Acting remains a top priority for Ella Cruz

Ella Cruz

The past couple of months saw Ella Cruz doing more dance-related projects— her videos of which enjoy considerable popularity online. Her dance video for Fifth Harmony’s “Work It,” for instance, went viral and now has over six million views. She also dabbled in music, and released a single called “Tamis” late last year.

But while she “enjoys” doing those things, acting remains Ella’s top priority. “I still want to be known as an actress. I believe it’s the area in which I can excel and truly express myself,” she told the Inquirer in a recent interview. “I’m happy whenever I’m onstage, singing and dancing. But I really miss doing soaps.”

Ella, who got her first big break in 2012 as the lead star of the ABS-CBN show, “Aryanna,” is now with Viva Artists, and has been recently relaunched—this time, as part of a love team with Julian Trono.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity, this is a new chapter in my show biz career. I feel like a newbie again,” related the 20-year-old actress. “It feels as though I’m starting again, but I’m willing to go through it all. I’m excited. I still have a hunger in me.”

The new pairing makes perfect sense for the young actress: Julian, just like Ella, acts, sings and dances. “Having similar interests and skills will help us improve and grow together,” she said. “Not a lot of love teams are composed of dancers, so I think that could help set us apart.”

Ella, who has likewise recorded a duet with Julian—the upbeat ditty “Tumalon,” added that her partnership with Julian allows them to be creative.

“He and I choreograph our respective routines. We collaborate and exchange ideas. We like to create, so we don’t have to be dependent on our management,” she disclosed.

The two will soon begin work on their launching movie, “Fanboy/Fangirl,” where Ella will play a Koreanovela dubber, who will help an aspiring actor (Julian) improve his acting, so he could land plum roles.

The tandem will also topbill the small screen adaptation of the Wattpad novel, “Break the Cassanova’s Heart,” which will air on network television.

“I would say that we’re comfortable and complement each other well,” said Ella, who’s ready for the inevitable rumors that would link her to Julian.

“But work is what we need to focus on. We don’t want to fake anything. We will just enjoy ourselves, and show the people what we have,” she said.

Does she hope to achieve the kind of success their fellow Viva artists, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, have achieved?

That would be difficult to match, Ella admitted. “Comparison will always be there. But we will work hard and focus on what we have to do. By being ourselves, I hope the fans appreciate us, too,” she said.