Madisyn Weiss is a young adult diagnosed with a high-functioning form of Autism Spectrum Disorder known as Asperger’s. When she is not conducting celebrity interviews for her blog at https://spreadingtheloveweb.com/, she is helping to throw fun-filled red carpet events with the help of media partners (like Teens Wanna Know!)

Madisyn is passionate about raising awareness about Autism through her organization Spreading the Love, and to that end we are partnering with her on a Holiday fundraising bash in Los Angeles on December 1st, 2019. Watch this space and our social media for details and ticket availability.

In the meanwhile, let’s get to know a little bit more about Madisyn!

Hi, Madisyn! Before we get into the nitty gritty here, tell us a little bit about yourself and your upbringing, and where you live?

My name is Madisyn and I am 23 years old. I’m a big advocate in the Autism community. I have 2 dogs, 2 sisters, and 1 brother. Currently I’m living in Tampa, FL. 

Great, now you have been diagnosed as being somewhere on the Autism scale. Can you tell us what lead to getting that diagnosis?

I was diagnosed when I was 13 years old. I didn’t accept the fact that I was on the spectrum for awhile. But, when I eventually did I started being the voice for others with Autism.

What do you think is “different” about you when compared with someone who isn’t on the spectrum?

I’m unique in my own ways for sure. I remember a lot of things easily, such as I can remember events that occurred when I was little and specific details from that day. 

How does it make life challenging?

Autism can be challenging in more ways than one. I get overwhelmed easily, which causes my anxieties to take over and it is definitely difficult to get back on track.

And what advantages do you think it produces?

Having Asperger’s enables me to pay attention to little details and have the ability to organize my space.  I am certainly more understanding and emphatic of other peoples needs and emotions. 

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about Autism and Asperger’s?

Society views people on the spectrum to be totally different than they are, which is not true. We all have our unique differences and struggles, though individuals on the spectrum usually have a few more challenges.

What has most helped you manage the condition?

I am very fortunate to have a great support system, which includes family and friends. As for my anxieties, I participated in a program in New Hampshire that taught me many coping skills and ways to help overcome my struggles.

Are there any tips you can provide to other young people who might be struggling in a similar way?

Everybody is different in their own way and remember to believe in yourself. We are all unique, and have daily challenges to overcome. Even when days are tougher than normal, you must keep going and never give up. 

What is the best part about being an activist for Autism?

I can share my journey with everyone by raising awareness for Autism and making a difference in society. I have been fortunate to meet many other amazing people on the spectrum and follow their journey as well. 

What do you hope to accomplish with your activism?

I plan on sharing my story to raise awareness, provide hope for others, and teach society that people on the spectrum are can live a normal life and be as productive as everyone else. 

You are co-hosting an event with us on December 1^st, what do you want the world to know about our event?

This festive event will be a sensational experience for everyone. It will give us a chance to spread the holiday cheer, raise awareness for Autism, and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. We will be donating the toys and items that are collected at the event and giving them to those in need. 

If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of advice as a little girl, what would it be?

Always believe in yourself, don’t ever give up, and continue to follow your dreams!

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a big fan girl of celebrities, Star Wars fanatic, the oldest of 4 kids, and I’m a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan. 

If you could “get rid of” your Autism/Asperger’s –would you or would you stay the same. Why or why not?

I wouldn’t want to get rid of it because it is apart of me and that makes me special. Though, I wish I could lessen the daily struggles that goes along with Autism because it makes life a bit more challenging. 

What makes you happy?

I am typically a very happy person; I enjoy being around my family, dogs, and living in Tampa. 

What is your end goal—what do you want to achieve overall with your life?

I have a lot of goals that I want to achieve. One of them is to live in California, open my own office for my organization, and be able to raise even more awareness both locally and internationally. 

