Oct. 2006 article with Next Step

[pranksalot]

http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/next...2&categoryId=5

Before Amanda took the next step:
Amanda starred in her own show, “The Amanda Show,” on Nickelodeon while attending middle school. She also starred in “Big Fat Liar” and did the voice of Piper in the animated movie “Robots.” At the same time, Amanda went to school, took the SATs and graduated like a normal student. She sat down with NSM in Chicago while promoting her movie “She’s the Man” to chat about her high school days.

NSM: How did you manage school while working as an actress?
Amanda: I actually went to school full time. We would try to [tape the shows] during the summer so that during the year, I could go to school. If I had to do things, I would go [to the set], but I was still able to go to school. I think that was what sort of helped me because I kept my group of friends. People forgot that I worked because I was there all the time.

NSM: In the movie “She’s the Man,” you play Viola, a soccer star. Were you athletic in high school?
Amanda: I’m really active; I’ve just never been a big tomboy. I don’t watch sports…I was definitely more into dance and theater and all that.

NSM: How did you do in gym class?
Amanda: I always had fun no matter what because I was always with my friends. I would always be the one starting trouble and everything. I’d always do the sport thing or whatever we’d do, basketball and baseball. It was always fun for gym; it’s more fun than doing anything kind of book-related. I was never that good to be on a team.

NSM: How were the SATs? Did the other test takers recognize you?
Amanda: Um, no. I mean, they were fine. People don’t really recognize me that much, and everybody was really stressed out about that test.

NSM: Do you think you’ll go to college?
Amanda: I’ve always wanted to go for the experience, but I think for me, school was never really my thing. I was always really into performing. My sister was really good in school. I was always drawing. I don’t know if I had ADD, but I didn’t like it.

NSM: What advice do you have for students who are interested in the arts but are afraid to pursue something new?
Amanda: I think that you have to follow your dream and do what feels right for you. I think there’s nothing wrong with being into something other than school...As long as you read and try to get educated and try to be a sponge.

NSM: What other advice do you have for high school students?
Amanda: I think I would just say that if you like school, that’s so great and you should work hard. Everybody should just try to have fun because it goes so fast and very quickly, and [then] you’re an adult and you have a new set of responsibilities. So I think I would just say to enjoy your youth.

I'm not sure if you have read this article or not but it was new to me.

[edawg99]

Thanks for the article it was great.

[Timothywalker]

Great find Pranks! That was a really interesting interview. I am so glad that Amanda has been able to lead a somewhat normal life even though she has been a star since she was young. She is very grounded and that's why you don't see her on the party scene like Britney and Lohan. I have so much respect for her!

[open32]

I have heard parts of it but not the whole thing. I guess some website I saw may have used part of that interview. Its a bit different then some of what she has said in the past. About liking school and wanting to go to college and being a staight A student.

[Timothywalker]

Yeah! She seems to excel at everything she attempts. If she wanted to go to college she would do well. But I have the feeling she is going to be an even bigger star in a year or two!

[charlespt]

I've heard sometime ago that she wanted to go to college because she don't want to be "dumb".
If she wants to go I really think she could be a great student.
By the way, thanks for the article pranks

[open32]

She is probably just to busy with movies at the moment. She may even have another lined up after hairspray. She still has planty of time to do college.

[pranksalot]

If my career was as successful as her and if I made as much money as she does, than I would never attend college.

[open32]

I wouldnt attend at the moment if I had movies lined up, there worth a lot of money. But I would always have chosen to go to college no matter how much money I had for the experiance and education.

[Timothywalker]

Amanda is a really smart girl! I wouldn't have any less respect for her if she didn't attend college. But, as you said Rory, it would be great for her because of the experience and knowledge gained. I don't regret going to college although I didn't finish. I treasure my memories of those times and the friends that I made.