Ariana Greenblatt, Billie Eilish. Getty Images(2)
Over the past year, Ariana Greenblatt, known for her role as America Ferrera’s onscreen daughter in Barbie, has experienced a whirlwind of success. Now 16 years old, the actress is taking a moment to reflect on some of her most unforgettable “pinch me” moments.

“There have been so many moments this past year,” Greenblatt shared exclusively with Us Weekly. “But I think my new friendship with Billie [Eilish] and being nominated for a Critics’ Choice and SAG Award for Barbie are the biggest.”

Barbie, celebrated by both critics and fans, made history as the top-grossing film of 2023 and the highest-earning movie from a female director, helmed by Greta Gerwig. The movie received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won the Oscar for Best Original Song for Barbie’s poignant ballad “What Was I Made For?”

For her portrayal of Sasha in Barbie, Greenblatt received nominations for Best Young Actress at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Dubbed “The Scene-Stealer” in the “Rising Star” section of the latest edition of Us, Greenblatt more than held her own in the film alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

“I never expected this reaction from people,” Greenblatt expressed to Us about Barbie’s record-breaking success. “I’m extremely happy that the movie resonated with people around the world the way it did.”

Additionally, the young actress had the honor of paying tribute to Eilish, 22, at Variety’s Power of Women Event in November 2023.

Candice Ward/Getty Images for Lionsgate

“I feel extremely grateful to be standing here tonight with the privilege of talking about one of my favorite people,” Greenblatt said while introducing Eilish. “Five years ago, I was on YouTube aimlessly scrolling when I stumbled upon a music video titled ‘You Should See Me in a Crown.’ I clicked on it, curiously, and I saw a girl with silver hair and spiders coming out of her mouth. That was the moment I was hooked.”

Greenblatt continued: “I watched the entire video and everything she’s done since both on and off camera in absolute awe. Through her vulnerable lyrics, captivating music videos and beautiful outspoken mind, she has gotten me and millions of others through our most challenging times, inspiring us to live authentically and powerfully. Her name is Billie Eilish.”

The actress went on to recall meeting Eilish for the first time at the Barbie premiere. “That night was the start of a friendship that I cherish and hold close to my heart,” she said. “Billie is the one person I see myself in and relate to in many ways.”

Eilish isn’t the only idol Greenblatt got to meet while working on Barbie. Starring alongside Ferrera, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell and the rest of the star-studded ensemble cast, Greenblatt shared with Us that she is so grateful that she has “had the privilege of working with some of the best.”

Greenblatt got to work with some of Hollywood’s legends once again for her next film, Borderlands, which premieres later this year and costars Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart and Jack Black.

Eli Roth Made Ariana Greenblatt Watch ‘My Dinner with Andre’ to Prep for ‘Borderlands’

Eli Roth turned adapting the video game “Borderlands” into a mini film school for its young star Ariana Greenblatt.

Roth had Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis at his disposal in the space-set sci-fi adventure film, but it was “Barbie” breakout Greenblatt (also of “65” and “In the Heights”) who he says stole the feature. Roth called Greenblatt’s performance in his new film reminiscent of Natalie Portman’s turn in Luc Besson’s controversial crime thriller “Leon: The Professional.”

Pretty good company there.

As it turns out, “Leon: The Professional” is one of Greenblatt’s faves. The young actress (16 now, 13 when she auditioned for “Borderlands,” actually has quite the film palate considering her age. Especially now.

Roth assigned Greenblatt “My Dinner with Andre” to prepare for her “Borderlands” role — “just to fuck with her,” he added. But she dutifully watched it — and as Roth recalled, Greenblatt really dug “the dessert scene.”

Eli Roth turned adapting the video game “Borderlands” into a mini film school for its young star Ariana Greenblatt.

Roth had Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis at his disposal in the space-set sci-fi adventure film, but it was “Barbie” breakout Greenblatt (also of “65” and “In the Heights”) who he says stole the feature. Roth called Greenblatt’s performance in his new film reminiscent of Natalie Portman’s turn in Luc Besson’s controversial crime thriller “Leon: The Professional.”

Pretty good company there.

As it turns out, “Leon: The Professional” is one of Greenblatt’s faves. The young actress (16 now, 13 when she auditioned for “Borderlands,” actually has quite the film palate considering her age. Especially now.

Roth assigned Greenblatt “My Dinner with Andre” to prepare for her “Borderlands” role — “just to fuck with her,” he added. But she dutifully watched it — and as Roth recalled, Greenblatt really dug “the dessert scene.”

“My Dinner with Andre” decidedly has nothing to do with any form of video game adaptation, especially not a shoot ’em up one like “Borderlands.” But the classic film is a must-see for any rising star, including Greenblatt. The feature takes place all in one evening over the course of a meal between real-life friends André Gregory and Wallace Shawn, who cowrote and starred in the 1981 Louis Malle small-scale comedy. The duo debate politics, worldviews, and the meaning of life while eating at the Café des Artistes in Manhattan.

While “My Dinner with Andre” may have served as an appetizer for Greenblatt, her next cinematic experience in the Roth curriculum was Andy Warhol’s “Empire,” an eight-hour film consisting solely of a shot of the Empire State Building in New York.

Roth’s unconventional lessons didn’t stop there. Greenblatt’s educational journey included immersion in the music of Michael McDonald, which Roth claimed also influenced her performance.

“What are you filling this child’s mind with?” asked Greenblatt’s co-star Jamie Lee Curtis on set, as recounted by Roth.

Well, “What a Fool Believes,” for one. That tune has a way of sticking in one’s mind long after hearing it.

Roth’s film “Borderlands” is set to hit theaters on August 9, 2024.