Facebook: Spreading The Love

Instagram: @spreadingthelove101

Twitter: @autismlove101

Snapchat: @autismlove101 

You know the scene: while sitting at the table having a meal with her cousin Diego, she turns to the camera and says “Can You Say Delicioso?” Yes, its Dora the Explorer and the iconic line was delivered by newcomer Madelyn Miranda who plays 6-year-old Dora in the new film Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

We got the chance to ask Madelyn a few questions to get to know her better; check out the interview below! And also check out Madelyn on the red carpet and meeting some fans at our Back to School Meet n Greet a few weeks ago.

Hello Madelyn, before we get to your role in the Dora and the Lost City of Gold, tell us a little about yourself outside of show biz.

I’m now in 5th grade and its my last year in elementary school. I love spending time with my family and my favorite things to do are shopping and looking for new hair styles.

Great! Now tell us what it was like at the premiere of your movie and seeing yourself on the big screen?

The premiere was so much fun. Having fans call out my name and wanting my autograph and picture was so exciting. Seeing myself on the big screen for the first time brought back a lot of fun memories filming in Australia. It was pretty amazing seeing my face fill up the screen.

What was your favorite part about filming Dora?

My favorite part about filming Dora was the set of Dora’s house. My room was so cool, It was on top of a lake. Also being able to film in the mountains of Australia was really awesome.

And what was the hardest part about it?

I can’t remember anything hard about filming, all the cast and crew were super nice. I would say having to cut my hair was the only hard part about playing Dora.

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

I think people would be surprised to know that I love riding my quad off road

Where is your family from originally and what are you most proud of about your Hispanic heritage?

My family is originally from Mexico. And I’m most proud of how we value family so much. And Mexican food! LoL

Biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people aren’t clean while eating.

Favorite subject in school and why?

My favorite subject in school is writing because I get to make up my own stories.

Favorite food?

My favorite food is street tacos.

Least favorite food?

My least favorite food is cheesy chips.

What do you and your brother David most compete or argue about?

My brother and I argue about everything! One time we argued about how many gums you can fit in your mouth. But at the end of the day we usually sleep together 🙂

If you could pass a law everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be? If I can pass a law it would be no homework!

If I can pass a law it would be no homework!

Favorite YouTuber?

My favorite YouTuber is SSSniperWolf

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

I’m currently going out on some great auditions and hopefully I will have some good news to share soon.

Could we get a selfie of whatever you are up to right now?

https://www.instagram.com/madelynmirandaofficial/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8071629/

Todd Haberkorn (@ToddHaberkorn) is a VIP in the voice acting industry, having played a wide variety of characters is everything from Ben 10 to Monster High.

He is especially well known in the world of anime, where he is revered for his work as Natsu in Fairy Tail, and for such titles as “Digimon,” “Sailor Moon Crystal,” “Pokemon,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Naruto,”  “JoJos’ Bizarre Adventure” and numerous video games. 

He just narrated an audiobook called Flux Destiny: Fortuna’s Rings, which is an anime-inspired story, also available as a Graphic Novel. Amazon gave it 5 stars and it is hot off the presses as it just came out today! You can listen to the first chapter here: http://www.fluxdestiny.com/preorder

Todd took the time to answer some of our questions, so let’s get right to the interview!

Hi Todd, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions! You are one of the most prolific voice actors ever—what is your secret for staying so busy for so long?

I blame my mom. She was a tirelessly hard and focused professional and is a fierce woman. She was an example I was lookin’ at everyday in our single parent household as someone who came from absolutely nothing in America to being a force to be reckoned with in the medical world. How could I not try and stay busy all the time?!

Tell us about your latest project, Flux Destiny: Fortuna’s Rings.

Its a great combo of imaginative story telling mixed with a savvy producer mind. You’ve got an author who understands that he wants to speak to an audience that is open to a fantastical world of robots, mystical forces, and colorful characters. And what better place to go than an anime audience? 

