Eliana Su’a starred as lead character Frankie Ripp in Pretty Freekin Scary for Disney Channel alongside her on-screen brother Yonas Kibreab as Remy Ripp, with Frankie marking her first series regular character. In 2020, Eliana booked her first role as Lulu in the feature film Simmer, and since went on to film a guest role in 9-1-1 as Emma Beltran, and she played Sam Hobbs in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (the ninth installment of the franchise), working with Dwayne Johnson as her father Luke Hobbs, Ryan Reynolds as Victor Locke and Idris Elba as Brixton Lore, and she filmed in London and Hawaii for the project. Alongside her mother, Eliana released her first children’s book in November 2024 called Keep Believing: The Samoan Legend of The Turtle and The Shark – which is available on Amazon, and they run a production company together called Su’a Films, with a few projects currently in development. We found out from Eliana about her lead role of Frankie Ripp in Pretty Freekin Scary for Disney, working on Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw as Sam Hobbs and her first children’s book Keep Believing: The Samoan Legend of The Turtle and The Shark.
In the Disney series Pretty Freekin Scary, you starred as lead character Frankie Ripp, what are some of your favourite memories from filming the series?
I am genuinely so grateful to be able to say that filming Pretty Freekin Scary was one of the most joyful chapters of my life. The energy on set was always so light, and there was this effortless comfort between all of us, cast and crew, that made every day feel special.
Some of my favourite memories come from the random prank wars we would have with each other. One time, we completely covered our wardrobe stylist’s car in sticky notes. Another day, I showed up to set and found that literally every single thing, every chair, every door, every tiny item on set, had been labelled with my name. Once, my mom and I even swapped places during rehearsal, and no one could tell the difference. It was hilarious.
Those little moments are what made the experience so meaningful. It was not just about making a show together. It was about building real relationships and creating an environment where everyone felt free to be themselves and have fun. I think that kind of trust and genuine joy is what truly stays with you.
How would you describe Frankie and what was she like to play?
When I first read the script, I literally thought, ‘Oh, so she is kind of like me when I am completely comfortable with someone’. Frankie has this effortless confidence and openness about her that felt so familiar, but also so different from how I usually am. In real life, I tend to be more reserved until I truly get to know someone, and then I will show all sides of me. But Frankie is not like that at all. She leads with her heart right away.
Playing her for nine months really pulled me out of my own bubble. It was almost like she gave me permission to be more bold, more playful, and to show my full self without hesitation. Frankie is such a bright soul. She knows what she wants, she is loyal, and she is overflowing with so much love. Stepping into her shoes was such a gift that changed me in ways I am still so grateful for.
How did you find the experience starring in a Disney Channel series and meeting and working with the rest of the cast?
I love my cast sooo much. From the very first day I met everyone, I just knew it was going to be something special. There was this immediate sense of ease and connection, and it only grew deeper over time. They have become like family to me, and that is not something I say lightly.
Starring in a Disney Channel series was such a surreal experience on its own. It is something I think a lot of us dreamed about as kids, and getting to share it with people who are not only talented but also genuinely good, kind, and hilarious human beings made it all so much richer. It is rare to work with people who make you feel completely seen and valued, and I am honestly just so grateful that was my reality on this project.
What was it like finding out you’d booked the role of Frankie and what do you feel you learnt from having her as your first series regular character?
I remember the audition process for this role felt pretty long. I always try to go into auditions with the mindset of doing my absolute best and then leaving the rest up to God. But that is definitely easier said than done. When you want something so deeply, it has a way of taking over your entire world.
I was actually with my family when I got the call that I had booked Frankie. I was so happy, completely over the moon. But honestly, I do not think it fully hit me until about the fourth month on set. It almost felt too big to process at first.
I learned so much from having Frankie as my first series regular character. I discovered what it really means to carry a show, not just in the story but also in setting the tone on set. I realised that, as the lead, your energy matters. It influences how everyone else feels and works together. I also became fascinated by everything happening behind the scenes. There are so many incredibly talented people pouring their hearts into every tiny detail to bring a show to life, from the producers and showrunners to the prop managers and stunt coordinators. That experience is what opened the door for me to fall in love with producing and filmmaking. It gave me a much deeper respect for all the moving parts that make storytelling possible.
Is there anything you miss most about filming for Pretty Freekin Scary and what do you remember from your last day on set of the project?
What I miss most is seeing the cast and crew every day. I know I have said it before, but we all became so close. It truly felt like a family. The last day on set was a lot like the last day of your senior year of high school. There was so much love and happiness, but also this bittersweet feeling because we knew it was all coming to an end.
I remember we stayed there until around two in the morning. We had our wrap party right on the lot with food, dancing, and so much laughter. What stands out to me most is just how full my heart felt that night. Looking around and seeing everyone smiling and dancing, it hit me how lucky we were to have created something so special together.
What was it like filming for an episode of 9-1-1 as guest character Emma Beltran, and can you tell us about your storyline?
Filming that episode of 9-1-1 was such a cool experience for me. We shot it out in the Malibu Canyons, where my character Emma is hiking with her dad and we come across a message in a bottle that says someone is stuck and needs help. I had been a big fan of the show even before booking the role, so just being part of that world was really exciting. I have also always admired Angela Bassett, so knowing I was working on the same project she leads was pretty cool.
You played Sam Hobbs in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, what was it like on set of the film and how was it joining the Fast & Furious franchise?
