Francesca Catalano – In Motion

“JUST FOR KICKS” premieres on Nickelodeon on April 9 (7p.m. ET/PT)

Q) Please tell us about your character on the show “Just For Kicks.”

A) I play Alexa D’ Amico who is a charismatic, upbeat and funny girl that loves to shop. Her clothes reflect her attitude and everything about her. She wears very brightcolor clothes. When I was trying to study the part and figure out who I wanted to model her after, I looked at different characters. In different episodes she’s the popular cheerleader, but I think she’s not like that at all. She’s got different layers. I ended up modeling her after Cher from the movie Clueless.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I love acting! I loved the script when I read it. I just thought it was really great for teens and kids to watch. I really believed in it and in all of the characters. That’s what made me really want to be a part of it. Plus, when I met all of the girls at the audition process, everyone was just so great!

Q) What is your most memorable moment from filming?

A) My most memorable moment would probably be when I had to wear a meatball hat. I had to wear a hat with a meatball on top of it with a stick coming out of it. I definitely think that was my most memorable moment.

Q) Why should viewers take the time to tune in to “Just For Kicks?”

A) There is nothing else like it on TV! From what I’ve seen from the show, it’s a teen show like you would see on the WB, but for kids and preteens. When you watch it, you can’t stop. It’s the kind of show that when you watch one episode you can’t wait until it’s on again. You want to know what happens and you get really involved with the characters. I think boys and girls will be able to relate. The four of us have qualities that everyone can relate to and we go over everything with such self-confidence. Guys can watch it because Jerad Anderson (who plays my brother) and Johnny Palermo (who plays his friend) are both men that can be related to. Plus, there are girls so guys will want to watch it for us!

Q) In what ways, if any, do you resemble your character?

A) I wouldn’t say I resemble her. I think that we both just share the quality that we like to shop. We both love to shop. We would be at different places to shop, though. I love vintage and Alexa wears a lot of preppy clothes. She’s a girly girl and I am not.

Q) What is it you like about the sport of soccer?

A) It’s such great exercise! It’s also a competitive sport and you get into it. It makes you work hard and it deals with teamwork, where you have to really rely on each other and have a connection with the other teammates to make it work. It’s cool to share a bond with someone on the field and work together to make a goal.

Q) You spent a lot of your career so far working on operas and musical theater. Why did you decide to switch to television?

A) Actually, it’s not really switching. Every opportunity to act and do what I love (acting is my passion), I would be more than happy to do. It’s different doing theater to television. When you are doing theater it’s immediate gratification. To do the show, it’s completely different because you work and then you have to wait and see. I love both of them in kind of the same way.

Q) Your dad works at USC as an acting coach. What is the best piece of advice you have received from him?

A) Everything! He’s taught me to not be shy. He always said to me, “Just do what you have to do. What’s the worst that they could say? ‘No.’ That’s the worst that could happen.” He said that every, “No” was one step closer to a, “Yes.” That’s driven me more than anything. That makes me not afraid of the word, “No.”

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) I am a band girl! I have to admit it! I love going to shows, whether it be the smaller venues like The Roxy, The Glass House or something bigger. All of my friends are in bands so I always go and see them. I love seeing new music, different kinds. I love alternative, indie, rock, electronica and everything!

Q) What is your latest obsession? A book? A movie? A band?

A) I love my cowboy boots that I just bought! I love my Damien Rice CD. It’s an older CD, but you put it down and come back to it. I’ve also been listening to a CD like crazy that is called “Acceptance” that I love so much. I also like the band Shiny Toy Guns because they have an incredible sound!