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If you watch "iCarly," then you know 17-year-old Reed Alexander as Carly's nemesis, Nevel Papperman. But did you know you can find Reed 24/7 in a virtual online kitchen he designed especially for kids and teens?

Reed's website KewlBites.com is his labor of love, filled with recipes, exercise tips, videos, and other information aimed at helping young people discover that a healthy lifestyle is actually doable...and fun. We think it's a pretty cool thing, so we wanted to find out more from Reed himself.

IML: Where did the idea for KewlBites come from?

Reed: A few years ago, I was overweight and always really tired. I didn't have much confidence or energy. I wanted to make a change. I'm a huge foodie and I love cooking shows, and cooking for others has always been a big part of my life. I couldn't really find anything out there from the kids' POV that would have been right for me. I didn't want to join a diet program or something targeted at adults, I wanted a lifestyle thing. So I set out to make my own way. I got outside and made exercise a priority, and I took those traditional kid food classics I loved but lightened them up, morphed them into something I could feel great about. I also have a family history of heart disease and diabetes so I really needed to open my eyes. I ended up losing 15 pounds and people would say, "You really made a change! What's going on?" So that continued to motivate me, and I came up with the idea for KewlBites. I wanted to spackle up the hole I'd found when I was in this position, and provide a resource and a platform for kids and families who are like me. It's been great to hear reactions from different kinds of people!

IML: It does appeal to everyone! We found stuff on there we could use! You mentioned that you've always been a foodie. How did you first get interested in cooking?

Reed: After many years of great get-togethers with my family, as I got older I wanted to have more of a role in the kitchen. Then I'd watch a food show on TV and pick up these really interesting tips. Now, when I'm on the set of "iCarly," we have a great team with a lot of great taste buds. I bring things to the set that I make and I get a lot of feedback from the cast and crew. It's a great way to connect with people. This past Thanksgiving it was so fun to have people over and make a great spread for them, and see their reactions as they grabbed their forks and dived in.

IML: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions young people have about nutrition and eating well and cooking? Why aren't more tweens excited about that?

Reed: I think there's that old idea of, "Oh, we're eating nutritiously tonight, does that means steamed chicken and broccoli?" Healthy doesn't have to be boring in any way. Sometimes it's difficult because we're all so busy that it's sometimes it seems impossible to get a hold of the information and simple knowledge. Cooking is not at all a chore, and I don't think it's something you have to have a natural knack for in order to make something delicious. It's something a lot of us can tune into and enjoy on different levels. There's this notion that in order to feel great about yourself you have to go on a "diet." But that's not true.

IML: When young people want to start making their lifestyle more healthy, it can seem overwhelming, like they have to change everything at once. What would you say is a great first step for someone?

Reed: The name of KewlBites is about that -- you go one bite at a time with this stuff, integrating easy-to-do activities. Maybe it's 20 minutes where you're outside jogging or walking the dog. Then maybe it's a trip to the supermarket; see what's in the fridge and then say, "Hey Mom, take a look at this, I really want to try this."

IML: You mentioned the importance of exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy?

Reed: I'm a huge tennis fan, I've been playing for a couple of years. But you know what I can always turn to if I wake up early and I look at my day and see that it's going to be pretty crammed? I can always get in a walk. Walking is just one of my favorite things to do. It's really cathartic. You only need sneakers! I also love to go for bike rides with my dad, and I love swimming too, especially when it's hot.

IML: What's next for you, acting-wise?

Reed: I'm happy to say that "iCarly" is coming back for a fifth season, and I can't wait to get back on the set. We'll be doing a brand new set of special episodes. I'm working on a brand new show that I'm writing as well, and I can't wait to share that.

IML: On "iCarly," your character Nevel is a little villainy. That seems so out of character since you're clearly a very a sweet guy. What would be your dream role?

Reed: Yeah, I would definitely like to branch out. I have so much fun with the comedy, I'd love to try drama or something with a totally different feel. What's been interesting in Neville's case is that at first glance he is a little bit of a looney, but some interesting sides of him have unfolded over the past few seasons. There are so many different aspects of him and I love to play that.

IML: Thanks for chatting with us, Reed! Good luck with KewlBites and "iCarly" and everything else!

Reed: Thank you!

Here at IML we have our own section on Food Smarts that's also a must-read for anyone wanting to make a change!

As you probably guessed, here on the IML blog we're always on the lookout for new and interesting music artists that appeal to tweens. You know, performers who might be a little different from what "everyone else" is listening to, or have unusual stories behind their music, or just people who we think might be future stars (so we can say, "Hey, we interviewed them way back when!").

So here's an extra-special one for you: 16-year--old Bera, who's combined his training as a classical musician with his love of jazz and soul, along with his multicultural roots, to create some beautiful tunes from the heart. And if you're wondering what's up with the white hair, that's his natural color (more on that later). His upcoming EP is called "Late Night Cruise Music."

