Alexander James Rodriguez is one of the most influential Gen Z actors and recording artist on the rise. Since starting his acting career in Los Angeles, the British-born fifteen year old has been cast in multiple movies including the Golden Globe Awards-winner Missing Link with Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson. He is in the upcoming feature film Replica with Mickey Rourke and Loves Second Act with Jodie Sweetin. Alexander is also one of the main characters in the Netflix TV show, Bee and Puppycat where he voices the Bee’s landlord Cardamon. As a recording artist, he has won several awards for his original pop music including the ‘Rising Star Award’ at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards and has gone on to release multiple hit singles amassing millions of views.
Flickering Myth caught up with Alexander to chat about Bee and Puppycat and his latest movies and music projects.
Welcome to Flickering Myth! Tell us about the TV show ‘Bee and Puppycat’ on Netflix?
Hi! So, Bee and Puppycat is a 16-episode animated TV show created by Natasha Allegri. The show is about a young 20 something girl called Bee, played by Allyn Rachel, who lives on a magical island, with her furry friend Puppycat. They get up to loads of adventures while working for an intergalactic temp agency. I play her landlord, Cardamon.
Tell us about your character, Cardamon.
I have voiced Cardamon since I was 7 years old, before this season out now, went to Netflix. I’m now 15, so he has been a big part of my life. Cardamon is super serious, he has a British accent, and is taking care of the apartment building while his mom is “sleeping.” He has a very straight and even business-like personality, quite mature for his age and takes full responsibility for Bee’s home and all its maintenance issues. He likes things to be in order…. I’m a bit like that too!
From age 7 to now your voice has probably changed. How did that effect the show?
I think the original die-hard fans of Bee and Puppycat were so used to Cardamon sounding around 7-9 years old that with the Netflix show they were a little unsure about the voice changing to a deeper register. The Netflix version though is not a follow on from previous released shows, it’s like a fresh start and an opportunity for, not just the veteran fans to see and celebrate the show on a mega platform, but for subscribers of Netflix to discover the magical world of Bee and Puppycat for the first-time. My voice has changed since the first recording when I was 7, but the new audience wouldn’t know any different, so I think it’s fine and great that the producers kept the original cast. Since recording the Netflix episodes my voice hasn’t really changed again…. which is handy!
Aside from voice overs, you have worked on movies too. Tell us about some of your recent work.
Yes, so I have been a professional working actor for about 9 years now, and have had the chance to work on some fun movies. Voice acting on Missing Link was a great experience, and I also did some voice work on Alice Through the Looking Glass with James Bobin. I really enjoyed working with Motion Capture and on green screen for an Xbox video game. It’s such a different experience to work in that medium, and using your imagination is key. We used a tennis ball as a dragon’s head for example – hardly as scary as a fire breathing dragon flying towards you. One movie I had a great time on was Replica with Mickey Rourke. For my scenes I was taught fight choreography and how to movie punch, and how to position my body to make the movement look like a real punch without making physical contact. I was so nervous I was going to accidently punch the other actor.
Woah, you’ve done a lot. What has been your favorite so far?
I loved working on the Mo-Cap stage, and learning all about fight choreography was such an eye opener. I have had such amazing on set experiences and have learned so much. I really enjoy doing voice work and playing with my voice with different accents and characters too. I can’t pick a favorite. I love the work.
Tell us about your singing career, how did that happen?
Up until the end of 2019, I was always out on auditions, and working on my acting skills but the moment Covid fully hit around March 2020, there was nothing happening in Los Angeles as filming was completely shut down. I decided to work on a hidden passion of mine, music, to keep busy. I guess you can say, my recording career was born from the pandemic. I started with three songs that I released from July 2020, they were ‘My Crew,’ ‘Your Smile’ and ‘Up To You’, then we added a Christmas record to benefit UNICEF called ‘Holiday in LA’ and I was hooked.
How many songs have you released?
Since starting back then, I have released fourteen original pop songs, and three cover songs. The latest is called ‘Circles In My Mind’, that one just released. We filmed the music video in a cabin in the woods of Lake Arrowhead in Southern California.
Have you ever mixed your acting with your music?
Yes, all the time. When I make a music video, it’s all acting. I like to combine B-roll with my music videos so I can get into the character of the song. For example, my music video ‘Mister Fahrenheit’ was made as a short film, it’s over 4-minutes long, and it’s actually playing at Regal Cinemas at LA Live this week, so I am really excited to see it on a massive screen. The music video for ‘Cherry Bomb’ last year was very much a short film too, all set in a 1950’s American diner. Plus, my version of ‘We Need A Little Christmas’ is featured in the movie Replica. I hope to put more of my music into movies and TV shows.
What is coming up next for you, any big plans for 2023?
Yes absolutely, I have a lot happening. Aside from surviving high school and all the homework, my two movies Replica and Love’s Second Act will be released next year, and I am penned to be in a new thriller movie starting in January. The music video for ‘Mister Fahrenheit’ has been nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award where I am up against the legendary movie soundtrack queen Diane Warren, and I am recording a new dance record next week, which I am planning to release in January. Quite a bit and that’s just January, plus I hope to sign with a record label and work on more music, movies, and TV shows.
Many thanks to Alexander James Rodriguez for taking the time for this interview.
