With a business full of young and talented actors and actresses was it difficult for you to get your first big break? Can you tell us about your early roles?
I actually got really lucky. I was one of those people who got picked out of a crowd. Basically someone came up to me and said "You should be an actor" and I said "I agree!" now here I am. My very first job was on WB's Angel. My character didn't even have a name; I was just 'Demon Girl'. I had a third eye growing out of the back of my head. It was lots of fun.

Growing up, did you always know you wanted to act, or was it a recent decision?
Oh no, it never even crossed my mind. Like I said I was just randomly picked, so until then, I thought I was going to be a writer.

Among teenagers, you seem to be best known for the recent Disney Channel Movie, Pixel Perfect. What was required of you in that film? Were there any difficult special effects or things of that sort you can tell us about?
First off I just want to say filming Pixel Perfect was probably two of the most fun months I've ever had (thanks to the wonderful cast and crew)! It was really fun because I got to learn how to play the guitar and dance! It was a lot of hard word to learn all the songs and dance moves, but really fun work of course. And going on stage with all the extras watching and cheering was such an amazing experience. I had to do one stunt which was falling off the stage after I pretend to be Loretta. I had done it a couple times on my own though, so I had the routine down.

It seemed like you had a lot of tension in the movie with costar Spencer Redford. What kind of relationship did the two of you have off camera?
Ahh Spencer! Spencer and I were and are still SUCH great friends. She is the sweetest girl. It wasn't easy being mad at her sometimes in the scene, because she's just such a sweet person. After the director called cut, I always wanted to run over and give her a hug and apologize.

How long does it take to make a movie like Pixel Perfect?
It took about two months.

What are your interests, besides acting?
I love to write, play soccer, go to the movies with friends, eat (I'm GREAT at eating), spend time with my family, play with my dog Sam, and this may sound a little weird, but I'm one of those freaks who actually likes going to school.

Is it hard to manage school along with your acting career?
Sometimes it can be, but it's the same as an athlete trying to manage sports with school, or an artist trying to manage art with school. But I'm lucky enough to have a really supportive family and friends that always help me through difficult times.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
Well I get to start my year off with a new show I'm on called Clubhouse which is airing in late September on CBS. And this winter I get to go skiing with my family. I also made the Academic Decathlon team at my school, so I'm really looking forward to competitions and field trips.

Speaking of this year, we heard you're turned 16 in August.
My 16th birthday was perfect. My family and I went to Carlsbad, California for a little vacation. We spent my birthday on the beach surfing, boogie boarding and my little brother and I made this AWESOME sand castle with like a moat and everything. The weather was perfect, the waves were perfect, life was good.

Who inspires you the most?
The person closest to me. My sister Megan. She and I have been best friends all our lives. I don't have any secrets from her and I know I can go to her with any problem, big or small, and she'll help me solve it. I can't think of a time when she wasn't there for me. She's always encouraging me and inspiring me to be my best. I'm so fortunate to have her.

As you become better known throughout the country, are you worried about being swarmed by fans wherever you go?
No not at all, I'm excited! Whenever a fan comes up to me on the street or in the mall I think I'm more excited to see them than they are to see me. I love fans, I love interacting with the audience, I think that's one of the most rewarding things about being an actress.

An easy one: Favorite book and favorite movie?
Ahh so easy and yet so hard! I have a lot of favorite books and a lot of favorite movies. My favorite movie is probably the Princess Bride, but I really love Fight Club and all the 007 movies, too. Hmm-my favorite book-alright I can't choose just one, but here are the top three: "Catcher in the Rye" "The Giver" and "A Clockwork Orange". There are probably more, I read all the time.

Speaking of movies, do you enjoy watching yourself?
Oh gosh no not at all. I actually get really emotional, it's very strange. I get extremely critical and really self conscious, then I get all mad at myself for not doing a good job, then I tell my mom I'm going to quit acting because I'm not good (over dramatic? Yeah I know). It's not a good experience at all to have to watch myself. But I love seeing everyone else's scenes!

Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
In a director's chair. I would love to be a director for really artistic movies like Donnie Darko and Fight Club.

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you have?
Like I said, Clubhouse will be airing later this month on CBS. The show is about a batboy, Pete Young (played by Jeremy Sumpter), for a New York baseball team called the "Empires". I play the love interest of Pete's, Jessie. It's a really sweet wholesome show. Great for the whole family to watch.

 

Credit to The Star Scoop for this interview