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Instagram @juliagracereilly%u201cI knew in the few short days I was on set that it was a once in a lifetime moment.%u201dArticle By:Denise SmithOne of those rare opportunities presented itself recently as Julia was cast as the minor character, Tammy Thompson, the long-time school crush of Robin Buckley%u2019s character, played by Maya Hawke, in Netflix%u2019s nostalgic hit show, %u201cStranger Things%u201d. This was a surreal moment for the actress, from the extreme costume and makeup design to the practiced Muppet-like rendition of the national anthem. Julia did her best to remain present in the experience because as she share, %u201cI knew in the few short days I was on set that it was a once in a lifetime moment.%u201d Whether it%u2019s Ket, Tammy, Justine or Dani, an actor is meant to embody each unique and varied individual. MOST Magazine discussed the process of building the layers of each role she portrays and the importance of gaining confidence in each new approach. %u201cUltimately, I really try to put as much of myself as possible into whatever character I%u2019m playing.%u201d This lends itself to the character feeling more authentic, regardless of the traits from her own personal life. Then, she layers on the character%u2019s differences to form a more complete person, which allows her to showcase a multi-dimensional persona that feels lived in and real. %u201cI think so much of my own confidence comes from showing up as prepared as possible.%u201d The more prepared, knowing her character, the scene and her lines, the more freedom she has when it comes time to shoot. In her newest project, %u201cCounty Rescue,%u201d we meet Dani Miller, an EMT, who is navigating work life competitions and managing parents%u2019 expectations. Securing the role after three auditions, Julia set off to Nashville, Tennessee, a week later, %u201cwhere it has been an absolute dream bringing Dani to life and working alongside the most incredible cast and crew.%u201d Tackling her first series regular role taught the young actress discipline in terms of sleep, a daily routine, and energy conservation. %u201cThere%u2019s nothing like being on set and witnessing all the moving parts come together.%u201d As a cast, spending time together between scenes and setup, the crew consisted of some of the %u201cnicest and most hard-working people. I%u2019m so proud of everyone involved, and it was fun the final product.%u201dWhen she%u2019s not practicing her craft or bringing characters to life, she loves spending time with her puppy. Finneas is an expert level fetch player and delights in long walks. Julia also enjoys lagree pilates and working out. Most importantly, she lives close to her family and loves spending time with them. MOST Magazine discussed some of her film favorites and inspiring performances from the past year. Loving the two major releases of the year, %u201cOppenheimer%u201d and %u201cBarbie%u201d, she also carved out some time to finally watch the first %u201cDune%u201d since the second one is already out. Actors she enjoys watching include Timoth%u00e9e Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh, who Julia says is one of her favorites. As a fan of many of Florence%u2019s movies, Julia shares, %u201cshe%u2019s a huge inspiration for my own acting.%u201d At the end of every day, rather than striving for fame and fortune, Julia simply states, %u201cThe ultimate gift is health and happiness.%u201d She longs for the opportunity to continue building a career in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera. For Julia, this simply means experiencing the sheer joy of doing something for fun and loving every minute. Hopefully that includes a second season of %u201cCounty Rescue.%u201d24 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 41