But its a story that appeals to anyone faced with the uncertainties of life – its got universal appeal. The characters all have different flavors and there’s plenty to chew on for folks looking for variety in their storytelling with a mix of humor and drama. On top of that, the author has been so good about interacting with the current and future fans of the franchise cause he truly believes in his creation and the is grateful for the support from the fans. 

Why do you think teens are going to want to check it out?

View this post on Instagram

✨🥳✨ It’s less than a month away until the official release of Flux Destiny: Fortuna’s Rings Audiobook performed by legendary voice actor ⭐️Todd Haberkorn⭐️ @official_habergram ! 🎧 Listen to Chapter 1 for FREE 🎧🙌 and Pre-Order at 👉 preorder.fluxdestiny.com (available as a link in the bio!) 👏 When you pre-order, you not only save BIG, but you also get a special digital exclusive extra, 👏 AND 👏you won’t be charged until June 12! #fluxdestiny #animeinspired #animeinstagram #animeboys #audiobook #audiobooknarrator #audiobooklove #audiobooklovers #audiobookstagram #audiobooksrock #audiobookclub #audiobookworm #audiobooksofinstagram #audiobooklife #audiobooklover #yascifi #toddhaberkorn #yascififantasy #yabookstagram #yabooks #yabookseries #youngadultbooks #youngadultbook #youngadultfiction #youngadultfantasy

A post shared by Flux Destiny✨ (@fluxdestiny) on May 17, 2019 at 8:54pm PDT

Teens will get the sense that this story is talking directly to them…in regards to how sometimes our vision for what we think our life needs might be out of alignment with what those around us think we need and that’s okay.

As long as we are open to discovering our many layers as people – our path or function in life will present itself and our destinies, hopefully, will be a little clearer. 

Favorite character you’ve ever voiced, and why?

Gotta go with Natsu. He and I along with the rest of the Fairy Tail family have been together for many years…not to mention, I have a tattoo from the show on me forever! So he better be my fav!

via GIPHY

LEAST favorite, and why?

I don’t think there’s a least favorite character…cause when I’m voicing a role – I have to find those reasons why I dig them.

There may be aspects of the character I don’t automatically jump towards – for example, if its really tough on my vocal cords cause of yelling or a certain pitch – those might get a brief moment of “okay, let’s do this” sauce as I brace my voice for the session, but I wouldn’t say there’s a least favorite. 

What’s the strangest thing or funniest moment to happen to you as a voice actor?

My masterful handyman is a fan of animation and such. I was telling him about a show I directed last year called Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (cough, out on Netflix now). Well, I mentioned that it was a fun show full of action and adventure that his kids might like and he did a double take, saying “Saint Seiya? The anime?” I confirmed it and he said “that’s the password to my computer! I love that series!” That was nice 🙂

I get recognized in the oddest places…Best Buy, the airport, Disneyland…all kinds of spots. 

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

How quiet and chill I am at home. I’m a pretty laid back guy. But you wouldn’t know it by a lot of the roles I have the honor of taking on. But, at home, you wouldn’t really know I’m there just cause I’m so quiet and of course, my asian ninja ancestry. 

via GIPHY

Secret obsession?

Disney mugs! I love collecting the mugs that come out annually from Starbucks. And you can only get them at the theme parks! I hop right on eBay if I don’t see them at disneyland and snag them all. They’re great!

Biggest fear?

Gigantic roller coasters…#NoHulkCoaster

Biggest pet peeve?

Spoilers for movies! 

What do you have coming up next?

Many projects – few I can talk about. Besides Flux Destiny, of course.

I’ll be featured as Ebony Maw in the upcoming Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance 3 for the Switch, Doc McCoy in Desperados 3 on Steam, Power Players – which will debut on Cartoon Network in August (I direct it and am in it), Fairy Tail is in its (for now – hopefully) “final season” and we’re in the 300s in terms of episodes, and many other fun things! Stay tuned!

