Jadagrace Berry is just 9 and already savvy enough to thank her agent for helping her land her debut role as Star in Terminator Salvation, though the agent only opened the door for her. Jadagrace and her mother did the rest. The result was a chance to work alongside Christian Bale and Anton Yelchin in the recent addition to the blockbuster Terminator franchise.
When we spoke by phone, she’d just finished a day at school and was riding home with her mother.
How did you find out about this part? What was the audition like?
Jadagrace Berry: My manager got me an audition for the Terminator movie. I had no idea what Terminator was before I got into the film but I was really grateful I was in such a big movie.
I had done a short film called Three Verses and a RE/MAX commercial. I was with Debbie Allen Productions. I have been dancing for five years and it is a really good place to go. They help you with acting, too, because we do shows which involve acting.
What was the audition like?
They had me tell them three sad stories about me in school, and then I got a call back. Me and my mom decided to go to a thrift store and buy some clothes with stars all over them. We bought this really cool bandana to go with a hat and we sewed a little star on the hat. When we got to the audition, [I ran] around in the park until I got warmed up and a little sweaty [like I’d been running from Terminators]. And then we got some oil from my aunt’s car and rubbed it all over my clothes. So I went to the audition and they thought that I was the right person to be in the movie because I was prepared and I follow directions really good.
Did you ever see a “Terminator” movie before you heard about this one?
No. I was too young.
Tell me about Star — what is she like?
She is a really dirty girl but she has a good heart like me and she loved her family. She has a best friend named Kyle, who is always with her when she needs help. Every time Star feels uncomfortable, when she’s around Terminators, Kyle is always there for her. But Kyle gets help from her, too, because Star has a really good sense for knowing when Terminators are around.
So he is like a brother in this film?
Yeah!
What was life on the set like?
Being on the set was really freaky. The Terminators had red eyes and just followed me everywhere. [But] when I was shooting with Terminators I felt really safe because everybody was around me so I was not there by myself and they always made me feel comfortable. Like McG [the director] said, “If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, you don’t have to do it.” But then I thought, “Well, I worked really hard to be here — it took like four auditions — and if I don’t do it, my double has to do it and I won’t be in the scene.” So I said, “I’ll just do it and get it over with.”
The character Star is one of the toughest people in the movie, because she has something about her that just makes her really special. She helps Kyle a lot, and Star and Kyle just have to be together every scene.
Did they use people to play Terminator roles, or were they CGI?
They used three people. My favorite was probably Brian.
Did you do your own stunts and what was that like?
I did a lot of my own stunts, especially the ones on the cables. My favorite one was when I had to keep slipping until I got to the ground, and also jumping off the truck.
What were your favorite moments making this film?
My favorite scene was the scene on the rooftop. I love rooftops. I always wanted to be on a rooftop and that was my first time.
Since you are so young, how long could you work each day?
A couple of hours each day but I shot for six hours on one day and I was on the film for four months.
How do you keep up with your schoolwork? What sort of hours can you work, then do schoolwork?
I was in with a great teacher, Kathleen. Sometimes Kathleen told them I needed to finish my homework so I could not shoot yet.
What is it like working with Christian and Anton?
Christian was a really great guy. He would always help me with things I didn’t understand. He would only answer to John, not Christian. And Anton was really fun to work with. We would laugh and have so much fun, especially on the bloopers.
Where did you shoot? And what did you do when you weren’t on the set?
I was in Albuquerque. Every day after the set we would go to a hotel and I would get up early and eat a bunch of egg whites. I love egg whites.
I understand you have a lot of pets. Did you miss them?
Yes. I have six dogs and seven cats.
I understand you are making a record. What are your plans for the future?
I am using the record to get on Disney, because I love Disney. It’s my favorite channel. I love Hannah Montana, Suite Life on Deck. That’s so amazing. I love every single film on Disney Channel.
How long have you been acting?
I’ve been acting for four years. I got started on auditioning for a bunch of commercials. Most of them were RE/MAX commercials. But every time I couldn’t get an audition, I’d always say, “I’ll get the next one.” Finally, I got Terminator, which is a great movie for my first.
Will you see this one?
Yes, the movie is PG-13 so now all my friends can see it with me.