By: Jessica Hatchett
Photo By Henk Tomkins
Q) You made your first film appearance age thirteen as a special skills gymnast in The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar. How did that experience influence your decision to pursue acting professionally?
A) Being so young and suddenly being surrounded by cameras, lights and everything that comes with being on set was incredibly inspiring for me. I remember watching the older girls and the lead characters do their thing and, because I didn’t have the biggest role at the time, I was able to sit back, observe and really take it all in. I’ve always been very observant, so watching them work and seeing what goes into bringing a character to life made me want to learn more and keep pursuing acting. And, of course, I’ve always loved being the center of attention, so I remember thinking, “I want to keep working at this so that maybe one day I’ll have lines in a movie too!” That experience definitely planted the seed for me to keep going.
Q) You started out in dance and gymnastics. In what ways did those disciplines help shape you as a performer, both on and off screen?
A) Starting out in gymnastics and dance has shaped me so much as an actor, both on and off screen. Gymnastics taught me dedication, discipline, ambition and having a strong mind. We often had to train and compete through injuries, sickness or days when we weren’t feeling our best, so I learned how to push through, leave bad energy at the door and still give my all. It also taught me how to handle rejection and setbacks and see them as opportunities to grow. Dance taught me many of those same things, but also helped me with memorizing choreography, which has translated into memorizing lines. As a dancer, you’re a performer – you use your facial expressions and emotions to tell a story and, depending on the style, you’re almost playing a character through movement. I think that has really helped me step into different characters as an actor.
Q) You have trained in all styles of commercial dance – jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical – which would you say is your favorite and why?
A) My favorite styles are definitely hip-hop and commercial. Commercial dance is so performance-based, and I love the drama and energy that comes with it – it’s the kind of style you see on tours, and I genuinely feel like a superstar when I’m dancing it. Hip-hop is also really special to me because it was one of the styles I gravitated toward when I started taking dance more seriously after gymnastics. Gymnastics is so focused on perfection – pointed toes, straight legs, clean lines and one little mistake can throw everything off. When I transitioned into dance, I wanted something completely different. Hip-hop taught me to loosen up, stop worrying about being perfect, feel the groove and just enjoy moving. It feels really natural and freeing to me.
Q) Your dance crew, Grvmnt, earned Lily Singh’s Golden Buzzer on “Canada’s Got Talent” in 2022. What did that achievement meant to you?
A) Getting the Golden Buzzer on “Canada’s Got Talent” meant so much to me because it was my first real realization that I was on the right track with dance. I had an incredible team that I trained with through so much blood, sweat and tears and being able to share that achievement together is something I’ll never forget. It really bonded us for life. Looking back at everything we went through to get there makes it even more special. There were times when we didn’t have studio space, so we’d train outside in the middle of Canadian winters, but we never let that stop us because we were so passionate and determined. Being able to share all of that hard work with the world and have it recognized with the Golden Buzzer was such an incredible feeling.
Q) You’ve built up hundreds of thousands of followers across TikTok and Instagram. How do you balance sharing content with your followers and staying authentic to yourself?
A) I genuinely feel like the reason I’ve built such a following is because I’ve always stayed authentic to who I am. I never try to romanticize my life or portray something that isn’t real. I love posting funny content, making fun of myself and sharing the good, the bad and the ugly because that’s naturally who I am. Trust me, I’ve had plenty of embarrassing and humbling moments along the way, but I’m so grateful for everyone who has followed my journey. I think if people are choosing to follow me it’s because they’re connecting with the real me. I never try to play a character or be someone I’m not online, so sharing my life on social media comes pretty naturally to me. I’m just grateful that people appreciate the authentic, sometimes chaotic version of me.
Q) What was your reaction when you learned you had been cast as Danielle in Camp Rock 3?
A) I genuinely didn’t believe it! Usually when I audition for a role that I really, really want, I don’t get it. So, when I found out I booked Camp Rock 3, I honestly thought someone was pranking me. I think people expect me to say that I cried happy tears, screamed or jumped around, but I was genuinely just sitting there in shock, trying to process what was about to become of my life. I grew up watching Camp Rock, so being part of it was truly a dream come true. The turnaround was so quick too – I auditioned and found out just three days later that I booked the role. Even after shooting I still don’t think I’ve fully processed it all. I was just incredibly grateful and completely in disbelief.
Q) What has it been like joining such an iconic Disney franchise?
A) Being part of the Disney family has truly been a dream come true. I grew up watching Disney just like so many people, so stepping into that world felt surreal, but I was welcomed with open arms from the very beginning. I never once felt overlooked or like I didn’t belong – I genuinely felt like part of the family right away and the people I’ve met along the way have been amazing. With Camp Rock, there was definitely a lot of pressure because we were stepping into a franchise that had already made such a huge impact, so those are some pretty big shoes to fill! It was overwhelming at times, but I genuinely feel like we did such an amazing job. We paid homage to the original movies while still making it our own and I’m so proud of what we created. I can’t wait for the world to see it and hopefully love it as much as we do.
