During a lunch break on the set of Shake it Up we had the privilege of speaking with Disney-channel star Ainsley Bailey. Ainsley plays Dina Garcia, girlfriend to Deuce Martinez (Adam Irigoyen) on the show. Speaking with her we got to ask her a few personal questions and a few not so personal.
YA: Tell us about your charachter and how you got started on Shake it Up.
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AB: I play Dina Garcia, the girlfriend of Adam Irigoyen’s character ‘Deuce’ on the show. I got the audition through my manager in Dallas, where I’m from. I flew out the next day for the audition and luckily enough I got a callback for the next day! That evening after the callback, my manager called me and I found out that I booked it! I was completely thrilled, it was definitely a quick process!
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YA: Did you watch the show before you auditioned? AB: It actually hadn’t aired yet, but I’d heard about the show and thought it sounded like a really fun opportunity.
YA: Was this a first choice career?
AB: Absolutely, it’s hard to picture myself doing anything else. Acting is definitely my passion and it always has been.
YA: Has your family been supportive? AB: 100 percent! I’m really lucky to have such a supportive family that believes in me and always has my back. My parents are wonderful, and my older brother is really sweet about it; he’s really proud of me!
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AB: With Dina, I really try to just have fun with it! She’s such a fun character and she’s really different from me, so it’s been a blast getting to step outside of myself and become this completely different kind of girl–accent and all!
YA: When taking on a roll do you find yourself picking things that most represent you or do you take on a whole new character?
AB: Both! I love playing characters that are completely different from me, but sometimes it’s fun if a character is really similar to you too. I really want to be a versatile actress and take on lots of different roles.
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YA: Which actor or actress would play you in a movie?
AB: Ooh, that’s a tough one! Maybe Ellen Page? I really admire her as an actress, I think she’s fantastic. Plus, some of my friends say I remind them of her cause we’re both petite brunettes.
YA: If you were to pick any movie throughout time, which one would you choose to be in? AB: That’s tough, there’s so many! I thought Bridesmaids was hilarious, I would love to do a comedic film like that some day. And I think it would be so cool to do voiceover for an animated movie, I would love to do something like Tangled or Brave! YA: What’s up for you next? AB: Well, we recently started filming season 3 of Shake it Up so I’m really excited about the new season and seeing what new things will develop! |
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YA: What feedback would you like to give our viewers about pursuing this career?
AB: I think having a strong work ethic goes a long way in this business. If it’s what you truly love to do and you’re dedicated and really just give it your all, everything will work out in the end.
YA: We ask this to everyone: What’s your favorite book and why? Or what book are you in the middle of?
AB: I love this question! I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, I actually just read them all last autumn. I never read them when I was a kid, I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to get into it! I also love going to the book store to look at children’s books. I love the kinds that have really whimsical, quirky illustrations.
YA: Thank you so much for your time and enjoy the rest of your lunch break.
AB: Thank you so much, I had a great time talking to you!