IML: When did you first start playing music? Do you remember what really grabbed you about it, and how it made you feel?
 
Bera: I was born into music and started playing when I was just 1 year old. I couldn't walk or talk, but I turned on the radio and started listening. When I was four years old I started playing violin, and two years later I started on piano and drums, so I was always playing music.  Music has always been a big part of me, like my best friend. I never really decided to pursue music as a career; everything happened naturally.  It's the same today; I just do what I love. I never thought about making a song because it would be good for my career, I just followed my passion and thought that if one day it became a job or something I felt I had to do, then I would stop.
                 
IML: You're a Paris native but you also spend time in the Republic of Georgia. How have the different places you've lived influenced your music?
 
Bera: The places I have lived have definitely influenced my music. First of all, Paris is like the capital of Europe -- with fashion and everything -- and Georgia is much closer to Asia, a very traditional and religious country. So culturally Paris and Georgia are very, very different, and so is their music. Georgian people are very melodic, using a lot of sounds and harmony, so that was my main influence when I first started playing. Then in Paris I had more classical training -- mostly piano and singing -- so that influenced my music and me personally, as well.
 
IML: Last summer you took part in the Camplified tour. What was that like?
 
Bera: It was beautiful, my first tour in the States!  I learned a lot about myself and my music, and I think the kids really liked the songs. It could sometimes be a tough crowd, but the kids had good hearts and didn't seem to look at me as a stranger -- it was almost like I became a member of their family for the day.  It was never a huge crowd, so I could always connect with the audience -- they were very receptive and we had a great time!
 
IML: What are some of the challenges you've had to face in life because as an albino (a person born with no pigmentation, or coloring, in their skin, hair, or eyes), you have different physical traits than most people?
 
Bera: Personally, I always liked the fact that I was different.  It's good marketing! Of course sometimes people say things like, "Oh, man -- you are so white," but then the girls come over and say, "Can I touch your hair?" Really, the girls always liked it, so it never bothered me!

To learn more about Bera, check out his website at www.beraofficial.com.


 

If you have siblings, then you know how fun it can be when you find something you can all do together (instead of, you know, wanting to kill each other). Maybe that's a sport or playing instruments, or putting on plays, or making videos. In the case of 17-year-old AnaLeyna and three of her sisters -- 15-year-old ChaLyn, 14-year-old RaNelle, and 12-year-old MaRiah --that's writing and singing songs about where they've been, what they believe in, and what message they want to share with others.

As The PreZcotts, these four young women have just released their first album, filled with catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and gorgeous harmonies. When we heard it, we were struck by how real the sisters sound. No auto-tune or professionally-written-by-some-adult songs for these ladies! We talked to AnaLeyna about sisters, songwriting, and how music can help others connect through topics like grief and bullying.

IML: Tell us a little about the original songs that are on the album. It seems like each one has a story to it.

AnaLeyna: Oh, yeah...definitely! I think the ones with the biggest story would have to be "Strength" and "Free." "Strength" was one of the first songs I wrote after my father passed. It was for the funeral of a friend of mine, about three months after losing my dad. She was only nineteen, and her parents wanted us to sing a song that would help the people there to heal a little bit. And I didn't have a song like that yet, so I took all the emotions from when I lost my dad and I just poured them into this song. It brought people to tears, but it was like...people were feeling better after they heard it.

IML: Wow. It must have been very therapeutic for you to get all those feelings out into a song.

AnaLeyna: Oh, definitely. And it was even helpful for my sisters. We got together to celebrate his birthday a year after he passed, and we sang "Strength." And it was hard seeing his family there, and we all broke down. Because, when you listen to the words, it's exactly how you would feel if you got put in a situation of loss. We recently sang it at another funeral, and they just absolutely loved it and thanked us. And we said, "We see it as an honor to be able to support you guys, because we know what it feels like to lose somebody you love." So, it's been a really healing and emotionally supporting song.

IML: You mentioned another song called "Free." Tell us about that!

AnaLeyna: It's special to me that "Free" is on the album, because that's the only song that my dad actually heard. That was actually one of the first songs I wrote, when I was ten years old. It was his favorite song, and it was one of the last songs we sang to him before he passed, so it kinda has this little special tie-in. And then of course, you open up the CD and open up the poster, and you see the dedication to him. So even though he couldn't be involved here with us, he's involved. You see him there. I thought that was really special.

IML: You also have an anti-bullying anthem called "Stay True," which is a really awesome song.

