Julianna Layne has captured hearts with her standout performance in the new movie, A Christmas Story Christmas. The young actress plays Julie, the daughter of Ralphie, originally portrayed by Peter Billingsley in the classic film A Christmas Story. In this sequel, Ralphie is now an adult, navigating the challenges of Christmas as a father.
An Adventurous Spirit
Julianna, at just 8 years old, has shown a remarkable adventurous spirit. While filming in Bulgaria, she eagerly tried various local foods, including chicken hearts and beef tongue. She embraced the cultural experience, learning polite phrases in Bulgarian and even writing her name in the Cyrillic alphabet. Her co-star, Peter Billingsley, often took her and the cast to explore authentic local cuisine, creating lasting memories.
A Love for Travel
Julianna’s first international trip was to Sofia, Bulgaria, for the filming of A Christmas Story Christmas. She spent three months there and fell in love with Europe. Besides her international adventure, she has traveled across the United States, enjoying the new places and experiences.
Natural Tears on Set
Known as “The Tear Machine” on set, Julianna brings genuine emotion to her roles. She has never used fake tears, instead, she immerses herself in her character’s perspective to deliver authentic emotional scenes. This talent was especially noted during the filming of A Christmas Story Christmas, where her emotional depth impressed the director and cast.
Fearless Stunt Performer
Julianna is fearless when it comes to performing her own stunts. In A Christmas Story Christmas, she executed a fall from a tree stump after being hit by a snowball. She trained with a stunt coordinator to perfect the scene. In another upcoming film, she performed stunts on a skyscraper rooftop, showcasing her bravery and dedication.
The Christmas Kid
Julianna has earned the nickname “The Christmas Kid” due to her involvement in multiple Christmas films. This year alone, she has three Christmas movies releasing. She also worked with Michael Bublé on his NBC Christmas Special, Christmas in The City, and appeared in a holiday skit on Saturday Night Live. Her biggest dream is to host SNL one day.
Animal Lover
On set, Julianna enjoys working with animals. She has interacted with dogs, horses, snakes, and even a mouse. In A Christmas Story Christmas, she had a funny moment where a Bumpus Bloodhound puppy was replaced because it was too heavy for her to carry. Despite this, her love for animals shines through in every project.
Hair and Makeup Enthusiast
Julianna loves spending time in the hair and makeup trailer on set. She is fascinated by special effects makeup and often spends hours in the chair for her roles. She enjoys interviewing the hair and makeup team, learning about their work and experiences.
Broadway Beginnings
Julianna’s love for performing started early. She made her Broadway debut at the age of 4 during Waitress the Musical karaoke night. She performed alongside stars like Sara Bareilles and Jordin Sparks. Her passion for the stage continues to grow, influencing her film and television roles.
Swimming Sensation
Julianna discovered her love for swimming during a commercial shoot for Lake George. She learned to swim by jumping into the lake on the director’s cue. Since then, swimming has become one of her favorite activities.
Diverse Roles
Throughout her young career, Julianna has portrayed a wide range of characters, from dramatic to comedic roles. She hopes her next role will allow her to explore the horror genre, adding another dimension to her already impressive acting repertoire.
