Bringing it back! Ava Ryan sat down with ET to dish on the 2016 trends she’s not ready to let go of, from Taco Bell classics to internet fads, and more.
The Vine alum partnered with the food chain to celebrate its Decades #TBTB Menu, featuring the return of the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt, and Caramel Apple Empanada.
“Taco Bell is a staple in my friend group. After all these years, my go-to order is still a Burrito, Nacho Fries, and a Baja Blast. I’m also so excited to try the Caramel Apple Empanada,” Ryan shared.
And while her favorite foods have stood the test of time, her appetite for nostalgia goes beyond the menu.
“If there’s one thing from 2016, I’d bring back, it’s that feeling of people making things because they genuinely thought they were funny or fun, where they were just being silly and enjoying what they do. There was something really special about being yourself, and being a little weird, and unique,” she notes.
Need proof? Look no further than her own archives.
“It’s still crazy to think that those 6 second videos I made with my mom had such a big impact on people. At the time, I was just being a kid and playing around. … Obviously, I miss Vine, the mannequin challenge, and making slime,” Ryan says.
A few staples from the era have managed to stick around.
“I still love the Snapchat dog filter, and seeing the way my videos have connected with people and remained a part of online culture really gave me the confidence to pursue comedy.”
That confidence has carried over from seconds-long clips to her acting career.
“My comedic style is sarcastic, as you could probably tell from those early videos. I still tend to gravitate towards sarcastic style characters like Georgia in Free Bert and the character and I are very alike. I try to bring a part of myself into any character I play.”
But of course, not every craze is worthy of a revival. “Throw away the fidget spinners,” the actress shares.
The Decades Menu returns nationwide on Thursday, Aug. 20 before Taco Bell’s limited-edition collaborations with Anti Social Club and Camp Snap drop on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
