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Madison Pettis on Her More Mature Role in 'Do You Believe?'

Madison Pettis on Her More Mature Role in 'Do You Believe?'

5:56·By Gemma G
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The lovely Madison Pettis stops by the YH Studio, infectious laugh and all, to fill us in on her most grown-up role yet as a pregnant runaway in the drama 'Do You Believe?'. She tells us about her experience with her cumbersome belly suit and what her mom's reaction was, plus she weighs in on other topics such as selfies, love at first sight, and the supernatural. Find out her two favorite TV shows!

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Young Hollywood

This is going to be a really random question to start things off with. But you know you people tell you all the time you have a great laugh. But you know you people tell you all the time you have a great laugh.

Madison Pettis

Oh thank you.

Young Hollywood

Like do you do people want to go to the movie theater with you because and watch a comedy.

Madison Pettis

People usually laugh at my laugh more than like what's the joke or the funny thing was because I can laugh for like minutes straight.

Young Hollywood

Are you one of those when you go to the theater you're one of those people that that's like the loudest laugh that it's infectious that gets people going.

Madison Pettis

I like to I mean it's a good thing to like. Yeah.

Young Hollywood

You've been busy.

Madison Pettis

Very. Very busy.

Young Hollywood

You've been acting since you were seven? Is it seven years? Was it seven years?

Madison Pettis

I started when I was five actually.

Young Hollywood

Oh sorry. Sorry.

Madison Pettis

Like 11 years now.

Young Hollywood

How did how did that all start? I mean was it you who sort of initially said I have to do this.

Madison Pettis

Yeah. Definitely. Um I'm from Texas originally and I started doing modeling and commercials when I was living in Texas and the first like television thing I did was Barney when I was like six. So I was like a little girl playing with the big purple dinosaur and through that I got an agent in Dallas and then came to LA for pilot season and ended up getting Corey and the House and the Game's Plan within a couple months.

Young Hollywood

Right. So what's okay you got to give me the secret then because you know there's so many people that struggle for a long time. What's the key to.

Madison Pettis

I mean there's not really a key to it. I mean some people it'll just takes years and years or some people it's instantaneous. I think it's just kind of timing and the right project at the right time. But I mean it's never easy for anyone. Like even though that sort of seemed instantaneous I've been working at it for so long. So nothing comes instantly.

Young Hollywood

Let's talk about Do You Believe. Yes. Um this is a different kind of role for you than you've done before. Um and I know that was a huge draw. So just sort of going from like doing a lot of sort of lighter fun and then going into this and sort of describe you know.

Madison Pettis

Yeah I mean as I get older I've really been wanting to expand my horizons and try more mature roles and when they producers sent me the script to read I was instantly attracted to the fact that I was going to be playing a pregnant, homeless, runaway. She's eight months pregnant. She's on the street by herself trying to take care for herself while taking care of almost a newborn baby. So it was just a really really interesting character to play and I was instantly drawn to it.

Young Hollywood

So, okay. So you're a bit naughty in this one. Like you're a bit of a bad girl in a sense.

Madison Pettis

I mean yeah she's not like a bad girl I'd say. I mean tough circumstances. Right. It's very tough circumstances and I think under the situation and pressure she's under I think she really does handle it the best way um that she can. Um but it's very very hard. I've never been in her shoes. So it's a very interesting thing to sort of step into her shoes literally. I had my eight-month pregnancy suit under my clothes.

Young Hollywood

I saw your belly on Instagram.

Madison Pettis

Yeah I mean it's she's eight months pregnant. And uh so just wearing the suit itself was helping me get into the character because it affected how I walk and how I sat. I couldn't bend over to tie my own shoes. You know so the physicality of that.

Young Hollywood

So you know what it's like. Who was it pregnant? When we get out here.

Madison Pettis

Yeah. I like all teenagers should go through this because it does not make you want to be pregnant. Where is the stomach? Girls out there. It does not make you want to be pregnant.

Young Hollywood

What did your mom What did your mom you know when she saw that did she just go.

Madison Pettis

She was like this is just weird. We took lots of selfies and like, oh, the three generations. I love it.

Young Hollywood

Speaking of selfies. I have a little game for you. And it's called Do You Believe. So I'm gonna ask you do you believe in certain things. All right. So the first one is do you believe in guys who selfie? Sort of like meaning like do you think it's acceptable?

Madison Pettis

Yes.

Young Hollywood

I got I got guys on the camera nodding. Yeah. I mean.