AnaLeyna: I actually wrote that with RaNelle and MaRiah. They actually have experiences that are a lot more fresh. Just last year, RaNelle had to deal with a lot of girls bullying her, right before the summer. And our manager was like, "You guys need to write a song."  So they gave me all the words, like "He got a new hairdo, he got a new pair of shoes," stuff like that. I said, "This is great, let's try it." And it turns out to be this really cute song that speaks to kids about being yourself no matter what other people are saying. Because society really does have a huge influence on kids. "Everybody's wearing the new shoes. Oh, no! I have to go get them." It's like...no you don't. You are perfect just the way you are! Don't let people tell you that you have to look different to fit in. Because you don't. It's really cool to see kids singing along with that song, and they realize what they're saying...and they love it. They're like, "Oh, yeah! You're just like me and I'm just like you. I like this."

IML: What is your songwriting process like?

AnaLeyna: They all come differently for me, because it's really natural. I'll just be singing in the car, and I'll realize, "Hey, I like that!" I'll write it down, and then I'll go back to it later. But usually I start with music first. I'll play music on the piano, and if I like the tune I'll start to put words to it. Sometimes the words just come, because I hear them while I'm playing the music. I like writing the chorus first, like the hook, and then I go back to the verse and I think about what the verses should be about to fit the chorus. That's how every song has gone, except "Strength." With that I actually wrote the verses before the chorus.

IML: You wrote "Free" when you were 10, so you've been doing this a long time. Have your songs changed as you've gotten older?

AnaLeyna: Oh, definitely. I wrote "Free" when I was upset at my parents. Just really simple stuff, emotional stuff...I was very dramatic. Now I'm really good at taking any topic or emotion and writing a song about it. But when I was younger, I wasn't really good at that. It was only stuff that I actually had an emotion for that I could write about, and the writing would be very simple, and not very deep.

IML: So from there, how do you collaborate with your sisters?

AnaLeyna: I usually write songs when everybody's gone, because that's when I'm most comfortable with changing things, and then I'll introduce my sisters to it. After I write a song, we all come together and we sing it, first the melody, and then we break off into harmony. If it doesn't work for them, like, "Oh, I can't hit that note," then I have to go back to the song and change stuff. So in every song, they play some part.

IML: One of the things we talk about a lot on It's My Life is sibling rivalry, and fighting with brothers and sisters. What kind of things do you guys fight about, and how do you resolve those fights?

AnaLeyna: The most common stuff that goes on is like, "That's my shirt! You didn't ask to wear my shirt!" Stuff like that. But I'm the oldest, and MaRiah's the youngest...she and I have completely different perspectives on life, so we're gonna react differently, we're gonna argue about stuff. But we know each other too well to not be able to put ourselves in the other person's shoes. And after you do that, you kinda get a better perspective. Even my younger sisters who are eight and six...I'll try to figure out what they're thinking, and then I realize they're feeling left out, so we've been able to fix that and make them feel like part of the crew!

IML: What would you like to see happen in the next year for the PreZcotts?    

AnaLeyna: Mostly for it to just get around! It would be so amazing to hear kids in Paris or London like, love our music, and knowing that people around the world are hearing what our messages are, that would just be a crazy big deal for us. I think the biggest deal is the fact that we have music in us and we want to share it with everybody. We're not trying to be selfish with it. I want to be able to have kids just begging for us to come sing for them...wanting to tell us all their stories so we can write songs about them. I like connecting with people and so do my sisters!

IML: Thanks for chatting with us, and good luck with everything!

AnaLeyna: Thank you!

You can learn more about the PreZcotts and check out their music on their website at www.prezcotts.com. We leave you with their very fun video of the song "Gossip"!

Disney Channel's new hit show "A.N.T. Farm" centers around three friends who attend their high school's gifted ("Advanced Natural Talents") program. Sometimes these talents make life easier for them...and sometimes they don't. We're sure many of you can relate!

Fourteen-year-old Jake Short stars as Fletcher Quimby on the show and is enjoying the ride so far. We had a fun chat with him recently:

IML: Hi Jake! "A.N.T. Farm" is super-popular and that must be exciting! Why don't you tell us, in your own words, about your character Fletcher, and how you two are similar and different?

Jake: Fletcher goes to Webster High School, but he's only 11 years old. He's a quirky kid who's really good at art. His main flaw is that he has a huge crush on his classmate Chyna. He gets really nervous around Chyna sometimes when he flirts with her, and makes weird comments. Fletcher and I are similar because we sometimes flirt with girls in a way that's very obvious, and makes us look like a dork! We're different in that he's way good at art, and I am the worst artist on the face of the earth.

IML: What are you really good at that he's not so good at?

Jake: Well, I do tumbling, which is flips and tricks and stuff. I've been doing that for 2 years. I love that. I don't think Fletcher would be so good at that.

IML: The crush that Fletcher has on Chyna is pretty funny. Have you ever had a crush like that?

Jake: I feel like Fletcher's pretty deep into Chyna and I've never felt quite that way about someone. When you're a tween and a teen, you just think every crush is love...Actually, I don't think anyone really knows the definition of love no matter how old you are. I think it takes time to understand.

IML: What would you like to see happen for Fletcher in the future?

