Celebrity Interviews!

INTERVIEW #69: ARIA WALLACE (Actress and Singer)

You may know Aria as “Mandy” (the crazy obsessed fan) on the hit Nickelodeon show “ICarly”! Aria is an amazing actress who is now working on music! Learn more about Aria through her interview with me.

Be sure to visit Aria online at:

AriaWallace.com

YouTube.com/TheRealAriaWallace

FaceBook.com/TheRealAria?ref=mf#!/therealaria?ref=mf

MySpace.com/AriaSummerWallace

and follow her on Twitter at:

Twitter.com/AriaSumrWallace

Q #1: At what age did you start acting?

Aria’s Answer: “I had the desire to act at age three, started classes at four,
and started professionally at five years old.”  

Q #2: What was your very first acting role? 

Aria’s Answer: “It was the” Bernie Mac Show”, I think. :) He was the COOLEST
guy. It was amazing getting to work with him. :) I swear I started bawling
when they announced he died. :((“ 

Q #3: What acting projects/shows have you been a part of? 

Aria’s Answer: “Spork” - Labastion Ent.

                      “Christmas In Paradise” - Dolphin Ent.

                      “Roxy Hunter Series” - Dolphin Ent.

                      “The Perfect Man” - Universal

                      “iCarly” - Nickelodeon

                      “Criminal Minds” - CBS

                      “CSI: NY” - CBS

                      “Desperate Housewives” - ABC

                      “Strong Medicine” - Lifetime

                      “The Bernie Mac Show” - FOX

                      “That 70’s Show” - FOX

                      “Charmed” - WB

                      “The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno” - NBC

                      “Judging Amy” - CBS

                      :) 

Q #4: What has been your favorite acting role so far? 

Aria’s Answer: “Hmmmm!! that’s such a hard question! I’ve had SO much fun
in all the roles I’ve played. My two favorites though would have to be the
”Roxy Hunter” series of movies, and “iCarly”. I had such incredible,
one-of-a-kind experiences doing both of them. I will explain “iCarly” in the next
question, but “Roxy Hunter”: Roxy was my first lead role, which up until
then had ALWAYS been a HUGE HUGE dream of mine, to play a lead in a
movie, and when it happened it was one of the greatest experiences of my
life. We shot four of them, “Roxy Hunter and The Mystery of The Moody Ghost”,
“Roxy Hunter and The Secret of The Shaman”, “Roxy Hunter and The Myth of The
Mermaid” and “Roxy Hunter and The Horrific Halloween”. We did them all in
Canada, in a very tight schedule. SO MUCH FUN! ALL of the cast and crew
were brilliant and insanely fantastic people!! I’m blessed to have met them
and worked with them. I made such good friends throughout:) I got to go on
so many different adventures, and play with so many animals, and go so many
different places, and if you knew how Roxy (the character) was. You would
know exactly how many different adventures and things Roxy liked to do. MANY
MANY wonderful things were experienced during those three years:) <3” 

Q #5: What was it like being a part of the show “ICarly” and playing “Mandy”? 

Aria’s Answer: “oOoOoOohh my goodness! It was such a great experience! All
of the cast and crew were so amazing and we all had a lot of fun goofing
around on set! Especially playing “Mandy”. “Mandy” is SUCH an INSANEEE
character, getting to play her was so fun and wacky and crazy! Haha, I got
to do whatever I wanted with her, and be spontaneous. I actually created
“Mandy”, the voice, the glasses. I walked in the audition with a t-shirt I
made that said “I <3 iCarly”. I really created iCarly’s biggest fan, which
was something I’d always wanted to do, get to be creative with a wacky
character that I really made my own:) On set was a lot of fun. The crew was
sooo cool, and I became great friends with a lot of the actors on set, like
Noah Munck “Gibby” (a lot of fun experiences in the school room with this
guy, love him to death! :), Reed Alexander “Nevel”, and Jennette McCurdy
“Sam” and everyone else! :) All in all, it was a very fun and exciting
experience. :)”                                        

Q #6: If you could act along side anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?

Aria’s Answer: “JULIA ROBERTS! I absolutely ADORE her. She’s my favorite
actress! It would be a dream to work with her. :)”  

Q #7: What is your favorite part about acting? 

Aria’s Answer: “Ooo! Good question! Acting is such a passion of mine. I
love so many different aspects of it. Getting to become different people
every time I get a script is fantastic. I really get to dig deep. With
either a small breakdown or large, I learn what I can about that
character, who she is, the type of person she is, or is becoming, the people
and things that are important to her, her situation; and I really get to
make that girl, whoever it is that I’m playing, come alive and become real!
Its amazing learning to feel the way the writers wrote these characters to
feel, and I get to portray that feeling on screen. That is where the
passion of acting comes in to play. Putting EVERYTHING ya got into making
that character come alive and reacting with the other characters as if it
were really happening! That passion becomes BEYOND fun! It is a dream
getting to do what I love all the time. Haha, I know you asked my favorite
part about acting…to sum it up, I guess the whole character thing haha :) ,
but again, I love everything about it involving many different sides to it
and parts of it. I also adore getting to meet so many ahhhhmazing people!! =]” 

Q #8: What do you think is most challenging about acting?

