When Red, White & Royal Blue charmed audiences in 2023, viewers fell in love with the story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the U.S. president, and Prince Henry of England navigating romance across borders. Now, Taylor Zakhar Perez is back as Alex in the highly anticipated sequel, Red, White & Royal Wedding, and this time the stakes are different.
“This time around, everything’s shifted,” Perez tells VMAN. “Alex is in a committed, real relationship with Henry, he’s graduated from law school, and he’s more self-aware and more settled in his identity. The big questions aren’t about figuring out his sexuality or hiding anymore; they’re about what comes next in life, love, career, and the world around him.”
It’s a significant shift for a character who once centered on self-discovery. The sequel moves Alex beyond the confines of identity and toward the universal dilemmas of adulthood.
Reuniting with Old Friends
Stepping back into Alex’s world has felt to Perez like “reuniting with an old friend.” The cast includes Nicholas Galitzine as Henry, Rachel Hilson, and legend Uma Thurman (maybe we’ll get some Kill Bill action scenes in this one… a girl can dream!). Perez emphasizes that the relationships off-screen enhance the chemistry on-screen.
“Reuniting with Nicholas and Rachel, we’re in lockstep. Uma is wildly present and cares about the craft—it’s a dynamic that really shows in Alex’s interactions,” Perez says. “It’s less about recreating magic and more about honoring how these characters realistically evolve.”
Director Jamie Babbit, known for But I’m a Cheerleader, brings a new energy to the sequel. Perez praises Babbit’s approach, noting her ability to create space for authenticity and play within the story’s world.
Moving Beyond the Spotlight
The first film catapulted Perez into a new level of visibility, including an Emmy nomination and a whirlwind awards circuit. Navigating sudden fame forced him to clarify his boundaries.
“The surge in exposure can either unravel you or forge something stronger,” he explains. “I had to trust my instincts and protect my peace. It taught me that the only voice you consistently need to listen to is your own.”
This grounding mirrors Alex’s own journey. With the questions of sexuality settled, the character now faces the complex, sometimes messy decisions of life, love, and career (as well all do…).
Expanding Horizons
While romance has been central to Perez’s career, from The Kissing Booth to the Claremont-Díaz saga, he’s eager to explore new genres (I’d personally love to see Taylor in a horror thriller).
“I want range,” Perez says. “Character studies, thrillers, grounded dramas. Still, if the right romance comes along, one that challenges the genre or centers underrepresented voices, I’m all in. It’s about the story and the collaborators who ignite it.”
In Red, White & Royal Wedding, both Alex and Perez are stepping into uncharted territory. For the character, it’s life after identity; for the actor, it’s embracing creative growth and opportunity.
“Alex’s journey has evolved from self-discovery to forward-looking questions,” Perez sums up. “Now it’s about what comes next—and that’s a story everyone can relate to.”
