*This article is in our September 2025 issue – scroll down to flip through the issue for free or order a print copy here.*

Actress Santina Muha began her career as an entertainment journalist and transitioned into acting over a decade ago. She has starred in memorable roles in Netflix’s One Day at a Time, Hulu’s Dollface, Disney’s new series, Electric Bloom, and has an unforgettable scene in Freakier Friday. Recently, StarShine chatted with Santina about her roles, how her disability doesn’t define her as an actress, and how she stays motivated.

How did you get started in acting and make the transition from writing for teen magazines into acting?

I’ve always wanted to be an actress. I did plays growing up, and even as a little girl watching TV, I’d imagine where my name would appear in the credits. I was interested in anything entertainment-related, which is how I started working with Tiger Beat and Bop. A friend, Colleen Broomall, got me the gig. I loved going to events, but it confirmed that I wanted to be the one being interviewed. I studied production and journalism in college too, but I knew I couldn’t sit behind a desk.

 

Prefer to watch/listen to the interview instead? Check out Santina Muha on our Podcast here.

I recently saw you in Freakier Friday. Tell us about that experience.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan—are you kidding me? When I found out I got the part, I was like, ‘yes, this is why we do it’. I actually shot two scenes, but only one made the final cut. One was with Jamie Lee, which was a dream, and then I came back the next day and shot with Lindsay.

Lindsay and I had this instant East Coast shorthand—she’s from Long Island, I’m from Jersey. We immediately had that sarcastic, knowing vibe. The other cool part was, it was the first time I had a wheelchair-accessible trailer. Usually, I’m put in some off-site space, but here I had my own trailer with a lift. The whole experience was great.

 

You’ve also done a lot of disability advocacy in the industry. What are some of the changes you’ve seen?

In Freakier Friday, my being in a wheelchair wasn’t hidden, it just wasn’t the point. That’s what I push for—roles where it’s not all about disability. I don’t introduce myself to people like, ‘Hi, I’m Santina and I’m in a wheelchair.’ If it’s relevant, it comes up. Doing UCB comedy helped a lot. Before, auditions were always “generic person in a wheelchair,” and I’d be in a room with people of every age and type just because we all used wheelchairs. Once I started getting called in alongside other comedians my age—some in chairs, some not—it felt like progress. I realized I could audition for the same roles as people like Lauren Lapkus or Mary Holland, where it’s about comedic talent, not walking.

That’s how I got this role. I’d been on Dollface with Kat Dennings and Brenda Song. The writer of Freakier Friday and the director had worked with me there, and when this role came up, they thought of me. It had nothing to do with the chair.

How do you feel Hollywood is doing now with disability representation?

We’ve come a long way. It’s not just “the very special episode” anymore like when I was growing up watching Saved by the Bell or 90210. Those shows made me feel represented, but also alienated. I related more to Kelly Kapowski or Brenda Walsh than the one-off disabled character.

Now it’s better, but there’s still work to do. We rarely see more than one character in a wheelchair in the same show, and if we do, it’s about their disability. I look forward to when we have multiple characters with different personalities, like how gay representation evolved—you can now have two gay characters in the same show and it’s not all about that.

Your scene in Freakier Friday really showed your comedic talent. Was any of it improvised?

Some of it, yeah. My friends asked the same thing. It felt like me—my tone, my energy—even if I wouldn’t necessarily hit on a married man like that! It was fun.

Can you share any upcoming projects?

I’m on a Disney show called Electric Bloom. It’s about three girls who start a band in high school, and I play the teacher in a few episodes. All the episodes move to Disney+ on September 17. It’s a really cute show I would have loved growing up, and again, my role has nothing to do with being in a wheelchair. I’m also writing a book—a comedic memoir about a tragic thing, basically like writing a diary for people to read. It’s been hard because every summer I think of more things to add, especially about being a Jersey Shore girl in a wheelchair, but I’m excited to finish it.

What message would you like to share with your fans and future fans?

Don’t give up, but also don’t wait around. Life has peaks and valleys. Some days things aren’t working out, but that doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be different. Do something every day that makes you happy. If you’re sick, rest, but otherwise, keep going. Acting is a lot of waiting for others to say yes. In the meantime, focus on what you can control—write, create, whatever makes you happy. You never know when the next opportunity will come.

Stay tuned to our podcast, StarShine Stars, for our full interview with Santina Muha on 9/23!

We’ve also added Tubthumping by Chumbawumba to our September Issue Playlist in honor of Santina’s hilarious scene in Freakier Friday!

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