
Faithe Herman: My character is Darla Dudley, and she’s the youngest of the foster siblings. Darla is very chatty, loves giving hugs, is kind, and she’s protective over her siblings.
One of your siblings, Billy Batson, is given powers by an ancient wizard in the film. If you could be granted superpowers in real life, what would you choose?
If I could have any superpower? It would definitely be flight. And invisibility!
And how would you use them?
For flight, I would use it to get me to L.A. faster! The drive from San Diego, where I live, to L.A. is very long. I would use invisibility to disappear from bad guys.
How did you get into acting?
Through my agency. When my mom signed me with them, it was because she thought it would be fun for me to model or do commercials. My agent started sending me on theatrical auditions and the very first pilot I auditioned for was something called Untitled Dan Fogelman Project, which is now known as This is Us.
Which is great by the way! Although it’s a real tear-jerker…
Everyone has so many feelings from watching that show!
Are there any films, books, or television shows that make you cry?
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and certain episodes of The Passage too.
What do you enjoy most about being on a film or TV set?
I enjoy the different experiences. Every day is a new learning experience for me that I feel beyond grateful for.
Which stars do you most look up to?
I admire Zendya, Yara Shahidi, and Marsai Martin.
If you could star in any film or TV series, what would it be?
A Series of Unfortunate Events. And I think a remake of The Goonies would be really fun too!
We’ve been waiting for another Goonies movie for years, let’s hope it happens! What project is up next for you?
I just wrapped Season 3 of This is Us, so I’m just focusing on ending my last year in elementary school as a fifth grader. But you never know when other opportunities in this business may come along!
With any luck Shazam! 2 will be one of those opportunity to come along soon! If you had the chance to play somebody with superpowers one day, would that be something you’d be up for?
I’d be so excited to be a superhero!
SHAZAM! opens in cinemas around the world on April 5th and you can read our review here. To follow Faithe on social media, seek out her handle @faitheherman
Credits
Photographer: Birdie Thompson @birds_eye_photo
Hair: Matilde Campos @tildebymatilde
Makeup: Anton Khachaturian @antonmakeup with MAC Cosmetics
