BY IRVIN RIVERA

Zoey Luna is not just making waves in Hollywood; she's rewriting the narrative, one that reflects her own lived experiences. In her upcoming projects, “SLAY” and “Hauntology,” Zoey is carving out a space for trans stories that go beyond the usual tropes. "Chloe is unlike any other trans character out there," she says about her “SLAY” role, hinting at a deeper, more relatable journey that doesn’t rely on traditional coming-out arcs. “I wanted to honor my past and make something out of it for the world.” As Zoey steps into her own as a creator and star, she continues to challenge the boundaries of mainstream storytelling with authenticity and heart.

In “Hauntology,” Zoey plays Julian, a character whose magical transformation mirrors her own personal journey. "It was a test of vulnerability," she shares. For Zoey, the role was cathartic, allowing her to channel her real-life experiences into a character that resonates deeply with her. And while she’s busy dismantling stereotypes in her performances, she’s also fiercely advocating for broader trans inclusivity in the industry. “I’m ensuring its evolution by defining my own trans narrative in ‘SLAY’.” Buckle up—Zoey Luna is just getting started, and her voice is one you won’t want to miss.

Zoey! How are you? What’s keeping your creativity alive nowadays? What inspires you?

I’m doing fabulous! Thank you for asking !! The thing that sparks my creativity the most is remembering to be the person I’m afraid of being. 

Congratulations on your new projects! Can you share more about your characters in "SLAY" and "HAUNTOLOGY" and what it meant to you to portray them? 

Thank you so much! So I actually created “SLAY”, back in 2022. I wanted to honor my past and make something out of it for the world. So in short Chloe is me in high school. Chloe is unlike any other trans character out there, she’s just a teenage girl truly, her arc isn’t centered around a coming out story, or facing adversity for being transgender, she’s ultimately facing a very common horror that I think many can relate to. You’ll have to find out what I mean once the film is out tho! I’m very proud of the people who helped me get this idea off the ground and allowed me to let my experience mean something. 

For Hauntology I play Julian, post magical transition, and what attracted me to her the most was this reality in which she gets to see and be herself in the most beautiful way possible, yet having to accept certain losses. I was going through a weight loss journey before the film and when I got approached for it I was starting to see myself in the ways I could imagine Julian felt when she finally sees herself as she’s always wanted to be. I was also having to put my boundaries up to a lot of situations at the time and one in particular fit Julian’s story so similarly so it was a very cathartic experience to play her. 

Bodysuit: UNCUFFED LEATHER, Tights: CALZEDONIA, Jewelry: PAVE THE WAY JEWELRY, Ring: ATRA NOVA, BY SHEILA B.

What attracted you to your roles in "SLAY" and "HAUNTOLOGY," and how do these roles challenge you as an actress? 

Well I owe it all to Jennifer Coolidge. In regards to Slay, she said “Don’t wait for Hollywood to cast you in the roles you wanna play, create them yourself.” So that made my mind open to the possibilities that I could create my own lead character to star as. That’s what really motivated me to create SLAY and Chloe. Thankfully Jimmi Simpson and Kyra Gardner brought my experience and idea to life directing and writing wise, so their version of me(Chloe) really challenged me in ways of collaboration. Playing myself and having a narrative to tell that is loosely based on my experience alongside someone else’s vision of a story we both wanted to tell taught me how to communicate. 

With Hauntology it was a test of vulnerability. Having such a similar experience to Julian at the time was such a blessing and so fun because I was able to walk straight onto set with so much authenticity. It was a challenge to see how vulnerable I could let myself be on set with people I didn’t yet know who ended up being the most welcoming people to do something like that with. 

How do you feel the portrayal of trans characters in mainstream media has evolved since you started your career? 

I think every trans role I’ve played has been a sign that what is available to trans characters in the media is widening. I think trans inclusivity has changed and I’m proud to say I’m ensuring it’s evolution by defining my own trans narrative in SLAY. 

How did your early experiences, as seen in "Raising Zoey," shape your perspective on activism and representation in the film industry? 

Watch SLAY when it comes out. 

Can you discuss the collaborative process with directors and how it influenced your performances in your recent films? 

With Slay it was a trust building situation, it gets muddy when you hand your truth over to a pair of eyes that see you from an outside perspective. The closer I got with Kyra Gardner and Jimmi Simpson the more they were able to let me do me, since I am playing myself, they more so guided me through the circumstances I was experiencing in each scene. They allowed me to take ownership of myself which is what any star should have the right to. They championed me by trusting that I knew my character beyond the text and I appreciated their ability to help me convey the story through their direction. 

With Parker Brennon on Hauntology he gave me encouragement to go there for each scene, he let me bring emotion to Julian, and to trust my instincts. 

Bodysuit: UNCUFFED LEATHER, Tights: CALZEDONIA, Jewelry: PAVE THE WAY JEWELRY

What do you believe are the most significant challenges still facing trans actors in Hollywood today? 

Honestly the problem most actors are facing, lack of funds. The industry is experiencing a bit of a financial crisis. Everyone has been affected, the studios, the creatives, and the consumers. 

How do you balance your advocacy work with your acting career, and what drives your passion for both? 

