CE's Exclusive Interview with Madison Pettis

Did you read about The Game Plan in CE issue 4? If so, you already know that Madison Pettis, 9, costars with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in this new Disney film. It's the story of Joe Kingman, a professional football player who has it all--or so it seems. But one day he gets the pass of a lifetime when the daughter he didn't know he had shows up on his doorstep.

CE recently caught up with Madison for a quick interview. Check it out!

CE: How did you get into acting?
Madison Pettis: I got into acting kind of by accident. Me and mommy were at the mall one day and they were having a contest for a local magazine. So I signed up and a couple months later they called and said I was going to be in the November issue. I didn’t even remember [that I’d entered]. ... I took the pictures and the photographer really liked me and said I was really good. And her friends were agents, so she sent the pictures over and I signed with them.

CE: Tell us about your character in this film.
MP: Peyton is a lot different from Sophie [character in Cory in the House]. She is not devious like Sophie is. She likes to do ballet and she likes to bedazzle her dolls clothes.

CE: Have you seen the movie yet?
MP: Yes, I have. I was speechless when I saw it. It stopped and I was like “No! I want to see more!” It’s my favorite movie.

CE: What was your favorite scene?
MP: I really liked doing the ballet because I made friends with all of the Boston ballet girls, so it was really fun to hang out with them. I had to do [preparation] with them for four months.

CE: What was it like to work with The Rock?
MP: Dwayne is so nice. The first day of filming he left Dunkin' Donuts in my dressing room because we went to dinner one night … and he always made sure I was included in the conversation. He and I [spoke] about our favorite snack foods. ... He loves Dunkin' Donuts. He even had a birthday cake made of Dunkin' Donuts once.

CE: How was making this film different from your past experiences?
MP: It’s really different from Cory in the House because on the movie we [traveled] to all different locations. On the show, we are only on one sound stage. On the show we do a couple of days of rehearsing, but on the movie, we only have a couple of takes of rehearsal. … You have to come prepared.

CE: What’s been your favorite role so far?
MP: I’m more like Peyton than I am like Sophie. But I like them both because it’s fun to play pranks on Cory in the House. I can’t choose a favorite role because I like both of them

CE: Do people recognize you when you are out and about?
MP: Everywhere I go kids recognize me. If there is ever a kid, I usually walk by and smile and there will be a question mark on their face. … One time there was this little girl [who got so excited that] ... she was screaming

CE: Do you go to school or are you tutored?
MP: I used to go to regular school until second grade, but now I use a home school program. I like it because it’s just me and my teacher. We go faster than regular school. But I like regular school too because of recess.

CE: Who are your role-models?
MP: I like J-Lo because she’s a fashion designer and a dancer and a signer and a good actress and I like Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin. They are really good. I hope one day I can be as good as them.

CE: What are your favorite things to do when you aren’t acting/working?
MP: I like writing songs with my friends. We made up a band from two of the guest stars.

CE: Would you like to make more movies?
MP: Definitely. I would love to make more movies. I like doing the show too. When I am on a break I like to do movies too.

PHOTO: AP/L. Martinez

Comments

[maya]

I love Madison Pettis. She is adorable! She is one of my favorite kid stars!!