Jake: Truthfully, I would like to see Fletcher interact with his art teacher. Are they friends? Does the art teacher not like Fletcher because he corrects him sometimes? I'd like to see how that would play out.

IML: How do you get along with the other cast members? Is it like you really all are going to school together?

Jake: We get along great! Even though we're all doing different school programs, when we're on set we all work in the classroom together and it's like a school environment. For fun, we do a lot of Nerf gun games, going around shooting each other with Nerf guns. Sometimes we play basketball, and other times we go to other show sets and do Nerf gun wars with them!

IML: What's been the most fun scene on the show for you to shoot?

Jake: There's one scene in one of the episodes, I don't want to say which one, but Fletcher gets splattered with a pie in the face. That was so much fun! It wasn't actually a pie, it was shaving cream and graham cracker crust. So it didn't taste so good but it looked great on camera, and it was super fun to do!

IML: Who's the coolest person you've met in your career so far, and what did you learn?

Jake: I would say Michael C. Hall and John Lithgow when I worked on "Dexter." That was fun because they're both Method actors, and Method actors really get into the character before a scene, they become the character and they're not themselves anymore. I saw that with them, and it was phenomenal. They did an awesome job and I was genuinely stunned by how well they jumped into character, how their facial expressions changed.

IML: Do you do other sports besides tumbling?

Jake: I play on a soccer team. I played all last year, I did regular soccer and then I did all-star teams. I do tumbling and flips, there's a gym I go to for that. Since I'm homeschooled, I don't get much kid interaction, so I started at this gym and I got to meet other kids. I actually met one of my best friends there, we hang out all the time. It's sort of like a fun thing, but I also go there to learn, because I'd like to do my own stunts in the future. When I do go, I get there feeling stressed and when I leave, I feel happy.

IML: Thanks for chatting with us! It's been great getting to know you better. Good luck with everything!

Jake: Thanks!

In the new movie "The Greening of Whitney Brown," coming to theatres on November 11, Whitney Brown is a spoiled Philadelphia tween and the most popular girl in her school. When her father loses his job, the family is forced to relocate to the country, and suddenly Whitney is without her clique, her shopping, her cell phone, and everything else she's ever known. She's totally lost -- until she meets an amazing horse named Bob who helps her see what really matters most.

We very much enjoyed "The Greening of Whitney Brown" -- it's the kind of heartwarming and funny movie we wish there were more of for tweens, and the kind of movie adults can take something away from as well -- and especially loved chatting with Sammi Hanratty, the 16-year-old actress who makes her starring big screen debut here. Sammi's no stranger to acting, but we think this film will knock her into another orbit. She's going places, for sure!

IML: When you first read the script for "The Greening of Whitney Brown," what did you think of the story and the character?

Sammi: I thought Whitney would be a very fun character to play because she has a really big arc in the film, where she starts to realize what truly is important in life. I thought it was a really good message. I was excited to be able to work with the horse, too! I just knew the whole experience would be amazing, and it was!

IML: Before you shot this movie, had you had any previous experience around horses?

Sammi: Not really. But the first day I got on set, they had me standing on a horse, riding backwards, doing crazy things I never thought I'd be doing. I was a little bit scared in the beginning, and I was riding bareback a lot and that was difficult. But the horse trainer really helped me be comfortable with the horse, trusting the horse and having the horse trust me. The horse and I ended up having a really strong connection and I was crying a lot when we had to say goodbye! I did get a pretty cool gift at he end of the movie -- I got my own horse!

IML: What do you think are the main messages in this movie?

Sammi: For me, the main message is that family is the most important thing -- it doesn't matter where you're living as long as your family's there, that's your home. I think it also teaches a lot of people to come back down to earth -- fancy stuff doesn't matter as long as you have people who love you.

IML: In the movie, Whitney also learns what a true friend is. What's your definition of a true friend?

Sammi: Someone who loves you unconditionally. You can be the biggest goofball ever and they'll still love you. Somebody who's there for you no matter what. Someone you can tell the most embarrassing things to and they will laugh it off, they won't care. I'm really blessed because my best friend Stella is amazing. We've gone through everything together growing up.

IML: Is there something specific she's done that made you realize, "Wow, this is a true friend!"?

Sammi: Once we were ice skating, and these guys were just being so rude to me, saying inappropriate bad things. She went over there and started telling them off! She's always got my back.

IML: You also have four older sisters, right? What is that like? Do you get along?

Sammi: Three of my sisters are much older than me so we never really fought. But my sister Danielle and I used to fight so, so much. It would be about the stupidest things, too. We'd get so upset with each other for no reason. Usually, we would just start laughing. If it was really, really bad, I would just walk into her room and say, "I love you!" and that would break the ice! I can't stay mad at my sister Danielle.

IML: What would be your dream project?

Sammi: Honestly, I would love to play a role that pushes me as an actress. Something more difficult and crazy and fun. Maybe a role in an action movie or just a wacky character. I've always wanted to do that.