Could we get a quick selfie of whatever you are up to to keep it real for the fans? : )

https://twitter.com/ToddHaberkorn

https://www.instagram.com/official_habergram/

http://www.fluxdestiny.com/fr/free-preview

Liana Ramirez (@lianakramirez) is living the dream of any young actress, landing a lead role on a show tied to an inconic franchise — in this case, the Power Rangers. Liana plays Roxy, a villianous female Ranger, on Nickelodeon’s new Power Rangers Beast Morphers.

Prior to this, Liana had roles on shows like Lab Rats and Criminal Minds, but this is her biggest role to date and one which fans seem to LOVE!  If you haven’t watched yet, the synopis for this new series reads: “Scientists tap into the Morphin Grid, but an evil virus corrupts the technology and a new team of Power Rangers is formed to defend the Grid from evil.”

Not only is Liana now part of the well-loved Power Rangers universe, but she is also working on her first book, an action-adventure novel slated to be released this summer called “The Secrets Within Me.”

We got the chance to ask Liana a few questions so you can find out more about her — scroll down for the Q&A!

 

Liana Ramirez has had a passion for performing and storytelling. She has appeared on networks such as, Disney Channel, CBS, and Netflix. Now, Ramirez is showcasing her acting and storytelling talents. She currently starring in the latest season of “Power Rangers on Nickelodeon” as a series lead. Ramirez is also working on her first novel, “The Secrets Within Me”.

Hello Liana, nice to e-meet you! Before we get to your role in the new Power Ranger Beast Morphers, tell us a little about yourself outside of show biz.

Hey there! Nice to e-meet you as well:D

Outside the show biz, I am just your normal American kid who loves my family, loves going to the beach and midnight ramen runs with my best friends, loves Starbucks and cats way too much, and has full out jam sessions in my bedroom.

Thanks! Now give us the scoop about the new show. Tell us all about your character and how this show fits into the Power Rangers universe.

My new show Power Rangers Beast Morphers is the beginning of a new era for the Power Rangers franchise. Hasbro recently took over the brand, has taken it to the next level and has turned our show into what the fans are saying is one of the best seasons since the beginning. My character “ROXY” is the evil yellow power ranger, the villain of the show. Roxy is devious, ambitious, overly dramatic as well as super emotionless with an “I don’t care” attitude.

The Power Rangers is a legendary franchise with a huge fan base. What’s the hardest part about stepping into such a high-profile role like that?

I think the hardest part about it was the super high expectation for the show and my role to be good. The fans are amazingly passionate about this franchise and sometimes that is scary because all we want to do is make them happy. At the end of the day, all you can do is work as hard as you can at your job and let the rest go.

What’s been the best and worst feedback from fans so far?

The show as a whole, all the actors, and myself have gotten such positive feedback! We honestly haven’t since much negative! It’s been unreal how much the fans are loving our show and characters. You always hope that people will like your work, but their feedback has been better than what all of us could have dreamed!

Were you a fan of the Power Rangers before you booked the role, or is this all new to you?

I actually didn’t watch Power Rangers as a kid, but I knew what it was, of course. So yeah, this whole world is new to me, but I am a sucker for action films and TV shows, so that was why I was attracted to the show and my role of Roxy when I auditioned.

What was the booking process like—the auditions and all that? Were there a lot of meetings, or was it pretty painless? Please dish for all the other inspiring actors out there!

I actually auditioned originally to be the Yellow Ranger and the audition process was super intense and looooong. I trained everyday for 4 months on perfecting martial art forms, fight choreography and the audition sides. I went into casting about 5 times and spent countless hours waiting to know what the fate of my life would be. It was a super challenging process that ended with casting offering me a different role… “Roxy” the evil yellow Ranger.

So my advice for aspiring actors would be to never pass up the opportunity to audition for another role on the same show. It may not be the role you originally wanted, but it may end up being the perfect role for you that can change your life!

What has been the funniest blooper from set so far?

I think one of the funniest moments we’ve had was when my costar Colby Strong and I were filming in the woods in New Zealand and were getting swarmed by massive bugs. There were multiple takes where we both had bugs crawling into our costumes and we ruined the shot by screaming and running around frantically trying to get the bugs off of us. It was a wild and hilarious experience!

