Ryan Guzman is currently filming his upcoming thriller: Midnight, and in his conversation with Xmag, he reflects on his professional journey.
Despite his current international success as an actor, Ryan Guzman didn’t initially plan to pursue acting. The American actor and model developed an interest in mixed martial arts at the age of 7, and after earning his first black belt at 10, he was an MMA fighter in Sacramento until 2010. A shoulder injury ended that dream, leading him to model for various magazines and brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Affliction, and Reebok. Everything changed when he landed his first leading role in ‘Step Up Revolution’. “It changed the course of my life. It was like being thrown into a world I had only seen from a distance.”


The dance franchise became an international hit, and Ryan shares the process he followed for the films, which, he admits, has always been the same over the years. “I work hard at something new without fearing failure. I do this because I know I might fail at first. The goal is to learn from my failures and remain open to new ideas when acquiring and improving a skill.”
His acting career continued in 2015 with the psychological thriller ‘The Boy Next Door’, which, according to Ryan, gave him valuable insight into the business side of the entertainment industry. In the film, he co-starred with Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan talks about his experience working with her. “Jennifer’s life is something most people won’t fully understand because it involves SO MUCH. She’s a superstar with a million things happening at once. I had a great time collaborating with her and director Rob. They both made me feel very comfortable. It was so much fun playing the bad guy!”
After his role in the psychological drama about a woman falling for her younger neighbour, Ryan moved on to portray Eddie Diaz in the police drama series ‘9-1-1’, which follows a rescue team in Los Angeles handling emergencies. The series underwent a significant shift when transitioning from FOX to ABC, and Ryan explains how this affected his character. “Eddie has evolved a lot since his introduction to the 9-1-1 universe. As with any great evolution, destruction must occur to rebuild something new. The transition from FOX to ABC came at the perfect time for my character, and I could portray that evolution through destruction just before another turning point in Eddie’s life. Season eight is about Eddie making peace with his demons and finding self-love.”


Given the show’s extreme and challenging situations, Ryan describes how he prepared physically and mentally for those moments. “Empathy is key. I draw from my own life experiences and understanding, using the truth of those encounters to connect with the character. As for staying physically fit, I continue practising martial arts.”
Recently, one of his latest projects was the fictional comedy ‘The Present’, starring Isla Fisher and Greg Kinnear. Ryan explains that working with these two actors was a major reason in order to take the job. “The moment I saw Isla Fisher and Greg Kinnear were involved, I was in. They’re two actors I’ve always wanted to collaborate with. Working with Isla was a dream—she gave me so much love and wisdom, and Greg is someone I’ve always enjoyed watching. Plus, the story resonated with me on a deep level, as I was going through a divorce at the time, which made it particularly relatable.”

Currently, the American actor is filming the thriller ‘Midnight’. “I received the script from writer Lamont Magee, and when he asked if I’d be interested in a role opposite Rosario Dawson, he didn’t need to say much more to pique my interest. ‘Midnight’ was a chance to showcase action in a way I haven’t been able to as much as I’d like as an actor.” Ryan adds that the thriller promises to be an intriguing story with surprises for viewers. “I think seeing Rosario Dawson go head-to-head with Mila Jovovich is intriguing enough, but then you add the layers of her sister’s character, played by Alexandra Shipp, and the audience is in for many twists and surprises.”
As immersed as he is in his work, Ryan concludes the interview by expressing his gratitude for the fans and followers who have supported him throughout his career. “I can’t fully express the depth of my gratitude to those who have found my work entertaining and have continued to support me over the years. THANK YOU!”
Credits:
Ph by @doraevmaxim assisted by @sashavasha
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Thanks to @conscioushollywoodpr
Interview @blancaa02