IML: Are there any specific causes you're passionate about and involved with?

Sammi: I'm a Starlight ambassador for the Starlight Starbright Foundation, and I do work with Ronald McDonald House, both of those serve kids living with serious illness. I'm also involved with Power of Youth. I've gone to the conference every year since they've started it. It's really fun. It helps young people get involved with charities and gives them a good start. I'm really happy to be a part of that again!

IML: Thanks, Sammi -- we wish you AND Whitney lots of luck!

Sammi: Thank you!

Check out the trailer for "The Greening of Whitney Brown":

A year ago, we had an awesome chat with Lucas Cruikshank, aka Fred Figglehorn of YouTube fame, right before "Fred: The Movie" made a big splash on Nickelodeon. Now, Fred is back in "Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred," which premieres tomorrow night, Saturday, October 22 at 8pm ET/PT. As if we didn't love the title on its own, this new Fred adventure also stars "Modern Family"'s Ariel Winter as Talia and "Victorious"'s Daniella Monet as Bertha.

Lucas checked in with us recently, talking about his new movie, the lessons we can learn from Fred and how this loveably annoying character came out of his struggles to deal with middle school bullying.

IML: Hey, Lucas! It's great to chat with you again. So tell us a little bit about "Fred 2"!

Lucas: "Fred 2" is a continuation of the first Fred movie, and he's still the same obnoxious Fred. It was really fun to shoot, but weird because it has a Halloween vibe and we had to shoot it in spring! I was so happy with the script and the director, and things came together really well. In this story, Fred has a neighbor who moves in next door to him, and he's really suspicious of the guy. He thinks the neighbor is up to no good and he tries to convince everyone else. It's just Fred getting himself into another mess!

IML: How have things changed for you in the last year, since the first "Fred" movie came out, became a huge hit, and knocked Fred into a different orbit of popularity?

Lucas: I was so grateful to all the fans who loved the first "Fred" movie, and a lot of people discovered Fred that way. It makes me so happy when kids come up to me and say they love the movie. It's just cool how we were able to transition it from the Internet to a more mainstream audience. In terms of my life, my life hasn't changed too much. I don't notice if the fandom has become more intense, because I feel like I live in a little bubble in my small town in Nebraska. I've known everyone here since I was born. I'm just Lucas to them and it's no big deal for them to see me!

IML: Do you feel more pressure to do things you haven't done before with Fred? Do you have to keep giving him new challenges?

Lucas: I don't ever want to bore the fans and do the same old thing. That's why on the Internet recently I've been trying new things. Fred has a Web show called "Figgle Chat" which is Fred's Internet talk show where he asks guests really obnoxious questions, and that's a way for fans to see him in a format online that's not video blogging. I definitely want to try new things and keep it all fresh, and keep the fans excited and engaged.

IML: Last year we talked about why Fred is so appealing. You said it was because people like to root for the underdog and Fred never gives up on what he wants. He's so persistent, and that's kind of inspiring! Do you think he's influenced kids and teens in a positive way, in addition to just making them laugh?

Lucas: I think as a character, Fred is obviously different. Fred could, if he wanted to, just hide who he really is and go to school and pretend he's Kevin and Judy and all of them. But instead, he is who he is. He doesn't change himself for anyone. And I think that's a good thing for all of us to see. We're always trying to be what is "normal" and we're so scared of what our peers will think of us if we do something we want to do and don't know if everyone will approve of it. So I think that's a good lesson to put out there.

IML: It is nice to see Fred just keep doing his thing, no matter what people think! At this point, it's been a few years since you created Fred. Do you feel like you have a split personality sometimes?

Lucas: Yeah, I'm actually surprised that I don't have a mental disorder by now! I feel like most of the world knows me by a name that's not my own. It's the weirdest thing. What helps is that when I go to my school in my hometown, nobody really talks about Fred and I like it like that. I still feel weird when people talk about Fred at school. I don't want to be viewed as an entertainer or an actor. I don't take it personally that some younger viewers don't even know that there is a Lucas -- they think Fred is a real person.

IML: Has Fred helped you, as Lucas?

Lucas: Definitely. In middle school, I was always kind of a loser in my class. I was really shy and weird, and I only had a couple of friends. That's when I started making videos, and I think it was a way I could just turn all that negativity off. I coped with the bullying by making people laugh and doing comedy, and getting totally engulfed in the comedy world. It was something to do and not worry about the pressures of people at school. I could just make videos and be creative.

IML: And we're glad you did! Okay, here's a fun Halloween question before we let you go. What was the most memorable Halloween costume?

Lucas: I would usually dress up as something funny. But one year, for a change I dressed up as something scary -- I don't remember exactly what it was, a demon or something like that. That was totally the most memorable because I wouldn't take myself seriously but that night I did, and I feel like it was the one time in my life when I was actually scary!

