Get ready to see a lot more of actress Jessica Luza. Her next film, Let’s Be Cops, makes its debut this August, followed by the highly anticipated films V/H/S Viral, a horror flick, as well as Labyrinth, starring and produced by James Franco which are both set to be released later this year. We caught up with the Alabama born star, who was raised in Atlanta to discuss her acting career, what her perfect day looks like and, of course, what beauty products and fashion brands this southern belle can’t get enough of.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Tell us about your role in Let’s Be Cops!
JESSICA LUZA: I am so grateful, honored and excited to be a part of this hilarious film. The premise itself is just so funny and I was lucky to have scenes alongside Damon and Jake. My character likes to give the guys a hard time, particularly when she doesn’t know that they are “cops.” It’s always fun to play the “mean girl” role because in real life I get sick to my stomach even thinking about intentionally hurting someone’s feelings. There was a lot of improv with the role too, which made each take new and exciting. The guys are so talented and quick on their toes and made me strive to be a better improviser.

FM: When did you first realize you wanted to be an actress?
JL: I joke that since I was an only child until the age of seven, I had to find ways to entertain myself and one of those ways was to act in the backyard for my pretend audiences. I would dress up in extravagant costumes and pretend that I was a host for a workout show or the Olympics. There is one particular home video we have that showcases me not only hosting my “Olympics,” but also participating in the events for that day (the monkey bars), and then also performing a live commercial of sorts for a made up brand that sponsored my fictional “Olympics.” My very first fortune cookie also read, “You will be drawn to the glamour of the stage.” Seriously. It’s in my baby book. It’s a very bizarre concept, but I knew from about the age of five that I wanted to be like the kids on The Mickey Mouse Club and Full House and perform. They just always looked like they were having so much gosh darn fun.

FM: Tell us a bit about your upcoming roles in V/H/S Viral, a horror flick set to be released later this year, as well as Labyrinth, starring and produced by James Franco. What was it like to work with him?
JL: I think it is so cool to be a part of such a successful and widely loved horror franchise as the V/H/S films. The movie hasn’t even come out yet, and fans have reached out to me via twitter and facebook expressing their excitement. I’m afraid I can’t give too much away about either project, but I can tell you that both are anthology pieces and I am in one segment in each film. I also got to perform my own stunts in V/H/S Viral and may or may not have a shower scene. The Labyrinth gave me the opportunity to play one of the most different roles I have gotten to play so far in my career – that of a drug addict. The director of our piece, Kaushik Sampath, saw something in me in the audition that I didn’t, and I am forever grateful for him giving me that opportunity. James oversaw the production of the film and I believe he narrates it. He did have final approval over all the cast, so I like to think that he knows who I am, but I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet! I really hope I do because I think he is incredibly talented and creative.

FM: When you’re on a movie set, what is a typical day like for you?
JL: No two days are ever alike, which is what I find so alluring and fun! I love the energy that you feel when working on a movie set. Movies tend to be a bit slower paced than television because they don’t have to deliver an edited piece of material to the network right away and then turn around and shoot the next episode in the series. The days are generally long but always tend to fly by for me because if I am on set, then it means I am working and doing what I love. Cheesy, right? But true!

FM: You are also a writer with pieces published in Jezebel, Angeleno Magazine and Interiors Magazine. What was it like for you seeing your first piece of work published?
JL: (For Jezebel I just interned during college, so I contributed but didn’t have actual articles). My very first article was for Angeleno Magazine last year and in that issue I had two articles featured and I was highlighted as one of the featured “contributing writers” with a picture in the front and everything. It was fun and satisfying to see something I wrote be in actual print. My dad freelanced when he was younger and we had a framed article of his in our house growing up and it’s awesome to think how he unintentionally set an example for me and paved the way and encouraged his daughter to have a voice as well. My mom asks me almost every day if I am writing, and she still believes I was destined to be an author. Time will tell…

FM: Tell us how you came up with co-founding Pearls With Promise and working with the American Cancer Society.
JL: My mom has been in the jewelry industry for over thirty years and she specializes in pearls. Unfortunately cancer affects my mom’s side of the family very badly. We have lost two family members to separate types of cancer, and three other family members have, had or are currently in remission with three other types. My mom has a very kind and generous soul and wanted to do something to feel like she was giving back to fight for a cure against this disease affecting her siblings and parents (my aunts, uncles and grandparents). I partnered with my mom to create and sell a line of cultured pearls in natural and dyed colors that correlate with the colors acknowledged by the American Cancer Society. Typically, people think of pink to signify breast cancer, but there is actually a specific color for each cancer. We created the line where you can wear a specific colored bracelet to show your support for that (or all) cancers. By wearing the bracelet, you have made a promise to support cancer awareness and research because a percentage of your purchase was donated to the American Cancer Society or a similar localized organization. You can learn more at pearlswithpromise.com

FM: Describe your perfect day.
JL: If somehow all my family and loved ones that don’t live in Los Angeles could miraculously be transported here for the day, that would be absolute perfection. And if the Southern Hospitality mentality were to be implemented in Los Angeles as well. This day would include me sleeping in, having an afternoon call time on a multi-cam half hour that I would also just so happen to be a series regular on, then hosting a dinner for all my friends & family that were in town for the day. Or maybe my perfect day would be waking up in a hammock on a deserted beach without a cell phone. I’m very much an indecisive Libra at times!

FM: What beauty products can’t you live without?
JL: Smith’s Rosebud Salve is a must have. I not only use it on my lips, but for my skin when it’s extra dry or when I am flying. I also love the Mario Badescu Calma mask. There is something so luxurious (yet simple and easy) about taking twenty minutes for yourself once or twice a week and doing a face mask. I have sensitive skin, so when I find something that works I like to stick with it. My Yonka face cleanser and cream are two products that have not let me down since I discovered them about five years ago. I’m a total Sephora junkie, but don’t like wearing a ton of makeup. If I had to pick just three beauty products, I would say the Stila convertible color in fuschia, Benefit They’re Real mascara & the Laura Mercier smooth finish foundation powder compact. Oh, and I have just discovered and love the Stila Stay All Day HD 10-in-1 beauty balm. And I can’t leave the house without putting on some Chloe, Love perfume. People recognize me by it!

FM: What are your favorite brands and where do you shop online?
JL: For jeans, I currently love J Brand & Paige for my body type. Splendid & James Perse make great comfy tees and tanks and I try to stock up when they are on sale at Bloomingdale’s or online. Urban Outfitters never fails me for fun rompers and dresses, but oftentimes I feel like I am not quite hip enough to pull off some of their crazier looks, so I just buy pieces that I can easily implement into my closet. I do most of my online shopping on Bloomingdales, Piperlime and ebay. I have found some amazing deals on ebay, such as a pair of black patent leather Manolos for $100! ShopItToMe.com is a site I check almost on a daily basis (well, I check the email that they send me with all of my favorite brands in my sizes on sale). It’s fun & addicting.

Photos by Benjo Arwas