IML: What was most thrilling about going to England to shoot What A Girl Wants?

Amanda: I think as soon as I got off the plane and in the car, I noticed that they drive on the other side of the road. The driver being the passenger is just weird! I was videotaping as we were driving and it’s just so beautiful. It is so rich in history and everything, and it’s fun to be there.

IML: What are some of the fun things you did in London?

Amanda: It was my first time getting to go somewhere by myself. I would just walk around and go to the park and go shopping. I was centered in Piccadilly, which is close to everything. I just met a lot of really cool people that were on the crew. I’m so protected in my Nickelodeon bubble and What I Like About You. It’s all pretty much the same people I’ve worked with and it was pretty protected. Going to another country, you’re not in your house, you’re with people you’ve never met before and I think it’s definitely a good growing experience.

IML: Do you have an “anti-drug,” as they say?

Amanda: Probably my friends. I know the people you hang out with absolutely has an impact on what you do. My friends are not interested in drugs or that sort of thing. Having that support is important.

IML: How do you keep up friendships with your crazy schedule?

Amanda: It’s really hard now because What I Like About You has the last week this week, and then the movie is coming out and the premiere. But phone is probably the most important way I keep in touch with my friends, and online, and seeing them whenever I can. They’re coming to the premiere. I’m always trying to keep them involved.

IML: You have some friends who aren’t involved in show business, right? Do they understand what you’re going through with your career?

Amanda: Yeah definitely. They have to sort of, because they’ve been exposed to it for a while! Then there are my friends who are in the business and they get it.

IML: Do you plan to go to college?

Amanda: I do plan to go to college. It depends on where I am and if I’m doing a movie at that time. A lot of people go to college to decide what they want to do, but I already know what I want to do, and if there’s a movie that I really like then I’ll make that a priority. I’ll play it by ear.

IML: What subject would you like to study?

Amanda: I don’t know yet. I’m thinking maybe psychology or something. I’d go just to learn and broaden my knowledge, but I wouldn’t go for theatre because I feel like I’ve had years of training that you can’t buy. So I’d like to learn something else.

IML: Do you feel you’ve missed out on a normal school experience?

Amanda: I don’t feel like I’ve missed out because I’ve gotten to go back and I’ve never not been in school. Even when I was 10, whenever I’m off I go there and I’ve always gotten to go for half the year and I still have my friends. I think I got the best of both worlds. Some people may not have liked this life but for me personally, it was exactly the kind of thing I wanted and feel so happy and lucky I get to do it. I wouldn’t want to change it.

IML: What do you like doing when you’re away from the cameras and you get time to relax?

Amanda: I like to go to movies, I like to hang out, go to dinner, spend time with my friends. Just the usual!

IML: What advice would you give other young people who want to break into acting?

Amanda: I would make sure it’s something you really want to do, because there’s so much that you don’t know about it. When you first start, you think you’re going to get a job straight away but there’s a lot of competition out there. You have to have tough skin and something that makes you stand out,
otherwise you’re just like everyone else. You disappear, sort of.

IML: What do you think it is that makes you stand out?

Amanda: I don’t know. I guess I’ve been lucky to be progressing and make myself known. So I don’t know what the exact thing is.

IML: What’s the best advice someone’s ever given you?

Amanda: It’s something that I live by: everything happens for a reason. You shouldn’t worry too much because everything happens for some reason.

IML: You’re in that age of not being a girl or a woman. Do you feel the transition from child star to adult actress is difficult? In what ways do you feel like a girl and what ways do you not?

Amanda: I think that it is difficult to make the transition into adulthood, but I feel confident in myself. I know that I’m mature and know that I’ll make decisions for roles that aren’t going to be too young. I’m only going to play this age or older, I’m not going to go down. I’m pretty confident in myself in that I can do some things that I’ll be comfortable with, and do some things that people will look at and see that I can do that, you know, that I can be an adult too.

IML: Do you still feel like a kid though?

Amanda: Yeah, I still feel like a kid. I am still a kid so I think that I’m still growing up and there’s still so much I don’t know. But I feel mature in a lot of ways, and I feel like I have an idea of who I am and what I want to do. I’m working in a professional business and I’ve been doing it for awhile.

IML: You’ve grown up on television, and now that you’re getting older, what kind of responsibility do you feel as a role model to young people?

Amanda: When all the Britney backlash came about her doing older stuff and with Christina Aguilera now, who are we to judge what anyone else does? That’s what they want to do and that’s their life. Britney is doing what’s right for her. For me, I’m glad kids like the shows but I’m only going to do what’s right for me.

IML: Do you worry a lot about what "the world” thinks of you?

Amanda: No. I have great relationships with a few people who I’ve become close to whom I work with, but I can’t make everybody happy and I can’t make everyone love what I do. You meet good people and you make great friends. When people compliment me or my work, it’s nice to hear and I’m appreciative. But I know I have faults and I know I’m just like everyone else. I think I’m old enough to not take it to my head.

IML: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Amanda: I think I’m a lot more mature than a lot of teenagers. That would probably surprise people when they meet me. I’ve always been older than my years ever since I was little.

IML: Where would you like to be 10 years from now?

Amanda: It depends. Maybe I’d like to be getting married or traveling the world. Who knows? I would like to be acting. That’s the most important thing to me now, longevity. I’m only 16 and I have so much time ahead of me. I’m not going to be rushed to do something because I have time and I want to do something important.

IML: What do you think it means for a girl to be “strong,” both physically and mentally?

Amanda: I think it’s important for girls to know they don’t have to change themselves for someone else. A lot of people feel they need to change for a boyfriend or a parent, and I think it’s important to stay true to yourself. That’s what being strong means.

IML: Thank you, Amanda, and good luck!

Amanda: Thanks!

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