IML: Thanks, Lucas! Good luck with the movie...and Happy Halloween!

Lucas: Thank you!

Learn more about "Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred" at www.nick.com/

Seventeen-year-old Josh Flitter has been acting most of his life, starring in comedies such as "Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective" and the "Buddies" films (playing the voice of Budderball). Recently, Josh took on a role in the upcoming movie "Snowmen" that asked him to step away from being a Funny Kid and try something less than appealing: a bully.

We had fun talking to Josh about this challenging role and his take on the issue of bullying.

IML: Hi Josh! Tell us a little bit about "Snowmen" and about the character you play. It looks like a great movie.

Josh: "Snowmen" is a family film that deals with some elements that aren't typically shown in family films. It really tugs at your emotions. It'll make you laugh and cry. Billy, the main character, is diagnosed with cancer when he's very young, and when he turns about ten or eleven, he beats it, and is in remission. And then, when he becomes sick and assumes he has cancer again, he decides that he wants to be remembered in some way. So he and his friends decide to set the world's record for the amount or snowmen built in one day.

So the character I play in the movie, Jason, is actually the bully, and he doesn't want Billy to be remembered. My character thinks that he's the only person in the school who should be respected and cared about, so when the other kids are building the snowmen, I destroy them, and insult the kid. But this is all just a front, and I have deep inner emotions and characteristics that make Jason much deeper. Usually the bully in family movies is shown is a sort of "PG rated" way. And there's nothing wrong with that. But this movie is special, because there's so much more that this kid is going through. There's one scene that gets very edgy, and it's really scary, but in a good way. In a way that some kids will need to see to know that bullying is bad. And that's why it's so great to have this movie, because anti-bullying is huge right now. And it's so important in the lives of so many people. You get to see what some of the repercussions of bullying are.

IML: It sounds like the movie explores the motivations behind bullying, and why your character acts the way he does. How did you prepare for that?

Josh: It's funny, because at first the director was reluctant for me to audition, because he'd seen me in other things, and he thought I was the "funny guy" and didn't know if I could pull this kind of thing off. So when I went and auditioned, he was really kind of taken aback. I just took from the feelings I'd get if I was really angry at my brother or something, but to a point where you're almost saddened by how angry you are, instead of just being enraged. So I actually have multiple emotions happening at once. So it was more about that than about research. I just dove into my own mind and picked out little things here and there.

IML: Have you ever had any personal experiences with bullying?

Josh: I'm seventeen and I'm five-foot-two, and most of my friends are taller than I am, so I was picked on for that. But luckily, in my school system, and where I've grown up, everyone has been great. I don't think we've had many accounts of bullying. It used to be that schools would just allow that to happen...it was common. But now they've realized what some of the real repercussions are, and how teen suicides are skyrocketing, and they need to do something. So they really dove into it and are teaching kids that what you say really could affect someone.

IML: It sounds like your school's policy is working. What are they doing right?

Josh: We would have these school assemblies that were like tough-love sorts of things. Instead of sugar-coating it and saying things like "bullying is mean," they would really show us. When you hear real true stories of kids who were teased, and were always laughing it off, and never had any problem with it, and then one day, they're gone...I think of stuff like, "What if that happened to one of my good friends? What if we found out that he just couldn't take it anymore?" That really affected us. We'll still poke fun at each other here and there, being friends, but in the end, we say, "We were just kidding, we don't really mean that. We all love you." But what's really bad is talking behind someone's back. People will always do that and just say, "It's just gossip." But what happens when someone just doesn't come to school one day?

IML: You're definitely passionate about that issue! We hear you're also passionate about animal welfare issues and pet adoptions.

Josh: I am! I have two dogs of my own, and I've always asked myself, "Why not show love for animals?" Because they will always love you, so why not help the ones that are helpless? The ones that have nothing to live for? When animals are beaten and abused, given up and thrown out on the street...these animals need you. I'm trying to use my celebrity status to connect with other kids and tell them how they can help. I volunteer to help with animal adoptions, and young kids will walk up to me and ask me about my movies, and I'll say things like, "Yeah that movie was good, but you know what's a lot of fun? This dog!" And the feeling I get when I see someone adopting a pet that I was showing them...It's the greatest feeling in the world, because I just gave another pet a house to live in, and a family to wake up to, rather than a cage. And people have to realize that it's not about getting a specific breed... it's about getting a dog or cat that loves you, and a pet that you love. Knowing that I've saved as many pets as I have, it really helps me feel good about myself. We all see cats and dogs every day, but we forget about the ones that don't have homes. So I encourage other kids to help out with local organizations that adopt out dogs and cats, or to adopt one themselves!

IML: Thanks for talking with us, Josh! Good luck with everything!

Josh: Thank you!

"Snowmen" opens in theatres as part of a limited engagement on October 21. For more info, check out www.snowmenmovie.com.

