Kidsday interviews Bailee Madison

We interviewed actress Bailee Madison at Planet Hollywood in Manhattan recently. Bailee stars as Max on the Disney show “Wizards of Waverly Place.”
 
What was your favorite episode in “Wizards of Waverly Place”?

My favorite episode is when I get to wear this cowgirl outfit and it’s super cheesy because Theresa and Jerry enter me into a beauty competition. So I have this overdone makeup, super curly hair and it’s a lot of fun. It’s fun for girls to be able to watch this. It’s great.
 
What do you like the most about starring on “Wizards of Waverly Place”?

I love the show and everybody seems to watch it. Do you watch it? It’s a great show. It’s so much fun. The cast is amazing and I just learn so much from them and the best part is they have a live audience every Friday night. So I got to interact with the entire fans that came out there to watch.
 
Did you like working with Adam Sandler [in the film "Just Go With It"]?

I did. Do you like Adam? Adam is a very, very nice man. Very respectful, very funny. Once you get older you’ll like his books.
 
Is anyone in your family and actor or actress?

Yes, they are actually. My mom used to do commercials, but my sister’s back in the acting gig right now, so it’s really cool.
 
What would you consider your lucky break?

Probably my first movie that I did was “Bridge to Terabitha.” That’s when I got to meet awesome guys, like you, and just be able to really explore what I love to do and I’ve been so blessed. So it’s really cool to be able to sit with you guys now.
 
Who is your favorite actor or actress and why?

I don’t know if you guys know her, Meryl Streep. Once you get older you’ll really like her. She’s very, very talented and she’s been around for a long time. I really like her.
 
Do you have any pets?

I have a little puppy I just got. A golden retriever and poodle combined. It’s a golden doodle. And her name’s Matty and she’s really cute. She’s a big ball of energy and a big ball of fur. She’s great and I love her very much.
 
Do you like being recognized in public?

I do. It’s really cool. I get to meet awesome people like you. I get to really meet the people who watch my shows and be able to interact with them. I think it’s a great opportunity to be able to meet them. So many people came down tonight to be able to meet me and it was really cool to get to meet people who I speak on Twitter with just communicate, but to actually meet them in person. So that’s the best.
 
Do you like watching yourself on TV?

I like it, but I don’t love it. Because I criticize what I do, which is good though. Like when I watch myself do a line, I’ll kind of look and I’ll be like um, you could have done that Bailee. It’s definitely a learning experience. But it’s fun to see the finished product that the entire crew and cast worked so hard on. It’s really cool.
 
What was your favorite book?
 
“The Pain and the Great One,” by Judy Blume. That one I love. I read it I got to say 20 times. It’s very good. Check it out.
 
What do you like and not like about being famous?
 
I don’t think there’s anything I don’t like. I wouldn’t call myself famous. I was very blessed to be able to do this. To be able to meet awesome kids like you who are doing almost what I do. I look up to you guys to do what you like, to follow your dreams and I think that’s really important. It’s really cool for me.
 
Who do you look up to and why would you look up to that person?
 
I think I look up to my family, but my mom of course. I feel that she’s always there to lend a hand, to always be there during the tough times and during the untough times. She’s always there to be there for me, love me, support me no matter what decision I make and it’s really cool. But I definitely look up to my family for letting me do what I do and always supportive of me. Never once losing faith and never be like “I don’t know Bailee.” They always support me and encourage me to do what I love, which is good. I definitely look up to them.
 
Do you like any sports?
 
I like tennis. I did it for a little bit and I have my own tennis racket. When I could do it I love it. But I love to play baseball and swim with my friends and family.
 
What characteristics does an actress have to have?
 
I think just to be prepared for anything to happen even if it’s ups or downs just to know that God’s with you and that whatever happens happens. And it’s always meant to be what happens.
 
If you were stuck on an island, who would you bring and why?
 
I’d probably bring, not person-wise, bring my blanket, because I still have my blanket, I sleep with it. I’d definitely bring that with me to comfort me. Lots of water. I’d probably bring my family members. Right? Because they’ve always been there for me and they can get me through tough times. I’m just not good picking a specific person. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. They’re all great.
 
How do you find the time to act and go to school?
 
I’m originally from Florida, so I go back to Florida and go to regular school. Just like you guys. And when I’m out in California or on location I get school sent from there and I just do it and send it right back. I try to make time for everything.
 
Where did you grow up?
 
I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and I still go back there to see my friends and family and that’s where I go to school.
 
How did it feel to get your hands printed at Planet Hollywood?
 
It was so cool. It was a little warm and hot like when you kept your hands down there. It kind of tingled. It was a little bit gooey. It was a lot of fun definitely and it was really neat because I watched so many other people do it. And I’ve always wanted to do that.
 
How do you deal with a ton of cameras taking pictures of you?
 
I just try and think how grateful I am to have them take photos of me. It’s really cool that they are kind, and what they do, especially at a young age, they’re very kind and respectful of the person they’re taking photos of. I’m sure you can handle it. It takes some practice.
 
Why did you become an actress?
 
My mom and my sister did commercials. So when I was little I was told that I got out of my stroller, just kind of crashed this audition, which was not very nice of me. But I was little at the time. So I guess when I tried out for my first movie I just did it and realized how much I really like it. I’m still here right now I’m doing it. It’s cool.
 
What music do you like?
 
I like country music. I don’t know why I like it, but I do. It’s just a lot of fun and a great time to be able to just listen to it. And I love Taylor Swift. She’s great.
 
What other acting experiences have you had other than “Wizards of Waverly Place” or “Just Go With It”?
 
When I did “Bridge to Terabitha,” we shot it in a very far away place: New Zealand. And that was really exciting because every single day was a lot of fun. During break we’d play baseball and I have great memories doing that. Just taking a boat out and looking for mussels and catching fish and then it was just so much fun just to be able to bond with the entire cast and crew. It was great.