It was honestly insane. I was only ten when I filmed Hobbs & Shaw, so just being on set and working alongside actors like Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Idris Elba, whom I had only ever dreamed of meeting, felt completely surreal. It was like a masterclass for me. I got to watch these incredibly talented people up close and learn so much. We filmed in London and Hawaii, which was such an adventure, especially at that age. I have always been a huge fan of the Fast & Furious franchise, so getting to be part of it meant the world to me. I also have so much respect for director David Leitch, producer Kelly McCormick, and the entire cast and crew.
What was it like taking on the role of Sam and filming with Dwayne Johnson as your on-screen father Luke Hobbs?
I remember the first time I met DJ he brought his little dog with him, which immediately won me over. But more than that, he was so welcoming and knew exactly how to make me feel comfortable. He really took the time to help me, guide me through scenes, and make sure I felt supported. I also got to meet his family and his kids, which was so special. It made me feel very welcomed into the Fast & Furious family by him. Playing Sam and having him as my on-screen dad was such a gift.
How was it playing Lulu in the 2020 feature film Simmer?
Simmer will always have this special little place in my heart because it was the very first role I ever did. I was completely in awe of everything on set, from the cameras to the crew to just watching how it all came together. I never wanted to leave. I only had about two lines in the film, and it is such a niche project that I am always surprised when someone brings it up. But that was the first time I truly fell in love with being on set and working.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
My love for acting comes from how much I enjoy stepping into someone else’s shoes and experiencing life from their perspective. When I am acting, I enter this flow state where I am truly present in the scene. It almost feels like floating. I do not really know how else to describe it. I also love storytelling and the fact that I can connect to so many people through a single character. Every time we watch a movie or a show, we see a little bit of ourselves on screen and feel understood, and I think that is so powerful.
I got into acting when I was seven. I have always loved performing and remember putting on little shows for my family all the time. Once the idea of becoming an actor popped into my head, I just knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and have not looked back since.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I love a good psychological thriller, so movies like Split are right up my alley. I also really loved The Woman King with Viola Davis. It was so powerful and beautifully made.
In November 2024, you released your first children’s book Keep Believing: The Samoan Legend of The Turtle and The Shark (which is available to buy on Amazon) alongside your mother; can you tell us about the book?
The Samoan Legend of the Turtle and the Shark is a tale about a blind mother and her daughter whose village was suffering from famine. Feeling they had no other choice, they leapt into the sea so they could remain together forever. Miraculously, they transformed into a turtle and a shark and swam to the village of Vaitogi, where the high chief and villagers welcomed them and offered them food.
In gratitude, they vowed to bless the villagers with their presence, and to this day, they are said to appear to the people of Vaitogi. I have always found this story profoundly poetic and beautiful.
After reading about the legend in my great-grandfather’s published book, and my family actually witnessing the Turtle and Shark in Vaitogi, my mom and I reimagined it and wove it into our own story. It’s about a young girl who is blessed by the legend when her sick grandfather is healed through the magic of the Turtle and the Shark. To me, it’s a story about faith, love, and a bond that cannot be broken, even beyond this life.
How did the idea come about for the book and how long was it in the making?
The idea really came from wanting to share our culture and put more Pasifika stories out into the world. Growing up, I never saw books with characters or legends that looked like me or reflected where I come from. So being able to create something like this felt huge. It has been on my heart for a long time, and finally bringing it to life with my mom was so special.
Seeing little islander kids holding the book and watching how much love and support it got when it came out brought me so much joy. More books like this are so needed. I am just grateful I could make even the smallest contribution and hopefully help other kids feel seen in a way I didn’t always get to growing up.
What did you enjoy most about working on Keep Believing: The Samoan Legend of The Turtle and The Shark and how was it seeing the completed book for the first time?
What I enjoyed most was getting to work so closely with my mom. We went through so many drafts and rewrites together because we really wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible. Seeing our little sketch ideas and visions actually come to life in full colour was the best feeling. We had this story in our heads for so long, so finally holding the finished book in our hands felt surreal. It made us so proud to see it all come together and know that this piece of our culture was out in the world for others to enjoy.
My mom actually visited Samoa a while back and was able to witness this legend in person, which made it even more meaningful for us. Getting to bring this story to life wasn’t just about making a book, it was about honouring a part of who we are. Seeing it all come together, knowing this piece of our culture was now out in the world for others to experience, made us so proud. It’s special to think that Pacific Islander kids might pick it up and feel seen in its pages. That’s really what made it all worth it.
How do you like spending your free time?
I love spending my free time with my family. They are truly my happy place. I also really enjoy going to the gym, reading, being out in nature, and travelling whenever I can. Those are the things that fill me up and make me feel most like myself.
Have you received any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?
There is honestly so much advice I have received over the years, but the main one I always come back to is to focus on what you can control. As an actress, I have learned very quickly that there is a lot that is completely out of my hands. So I try to remind myself to pour my energy into the things I can control, like my attitude, how much time I spend working on my craft, the people I choose to have around me, and my relationship with God. I cannot control how many auditions come my way or how many roles I book, and that is just the reality of this industry. I am learning to be okay with not having everything figured out and to trust that everything happens for a reason.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping the next few months bring?
Yes, I actually started a production company with my mom called Su’a Films, which has been such an exciting new chapter for us. We have a few projects currently in development and one that is about to move into production soon. My days lately have been filled with a lot of travelling and a lot of meetings to get these projects off the ground. Over the next few months, I will probably be travelling even more, pitching some of these projects to studios, and hopefully filming one of them by the beginning of next year. It has been a really busy time, but also so fulfilling to be creating stories that I care about from the ground up.
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