What's your school's policy on bullying? Tell us on our new You Said It page on this subject!


  

If you don't recognize 13-year-old Madison Pettis' face, you might recognize her voice: in addition to work she's done on camera with shows like "Cory In The House," she's spoken for characters in series and movies such as "Phineas and Ferb," "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2," and "The Search for Santa Paws." These days you can hear her as Izzy on "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," the first 7 episodes of which have just come out on DVD and Blu-ray. Madison will also soon be seen on the new tween TV series "Life With Boys."

We had a chance to chat with Madison and loved learning more about her!

IML: Welcome, Madison! So first off, why don't you describe, in your own words, Izzy's character and what she's all about?

Madison: Sure! Izzy is the only girl pirate on Jake's team of pirates. She is spunky and fun and all about girl power. She can do anything the boys can do, and usually she can do it better...that's her motto! I think she's around 8 years old.

IML: Do you have in your head any kind of "back-story" for her?

Madison: I feel like she's sort of grown up with Jake and Cubby her whole life. They're not actually brothers and sister, but they're best friends. They've just gone on these adventures ever since they were babies -- that's what I pictured!

IML: Is Izzy like you at all?

Madison: I am very similar to Izzy. I also totally believe that girls can do anything boys can do. I love Izzy...she's a younger version of myself!

IML: What's been the most fun part of doing this character and this show?

Madison: The most fun part is getting to record with Colin Ford, who plays Jake, and Jonathan Morgan Heit, who plays Cubby, every week. We all get to record together and have all the energy that we would actually have in Neverland, and we play off of each other. Recording with two boys, I definitely have to hold my own!

IML: There must be a pretty good blooper reel at this point! You've done a lot of other voice acting in addition to the work you've done on camera. How are the two types of acting different?

Madison: Voice acting is very different than live action acting because you have to make all of your expression come through your voice. You have to really act it out in the booth and have a lot of energy while you're recording. You can't move around too much, but you definitely move your arms and have a lot of enthusiasm!

IML: Tell us a little about your new TV series "Life With Boys."

Madison: We just finished shooting the first season. It's from the creators of Hannah Montana, and is about a 13-year-old girl named Tess who's the only girl in a household full of boys. I have so much fun shooting that! My character is Ally, Tess's best friend, and she's super girly. She's a freshman cheerleader and into fashion and makeup. I love that character. I think the show is very relatable for girls. I'm sort of the girly-girl and the main character is into sports, more of a tomboy. The show focuses on our life balancing each other out. It's already premiered in Canada, and it will be in the U.s. very soon but I just can't give those details yet!

IML: What's your school situation -- are you in regular school?

Madison: Yup, I go to regular school, and then when I'm working I take all of my work with me. My teachers send me all the work and lesson plans, and I follow along with the rest of my class. That's probably the hardest part of acting, balancing school with work. I do 3-4 hours of school every day on set. I can usually get all my schoolwork done in that time.

IML: We met you years ago right when you'd just started on "Cory In The House." Now that you've been in the business for a little while, when you look back, what do you feel like you've learned? What's been the biggest lesson that's come out of all your experiences with acting?

Madison: I get to have so much fun every day. Being on set is so much fun. I just love it. I think that's what I've learned the most: just to have fun.

IML: What's something that people might be surprised to hear about you?

Madison: I'm allergic to dairy -- all things with milk I'm allergic to. So I can't have ice cream, pizzas, cheeseburgers, chocolate, cake...anything like that. I've been allergic ever since I was born so I don't really know what I'm missing!

IML: Wow...what's the hardest part of that?

Madison: Social things like parties are hard, because there's always pizzas and cake with ice cream.

IML: How do you handle situations like that? Do you bring your own food, or just eat beforehand?

Madison: Usually if I'm going to a party, I'll eat before because I know I'll most likely be allergic to what they have there. I also carry my allergy medicine everywhere in case I accidentally eat something I'm allergic to. I'm pretty good about knowing what I can and can't have because I'm so used to it!

IML: You're probably really good at reading ingredient labels! Thank you so much for talking to us, and good luck with everything!

Madison: Thank you!

Recently we were psyched to discover a new "teen" band that seems, well, a little different from the rest. First, there's the cool name: Y i YELL. Then, there's the two-brothers-and-the-girl-next-door thing. And then of course, and most importantly, you've got a great sound here; addictive pop songs with terrific vocals that feel current but also a little retro, in the coolest of ways.

Y i YELL is made up of 18-year-old Michael Lerios, his 13-year-old brother Demitri, and their 18-year-old friend and neighbor Gaby Symons. Read on!


IML: Hi guys! So, how and when did each of you start playing music?

Michael: I come from a really musical family. My dad is in the music business. We've been around music all our lives and developed a huge passion for it. I started playing guitar when I was 13.

Gaby: I started singing and doing musical theatre at around age 5. When I got older, I started to take lessons. I remember feeling like it was such an escape for me and I loved it so much.