Aria’s Answer: “Most challenging, hmmm, probably making a character I’m
portraying believable. Sometimes, I’ll run into a script for a character
that has been through things and is going through things WAYYYYYY beyond
anything I’ve ever gone through or experienced. They have more depth than
I’ve ever attained and that can be hard to make believable, if I haven’t
experienced it, and I don’t really know how to show the casting directors,
producers and writers, or even my viewers watching me on screen, how that
person truly feels! So, that’s pretty challenging to overcome, but I always
try my best to make that character as real as possible with what I do know
how to feel. In order to achieve making that character truly believable, I
really have to try to understand the stand point she’s coming from or where
she’s been and then do my absolute best to bring her alive after, ya know,
getting to know her. ;) haha. Crying on cue can also be VERY tough to get the
hang of at first, I had a hard time in the beginning learning and training
myself to do that, haha. It’s still hard sometimes when I’m in a real good
mood haha, and I have to switch over and be all dramatic, and sad, lol it’s hard
to get in a crying mood haha. =]” 

Q #9: At what age did you start singing? 

Aria’s Answer: “BIRTH! Literally, haha. I do not remember a time at all
when I wasn’t singing. I’ve sang all my life! :)” 

Q #10: At what age did you start learning guitar?

Aria’s Answer: “6 months ago!! Hahaha, not very long, but I’m learning
pretty fast I must say. :)) I ADORE it. <3” 

Q #11: At what age did you start learning piano? 

Aria’s Answer: “Ummmm, seven years ago, so that would make me seven years old. :)” 

Q #12:  So, you are working on music now, can you tell everyone more about that? 

Aria’s Answer: “I’m writing some REALLY great songs, and I’m working on my
record hoping to release it soon! I’m really excited about it, and I can’t
wait for everyone to hear it! I hope ya’ll like it. :)” 

Q #13: Where do you get inspiration when writing songs? 

Aria’s Answer: “From EVERYTHING! literally, everything. A song can be
written from anything, anywhere from just a sentence someone says, to
extremely personal experiences. I write down everything and do my best to
make it into a song haha. :) Sometimes, the best songs come from things you
never thought could’ve been a topic. ;)” 

Q #14: If you could perform anywhere, in the world, where would it have to be? 

Aria’s Answer: “Wow! You have some RAADDDD questions chica! :D THE GRAND OLE
OPRY!!!!! Ohmmyyyygoshhh it is my DREAM to perform there, where SO many of my
inspirations have stood.” 

Q #15: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?

 Aria’s Answer: “Hmmm, I would DIE to perform with Johhny Cash, if he were
ALIVE! >=( “If I were a carpenter and you were lady” <3 him and June! Dave
Grohl. :D :D One of my biggest influences OF ALL TIME, and of course
DWIGHT YOAKAM!!! :))”

Q #16: What was your very first red carpet event? 

Aria’s Answer: “My very first Red Carpet Event was “The Perfect Man” premiere! awwwhhh it was sooo much fun! I was SOOOO nervous and excited at the same time! (love that feeling by the way haha) it was a fantastic experience. The
after-party was at the Hard Rock Cafe. The Red Carpet was at the Universal
Citywalk in LA. :)” 

Q #17: Are you currently working on any acting/singing projects right now? 

Aria’s Answer: “I’m currently writing and recording my album, working real
hard. :D I hope to release it in the near future, and I hope everyone loves
it. :) I’m doing A LOT of music right now and acting. I’m auditioning A
LOT, other projects are currently in development for me, and I finished up a
movie the end of last year called “Spork” (an amazing, FUNNY FUNNY movie
with a brilliant cast. :)” 

Q #18: Who are your inspirations? 

Aria’s Answer: “Jesus Chris, my Lord and Savior! My family, they’re so
supportive and inspire me each and every day with their drive and
determination and hard work. :) Singing wise: LeAnn Rimes and Carrie
Underwood! :)”

Q #19: Do you have an advice for anyone wanting to act or sing as a career or advice in general about careers? 

Aria’s Answer: “ALWAYS follow your dreams!! They will come true if you have
faith and believe that they will. Be confident and believe in yourself!
Other people will help you along the way, but it is ALL YOU when it comes
to your passion. If you love it, do it! <3”

 Q #20: If you could be on one TV show or talk show which would it have to be? 

Aria’s Answer: “Talk Show: Ellen!!!!! love me some Ellen!:) TV Show: “Gleeeeeee”!!!!” 

 Q #21: What is your favorite past TV show?  