Q) How was Danielle described to you and where does she fit into the story?
A) Danielle was described to me as somewhat of a comedic relief character. She may not be a huge character in terms of leadership, but she plays a really important role in the storyline – without her, the big climax of the movie wouldn’t even be possible! She’s an influencer and a really talented backup dancer, so in a lot of ways it felt like I was playing a version of myself, just with a few extra twists. Danielle isn’t exactly the brightest, which is where a lot of her comedy comes in, and I had so much fun playing that side of her. There are definitely similarities between us, but Danielle is a much more exaggerated and hilarious version of me.
Q) You appear alongside your brother Orlando in the film. Did having that real-life sibling connection help your performances?
A) Orlando and I are extremely close and our chemistry is unlike anything else, so having that real-life connection definitely helped on screen. Our characters are a duo, so that natural bond made it really easy to play off each other, but it was also helpful off screen. We could go home at the end of the day, run lines together and practice our little bits, which was so much fun. We’re also very similar – people constantly think we’re twins because we have the same sense of humor, the same ideas and, honestly, the same brain! There were so many moments where we would do the exact same thing at the exact same time without even planning it, and the director would point it out and say, “Oh my God, you guys just did the same thing!” Those little moments were completely natural, and I think you’ll definitely see that connection come through in the movie.
Q) The Jonas Brothers return as Connect 3 and also serve as executive producers of the film alongside Demi Lovato, who played Mitchie Torres. What was the atmosphere like on set?
A) It honestly felt surreal! Seeing the Jonas Brothers back at camp was such a cool experience because I grew up watching them in these movies, and now I am getting to watch them do it in real life. They were so inspiring, especially on my first day of shooting, because they felt so natural in their characters. It was like they had never left the camp – they were so comfortable that it made me feel more comfortable, too. At first we were all fangirling and, honestly, we still are! I still can’t believe I went from watching them on my screen growing up to watching them in action right in front of me. The whole atmosphere genuinely felt like I was at camp. We were having so much fun that sometimes I forgot I was even acting!
Q) Without giving away any spoilers, what was the most challenging or exciting scene for you to film in Camp Rock 3?
A) Ironically, the most challenging scenes weren’t the big dance numbers, choreography or singing – it was the scenes where we had to be serious! Our cast was so close and always goofing around off set that it was nearly impossible not to laugh, especially when someone would make a joke or a funny face during a take. We broke character so many times because we were constantly trying to make each other laugh. Even when the cameras were only focused on one side, the rest of us would be off to the side making ridiculous faces, trying to get whoever was on camera to break. So, surprisingly, the hardest part was definitely keeping a straight face!
Q) When viewers watch Camp Rock 3, what message do you hope they take away from the plot and Danielle’s journey?
A) I really hope viewers take away that sometimes it’s not about the final product, but about the journey and the people you meet along the way. I hope they’re reminded not to take people for granted, to really listen to others and to see people for who they are rather than judging a book by its cover. I also think it’s important not to take everything so seriously and to enjoy the moments you’re in. As for Danielle, I hope you get a good laugh out of her but also see that there’s more to her than meets the eye. She can be a little misunderstood and I hope her journey shows the importance of finding yourself, trusting your own instincts and not simply following the crowd.
Q) What are the other projects you have been busy working on lately?
A) I’ve been so blessed to work on another show with a major company like Disney, which was also alongside my brother. I got to combine my love for dance and acting by doing both in a show I actually grew up watching, which I can’t talk about just yet, but I’m so excited for it to be released later this year! I’ve also been doing a lot of voice work, including video games, which has been such a fun new avenue of acting for me. I’m very expressive with the way I speak, so getting to play around with that in a recording booth has been so exciting. Of course, I’ve also been super busy with the upcoming release of Camp Rock 3, so it’s been an amazing year of growing, making new connections, taking on new opportunities and continuing to do what I love. On the dance side, I’ve been training, working on different shows and continuing to perform whenever I can. It’s definitely been a busy year, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who have supported me throughout this journey. I’m genuinely so grateful for how kind and supportive everyone has been, and I feel like they really see me for who I am. Growing up, I was inspired by the Disney stars I looked up to, so being able to inspire even one person to keep going, chase their dreams or believe in themselves would mean everything to me. The reason I share my journey on social media isn’t to brag or show off my life – it’s to show people that the journey isn’t always easy, but it can be so worth fighting for when it’s something you truly love. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has stuck by me and supported me over the years, and I just want them to know that anything is possible. Follow your dreams, keep fighting for what you love and most importantly, enjoy the journey and live life to the fullest!