Madison Pettis

You have to have pictures to show your friends like, oh, look at this guy. Like he's really cute, right? You have to so they have to give you some material to draw from.

Young Hollywood

So you think that's okay.

Madison Pettis

I think it's okay. Yes. Not a deal breaker. Not just like just not like the mirror selfie like pulling up your shirt a little bit. That just looks like Yeah.

Young Hollywood

What if it's Channing though. Or Drake?

Madison Pettis

I mean then just just don't wear a shirt period.

Young Hollywood

I'm going to get your mom's going to get mad at me for this. Um okay. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Madison Pettis

Yes. It took me a while to think. But yes.

Young Hollywood

I know I noticed that. I was just waiting for you to expound on that. I was just waiting for you to expound on that.

Madison Pettis

Yeah. I do. I think that over time, I don't know if it's like, instantly like, I know I'm going to marry this person. But I think that you can instantly meet someone and feel like a really big connection. I just don't know if it's like, oh, I met him and as soon as I saw him, I knew I was going to marry him. I don't know if I go that far.

Young Hollywood

Right. Okay. Um do you believe in the supernatural?

Madison Pettis

Ooh, what do you mean? Like ghosts?

Young Hollywood

Not ghosts per se. I don't know. That's a hard one.

Madison Pettis

I don't believe in like, ooh, and like people coming back. No. Not really.

Young Hollywood

You don't. Not really. No. Oh my gosh. You should go to my house. It's all kinds of stuff going on. All kinds of things going on. Like that. So never had an an encounter or anything.

Madison Pettis

No. I never have. Odd or. No. I've never like gone to a psychic or anything like that. I don't know. Maybe if I had a situation where I felt it then I would have different thoughts but as of now, no.

Young Hollywood

You post some good throwbacks though. Some good throwbacks of yourself back in the day.

Madison Pettis

I have so many pictures from films. There was a Super Bowl one with which was perfectly timed. Yeah. with the rock and yeah. No really cute ones. But you when you grow up on camera. Yeah. And I've met like so many cool people and like traveled so so many places it's so young. So I have a lot of fun throwback pictures and a lot of funny outfits.

Young Hollywood

Is there another show that you would love to guest star on or a film that you wish, oh, I would have could have been in that. Is there anything else that you're obsessed with?

Madison Pettis

Um I'm obsessed with Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. So That's still a goal. Those aren't ending anytime soon. So.

Young Hollywood

Oh let's talk Olivia Pope style. Oh I saw Carrie Washington in this pillow. I was like, that's my girl. That's my girl. Yeah. And let me tell you, I was so like when she came in cuz she's so on the show. She's the funniest. Yet everything I've ever seen with her she seems so nice. I've never met her but and Viola Davis is amazing too. Oh so amazing.

Young Hollywood

Thank you so much for coming in.

Madison Pettis

Thank you so much. It was very fun.

Young Hollywood

You just keep on laughing and. Yeah. Hanging out with us. Anything for you. And congrats on being so busy. Can't wait to see what you do next.

Madison Pettis

Thank you so much.

Young Hollywood

Thanks.

Timestamps are approximate — click one to jump the player.

PEOPLE MENTIONED

  • Madison Pettis

    Featured guest discussing her new role and career

  • Barney

    Television character from her first TV role

  • The Rock

    Mentioned in a throwback photo with Madison

  • Drake

    Mentioned hypothetically in discussion about selfies

  • Olivia Pope

    Character from 'Scandal' mentioned by Madison

  • Kerry Washington

    Actress playing Olivia Pope, admired by Madison

  • Viola Davis

    Actress from 'How to Get Away with Murder', admired by Madison

FAQ

What is Madison Pettis's new movie?+
Madison Pettis stars in the drama 'Do You Believe?' where she plays a pregnant runaway.
How did Madison Pettis get into character for 'Do You Believe?'+
Madison Pettis wore an eight-month pregnancy suit that physically affected her movements, helping her immerse herself in the role.
What was Madison Pettis's first television role?+
Madison Pettis's first television role was on 'Barney' when she was six years old.
Does Madison Pettis believe in love at first sight?+
Madison Pettis believes you can instantly feel a big connection with someone, but doesn't necessarily believe in knowing you'll marry them immediately.
What are Madison Pettis's favorite TV shows?+
Madison Pettis is obsessed with the TV shows 'Scandal' and 'How to Get Away with Murder'.
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