On playing Willow on the Disney Channel’s series Liv and Maddie, she said, “Being able to be a part of Disney history, is unreal. I have to pinch myself on set from time to time, to even believe that I get to come here everyday. It’s a real dream come true for me.”
Garcia has been a part of such acting projects as The Middle and Huge. “I’ve been really blessed to have these two incredible shows in my life. Huge taught me how powerful a message can impact the viewers to a level to which I had no idea. So many teenagers deal with weight issues, myself included, so seeing their stories told for the first time in camp was an amazing experience. I still get fan mail for Huge to this day, and its impact on their lives,” she said.
She added, “The Middle was one of my favorite shows before I was even cast, so you can imagine how excited I was to be on it. The cast and crew are unbelievable. Just the warmest, most welcoming people to work with. Always hours of laughter and a lil sprinkle of work. So spoiled being on that set.”
Garcia noted that her greatest influences in acting are from a past generation. “My heroes are Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, and Vivien Leigh,” she said.
Regarding her plans for the future, she said, “There are so many dreams that I want to come to fruition. I would love to start my own production company someday. I want to write, produce, and direct my own films. I’d also love to start a non-profit organization to bring back to my community.”
Garcia had a pre-diabetic diagnosis two years ago, which led to her weight loss, which ultimately saved her life. “It was the shock of a lifetime. I have always thought of myself as a strong person, so it was time to actually prove that to myself. I had come to a Jesus moment with myself, and realized that I could beat this. I changed my red meat heavy, fried diet and learn to cook with lean meats and veggies. I’ve lost 75 pounds and I feel amazing. The key is to know how worth the journey you are.”
Each day, the actress is motivated by her future. “I think about all the the places I want to go and the things I want to accomplish and that drives me everyday,” she said.
She listed Sam Rockwell and Miles Teller as her dream male acting partners. “I would love to work with Sam Rockwell, because I think he is the best actor of our generation. I would also like to work with Miles Teller because he’s dreamy and incredible talented,” she said.
For her fans, Garcia concluded, “I love them! I also want to thank them for supporting me. I hope that I can show young girls they can be themselves and still achieve their dreams.”
