Photographed by [Ian Morrison](https://www.instagram.com/imorrison/?hl=en).
The Lauren Iungerich-created series, which documents four South Los Angeles teenagers’ journey through the exciting, explorative, and oft-excruciating high school years, snaps an honest, heartfelt, and even humorous picture through a much-needed underrepresented lens. Characters Monsé Finnie, Cesar Diaz, Ruby Martinez Jr, Jamal Turner, and Jasmine Flores return for the third season to fanfare. Flaunt wonders what it means to work on a series that’s actively advocating less-amplified voices and diversity.
**With such a diverse community in front and behind the camera, what does it mean to be a part of this show actively advocating diversity?**
I don’t have an example to lead by, I build the seat at my table. I think people watch this show, and when someone is doing it, they get in line. Before there wasn’t a line. Someone had to be first and no one knew what line to stand in. And then you see the show, there’s an example. You can be on the forefront. Finally!
**How do you resonate with your own character?**
Ruby is me and I am Ruby. I have never seen myself on television and I have never envisioned myself as an actor. Being me, I have limited options because I am not the 5’11’’ lead that everyone calls for. So when Ruby took on the normal role it wasn’t just like this kid doing weird things, he is the lead, has a love interest, and is telling all of these stories.
[Jason Genao](https://www.instagram.com/jason.genao/) wears [GENTLE MONSTER](https://www.gentlemonster.com/) glasses and [FAITH CONNEXION](https://faithconnexion.com) top.
Photographed by [Ian Morrison](https://www.instagram.com/imorrison/?hl=en).
**What are your motivations when you’re acting? What are you inspired by?**
It all depends on the scene. I don’t feel crazy inspiration from the funny-fun scenes because there is so much chemistry. We can play and do so much, but when it’s more emotional I think of other movies that have the same heartbreak.
**What are you doing on the side? Any passion projects?**
I have a movie that I am going to do, but who knows when? It’s this amazing war film that is being shot in Colombia. I am really excited for it because it has that _On My Block_ aspect where you think you can only do certain things, but then you get this other part and they are like, ‘I want you to be at this forefront of this project.’ Especially with a war movie, you think I could be a soldier? It reinstates a good mentality that I can be whoever I want to be. Personally, I also cook a lot and started working out.
Photographed by [Ian Morrison](https://www.instagram.com/imorrison/?hl=en).
* * *
See the other profiles on the cast of _On My Block_: [Jessica Marie Garcia](https://www.flaunt.com/content/jessica-marie-garcia-on-my-block), [Sierra Capri](https://www.flaunt.com/content/sierra-capri-on-my-block), [Diego Tinoco](https://www.flaunt.com/content/diego-tinoco-on-my-block), and [Brett Gray](https://www.flaunt.com/content/brett-gray-on-my-block)
* * *
Flaunt Film Directed by: [Daniel Mayúgba](https://www.instagram.com/danny.mov/) & [Ryan Kevin](https://www.instagram.com/ryankevin/)
Director of Photography: [Isaiah Shinn](https://www.instagram.com/isaiahshinn/)
Camera: [Martin Gradek](https://www.instagram.com/citizen_xeno/)
Sound & Editing: [Timothy Huang](https://www.instagram.com/timo4041/)
Sound Assistant: [Sarah Peretz](https://www.instagram.com/sarah_peretz/)
.jpg)
