ISABELLA CUDA Talks About Her Career – Exclusive Interview

Isabella Cuda is a rising star and we were lucky enough to get a chance to speak with her about her life and career!

ISABELLA CUDA is a talented young actor with a heartwarming and unique story. Born with Spina Bifida Occulta, she has overcome 3 spinal cord untethering surgeries, and she had to re-learn how to walk. Despite the obstacles she has faced, her talent and perseverance have helped her to land roles on popular television series such as CRIMINAL MINDS, SAM & CAT and most recently Disney’s BUNK’D, where she Guest Stars as Kat, a young girl in a wheelchair.

BSCKids: Isabella, tell us about some of your recent acting work.

Isabella Cuda: Hello and thank you for having me. Just last week, I was on an episode of Disney Channel’s “Bunk’d”. I played the character, Kit, a pageant girl who is in a wheelchair. Noah, played by Israel Johnson, develops a crush on Kit and pretends to be a pageant boy to try to impress her. It’s a really funny episode and I had so much fun filming it.

Your role on Bunk’d had you playing Kit, tell us about how you really connected with the character.

I really connected with my character as we have both spent time in a wheelchair after surgery. But just like Kit, I’m not afraid of what others think about me and we are both very outgoing. I also love her style, the wardrobe department created a theme of flames for my outfits which I loved.

Who do you feel like has taught you the most in your acting career?

Definitely our good friend Ms. Cheryl Faye. She was my acting coach for as long as I can remember and I have learned so much from her. She passed in 2018 due to cancer, she was such a strong woman and I miss her terribly. A couple of years ago I learned the Meisner technique which was very important for my acting skills.

Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you.

I have 3 citizenships, USA, Switzerland and Croatia

If you could guest star on any show on television now or in the past which one would it be and why?

I would love to be on Stranger Things. It is one of my favorite shows and it would be so cool to guest star. I would also love to have an 80’s makeover 🙂

Tell us a bit about your favorite High School band moment? How does your time in band help your acting and vice versa?

I actually play a really cool instrument called the Marimba in my high school’s marching band. My favorite band moment was when we were competing in the finals of our regional championship in Utah. I love playing music and performing which also helps me in my acting.

What would you say is your favorite Instagram post of yours and why?

I think my favorite post is the picture with Tom Cruise and I. We ran into him at a private jet terminal in San Diego, it was a total coincidence. He was so nice and gracious, we chatted a bit and then he offered to take a picture with him.

Tell us about your work Ronald McDonald House and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

My parents have stayed at RMcDHouses before when i was in the hospital for weeks. It helps tremendously to families who are out of town but want to be close to their kid in the hospital.
My dad is a pilot and collects toiletries from his travels which we then donate to the RMcDHouse. Before covid, we would also bake and bring food to the local house.

I would like to bring awareness to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. I think it’s really important to create some fun hospital gowns to make their stay at the hospital a little less stressful for them.

Is there anything you can tell about upcoming projects?

I am still recovering from foot reconstruction surgery but I have had many auditions. I’m so glad that productions are picking up again. So fingers crossed that one of those pulls through.

What would be your perfect movie role that you would love to play?

I would love to be a character with magical powers, like a fairy or superhero of some sorts. One of my favorite characters is Wanda Maximoff from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Playing a character like that is my absolute dream.

Thanks to Isabella Cuda for taking the time to talk to us!