Ariana Greenblatt on Main

The 18-year-old star of the new movie Now You See Me: Now You Don't grew up—and still very much lives—on the internet, although sometimes she wishes she didn't.

- JAKE SHANE

All clothing Miu Miu, earrings (worn throughout) Ariana's own and (bottom) Cartier, bag Marc Jacobs.

When I get to the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood, Ariana Greenblatt is already waiting for me.

I don't know why I'm late. I've been obsessively preparing for this interview. It's both of our first-ever Cosmopolitan cover stories, I as the writer, she as the star. I've interviewed dozens of celebrities (including Ariana herself) for my podcast, Therapuss, and she, at the age of 18, has already acted in what feels like countless blockbusters. Yet this feels different somehow—deeper, more permanent. So yes, I'm spiraling a little.

Ariana is clearly not. She makes no mention of my tardiness or the fact that she's just come off a 13-hour flight after wrapping her newest movie, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, out November 14. Instead, she gives me a hug as she tucks away her phone, ready to lock in. It's the type of focus that's earned her roles in coveted films like 2023's Barbie (for which she earned a Best Young Actress Critics Choice Award nomination) and in superhero franchises (she played a younger version of Zoe Saldaña's character in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War). That's on top of her early work on the Disney Channel and performances in movies like Borderlands, In the Heights, Love and Monsters, and 65.

I know I shouldn't be surprised. I first met Ariana at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. I was wearing a tragic sweater that didn't fit, paired with an equally regrettable belt, pants, and loafer combo, and she was in a stunning Balmain dress. I saw her waving, and after a few seconds of looking around in confusion, I realized she was gesturing at me. Since then, we've traded countless memes, voice notes, and Instagram DMs, becoming a very online version of close friends.