By: Jessica Hatchett
Photo By Charles Zuckerman
Q) What do you think first sparked your love of performing, and when did you realize it could become your career?
A) I think my love for performing developed gradually over time. I actually started doing on-camera acting when I was eight years old and I immediately loved being on set. At the time it was just something that was fun and exciting to do – I didn’t really think of it as a career.
As I got older I started doing more plays, shows and acting and the more I performed, the more I realized how much I loved it. Dancing gave me a different kind of rush. There’s something about being on stage, feeling the energy of the crowd and seeing their reaction in real time that I became addicted to.
The more I performed, the better I got and the better I got, the bigger the reactions became. It just kept building from there. Eventually, I realized that performing wasn’t just something I enjoyed doing – it was something I genuinely wanted to pursue as a career.
Whether it was acting in front of a camera or dancing in front of a live audience, I knew that performing was what I loved most.
Q) You’ve competed and performed internationally and trained in multiple dance styles. How did those early experiences shape the performer you are today?
A) I think competing internationally and being part of so many different teams really shaped who I am as a performer. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside dancers who were much better than me and, instead of being intimidated by that, I tried to learn from them.
I would watch how they moved, how they performed and what made them stand out and then take inspiration from those experiences. The coaches I’ve worked with have also had a huge influence on me. I’ve been fortunate enough to train under people I really looked up to and to be part of teams that I had admired for a long time. Being surrounded by that level of talent pushed me to work harder and constantly challenge myself.
Over the years, I’ve picked up little things from every team, coach, style and experience. I think my performance style today is really a fusion of all of those influences. I’m still learning and evolving, but everything I’ve experienced along the way has become part of how I move and how I perform.
Q) What was the audition process for Camp Rock 3?
A) Camp Rock 3 was filming in Vancouver, BC and we already knew about the production because we had a bunch of friends who had been hired as dancers on the film. We got the audition around mid-August, just before we were scheduled to leave for a family vacation in Rome.
We submitted our audition tape on Wednesday and the next day we flew to Rome. On Friday night, while we were in Rome, we found out that we had been shortlisted. The only problem was that rehearsals had already started and, if we got the part, we needed to be back in Vancouver by Monday morning.
We were supposed to leave Rome on Sunday to go on a cruise, so we were in a bit of a difficult position. We didn’t want to fly all the way home if we weren’t actually going to get the part, but we also couldn’t wait too long because we would have to be in rehearsals on Monday. Our agent had to contact casting and explain that we were in Rome and needed a definite answer—either a yes or a no—so we could make the right decision.
Once casting realized we were out of the country and needed to know immediately, they came back with the news that we had officially booked the part and been approved. So, we changed our plans, flew home on Sunday and went straight into rehearsals on Monday.
It was an absolutely crazy turnaround. We went from submitting an audition tape to being shortlisted, finding out we had booked the role, flying home from Rome and starting rehearsals – all within just a few days.
Q) What went through your mind when you found out you got the role?
A) We knew right away that it could completely change our lives. On one hand, we were really sad to leave our aunts, uncle and cousins during a long-planned family trip. We had been looking forward to that vacation for a long time, so it was definitely bittersweet. But at the same time, we knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime and there was no way we could pass it up.
We were staying in a B&B in Rome when we got the news and we completely lost it. We were screaming, making so much noise, jumping around, calling all of our friends and telling everyone that we got the part. It was one of those moments where the excitement just took over.
We were so excited that, instead of continuing with our vacation, we flew out of Rome the next day and went straight into work. It was a whirlwind, but it was absolutely worth it.
Q) Talk about walking onto the set and becoming part of the Camp Rock world alongside the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and the other cast members.
A) Walking onto the set was honestly surreal. It was such a well-built, amazing replica of the original set that it immediately felt incredibly surreal to be there. I had gone to camp many times as a kid and this felt like that same experience – but with music, dancing and three huge cameras in your face at all times!
What made it even more special was being there with my best friends. We were having so much fun together and it honestly felt like we were living out a dream. At the same time, meeting members of the original Camp Rock cast, who we had grown up watching and looking up to, was pretty surreal. It was one of those moments where you have to remind yourself that you’re actually there.
Being able to step into a world that we had loved growing up and now be a part of it ourselves was an incredible experience. It really did feel like a dream come true.
Q) Without giving away any spoilers, what can you tell us about Daniel and how he fits into the new generation of campers?
A) Without giving away any spoilers, Daniel is really just a kid who is genuinely excited to be at camp. There are certain reasons why he’s there and because of those reasons, there are certain things he’s required to do. But at the heart of it, he’s just an innocent kid who is really excited to be part of the Camp Rock experience.
I think that’s what makes him relatable. He’s discovering this whole new world of camp, music, friendships and everything that comes with it and he’s just excited to be along for the ride.
Q) You appear alongside your sister Ella in the film. How did having that real-life sibling connection help your performances?
A) I think our real-life relationship really translated into the chemistry between our characters. In every scene we had together, that genuine connection was already there, so we didn’t have to force it. We’re extremely comfortable with each other and, because we live together, we had plenty of time to work through our scenes and figure out the little details. It also made the whole experience feel much less intimidating. I was never really nervous when we were working together because having someone I’m so close to in the room made me feel comfortable and allowed me to forget about the nerves.
And, honestly, watching her perform was inspiring. I’ve always looked up to Ella as a performer, so getting to work alongside her and see how she approaches a scene was something I really enjoyed. It made the experience even more special to be able to share such a huge opportunity with my sister.
