Our interview with up-coming actress Ramona Young, who can be seen on ABC’s show “The Real O’Neals” where she plays the character of Allison.
Ramona will also be seen in season 3 of Syfy’s zombie comedy-drama, “Z Nation” and in Netflix’s upcoming original comedy series with Drew Barrymore, “Santa Clarita Diet” (2017).
Hi Ramona, please tell us about you?
Some things about me are: I’m a philanthropist. I’m Chinese. I’m female. I like being inside when it rains unless I’m dancing while it pours. I’m all or nothing. I don’t like watching the ocean. I’m a vegetarian with two rabbits and I enjoy drinking hot plain tea. I believe in human contradictions. I like happiness. I like watching people laugh; it makes me laugh.
How did you get started acting?
I guess I’ve acted my whole life. I think everyone does. Acting is being without thinking about it. But I started learning and preparing for this process professionally about three years ago.
Did you go to acting school?
Playhouse West is the dojo of acting for me.
What’s the best part of being an actress? And worst?
The best part about acting is finding moments of transcendence. Moments where you are free and able to share with an audience a truth within yourself. The worst is it comes with the price of instability.
Any other family member is in the business?
I don’t have family in the business. My grandfather is an eastern doctor. My grandmother sold clothes on the sidewalk. My mother is in the Navy. My father is a psychologist and professor.
What inspired you to become an actress?
It was a process, it still is. It wasn’t so much knowing I needed to be an actress, it was slowly accepting I couldn’t not do it. I’ve dreamt about acting since freshman year of high school. I didn’t pursue it then though. I graduated college a few years early, and my family wanted me to go to grad school. I stepped into my first class and left bawling because I felt like I was throwing what I was about away, even though I didn’t know what that was yet.
What has it been like to be part of ABC’s show, “The Real O’Neals” cast?
Being on the Real O’Neals has been surreal. Grand. Surreal. Wonderful.
And about your character Allison?
I love playing Allison and saying everything that’s written for her.
What has been your most memorable experience from the set?
The most memorable moment on the Real O’Neals for me so far was when Martha Plimpton had the generosity to give me some really good advice on one of my first weeks on set. I think about what she said to me frequently.
How did you start on this show?
I started working on The Real O’Neals after going to the audition.
And now tell us about Syfy’s “Z Nation”?
Working on Z Nation is almost as much of a thrill ride as the show itself. I love it so much.
What do you do in your free time?
Besides acting related activities, I like cruising on my skateboard, going to the arcade with my brothers, writing songs and singing, practicing martial arts, and playing. I love to play. Give me games, I wish to play with you.
What do you like to watch on tv?
To be honest, I haven’t watched television since I was maybe about ten, because our family could never afford cable and even if we did have T.V. it was school, school, school. So, it was Wheel of Fortune or The Simpsons growing up. However, I recently finished Stranger Things and The Get Down, which were both AMAZING. I love original stories like that.
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
I can’t leave the house without my keys, sometimes my wallet, sometimes my phone. Mainly my keys though.
What music do you like?
Oh no, you asked me the music question. I feel like my mind is now set to infinite loops: Beach Boys, Patsy Cline, Bon Iver, M83, Elvis, Nirvana, Radiohead, Alicia Keys, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Watsky, Eyedea, Frank Ocean, The Flamingos, The Rat Pack, Amy Winehouse, Takeshi, Doris Day, Whitney, Mariah Carey, and certain pop songs when they first come out…I feel bad because I’ve probably missed a lot of people I love.
Any future plans you want to share with us?
I plan on possibly adopting a dog around Christmas, and celebrating Thanksgiving at a buffet.
Who you would love to work with?
I would love to work with minds like David Lynch, Charlie Kaufman, or Woody Allen.
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress and why?
I admire actors and actresses I can’t recognize from role to role. You see that they’ve put their own egos so far to the side, that only pure acting is left, I think having a good sense of humor probably helps one do that, on top of an indispensable commitment. Though I am not sure. I like people like- Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Marlon Brando, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Lea Seydoux, Alicia Vikander, Kate Winslet, Jim Carey, Cate Blanchett, Benicio Del Toro, Mark Ruffalo– oh no, my infinite loop started up again.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Good question. A lot can happen in five years. I hope to have a more solid grasp on my career. I hope to be more confident and understanding.
How important is Social Media for you?
Social Media is interesting. I’m not sure what my opinions about it are yet, but I think it’s important.
Where we can follow you?
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @ramonabishyoung. I am also on Facebook.
Quote: I don’t want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that’s sinful, then let me be damned for it!- Tennessee Williams
Food: I like potatoes. I can also do soup.
Book: In terms of craft- True and False, Art of Acting, Sanford Meisner on Acting, War of Art. For fun- The Classics, Nancy Drew, and Mangas.
Movie: There are so many legendary movies, so in recent terms- Youth with Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel really impacted me.
Sport Team: I like watching baseball and basketball. I’m pretty diplomatic in terms of teams, but I like Madison Bumgarner, Steph Curry, and of course Michael Jordan.
Song: Classic Disney songs have gotten me through some times, and yes I realize how dorky that sounds.
Photo Credit: Vince Trupsin
