Joshua Rush – Andi Mack

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been working on?

A) Recently, I was in a movie called Emelie that came out at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015. Throughout on 2016, I have been really focused on my two Disney shows, which are “The Lion Guard” on Disney Junior every Friday at 7am and “Andi Mack,” which will be out every Friday at 8:30pm.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the show “Andi Mack” and about your character Cyrus.

A) “Andi Mack” is about a girl named Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) whose life gets turned upside down when her sister comes back home after being gone a long time. When her sister comes home she reveals a huge family secret. You can watch the first episode on YouTube right now. SPOILER: Her sister is actually her mother. My character is Cyrus who is the kind of kid you’d want as your best friend. He’s always there for Andi and Buffy (Sofia Wylie) and he’s really sweet. He’s got this awesome sense of humor that everyone loves.

Q) Was there anything you added to Cyrus that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think one of the greatest things about Teri Minsky is not only is she an amazing writer, but she’s also just an incredible observer. So, over time we wouldn’t even know she was watching us and she was always watching us. She was always noticing some of our mannerisms. I can say with complete certainty that there are two lines in episode four that come directly from me. I don’t’ know where my writers credit is, but… [laughs] Teri has been watching though so over the course of the series she gradually molded the characters like the actors who play them.

Q) What do you find challenging about playing Cyrus?

A) As similar as Cyrus and I are, there are definitely a lot of differences. Cyrus is a little geekier than I am. And there are challenges playing every character because no character is going to be the same. As is the usual, we work through it and Cyrus was really fun to play.

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “Andi Mack?”

A) We all got obsessed with arm wrestling, which was super fun! Asher [Angel] won basically every match up he had, but Sofia and Asher had the biggest rivalry. It was the funniest thing to watch! I lost every single one that I went for – no matter if the person was tired or had gone five times. I lost without fail. But it was still super fun! [laughs]

Q) How do you plan to celebrate the show’s premiere?

A) I don’t know! That’s a good question. I’ve not thought about that. I’ll probably go out for a nice steak dinner, which is my go-to celebration. That’s what I did when I booked the show. I’ll go for a steak dinner and then sit at home and watch the show. I think the cast is planning to do some kind of party together. So, either dinner or the whole cast will be together for the premiere.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you will be receiving?

A) Definitely! I’m on Twitter, Instagram and Tumbler and a few others. I like to kind of search because the first and second episodes are already out so I’ve been searching “Andi Mack” and reading what people think about it. I’ve always thought it was fun to see the instant gratification that people are liking your work or even in different about it. I’m just happy people are watching it!

Q) You have done voice work and on screen work. Do you have a preference?

A) I don’t like to pick between my voice work and my theatrical work. I think they are both very different from one another in a lot of ways. I think they are similar in a lot of ways though, too. I think the bottom line is that they are both really fun for me to do and part of my passion, which is acting in general.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about “Andi Mack?”

A) Episode One is on YouTube and the Watch Disney app and episode two is on the Watch Disney app with a cable subscription.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thanks for liking my stuff! I have a lot of fun doing it. If you like my work, it’s been a joy to get the chance to do it. I work so that people will watch it and like it. It’s always a happy thing to hear that people are enjoying my work.