Happy Holidays from Young Entertainment! This past year, we’ve brought in different kinds of entertainment news for you, and 2024 has graced us with incredible interviews with talented authors, actors, actresses, artists, and more. We’re here to talk about the Top 20 interviews that Young Entertainment has compiled together this year.
1. Antonio Cipriano
Not only did we interview Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin star Antonio Cipriano, but Young Entertainment also did a photoshoot with Antonio at a studio in New York. Antonio plays Johnny in the Pretty Little Liars reboot spinoff, who is Bailee Madison’s character, Imogen’s, love interest. Johnny develops a close relationship with Imogen and is a beloved character, and we got to learn more about Antonio’s firsts on set, what he knew about the original series before joining, and what it was like to play the cute worker behind the counter at the ice cream shop.If you’re interested in learning more about Antonio’s acting journey and his relatable and honest experiences, check out the interview here:
2. Liamani Segura
One thing we learned this year is actress and singer/songwriter Liamani Segura really can do it all. She rose to stardom with her powerful voice, playing Emmy in seasons three and four of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. After the series, Liamani explored more of her songwriting talents, releasing her debut single “Sunkissed.” We Facetimed Liamani earlier this year to learn more about her time on HSMTMTS, her connections with the cast members, and her original goal of writing relatable music for young people. Safe to say, Liamani has accomplished a lot this year and if you’re interested in learning more about her journey and music career, watch the interview with Liamani here:
3. Wizards Beyond Waverly Place cast
Reboots, spinoffs, and shows/movies giving us all the nostalgia were as popular as ever this year, and one of our favorites was Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, the spin-off sequel of the hit Disney classic Wizards of Waverly Place. David Henrie reprised his role as Justin Russo, and we also chatted with new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown, Mimi Gianopulos, Taylor Cora, Alkaio Thiele and Max Matenko. The show also brought back some of the original characters in guest star roles, as Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), Maria Canals-Barrera (Theresa Russo), and David DeLuise (Jerry Russo) returned to Waverly Place. The show also teased a Gregg Sulkin (Mason) cameo at some point.The cast chatted about the inspiration behind a spinoff and what to expect from the new characters. If you’re missing your childhood Disney shows and want to learn about what goes into reviving a hit, check out our interview with the cast here:
4. Adrian Lyles
Looking for a new artist to add to your playlist in the new year? Look no further than Adrian Lyles, who released his debut single and music video “Formalize Me”. Adrian made his acting debut as Jet in season three of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and from that experience, he signed to Hollywood Records and jumped into the recording studio to pursue his music dreams. Adrian Facetimed us to chat about the inspiration behind “Formalize Me” and what he hopes audiences take away from his lyrics. He also teased new music, live performances, and forthcoming album in 2025. If you’re looking for new music and advice from a young singer/songwriter, check out our interview with Adrian Lyles:
5. Mia Challis
We still cannot stop talking about Outer Banks season 4 and that ending… We Facetimed with new cast member Mia Challis who played the wild Kook, Ruthie. In the interview, Mia talked to us about joining the cast as a newcomer but feeling instantly welcomed by everyone and developed a strong friendship with Austin North who plays her boyfriend, Topper. She also gave insight into filming that powerful and heartwrenching turtle scene with Madison Bailey and playing a character that is very different from herself. If you’re looking to gain more insight and behind-the-scenes content from Outer Banks season four, check out our interview with Mia:
6. Descendants: The Rise of Red cast
One of our most fun interviews this year was with many of the cast members of Descendants: The Rise of Red. We interviewed Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Dara Reneé, Morgan Dudley, and Ruby Rose Turner in person, and the chemistry between the cast was off the charts. They talked to us about what they learned from one another as actresses and how they would describe each other’s characters. Their energy and joy for learning and forming a bond on set was so evident. If you’re looking for a feel good interview with the cast of one of the biggest films of the year, check out our interview with these five talented actresses:
7. Peder Lindell and Joshua Colley
Can’t get enough of this Descendants: Rise of Red cast? Well neither can we! In addition to our interviews with Kylie, Dara, Malia, Morgan, and Ruby Rose, we also Facetimed with Peder Lindell and Joshua Colley, our favorite dynamic duo. Peder plays the new character Morgie, the son of villain Morgana le Fay and Joshua stars as Hook. In our interviews, both Peder and Joshua raved about their love of Disney and excitement of being part of the beloved Descendants franchise, and getting to design and help bring their characters to life. If you want to learn more about Peder and Joshua’s acting journeys and what they learned on set of Descendants: The Rise of Red, check out our interviews with them here:
8. Young Elphaba and Ozzien girl from Wicked
Wicked soared into theaters in November and defied box office gravity, quickly cementing itself as one of the biggest films of the year. From the soundtrack to the Part 2 teasers, we are still thinking about the film and thankfully, got to interview the adorably talented Karis Musongole and Hattie Ryan. Karis plays a young Elphaba and she got to talk with and learn a lot from the kind Cynthia Erivo, while Hattie stars as the munchkin/Ozzien girl and also shared the heartwarming moment with Ariana Grande at the beginning of the film. Both actresses are members of the same performing art school and were so fun to talk to about the audition process, working with the rest of the star studded cast and being on the magical set of Oz. If you’re looking for advice from young actresses on chasing their dreams, check out our interview with Hattie and Karis:
9. Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy cast
Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy brought new twists to the beloved franchise and we got the inside scoop on the series from Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo (Sig Greebling), Spider-Man’s Tony Revolori (Dev Greebling) and Black-ish star Marsai Martin (Yesi Scala). In our interview, the cast talked about creating chemistry even while voicing their characters in a sound booth. We also got to ask Gaten about playing Toby in Broadway’s Sweeney Todd and he said he would love to one day collaborate with Joe Locke, who took over the same role months later. If you’re looking to learn more about voice acting, check out our interview with the cast here:
10. Benjamin Ebbesen
Calling all Rykter (Rumors) fans! The Swedish language drama took fans by storm and season three was released this year. We had one of our most special interviews from across the world with Benjamin Ebbesen who stars as the title character Erik Nielsen. In the interview, Benjamin told us about his funny interview process, filming the more intimate scenes with Teo Tomczuck who plays Mathias, and even teased what fans can expect from season four. If you’re interested in learning more about the hit drama, Benjamin’s experience on set and his relationship with Teo, watch the interview here:
Benjamin Ebbesen teases new side of character Erik Nielsen in season three of Norwegian drama Rykter
11. Liam Woodrum
Geek Girl was one of Young Entertainment’s top new shows this year, as it was a feel good story of Harriet Manners navigating friendships and the fashion world. Liam Woodrum, who plays Nick Park, talked out his character’s strong bond with Harriet, his firsts on set (learning how to catwalk!) and the magical experience of filming in London. If you’re interested in learning more about Liam and Geek Girl, watch the interview here:
12. Leila Khan
Still can’t stop thinking about Heartstopper season three and eagerly awaiting a season four? We were so excited to chat with Leila Khan this year, who stars as Sahar Zahid in the show. During our interview, Leila told us all about her amazing experience on set, which was her professional acting debut, and had nothing but amazing things to say about Kit Connor, Joe Locke, and more. She also talked about Sahar’s special connection with Imogen, played by Rhea Norwood. If you are looking to learn more about the Heartstopper cast behind the scenes, check out our interview with Leila:
13. Asher Angel
Asher Angel is a jack of all trades as an actor, singer, and songwriter. This year, he released a new single “Flip the Switch” alongside Grammy-nominated producers Felisha King Harvey, Kenneth Paige, and Harry. We interviewed Asher back in January to learn more about the inspiration behind the song, what he has learned about himself as a songwriter and what to expect in 2025. If you’re looking for new music to add to your playlist, check out our interview with Asher:
Asher Angel “Flip’s the Switch” In This DM You Have to Read to Believe
