Toni Trucks, likely best known for her starring role in the hit CBS/Paramount+ series SEAL TEAM, is certainly a familiar face in households nationwide. With the series now in its seventh and final season, we had the opportunity to speak with Toni about the bittersweet ending of playing Lisa Davis, how she unwinds after a long day of filming, her favorite products, and her secret for perfect brows.
1. With Seal Team coming to an end, what will you miss the most about playing Lisa Davis?
You get really spoiled when you play a character for such a long chunk of time. Playing Lisa Davis came with a deep well of ambition and a full SEAL Team backing her up. I felt a real sense of safety and love when playing her. I know that sounds funny when you are talking about a show centered around war and its agents, but Lisa Davis was so loved in that world, that it permeated the whole experience for me. I’m going to miss that feeling.
2. What would you say is the biggest misconception people may have about women in the military, and what have you learned from portraying this character?
I think the scope of what women do in the military tends to be greatly diminished by people who haven’t taken the time to educate themselves. The exciting truth is that women are killing it at all levels of the military. Even in SEAL Team, my fictional job description ranged from packing parachutes to policy making over the course of 7 seasons. The real-life service women that inspired my character take that to the next level. Medics, pilots, and beyond. It spans from petty officers to the Pentagon. The truth is far more interesting than the misconception.
3. After a long day on set (not to mention rattling off so many lines) how do you decompress? Any go-to rituals for relaxing and unwinding?
After finishing a long filming day, I really look forward to the moment I can “delete” the lines from my brain. After that, my go-to rituals are a bath, ice cream and a movie… in that order. I love a VERY HOT bath to relax my body. To calm my brain, I find the quickest way for me to give myself a break from being in front of the camera is to go back to being in the audience. My husband recently got me a heated blanket. That warm blanket with some “ice cream soup” and movie equals heaven. Full factory reset!
4. When it comes to beauty, what would you say is your favorite product you’re loving right now and why?
Hands down, DIUEX’S INSTANT ANGEL moisturizer. My dermatologist recommended it to me and it delivers! This product somehow keeps me looking glowy and feeling perfectly hydrated, rain or shine.
5. What’s the one item in your makeup bag (or in your skin-care routine) you could never live without?
Tweezers and Anastasia Brow Definer. I am very particular about my eyebrows. I have lived through some unfortunate shapes for different characters and at the hand of strangers. Luckily my eyebrows have always grown back. I consider my tweezers and pencil like a tiny set of armor. Necessary in the battle of beauty.
6. If you could share one beauty secret with our readers what would it be?
This is perhaps an unpopular opinion but I would encourage an occasional break from using nail polish. Nails are such a fun way to express yourself but remember to let the ladies breathe every so often. I haven’t worn polish for the better part of 7 years and the health of my nails has really improved. I still do a regular mani/pedi but skip the polish.
7. When not playing a character, how would you describe your go-to everyday makeup look? Or do you prefer no makeup?
Left to my own devices, I am a no makeup kind of gal. When I am filming it is normal for me to be in makeup for 12+ hours a day. For that reason, I make a concerted effort to leave myself alone when off the clock. Cleanse, moisturize and GO! For the moments that call for makeup, I use a mix of Bobbi Brown and Merit Beauty. I actually enjoy applying these products. They are beautiful and well packaged. I feel elevated but still like me.
8. When it comes to beauty and self-image, is there anything you’ve learned that you wish you could go back and tell your younger self?
Ditch the Miracle Bra… No one cares. My high school self really needed to hear that. Also, if it says “nails” then they do nails… not brows.
9. You recently opened up about your platform for hearing health. Why is this cause so important to you?
Hearing loss is something that has been impacting me personally, while hearing health has really empowered me. Hearing loss occurs much younger than most of us understand and has lasting cognitive effects. It feels essential right now to help rewire the way we all think about hearing health and treatment. I am really excited to see the landscape and hopefully policy change around this topic.
10. What’s next for Toni Trucks?
For the moment, I am enjoying this last ride with SEAL Team and its insanely loyal fans. As for what is next for me on screen, I don’t yet know. It has been really fun to read new scripts and start charting out what the next project might be. Whatever it is, I’m sure I will miss my combat boots from time to time.
