Jy Prishkulnik is set to star as Cleo De Nile in the live-action fantasy musical Monster High: The Movie. Based on the franchise of the same name, the highly anticipated film premieres on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ this Halloween season on Thursday, October 6th.
We spoke with Jy about what viewers can expect from Monster High: The Movie, utilizing her background in the arts for her role as Cleo, and why fans will love this addition to the franchise.
Read on for our exclusive interview with Jy Prishkulnik below:
Can you talk a little about what initially inspired you to pursue acting and entertainment?
Like many kids, I always loved performing. I was in dance classes and learned to play instruments (piano, violin, flute) throughout my childhood, and I loved performing on stage and doing musical theater. My sister, Ever, and I would finish our homework extra fast to watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. We loved seeing the kids our age acting in shows and movies and we loved the stories. I think that my desire to perform has always been connected to my love of storytelling and reading.
Can you talk a little about your character Cleo De Nile and what viewers can expect from them?
Superficially, Cleo De Nile is the most popular ghoul in school—but, she’s really so much more than that! I worked extensively with the director and producer, Todd Holland and Adam Bonnett, to find a way to make Cleo more three-dimensional than your average mean girl. We determined that Cleo is, not only the school’s Scream Queen, but she is also competitively academic. This makes her the cleverest ghoul in school! What is compelling about Cleo is that, beneath her ferocious facade, she has layers of vulnerability. Cleo yearns to connect with her monster peers.
Monster High: The Movie is described as a musical fantasy film. Did you have to do anything to prepare for the role?
Yes! I was thrilled to be cast in such a fun and beloved fandom but I knew from early on that it would take a lot of work. Fortunately, this gave me the opportunity to work with a diverse variety of industry professionals, including a vocal coach, a stamina trainer, and very talented (and patient) choreographers. You may notice some of Cleo’s pretty extreme high heels throughout the film. I would borrow them from the wardrobe department in order to squeeze in extra dance practice while wearing them. It made a difference.
You have an extensive background in the arts with experience with many forms of dance and musical instruments. Did Monster High: The Movie allow you to utilize your many musical talents?
I was able to call upon my vocal training when recording the film’s soundtrack. These songs are very catchy and so much fun to sing along with. I can’t wait for viewers to listen. While I wasn’t playing any instruments in this film, I can imagine that Cleo is a fan of castanets, bells, and the lyre.
Monster High: The Movie is based on the widely successful Monster High franchise. How does it feel to be a part of a project that had a built-in fanbase? Was it exciting to have this opportunity to exceed their expectations?
It has been both exciting and terrifying to be a part of the new generation of Monster High. Doing my character preparation work in the weeks leading up to shooting, I realized just how much Monster High content exists and how committed fans are to these incredible characters, their complex backstories, and their relationships.
I wanted to honor fans’ expectations while also holding space for the new aspects of the characters that have been infused into this reboot. I think fans will have fun noticing some of Cleo’s iconic catchphrases and homages to precursor moments in the franchise that we snuck into the live-action film.
How was that experience working with the cast? Are there any fun memories that stick out to you from filming?
I am so grateful and honored to be a part of this remarkable cast. Showing up on set every day (despite 3:00 AM call times and rainy Vancouver days) was so much fun with this inspiring and generous group of actors. I felt everyone’s enthusiasm and happiness to be a part of this beloved Monster world.
We filmed throughout the fall and winter of 2021 so one of my favorite memories was doing Halloween with the cast. How did we celebrate? By dressing up as different characters from the Wizard of Oz and then practicing the Monster High dance routines until our feet ached. Can you guess which Monster High actor was which Wizard of Oz character?
Another really special memory I have from the shoot occurred within the last couple of days of filming. Back home in New Mexico, my parents were dog-sitting my two fur babies, Mowgli and Myrtle. That day of shooting, Myrtle was about to undergo a necessary amputation surgery on her tail, and I was really stressed out and upset because I couldn’t be with her. That day, we were shooting on location at a church in Vancouver.
Between takes, the actors are held in what is called a Green Room. This particular Green Room happened to have a piano. To cheer me up, the insanely musically gifted Case Walker (who plays Deuce Gorgon), jumped on the piano and started improvising a song about Myrtle the Turtle (as we call her) and how she has super powers so she was going to be okay. The rest of the cast turned on their phone flashlights and waved them slowly in the air. It was a really special moment.
This project is coming out just in time for spooky season and is sure to be a favorite amongst fans of both Monster High and Halloween. Do you have any favorite seasonal movies you enjoy?
Of course! Spooky season is my favorite. There are too many great Halloween movies to name, but I never get through the month of October without watching Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, the Tower of Terror, Midsommar, and The Addams Family. This year, I’m really excited to see Jordan Peele’s new creation, Wendell & Wild.
What can you tease about what viewers can expect from Monster High: The Movie? What are you most excited for them to see?
The final sharp curve and twist of the plot! I wonder if viewers will be as surprised as I was when first reading the script. Fans should keep an eye out for the unbelievably hardworking and talented crew of dancers in each musical scene. Their passion and vivacity kept us alive (err, undead) and jumping every day on set.
Thank you so much to Jy Prishkulnik/strong> for taking the time to speak with us!
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