Most recently, Cruz Abelita appeared in Peacock feature film Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain alongside Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, and he had a guest role playing Charlie in the crime drama series Found. Further projects for Cruz include Haunted Mansion for Disney with Danny DeVito in the cast, an episode of The Wonder Years, Christmas on the Square (working with Dolly Parton), playing Danny in Words on Bathroom Walls, and Cruz is best-known for his first recurring role on screen playing Justin across all three series of Step Up: High Water. We caught up with Cruz, who speaks about being in the cast of feature film Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain, being on set of the Disney release Haunted Mansion and playing Justin in Step Up: High Water across all three series.
What was it like being involved with the Peacock feature film Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain and working with Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy?
Filming Please Don’t Destroy was such a fun experience! Ben, John and Martin are just as hilarious in person as they are on screen, and their energy on set was contagious. Watching how they bring their comedy to life was a great learning experience. The whole cast and crew made it such an enjoyable project to be part of. I also got to work with my friend, actor Boston Pierce. We spent a few days in Charlotte, so we had a blast exploring the city and making the most of our downtime!
Funny story: In one scene, we had to drink beer. Obviously, they didn’t give us real beer, but the can looked totally legit. Inside was just carbonated water, and I wasn’t expecting it to be fizzy—so, I made a face. They ended up loving it because it looked exactly like how a kid would react to tasting beer for the first time!
How would you describe your character Charlie in the crime drama series Found, and what was it like having a guest role in the series?
Being on Found was an amazing experience. Charlie is a skater kid whose friend goes missing, and he just wants to do his part in finding him. The cast and crew were so welcoming, and the show itself is incredibly gripping. Shanola Hampton is the kindest actor I’ve ever met. She was so warm and outgoing to every single person on set, always had a smile on her face, and made everyone feel important. I genuinely hope I get to work with her again!
You filmed for the 2023 Disney release of Haunted Mansion, how did you find the experience on set?
The set was incredible! Disney really knows how to create a magical atmosphere, and Haunted Mansion was no exception. From the costumes to the special effects, everything felt larger than life. It was surreal to be part of a project with such a rich history, and seeing how the final movie turned out was so exciting. I actually filmed an amazing stunt scene where a possessed chair pulled me through the mansion and outside! Unfortunately, the scene was cut, but it was so much fun to shoot. Also, meeting Danny DeVito was a highlight! We had both worked on Jumanji, but not on the same day. He had actually sent me a video saying he’d love to meet me one day. Then, while we were both in the makeup trailer, my mom pulled up the video and showed him! It was such a cool full-circle moment.
How was it filming for an episode of The Wonder Years – Series 2?
It was really cool to step into the world of The Wonder Years. The show has such a nostalgic, heartfelt vibe, and everyone on set was so supportive. One of the best parts was getting to work with my good friend and actor Jayce Alexander. It’s always more fun when you’re on set with a friend! I also loved getting to wear clothes from that era – it really added to the experience. My scene was with Elisha “EJ” Williams, and he was so kind to everyone on set! Such a pro.
You are best known for your role as Justin across all three seasons of Step Up: High Water, what are some of your stand-out memories from working on the show?
There are so many great memories! I didn’t dance on the show, but it was amazing to watch all the incredible dance numbers. Working with Faizon Love was full of laughs – I learned so much about comedy and improv just from watching him. Carlito Olivero, who played my big brother, was very protective of me on set and gave me a lot of acting advice. I’d love to work with him again now that I’m older.
One of my favourite filming days was when we were setting up tiles to knock over in a scene. The props team spent over an hour getting it perfect, and we were told to be careful not to touch it during rehearsal. We didn’t touch it—but just the movement in the room set it off! We all laughed so hard, and since they had to reset it, we ended up with an unexpected hour-long break. We felt bad for the props team, but it was such a funny moment!
I also hold the chance to work with Naya Rivera very close to my heart. We shared a deeply emotional scene where my character was taken away from Carlito’s and placed in foster care while he got the proper paperwork sorted out. It was probably the most emotional scene I’ve ever filmed. Naya was such a kind and supportive presence – she made sure I felt comfortable and helped me navigate the heavy emotions of the moment. Her passing was such a heartbreaking loss, but I will always cherish the memories we shared on set.
What was Justin like to play, and can you tell us about your character?
Justin was such a fun character to play – he was a sweet kid but also a little mischievous. He just wanted some stability and a sense of family. I’ve always wanted a big brother, so I loved getting to build that bond with Carlito, who played David.
What did you enjoy most about being in the cast of Step Up: High Water, and what do you feel you learned from having Justin as your first recurring role on screen?
Being part of Step Up felt like being in a big family. The cast and crew were all so supportive, and I learned so much about acting and working on a long-term project. Playing Justin taught me a lot about character development – how to bring depth to a role over multiple seasons and make a character’s journey feel real.
In 2020, you were seen in Christmas on the Square alongside Dolly Parton, what was this project like to be part of?
That was such a special project! Working on a Christmas movie with Dolly Parton was a dream – she’s an absolute icon, and getting to watch her act and sing was amazing. Fun fact: We filmed in the summer! The soundstage was covered in fake snow, and the director, Debbie Allen, actually threw a fake snowball at my face for the scene because the other kid actor kept missing the mark.
What do you remember most from your time filming as Danny in Words on Bathroom Walls?
It was such a fun set. My on-screen brother was played by Evan Whitten, and we had a blast filming together. It didn’t even feel like work because we were having so much fun. Both of my scenes involved eating—and I love to eat—so it was a great day!
How did you get into acting, and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
My sister started acting first, and her agent saw that she had a brother. They asked my mom if I might be interested, and I said yes. We started auditioning together and even got to play siblings in a few projects. One of my favourites was a Bojangles commercial – another job where I got to eat all day!
Do you have a favourite aspect of working in the acting industry?
I love the collaborative part of it – working with directors, actors, and crew to bring a story to life. Being on set is always exciting, and meeting some of my acting idols has been a huge perk!
Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?
One piece of advice that’s always stuck with me is to stay patient and keep putting in the work. Acting is unpredictable, and things don’t always happen overnight, but if you keep improving your craft and showing up, opportunities will come.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I’m a big fan of Draft Day, Invincible, Remember the Titans, Shaolin Soccer, The Goonies, and Paddington.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love playing basketball, football, and tennis whenever I get the chance. Gaming is another big hobby of mine – I could spend hours playing with friends. I also love watching movies and shows to get inspired for future roles.
Do you have any projects coming up, and what are you hoping this year brings for you?
I don’t have anything booked at the moment, but I’m excited to see what comes next. I’d love to work on more action-packed projects, or something with Filipino actors like Jo Koy or Dave Bautista. This year, I’m focusing on improving my craft and staying ready for whatever comes my way!
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