14. Sidelined: The QB and Me stars Siena Agudong and Drew Ray Tanner
Calling all rom com fans! Sidelined: The QB and Me combined both touchdowns and a pure love story and we chatted with stars Siena Agudong and Drew Ray Tanner. Siena plays Dallas, a headstrong dancer, who has to fight her feelings for Noah Beck’s character Drayton. Drew plays Dallas’s older brother and Drayton’s football coach Nathan. During our interview, Siena and Drew gave us all the insight into filming football scenes and how the cast developed chemistry on set. If you’re interested in learning more about the film and the two rising stars, check out our interview with Siena and Drew:
15. Aryan Simhadri
Looking to fulfill your sense of nostalgia? Fans of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan and the films were treated to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians television series this year. We interviewed multiple cast members including Aryan Simhadri, who plays the satyr Grover Underwood. Aryan has over a decade of acting experience but being a lead in this beloved series was next level, and Aryan said he experienced a lot of firsts while on set. If you’re interested in learning more about Aryan’s rising career and the feeling of putting on that Camp Half-Blood shirt for the first time, check out our interview here:
16. Jaylan Evans
Missing My Life with the Walter Boys. As we eagerly await season 2, it’s a perfect time to rewatch our interview with Jaylan Evans, who plays Skylar Summerhill on the show. Skylar is the love interest of Nathan Walter, played by Girl Meets World star Corey Fogelmanis. In our interview, Jaylan talked about the audition process, working with Corey and the fun bonding experiences the cast had off set while filming. If you’re interested in Jaylan’s experience and missing the show just as much as we are, check out our interview with Jaylan here:
17. Jacob Bertrand
Cobra Kai, one of Netflix’s most popular shows, released part of its sixth and final season this year, allowing us a bittersweet goodbye to some of our favorite characters. One of those characters, Hawk, was played by Jacob Bertrand and during our interview, Jacob gave us all the insight into how close the cast is off set and also what to expect from his incredibly popular podcast series Lone Lobos, which he co-hosts with fellow Cobra Kai actors Xolo Maridueña. Don’t worry because the final installment of Cobra Kai will be released in 2025, along with more interviews with the cast, but if you’re interested in learning more about Jacob’s long and storied career up to this point, check out our interview here:
Jacob Bertrand Facetimes us to talk growth of Hawk and sixth and final season of Cobra Kai
18. Kaylee Hottle
Any Godzilla or King Kong fans? Kaylee Hottle plays Jia, a deaf and orphaned girl who forms a special bond with Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire. Kaylee, who comes from an all-Deaf family herself, gave us some powerful advice for anyone hearing impaired and looking to pursue their acting dreams. If you’re interested in learning more about Kaylee’s character and what she learned on set, check out our interview here:
19. Maxton Hall
Our interview with actors Damian Hardung and Harriet Herbig-Matten, who star in Maxton Hall — The World Between Us was one of our most popular, racking up more than 34k views on YouTube and many more on social media. Damian plays James Beaufort and Harriet plays Ruby Bell and we got to chat with both actors about the audition process and how they developed their electric chemistry you see on screen. If you’re interested in a feel good interview and want to see the hilarious way Damian and Harriet describe each other’s characters, check out the interview here:
20. Uglies cast
Any science fiction fans out there? This year, the film adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s bestselling series Uglies premiered on Netflix. We interviewed many of the cast members, including Brianne Tju and Keith Powers, who star as Shay and Tyree. The duo revealed how they prepped for their character’s action scenes and arcs throughout the film and also asked what it was like working with Joey King. If you want to learn more about their characters, check out our interview with Brianne and Keith:
Extra Credit: In addition to our top 20 interviews, our interview with actor Oakes Fegley was one of our producer’s favorites because of his wisdom and insight into his role as Adam in the film Adam the First. Oakes, who has already worked with some incredible directors including Irving Franco and Steven Spielberg, chatted about his firsts on set, filming in Mississippi, and how he chooses which projects to work on. If you’re interested in getting great career advice from a rising star, check out our interview with Oakes:
