Page 15 - MidWeek - January 18, 2023

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Sharing The Joy Of Hawai‘i With The World
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JANUARY 18, 2023 MIDWEEK 15
who adds that she and Larry adopted a 5-day-old Joy from Laos while living abroad in Southeast Asia. “She had her picture taken quite a lot. She used to dance on top of these straw mats while her dad played guitar.”
now, with the premiere of Ocean Child, Joy is poised to continue her ascent in acting.
(Left) The movie poster for Ocean Child depicts a group of young mermaids who attend the fictional School of Mermaidology & Neptunism.
(Right) Joy Tuck at home on the set of Ocean Child at Kāhala Beach.
PHOTOS COURTESY DEBBIE TUCK
But most of all, it’s Joy’s infectious smile and bubbly personality that makes her shine wherever she goes.
When she’s not preparing for a role or actively filming, Joy’s life resembles that of an average preteen. She attends school at DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach, enjoys swimming at beaches, practicing karate (“It helps me to focus and center myself,” notes the blue belt) and dancing hula with Hui O Ka Uluwehi.
“She brings joy and lights up every room,” Debbie says. Joy’s first shot at the spot- light came when she au- ditioned for a short film in Orlando. Out of a nationwide pool, she landed the lead role. “It was super cute,” recalls Debbie. “She changed into an
“I love learning to dance hula and also learn about Ha- waiian and Polynesian cul- ture,” Joy notes. “The dance, the costumes, the music and chanting are everything! Per- forming with other dancers
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movies — recent favorites include Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Un- charted and Enola Holmes. But it’s more than just enter- tainment for her. The young actor watches with intent, as she still has roles in the works for 2023, including being cast in a season two episode of Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. While many kids her age are into Disney and Nickelodeon, Joy’s interest mostly lies in drama, specifically dramedy.
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“I’m so ready to move to the next step in my acting ca- reer,” says Joy, who looks up to actors such as Jenna Orte- ga, Awkafina, Peyton Eliza- beth Lee and Daniel Dae Kim. “I’d love to be cast in a TV show as one of the principal characters, or in a feature film in a starring role. I really love drama and can’t wait for more great roles to come my way!”
Keep up with Joy on Insta- gram (@joytuckofficial).
(Left) Joy Tuck dons her mermaid costume and mystical makeup for the filming of Ocean Child.
(Above) When she’s not preparing for a role or going to school, Joy enjoys dancing hula with Hui O Ka Uluwehi.