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

Madison Pettis on Her More Mature Role in 'Do You Believe?'
About this video
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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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.
Oh thank you.
Like do you do people want to go to the movie theater with you because and watch a comedy.
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.
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.
I like to I mean it's a good thing to like. Yeah.
You've been busy.
Very. Very busy.
You've been acting since you were seven? Is it seven years? Was it seven years?
I started when I was five actually.
Oh sorry. Sorry.
Like 11 years now.
How did how did that all start? I mean was it you who sort of initially said I have to do this.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So, okay. So you're a bit naughty in this one. Like you're a bit of a bad girl in a sense.
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.
I saw your belly on Instagram.
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.
So you know what it's like. Who was it pregnant? When we get out here.
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.
What did your mom What did your mom you know when she saw that did she just go.
She was like this is just weird. We took lots of selfies and like, oh, the three generations. I love it.
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?
Yes.
I got I got guys on the camera nodding. Yeah. I mean.
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.
So you think that's okay.
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.
What if it's Channing though. Or Drake?
I mean then just just don't wear a shirt period.
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?
Yes. It took me a while to think. But yes.
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.
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.
Right. Okay. Um do you believe in the supernatural?
Ooh, what do you mean? Like ghosts?
Not ghosts per se. I don't know. That's a hard one.
I don't believe in like, ooh, and like people coming back. No. Not really.
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.
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.
You post some good throwbacks though. Some good throwbacks of yourself back in the day.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Thank you so much for coming in.
Thank you so much. It was very fun.
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.
Thank you so much.
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?+
How did Madison Pettis get into character for 'Do You Believe?'+
What was Madison Pettis's first television role?+
Does Madison Pettis believe in love at first sight?+
What are Madison Pettis's favorite TV shows?+
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