Q) How did your dance and choreography background influence the way you approached the character and the musical performances?
A) I think my dance and choreography background really influenced how comfortable I am performing. After learning choreography, I’m used to taking a set routine and figuring out how to make it feel natural in my body rather than just going through the motions.
That experience has taught me how to make choreography feel like my own while still staying true to what I’ve been asked to do. Once I feel comfortable with the movement, I can be much more free with my performance – with my facial expressions, my arms, my energy, and all the little details that make a performance feel authentic.
I think that freedom really helped me on Camp Rock 3. I could focus not just on getting the choreography right, but on actually performing it and bringing the character into the movement.
Q) What is a scene you are most proud of the work that you put into when you watched it in the film?
A) The scene I’m probably most proud of is definitely the paint fight scene. It was so much fun and it was actually our last day of shooting, which made it even more memorable.
What I loved: Okay, most of the scene that I’m most proud of would for sure be the paint fight scene; it was so much fun. It was our last day of shooting. It was just so much fun. That’s the day. I’m most proud of it just because it was a real experience and we really had a paint fight. They just hid cameras around the room and it came out great; it was just obviously fantastic. What I’m most proud of was that it felt like a real experience rather than just a scene we were acting out. We actually had a paint fight and they hid cameras around the room so they could capture everything as it happened. We were just able to let loose and have fun with it.
It was chaotic, messy and honestly one of the most fun days we had on set. When I finally saw how it came together in the film, I thought it turned out fantastic. It’s definitely one of the moments I’ll remember most from the whole experience.
Q) What do you think it is about Camp Rock and the franchise that makes it so beloved?
A) I think a huge part of what makes Camp Rock so beloved is the nostalgia. So many people grew up watching the original movies and the music is timeless. The characters were also really inspiring and the original films had such a huge influence on a generation. You had the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato at the center of it and they became such important figures for so many young people. I think people have such a strong emotional connection to those movies because they were a part of their childhood.
Now, being part of the new generation of Camp Rock is really special because we get to be part of something that so many people grew up with and loved. I think that combination of nostalgia, great music, memorable characters and the memories people have attached to the franchise is what makes Camp Rock so timeless.
Q) You’re currently rehearsing for the Descendants, Zombies & Camp Rock 3 Worlds Collide concert tour, while also preparing to choreograph for J-pop group Be First. How do you maintain balance when so many opportunities are happening all at once?
A) I think the biggest thing that helps me maintain balance is having a really supportive circle around me. My mom, my dad, my sister, my friends and my roommate all help keep me grounded and keep me sane when things get really busy.
There’s so much happening at once and sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but knowing that I have people around me who support me and are always there for me makes everything easier. They remind me to stay grounded, enjoy the experience and not get too caught up in the pressure.
Having that support system allows me to focus on the opportunities in front of me and actually enjoy them. I know that no matter how busy things get, I have people I can rely on and that makes all of these experiences so much more fun.
Q) The Worlds Collide tour will take you across Canada, the US, Mexico and Europe from September 2026 through March 2027. What are you most excited about when you think about performing this show in front of so many Disney fans?
A) I think I’m most excited about meeting people and getting to experience all of these different places. Every city and every show is going to be a new experience and I think the performances will just keep getting better and better as we become more comfortable and settle into the tour.
I’m also really excited about getting to travel the world with some of my closest friends. That alone feels pretty insane. I get to perform, dance, travel, meet new people and experience different places – all things that I love – in one opportunity. Also, I grew up going to concerts in huge stadiums and now I get to perform on a big stadium stage! It’s unbelievable!
It’s really the perfect combination for me. I get to do what I love, see the world and share that experience with some of the people I’m closest to. I honestly couldn’t ask for much more.
Q) One of your original dances was purchased by Fortnite, you’ve built millions of followers on TikTok and hundreds of thousands on Instagram, and you are now working with major Disney productions. How do you decide what content to share and what is “just for you” to hold onto?
A) I think it’s something you just get a feel for over time. The more you create and share, the more you learn what feels right. For me, I try to be as real and authentic as possible online. I don’t feel like I need to create a completely different version of myself for social media. I’m pretty comfortable with who I am and I think that authenticity is a big part of why people connect with my content.
At the same time, I think there’s a balance. I’ll look at something and think, “Is this cool? Does this feel natural to me? Is this something people would enjoy seeing?” I don’t want to post something just because I feel like I have to post.
For me, the best content is the stuff that feels genuine and effortless – something that
represents who I am and that I’m actually excited to share. I think over time you just learn where that line is between what you want to put out into the world and what you want to keep for yourself.
Q) What is next for you? Have you been busy working on any other projects?
A) Right now, the Worlds Collide tour is keeping me pretty busy and I’m really excited about everything that comes with that. I’ll also be performing at the D23 Disney Fan Expo, which I’m really looking forward to.
Beyond that, I’m just going to keep creating content for my fans and seeing where things take me. There are always new opportunities coming up, so I’m excited to keep working, keep creating and see what happens next.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your career?
A) I just want to say thank you so much. You guys are truly the reason I get to do what I love and I never take that support for granted. Every view, comment, message and bit of encouragement means more to me than you probably realize.
I’m going to keep working hard, creating, performing and giving you guys everything I’ve got. Thank you for all the love and for coming along on this journey with me. I really appreciate every single one of you.