Aria’s Answer: “I LOVE “I Love Lucy” more than life itself!! AAAAAnd I love
Growing Pains. :)” 

 Q #22: What is your favorite current TV show? 

Aria’s Answer: “Ummm, when I have the time to watch it lol, I’m addicted
to Law and Order: SVU :) American Idol when it’s on as well. :)” 

 Q #23: If you were stuck in one TV show which would it have to be? 

Aria’s Answer: “Bewitched”! <33” 

 Q #24: What is your favorite past movie? 

Aria’s Answer: “Where The Heart Is” with Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. One
of my favorites, since I was 4 haha. :) AND “Man In The Moon” with Reese
Witherspoon, Jason and Jeremy London (twinsiesss!). “Steel Magnolias” is also
one of my favorites ever!!!!” 

 Q #25: What was the last movie you saw in the movie theatre?  

Aria’s Answer: “I THINK it was “Why Did I Get Married Too”. OH MYYY
GOSHHH, SOOOO FUNNY!! Loved it:) I saw it with my bestt friendddd. :)” 

Q #26: Who is your favorite Disney princess? 

Aria’s Answer: “CINDERELLA! Dreams really do come true!” 

 Q #27 What is one thing you cannot live without? 

Aria’s Answer: “GOD,  MY MOMMA, AND MUSIC!! <3 :)” 

 Q #28: What is your favorite restaurant/food place in California? 

Aria’s Answer: “In-N-Out Burger!!!!!! Only in California! Gotta love
it. Every Californian has eaten their weight in In-N-Out food. Ask ANYONE.” 

Q #29: Do you have any pets? 

Aria’s Answer: “I have a TINY TINY TINY one year old tea-cup Chihuahua named
Pedro (Sanchez…gotta love Napoleon ;) Who I might add, is TOO CUTE FOR
WORDS, hehe:) AND my favorite big girl in the world, my Tabby cat Princess,
who is I think six? Haha she’s 17 pounds. :/ HUGE, I know. She has weight
issues ;) BUT then again, I would rather her be fat and happy than anorexic
and unhappy lol. Pedro weighs four pounds, mighty huge difference huh! Hahaha.” 

Q #30: If you had a soundtrack to your life what song/songs would have to be on it? 

Aria’s Answer: “I’m Alive - Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews; Whistlin Dixie -
Randy Houser; Landslide - Stevie Nicks; Shut Us Down - Lindsey Buckingham;
Tangerine - Led Zeppelin; How He Loves- Kim Walker; Falter - Isaac Hayden;
Two Step - Dave Matthews; Sounds Better In The Song - Drive By Truckers;
Love Revelation - Shelly Fairchild; Green Eyes - Coldplay; 93’ Til Infinity
- Souls of Mischief; Rabbit Heart - Florence and The Machine; Good As Gone -
Little Big Town; Hicktown - Jason Aldean; People Are Crazy - Billy
Currington; My Party - Kings of Leon; Going To California; Cold Fame - Band
of Skulls; Bouncing Ball - Honeyhoney; Cold Desert - Kings of Leon;
Starstruck - Lady GaGa; Everything - Lifehouse; Mahalia Jackson - Walk In
Jerusalem; The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert; Boondocks - Little Big
Town;  Where To Begin - My Morning Jacket; Cowboy Take Me Away - Dixie
Chicks; Wagon Wheel - OCMS; Dreamworld - Robin Thicke; The Royal We -
Silversun Pickups; Precious Things - Tori Amos; Nikka Costa - Push And Pull;
NeedtoBreathe - Lay Em’ Down. I’m a Little More Country Than That - Easton
Corbin*” ummm my soundtrack is gonna have to be a double album. ;)” 

Q #31: What charity is closest to your heart?

Aria’s Answer: “There are two. :) “Creative Kids Care”, which I think is
beyond amazing! This charity helps children of all ages get adopted and find
wonderful families and homes just for them:) Rachel Rutstein (Age 10!) is
Chairman, she is such an inspiring young lady, and wonderful person to be
around. I am nothing but proud of her for accomplishing what she has at such
a young age.:) The 2nd is “Starlight Children’s Foundation”. This charity
helps children with terminal conditions and extreme illness’ families cope,
by hosting events and fun days for the children and their families to enjoy
together. Letting these children enjoy their lives with their families, is
extremely important to this charity, and I think they do it wonderfully:)
Jamie Lee Curtis is one of their main Chairmen. I am one of their Starlight
Ambassadors (celebrities who play a large part in the involvement of the
charity and spend time with the children). <3 :)* 

Q #32: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that is always on your mind?

Aria’s Answer: “What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us” - Ralph Waldo Emerson” AAAND “The
music is all around us, all you have to do is listen!” - August Rush (one of
my favorite movies EVERRR! ohhh my, I met Jonathan Rees Myers a few years
ago and almost died! Haha.”

*NOTE: All interviews are copyright protected.
Copyright: Jaclyn Salamone