Demitri: I was 9 when I started playing. My dad just got a drum set and I started playing!

IML: Tell us about how the three of you came together and became a band.

Gaby: Michael and I are the same age. We met when we were 11 years old. I knew he played guitar and he knew I sang. We happen to live next door to each other...yes, I am the girl next door! One day he asked me to come over and play together and there was an instant musical connection, and we started to write songs. It was our afterschool activity for a while, then over the summer I heard Demitri play and I was like, he needs to be in our band! Once Demitri joined us, Y i Yell was really born.

IML: What do your neighbors and friends think about the band?

Demitri: Our neighbors think we're really loud! Seriously though, everyone's really supportive and it's great to have them be part of this whole experience.

Gaby: It's funny, when we first went on Disney XD I asked Demitri if he told his friends, and he was like, "No..." He didn't tell any of his friends! It's something we kept to ourselves so we could really let it grow.

IML: We're excited about your upcoming debut EP. What are the songs on it?

Michael: It'll have "Always the Weekend" and "Tap Your Feet." As far as what the songs are all about, we like to write songs that are based around our name. We also have a single "Y i YELL" and that's the idea for our band. Why do you yell? What makes you yell? Everything's moving so fast these days and it's hard to take a beat and step back and think about the answers to those questions.

Gaby: We want people to look at our name and think, "There must be more to this. That's cool, what is that?" That's our theme. And with every song we draw from that theme with messages our listeners can really relate to.

IML: It is a really great name. It stands out and makes people go "Hmmm, what's that all about?" So, tell us about the process of writing a song.

Demitri: If any of us have a song title or lyrics, we'll show each other and branch off of that. We all like to contribute to writing.

IML: What do you think makes a band work together successfully? How do you solve disagreements?

Michael: We do spend every single day together. But I would actually say I'm usually the mediator between Gaby and Demitri.

Demetri: He's lying...I am!

Michael: Since Demitri and I are brothers, we've been getting along better since he's gotten older. Since we all have such a great passion for music, when we get together to work it really isn't work for us. We just want to see what we can create and what we can do. Every time we go into a practice room or a studio, we push each other to be as good as we can. We all have a great friendship. Sometimes we'll go in to practice and we won't even practice because we'll be talking.

Gaby: We're always laughing. We'll start a song and really be working to get it done, and Demitri will do one thing to mock the lyrics as I'm singing, and I'll crack up! It's really become like the boys are my brothers.

IML: That shows in your videos; it looks like you're havig so much fun. You don't get that from every band, so that's very cool. What else do you think makes you different from other "teen" bands out there?

Michael: I think what makes us different is that we appeal to a broad spectrum. Gabi and I are a little older and Demitri is younger. We have so many different influences. We all bring so much to the table and it creates a certain sound, and it's something people haven't seen yet and we hope they love.

IML: Websites like YouTube are great for helping people discover new music, but it also seems like everyone wants to record a song and become an overnight star like Rebecca Black. Actually, "Always the Weekend" is a great response to that song. What's your take on all that?

Michael: It is very true that nowadays you can buy a laptop and record a record on it, basically. What we do is all out of our house. We write and record and produce our music all in our house.

Gaby: It's cool to be able to create in your space and be able to do so much with the resources around you. There's so much talent out there -- for instance, Greyson Chance is an amazing writer.

IML: What's been your favorite part of this experience so far?

Michael: The coolest thing for me is that this went from Gaby and I getting together and writing because we love music, and turning it into something we do every day now. I never thought it would become something like this.

Gaby: I agree. We're sitting here right now, and we're honored to just be talking to you! We feel really blessed to be doing what we love and have more coming in the future.

Demitri: Spending time with Michael and Gaby, and getting to know them even better. It's great to be even close to what we are.

IML: Good luck with everything...It's been really great chatting with you guys!

Michael, Gaby, and Demitri (in unison, truly!): Thank you!

You can learn more about Y i Yell on their website at www.yiyell.com. In the meantime, check out their totally let's-watch-it-again video for the single "Always The Weekend":

Even if you're not a student anymore, the end of August will always be "back-to-school" time -- just ask any grown-up or, in our case, a few Nickelodeon stars!

Last year, IML was invited to attend a cool Back-To-School fashion show and concert at Macy's Herald Square in New York City. The event was hosted by "Victorious" star Victoria Justice and featured performances by up-and-coming singer/songwriter Josh Golden, teen pop artist Charice, and...oh...these four guys who call themselves "Big Time Rush." It was a fun way for all the kids, tweens, and teens there to really celebrate going back to school and how exciting it can be, instead of just feeling bummed out about it.

We also got the chance to talk to Victoria and the BTR boys -- James, Carlos, Kendall, and Logan -- about their own memories of going back to school. Check out our short video interviews:





Back to school -- bring it on!