Showbiz can be fun, but also tough because it’s a serious job. What’s the one thing you DON’T like about being in the business?

People in the business can be super cut-throat about trying to make it. It turns into this competition of trying to constantly be better than other people. It instills this nasty habit of judging others. I admit that I got sucked into this way of thinking at one point, but now I’ve learned how wrong that is! The only way you can truly be successful in life is if you are actively trying to help others rather than putting them down. There is a saying, “By yourself you can go faster, but together you can go farther.”

You have a book coming out, right? What’s it called and what’s it about?

YES! My debut book is called “The Secrets Within Me,” and it’s a YA fantasy/adventure novel. The story follows Magi Davis, a 17 year old girl where everyone is her life knows her secret… except for her. Magi must discover what her secret is before ancient Egyptian forces kill her and her entirely family. *Dramatic music plays*

What compelled you to start writing?

Growing up I’ve always been infatuated with stories, especially the ones that made me feel like I could take on the world, be adventurous and made me dare to believe in myself. I realized I wanted to create something like that and move people with my stories in hopes of inspiring others to go after their dreams and that’s one of the biggest reasons why I wrote “The Secrets Within Me.” I cannot contain my excitement about it! I truly hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

When I was younger, I almost went in a completely different direction with my life. I wanted to pursue soccer as a career and play professionally.

Biggest pet peeve?

Sirens. They’re loud.

The song I most have on repeat on my playlist right now is __________ by ___________?

Bad Idea by Ariana Grande

Secret obsession?

Black cats.

What’s the last movie or show you watched, and give me a review…but you can only use TWO WORDS for the review : )

A Quiet Place- OSCAR WORTHY!

If you could pass a law everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?

Follow the golden rule! Treat others the way you want to be treated!

Most embarrassing moment IRL you wish you could do over?

I accidentally made my electric and water bill 500$ one month because I took way too many baths. I felt so bad when my family and I figured out it was because of my baths lol! Oops!

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

The biggest thing I’m working on is getting my book ready for publishing! But when it comes to the acting front, I got some things is the works and I am so excited to see which opportunity pans out. I can’t wait to begin filming my next project!

Could we get a selfie of whatever you are doing at the moment? It’s something we ask to keep it real for the fans!

Of course! Here is me in my bedroom answering your questions while hanging out with Harry Potter. Now I’m gonna go and work on my book! Had so much fun talking with you!

Instagram: @lianakramirez
Twitter: @lianakramirez
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4HyJ8rki3fI03MBjVHNuA

Issie (Isabelle) Methven just turned 15 a few weeks ago, but you wouldn’t guess it from her long list of prestigious London theater credits including her professional West End theatre debut as Little Cosette in Les Miserables, Summer Hathaway in Original UK Cast of School of Rock, Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, and Brigitte Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and several acting roles with the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden.

She’s also got a few screen credits, including an upcoming film, and hopes to have a shot at Broadway some day. With her training at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, a leading school for a lot of young British performers, she’s sure to have a good chance!

Let’s find out more about her!

Hi Issie, nice to e-meet you! Tell us a little bit about yourself apart from your life in show biz.

I’m 15 and live in Hertfordshire, England. I live with my Mum, and my brother. I’m really lucky as I go to a school for performing arts in central London, which means I spend 3 days a week doing academic subjects (Math, Science, English, etc.) and 2 days doing vocational subjects (Ballet, Drama, Singing). When I’m not at school or working, I like to explore new places, especially on holiday!

Cool, now let’s talk some business haha! You have a ton of theater credits in the UK, from Les Mis to Annie to Sound of Music. What’s been your absolute favorite theater experience and why?

