Breakout Actress Ridley Bateman Discusses her Staring Role in Netflix Film “LOU”
Ridley Bateman is a breakout actress who’s recently put her foot on the bright Hollywood path. Starting her career just two short years ago as the face of Dominos Pizza’s National Campaign, starring opposite of the world-famous NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, the nine-year-old actress is already creating an impressive resume for herself.
More recently, Ridley has appeared next to John Malcovich in the feature film “shattered”, and will be staring in an newly released Netflix feature film “LOU,” opposite industry veterans Jurnee Smollett and Alison Janey.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Sentinel (LAS), Ridley Bateman shared with us her feelings about her budding career in entertainment, along with her new starring role.
“I have always had a love for acting,” shared the young actress. “My mom and dad were both in the industry way before I was born, and I found it really interesting how you could be on TV and see yourself, so I wanted to try it.”
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Bateman’s mom was an actress, and her dad is one of the top stunt performers in the world, so performing is in her blood. Her training is impressive, and includes parkour, gymnastics, and dance. She also has a love for singing and continues to learn under the guidance of her mom who is a trained Soprano.
In the movie, “LOU”, Ridley plays the character Vee, the daughter of Hannah (Jurnee Smollett).
“Vee is a very brave and innocent little girl,” shared Bateman. “I don’t know how to explain her very much, but I can say that she’s intelligent and strong.”
LOU tells the journey of a mother who teams up with the mysterious woman next door (Allison Janney) to pursue her daughter’s kidnapper. As a massive storm rages, the two women risk their lives on a rescue mission that tests their limits and exposes dark and shocking secrets from their past. The film is directed by Anna Foerster from a screenplay by Maggie Cohn and Jack Stanley, with Bad Robot’s JJ Abrams, Hannah Minghella, and Jon Cohen producing.
Ridley shared that working along Jurnee Smollett was “really fun. [Her and Allison Janney] they were really nice, and were always cracking jokes when they weren’t filming.” Ridley also shared that her and Smollett had a step competition during filming breaks.
“LOU” being a movie that hits such a serious topic didn’t scare Bateman, either. She shared that “the movie wasn’t scary for her to film except for a moment in the cave scene where she had to walk up to Logan [Marshall-Green] when his character was freaking out and tap him on the shoulder. I was scared every time he turned and yelled.”
The actress also shared that she’d love to potentially get a role in an action-adventure hero movie, a comedy, and even a historical movie!
“I’d like to play in a historical movie that’s really far back—like the 1800s,” she enthused.
Being a child actress isn’t easy. Bateman shared that she doesn’t really know how she finds her balance, she just does, which is a teller that the little powerhouse is walking in her path.
However, she did offer some words of wisdom for young actresses trying to set their own footprints in the entertainment journey.
“It’s okay to be nervous. Just be yourself on the camera, even when it’s scary.”
For more information on Ridley Bateman, check out her Instagram (@ridletashabateman). You can also watch “LOU” on Netflix!