In the words of Helen Shivers from “I know what you did last summer”, “Through Art, I shall serve my country.” My passion stems from my failed and growing relationships with humans all

around me. I want to honor my favorite actresses by embodying their delivery on my own. My acting is a love letter to my faves like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ariana Grande, Mia Goth, and Emma Roberts. My advocacy is a love letter to those I’ve had to walk away from, to those who told me to keep going. My commitment to telling my story is a commitment I’ve made to myself when I had to experience life all on my own with no reasoning as to why I had to endure so much all at once. 

In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a film set inclusive and supportive for trans actors?

Self awareness. Radical self acceptance. People who choose to approach the things they run away from within themselves. 

What life lessons have you learned from your experiences on set that you would like to share with aspiring actors? 

It’s not about making friends, it’s about giving your all to the camera, while being kind to others and yourself. Communicate what you need to if you’re stuck on something character or script wise to the director, and stay hydrated. 

Jacket: BEEOMBI, Tights: CALZEDONIA, Lace Pants: BOOHOO, Heels: BLACK SUEDE STUDIO

How do you prepare for a role that requires you to tap into personal and sometimes painful experiences? 

I remind myself that I am safe and grateful to hold a wide array of emotions within my physical body and that it is a privilege to know I can display these emotions since I am now in a position to experience them through a conscious/ controlled environment. Also Lowkey, I’ve been crazing to display these emotions publicly because I felt my traumas have mostly gone unnoticed, especially by those who have traumatized me. 

What role does fashion play in your life, both personally and professionally? 

Dress the part to be the part. Fashion is so transcendent. I think fashion is a huge sign of personal development honestly. The more you know yourself, the more you cultivate a fully conceptualized sense of style. If I feel like I’m biting my tongue in a situation I’ll look like a mix of Jocelyn from The Idol and Maxine Minx from MAXXXINE because I’m under control and on the brink of gaining the self-control to abolish the position of powerlessness I’m perpetuating by giving a damn about usually upholding the wrong structure. My fashion has references, my fashion cannot be taken from me. 

How do you use your platform to advocate for social causes you are passionate about? 

I’ll usually post a subpost about you, call out a theory directly in an ig reel, or make a high concept joke about my stance on Instagram. Usually hits the demographic but mostly flies over their head. 

What advice would you give to young trans individuals who look up to you as a role model? 

Be you, the people you want to work with aren’t the ones who like the version of you on your best behavior. Create your own path. Be brave. You already transitioned. There’s more of you you gotta unleash. 

Dress: MARIO FUGNITTO, Gloves: RABOT, Sunglasses: ZEROUV, Necklace: PAVE THE WAY JEWELRY

How did your upbringing influence your career choices and the roles you choose to take on? 

Well, my upbringing was a nightmare where I always felt I was being terrorized for simply existing around a bunch of people who took out their own repressed grievances on me so naturally I always wanted to play a blonde scream queen. However, Hollywood thought I’d be better as a brunette powerhouse or witch because I survived so much and transmuted my pain into healing so I kinda took what I could just to get to the point where I could create my own blonde scream queen role to star as. 

Can you talk about a particularly challenging scene you’ve filmed and how you overcame the difficulties? 

I had to do something that I never intended on doing in a film and it hurt me to my core because I didn’t feel it was an empowering action for my character. Yet I spoke up and asked why I had to do so. Sometimes all you need is more context. But also, I watched Maxxxine after I filmed the scene and then realized ehh. It’s not that bad. 

What do you hope audiences take away from your performances in your recent projects? 

I hope young trans girls watch me run from these horrors screaming and them saying I’m who they wanna scream like when they’re acting in a horror movie. I always said I wanted to scream like Sarah Michelle Gellar in a horror movie as a little girl. I also hope audiences feel how valid their pain is and to not accept a life they do not deserve.

What was your reaction when you learned you were cast in your recent films, and how did you prepare for the roles? 

I prepared for SLAY by living it first, then pitching it, and finally when I knew it was going into production I made it my mission to get in touch with my past. I studied my high school self, went through all of my old sketches, revisited my old cities, and embodied my younger self. She was a lot more confident than I was at the time before filming. I always intended on playing myself in my own features. For Hauntology I didn’t really have much to prepare since I was literally in her position. 

How important is it for films and TV shows to include trans voices in feminist narratives?

It’s so important and personally I’d consider trans exclusion inherently anti feminist. Trans women are women, therefore how could we not be a part of feminism? 

Can you share a moment on set that had a significant impact on you? 

A significant moment on set that left a lasting impact was the support I received from my cast on SLAY. Y’all were there for me every step of the road. Thank you. 

What are some misconceptions about the trans community that you hope to dispel through your work? How do you maintain your authenticity in an industry that often demands conformity? 

I hope to dispel whatever projections that have been placed on me personally as a trans woman. I don’t want to play the hero because I'm a trans woman, I do want to play the damsel but not due to trans oppression, and I don’t want to be the voice of trans people. I maintain my authenticity by rejecting opportunities presenting conformity. 

How do you envision your legacy as an actress and advocate? 

I envision myself as the scarlet witch/ legally blonde of Hollywood. I feel like people will remember me as the girly girl wearing pink, saying things in a fun way, whilst dismantling the oppressive foundations of this industry by simply creating the new. I am the blonde embodiment of Chaos that created new possibilities for love and for Justice. 

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you? 

“I will not accept a life I do not deserve.”

If you were a book, what book would you be and why? 

If I was a book, I’d be a fantasy book. It would be called “The Girl in between the mirror and screen”

HAUNTOLOGY is now available on all major Video On Demand platforms!