Think middle school's tough? Ask 13-year-old Lizzie McGuire. Everything's a crisis for Lizzie, whether it's her mom making her wear a sweater with a unicorn plastered all over it for picture day, or her never-ending struggle to be popular. Lizzie's animated alter-ego pops up when Lizzie is stuck in a situation. An her best friends Miranda and Gordo are not far behind. We caught up with the stars of Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire-Hilary Duff (Lizzie) and Lalaine (Miranda) between costume and make-up changes. These girls aren't just BFF's on the show-they're pretty good friends on the set, too.
Hilary and Miranda are best friends on Lizzie. Do you hang out, too?
Hilary: We're pretty good friends. We don't have much time outside the set to do stuff. We'll have breakfast and lunch together on the set and hang out during taping.
Did you guys meet on the set of Lizzie McGuire?
Hilary: We met through mutual friends. We saw each other at auditions all the time.
Lalaine: I saw Hilary at auditions, and we would talk and say 'Hi.' Then, I saw her at work and was like, 'Oh, my god, I know you.' We were really excited. I feel more comfortable doing my lines with someone I know well.
Hilary, what's your schedule like?
Hilary: I work five days a week. I get up at 5:30 a.m., and I get on set by 7:00 a.m. Then I'm ready for rehearsal, wardrobe, and hair and make-up. We run lines with acting coach Troy, and then we go to shoot a scene before lunch and school. Then we'll shoot another scene that afternoon. I'm pretty tired by 8:30 p.m. I'm usually in bed. Sometimes I go to the movies or out to dinner. I hang out with my friends on the weekend.
Do you have a tutor or do you go to school?
I have a tutor on the set, but I am home schooled. I went to elementary school when I was in Texas.
Are you originally from California?
My family doesn't live in California permanently. We have a house in Texas, too. My dad lives there. In Texas my friends don't act. When they go to school, I'll go and have lunch with them. Then we'll hang out when school is over.
Lizzie and Lalaine e-mail back and forth a lot-do you use your computers a lot?
I bring my laptop to the set. When we finish school for the day, my mom lets me check my e-mail. I love my computer.
Do you have any sisters and brothers?
I have an older sister Haylie. She's 16. I just love her. I don't know how I would do with a brother in real life. My sister does my hair and makeup, tells me about new fashions and what's going on. She's the best role model. She's an actress, too.
Are you like Lizzie at all?
We're both 13. I'm the kind of person who would stick up for myself. I wouldn't be like Lizzie. I'm more self-confident and secure. Other than that, we're alike. Lizzie doesn't talk to her mom, except I talk all the time with my mom.
Lizzie is a natural at rhythmic gymnastics-do you like gymnastics or any other sports?
I love gymnastics and took lessons for more than four years. The thing I miss most about my home in Texas, other than my dad and dog, is my trampoline. I like other sports too, like swimming and diving. I go to Camp Longhorn every summer, which requires you to swim a mile every year. I love that. We also sail. It is hot in Texas during the summer so we like water sports!
Animated Lizzie speaks her mind when Lizzie is too shy to speak up. You said you were more confident and secure than Lizzie's character. Would you ever act shy like Lizzie?
Lizzie has to have her animated character say what she is thinking but I am pretty good at talking to my family and friends about how I feel. My parents have always encouraged that. If someone hurts my feelings sometimes I just keep to myself and feel bad for a while. I'm not moody or mopey. I would rather feel good and be happy.
You performed The Nutcracker with the Columbus Ballet Met. Do you still dance?
My sister and I both performed when the ballet was in Texas. It was one of the all time greatest experiences in my life. You can't imagine what great athletes dancers are and how they train for years. I have not continued ballet but I take hip-hop and funk classes in LA
If you could hold a concert at your next party, who would you have play?
Aaron Carter, of course! He just did an episode on the show and it was so fun! I like a lot of different music though like Kid Rock, Little Bow Wow, Backstreet Boys, BB Mak, Britney, Christina Aguilera and of course, Madonna. My sister Haylie is in a girl-band and I love to go to her rehearsals.
Does you family or friends ever call you Lizzie by accident?
Sometimes my mom and sister call me Lizzie if I give them 13-year-old attitude.
Lizzie's mom embarrasses her all the time. What's the most embarrassing thing your mom has ever done to you?
Last summer my friends and I went to a birthday party dance. We got in the mood by playing music loud and dancing in the car. Well, my mom and dad though they would join in the fun-that's just not cool for them-at their age-to act like us! But my parents are pretty hip and can be lots of fun to hang out with.
Do you have any pets?
I love animals. I have a dog here-Little Dog-and one in Texas-Remington. Remington plays Frisbee a lot. I had a rabbit that would play in the backyard with my dog. I let him go-I see him around the neighborhood though. I had a hermit crab. He did nothing for days, so I put him outside. had a mouse and I gave him away-he was disgusting.
What's the craziest thing that's happened on the set?
Troy the acting coach taught us how to open doors and make it look like we hit our head. It looks like we hit our head and people come ask us for help. We also had a crazy silly-string party.
Lalaine, I have some questions for you, too. Where else have our readers seen you?
Lalaine: I was in Annie. I played Kate, one of Annie's friends. It was a blast. The first day of rehearsal was my birthday. It was really cool working with Kathy Bates-she was so fun. This is my first TV show.
Why do you go by just your first name?
I go by my first name because my first agent said my first and last name didn't go together. I'm like Madonna or Cher.
What kind of opportunities has Lizzie McGuire brought you?
It's so exciting to be on the show-it's a blast. The first time I saw my picture at the mall on a poster, I stood an hour and half staring at myself. All these people looked at me like I was wacko!
How did you get into acting?
I started singing and doing plays. I got into commercials, and then started doing movies and TV shows. My sister got me started-she's 23. I have two sisters and one brother. All the girls are 10 years apart from each other. We're really pretty close. When we get together we make fun of each other in the nicest ways and wrestle. We love to play around, and go out to dinner and the arcade.
Do you want to continue acting when you're older?
Right now I would want to pursue acting, singing and dancing. I might have different feelings when I'm older.
What kind of dancing and singing do you do?
I love hip-hop. I haven't had much dance training. I just started going to classes. I also take singing classes. I like Whitney Houston's old stuff, Aretha Franklin and Bette Midler. Bodyguard is my favorite movie.
What kind of music do you like?
I'm a big N'Sync fan. I have a collage in my dressing room. I also love Mya-she dances so good.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to hang with my friends. I don't get to see them as much 'cause I work five days a week. I like to go to the park and play basketball. I like to go hip-hop dancing, too.
How long does it take you to memorize your lines?
I read through the script two or three times. I memorize my lines pretty easily. I use my computer to type up my lines to help me remember them.
What's the funniest scene you've had on Lizzie?
Gordo has a date so we go to a restaurant. We think his girlfriend Brooke is using him, so we spy on them on their date. I dress up like a boy-Lizzie's date. I follow Gordo into the boys' bathroom. We get up to leave and we find out Brooke isn't using him. Right when we leave, we bump into this waiter -and spaghetti and sauce, bread and chicken, salad. It sprays all over us. We're soaked. It was so cold. The first time Hilary got everything on her so we did it again. The second time everything got on me. It was so much fun. I never get big splats on me!
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