So hard to choose….I’d have to say that being the first ever Summer Hathaway in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock” was a pretty amazing experience. Being in the original cast of a show that’s so focused on the kids was the best ever. As well as performing on stage, we had some fantastic opportunities such as being part of the official launch, playing at the Olivier Awards and playing to a crowd of 10,000 at BBC Proms Party in the Park. Andrew is just the kindest man, and it was a dream to be part of one of his new shows.

What’s been the most embarrassing thing to happen to you on stage?

I have had a few stage bloopers. My faves being when the revolving stage refused to turn round in Les Mis, and I ended up singing with my back to the audience, and more recently when I got stuck up the chimney in the “Step in Time” in Mary Poppins. Bert had to keep whistling and pacing whilst the stage hands and crew tried to get me out.😀

I understand you have a movie coming out soon, can you tell us a little about it and your character?

The movie is a modern day twist on “A Christmas Carol;” I play Ellie, the daughter of the protagonist. It was great to part of something so original, and I had the best time.

You have met a few famous people. Who has been your favorite celebrity you have met and what was that like?

My absolute favourite has to be Elton John. He was just so friendly. He could tell we were very nervous and came straight over to talk to us. Such a nice man!

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m terrified of baked beans. Don’t laugh, it’s a real phobia.

Biggest pet peeve?

OMG chewing loudly !!!!! It drives me crazy……

The song I have on repeat on my playlist right now is __________ by ___________?

Ava Max – “So am I?” Her song has a great message and I can totally relate.

Nervous habit?

Playing with the front bit of my hair. My mum calls it the “Twiddler” and it’s a habit I’ve had since I was old enough to have hair.

Favorite food?

Oh that’s a hard one…….I’d have to say chocolate……..no, strawberries……….no definitely chocolate………..maybe both together?

Secret obsession?

Jonas brothers….? I’d love the opportunity to work with them.

What’s the last movie or show you watched, and give me a review…but you can only use TWO WORDS for the review : )

The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. SO ORIGINAL.

The one thing I cannot live without is__________?

My Mum, she supports me constantly and always picks me up when I’m down.

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

I’ve had quite a few auditions over the past few weeks, from a couple of TV shows, to a West End musical. I’ve not bagged the job yet so watch this space. I really loved being on set recently, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity.

Selfie!

😀I was at school at the time.

Teen actress Sarah Abbott has made a splash with her lead role performance in the Lifetime movie “Mommy’s Little Princess,” where she plays Lizzy, an adopted girl who discovers she has royal blood and takes on the persona of a princess from hell.

Coming up next, she can be seen in the feature film The Silence, a “A Quiet Place”-style thriller set to premiere on Netflix April 12 and starring Kiernan Shipka, Stanley Tucci, Miranda Otto and John Corbett. Sarah plays “The Hushed Child,” one in a group of survivors who have cut out their tongues to stay safe from monsters that hunt by sound (ouch).

As if that weren’t enough for a 13-year-old, she will also be appearing in the new NBC series The InBetween! We asked Sarah a few questions about The Silence and to get to know her a little better — read on for her exclusive Q&A with Teens Wanna Know!

Hi Sarah, nice to e-meet you! Before we get into your work as an actress, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! Thank you! I’m 13 years old. I live in Ontario, Canada. I have been acting since I was 6 years old and I also do competitive dance.

Cool! You seem to be on an amazing roll lately, as your Lifetime movie Mommy’s Little Princess just came out, which you’ve gotten good reviews for, and now The Silence is coming out on Netflix April 12. What’s your secret to working so many great projects at such a young age?

My agent and his team are always searching for great roles for me, but then it’s up to me to put in the hard work and do my best performance at each audition. I can only try my best and then move on to the next audition and hope for the best.

Tell us about The Silence and your character.

The Silence is about these creatures that attack and kill anything that makes sound. To survive, you need to adapt and live in a world without making any noise. I think my character is a nice person who is put in a difficult situation and does her best to handle it.

Silly question—but since your character is part of a group of people who don’t speak so they don’t attract monsters, was the set really really quiet all the time?

