Raquel Justice is an 11-year-old, local San Diego actress who is on her way to Hollywood. She makes her television premiere in the new ABC Family series “Recovery Road” and Giving Back Magazine sat with the busy young girl to discuss her rising career.
Giving Back Magazine: What made you want to start acting?
Raquel Justice: I had always been quite the entertainer and found joy in making people laugh. I love being in front of the camera. When I booked Recovery Road, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
GB: How do you balance your acting career with school?
RJ: It is actually very hard to balance both of them. I miss a lot of school and it is difficult to make up all my work, but I have wonderful and understanding teachers and a family who is extremely supportive. My mom says that if I wasn’t such a hard worker and if I didn’t strive to get good grades, I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing. I am also lucky because I have amazing acting coaches who provide coaching in person and via Skype. I give up a lot, but I am willing to do that because I am completely devoted to this, and I love what I do.
GB: Tell me about the charities you support.
RJ: All the charities I support help all kinds of children in need. My choice charity is Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. They transform the lives of disadvantaged infants, children and teens suffering from physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse or disease through the gift of reconstructive surgery and related healthcare services.
I also recently helped with the Ronald McDonald House Charities by volunteering time with needy families.
GB: You are also a dancer. What is your favorite type of dance and why?
RJ: My favorite type of dance is hip hop, because I like the pop and swagger! It really gets me pumped up, and it is such a fun dance to learn.
You can watch Raquel on the new series Recovery Road, Mondays on Freeform (formerly ABC Family). The show is based on the popular young adult novel by Blake Nelson, and focuses on a teenage girl dealing with addiction.