Yes, that was kind of funny now that you mention it.

What stands out most from filming that the movie?

I filmed in very eerie and creepy settings which really helped to establish the mood. I also was able to witness some of the magic of movie making that makes the unreal appear real on screen.

You have another show called The InBetween coming out on NBC. What can you tell us about that?

It’s about a woman who can see and talk with ghosts. She tries to help the ghosts with their problems and also help the police to solve crimes. I play a character named Abigail. I can’t really say too much about my role in the series. I guess you’ll have to tune in to see.

You worked with Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster, who directed you in Black Mirror. What most surprised you about working with her?

She was so down to earth and friendly. Also being a former child star herself, I found her so easy to understand when she gave me direction.

So far, what’s been the most memorable thing you have experienced as a young actress?

There are so many. We already mentioned Black Mirror, but it was also incredibly special when my first film called Lavender premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. I walked the red carpet, did interviews and even signed my first autograph. That was very cool.

Have you ever gotten starstruck with any of the big names you have worked with? Please dish!

LoL, yes. It’s a show coming out this summer, but I can’t talk about it yet. I totally stumbled on my lines because I was so nervous, but I took a breath and regained my focus. I was just talking about that moment with my dad the other day.

Showbiz can be fun, but also tough because it’s a serious job. What’s the one thing you DON’T like about being in the business?

I’m still a kid so I love to have sleepovers and play with my friends. Sometimes, I miss out on those things when I need to memorize lines for an audition, but I love being an actor, so it’s totally worth it!

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

In addition to acting, I’m also a dancer on a competitive dance team. I have 9 different dances to learn this season and I will be going to 5 competitions.

Biggest pet peeve?

People who crack their knuckles. That sound drives me crazy.

The song I most have on repeat on my playlist right now is_____________.

Imagine by Ariana Grande.

Favorite food?

Any kind of pasta

Secret obsession?

Toy Squishies. I just love squeezing them.

What’s the last movie or show you watched, and give me a review…but you can only use TWO WORDS for the review 🙂

Grey’s Anatomy. Very intense

If you could pass a law everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?

Be kind and accept people for who they are.

Most embarrassing moment IRL you wish you could do over?

When I messed up my lines in front of a certain star which I cannot name. LOL.

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

As you mentioned, I have the movie The Silence on Netflix followed by the TV series The InBetween on NBC. I also have something else coming out this summer on Netflix but I can’t reveal anything yet. Right now I’m back to doing auditions and excited to start something new.

Could we get a selfie of whatever you are doing at the moment? It’s something we ask to keep it real for the fans!

Sure, here is a picture of me finishing my art project for school!

https://www.instagram.com/sarah_abbott_/

Arista Arhin @aristaarhin is a Toronto native currently starring as Young Michael Burnham in Star Trek Discovery airing now on CBS. She’s also got a brand-new show premiering March 2nd called Bajillionaires. She plays Alicia Windsor, one of a group of friends running a start-up out of their parent’s garage.

This 14-year-old started as a model, doing campaigns for Spin Master, Walmart, and Hasbro. At age 10 she began her acting career, cast as Ozlyn in the award-winning children’s live action educational television series ODD SQUAD (TVOKids/PBS Kids) for which she won a 2018 Joey Award for Best Recurring or Lead Actress in a Children’s Television Show.

Let’s find out more about her in our Q&A, below!

Hi Arista, nice to e-meet you! While we know you are an actress, tell us a little bit about yourself outside of show business.

To start, my name is Arista Arhin, and I just recently turned 14. I adore the colour pink at the moment, and I love anything to do with beauty and fashion! I have always loved makeup and dressing up, and I would consider it one of my areas of expertise!

Great! You play a young Michael Burnham on Star Trek Discovery, the child version of the series’ main character. Tell us what it was like your first day on set and seeing all the cool costumes and set pieces!

At first everything was a little intimidating, from seeing the sets to meeting all the amazing actors on the show. However, once the introductions were over and we went through a couple of takes, my nervousness faded and quickly turned into excitement. It truly was mesmerizing seeing the intricate costumes and the complex sets. Knowing how huge the Star Trek franchise is, I felt a lot of pressure, knowing that everything had to be flawless, but once we started filming everything did feel perfect, and that first day will be one that I will never forget.

What’s the best part about being on that show so far?

One part of my entire experience that has left me star struck has been meeting all the amazing actors on the show. The first person I met on set was Sonequa Martin-Green, who was so loving and caring, and who made it feel like we’ve known each other for years. Likewise, all other cast members made me feel very welcome and comfortable, and have made my time working on Star Trek Discovery even more enjoyable. Also, it was fantastic to work not only with fellow actors but with the entire crew who was extremely kind and caring towards me as a young actress.

Did Sonequa Martin-Green help you in any way to get you ready to play a younger version of herself?

From the beginning, Sonequa and I had a very strong connection where I would always be able to ask her for help not only with Burnham, but for other characters too. Burnham’s childhood was very complicated and some scenes were quite hard for me to portray, and Sonequa would always be there to help guide me through the emotions and actions occurring in a particular scene. She has given me some very useful pointers and taught me techniques that will forever stick with me.

You are also known for Odd Squad on PBS Kids, and have a new show coming up on Canada’s Family Channel called Bajillionaires. Tell us about that show and your character?

Bajillionaires is a show about a group of kids who run a start-up company in their parent’s garage and they make inventions to hopefully one day change the world. My character, Alicia Windsor, is the Chief Product Designer of the team, and she is very hands-on, always working on new projects, and is a devoted tech geek who is constantly coding. My character is very easy to fall in love with, and I can’t wait for everyone to see her and the squad in action!

You’ve already wrapped shooting season one. What’s your fondest memory from that set?

I remember one slow day on set that we spent mostly in the school room, relaxing between the shoots. While Mya was in her room, Ricky, Alec, and I were hanging out in the school room. Ricky was finishing up this large jigsaw puzzle that we were all working on for the past month, while Alec and I were attempting to cartwheel over the couches. All of a sudden, Alec felt the urge to completely crush the puzzle while Ricky and I were screaming in horror. For some reason, Ricky then flung the half broken puzzle across the room, and I joined him in throwing the other half. It felt strangely liberating. Needless to say, we spent the rest of the day cleaning up the school room.

Will the show be available to watch in the U.S., or is it only for Canadian TV?

Yes! It is currently available on Family Channel in Canada on Saturdays at 10:00 AM ET, starting March 2nd, and it will soon be available on Universal Kids in the U.S., so stay tuned!

Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

I played in a softball league for 6 years and had to quit because of filming Bajillionaires. Yet, it was the best decision I’ve ever made!

Biggest pet peeve?

When people cut me off when I’m talking.

Favorite place to travel?

I really enjoyed Venice! The food was so delicious, and the scenery and architecture were incredible! I hope to visit again sometime soon!

Favorite food?

I love sushi sooo much!

Secret obsession?

Watching Liza Koshy on YouTube! She is so funny and I hope I can meet her some day!

What’s the last movie or show you watched, and give me a review…but you can only use TWO WORDS for the review 🙂

The last movie I watched is Don’t Breathe, and my review would be suspenseful and uncomfortable.

The one thing I cannot live without is__________.

Netflix!

Most embarrassing moment IRL you wish you could do over?

So far, I’ve been quite fortunate not to have one.

What else are you working on or have coming up next?

My new TV show, Bajillionaires, is premiering on March 2nd, and will air on Saturday at 10:00AM/ET in Canada! Also, Season Two of Star Trek: Discovery airs on Thursdays at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT on CBS All Access in the U.S., and in Canada, new episodes air on Thursdays at 8:00PM/ET on Space TV.

Could we get a selfie?

I’m sending two because you can’t take just one selfie 🙂 Thank you so much for such a fun interview!

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