My relationship with my mom is so amazing. We never got to have that stage that people go through, like when you’re 13 and you think you’re too cool for your parents. When you’re embarrassed by them and stuff. We never went through that because I was constantly working and she constantly had to be there. We just because best friends. I tell her everything. She’s really my role model and my inspiration. She’s such a good person and such a strong person. A lot of people give her flack for being strong and being smart, but I think I envy that in her.
Did you have curfews growing up?
I still have curfews and sometimes I get grounded, which I is kind of weird to me.
For what reason?
Like if [my mom's] asked me to do something more than once or twice. I always get in trouble for not pulling my car into the garage, because if I don’t pull my car in, her car won’t fit. So I get in trouble for that, but it only lasts for a day. Usually it’s an excuse so I’ll stay home and hang out with her (laughing).
What time do you have to be in?
It all depends. It depends on where I am, it depends on what I’m doing. It depends on if I have to work the next day. She gives me a lot of freedom and I think that it must scare her, you know? Having me leave the house by myself, with my car. I don’t take security around with me just because it’s like I don’t want that. I want to be able to be free. She has to have a lot of faith in me and trust in me to be able to do that, even though it must scare her. But she does. She gives me so much freedom. I can be home at 1 or 2 sometimes. And if I’m working the next day, I’ll be really good and come home at 10.
What did you learn from working with Rita Wilson?
So much. She’s amazing. Most of my scenes with her were more dramatic and literally she would take a breath and it would all come and show on her face. I would look at her and it would just make me start crying because she’s so talented and so beautiful, and such an inspiring person. [She’s] just really honest and really real, and I love that.
You have good onscreen chemistry with Jason Ritter. What’s your relationship with him?
I loved working with Jason. He’s really good at making everybody laugh. He’s really fun, really lighthearted on set. We really did have a good time together. We didn’t get to work together that much, but I think it came across good onscreen. Kind of like the sneaky brother and sister relationship. I think the scene in the car, even though it was really sad because he doesn’t end up sticking around for long, was really fun. Singing together – I totally do stuff like that with my sister in the car.
How important is it to kids to pick up musical instruments now?
I think so much of that has gone away. So many schools are getting rid of music programs and it’s really sad because I know that when I started singing and stuff it was something that I always wanted to do and I never believed in myself to be able to do it. I think it’s so important. It opens someone up and you’re able to learn about yourself. You feel worth something when you can learn how to do something that’s so… I know that when I got into music, I started feeling very motivated because I wanted to achieve this challenging thing. I think it’s really important if it’s the piano or the guitar or the bass or drums or singing or anything, it’s so important to have music in your life.
Do boys approach you like Oliver James does in this movie, or is it more complicated because you’re famous?
I hate that word – the ‘f’ word – but I guess it’s more complicated because of that. It’s really sad. I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not dating anybody. I read that I’m dating new people all the time but I’m definitely not.
Like the singer from Good Charlotte.
Actually we’re good friends. I like his band and everything. It really sucks that people say I’m dating this person, I’m dating this person… and make accusations that aren’t true with my personal life. Then of course everybody has their opinion on what’s right and wrong. It’s hard some times, you know? I’m not dating him and I don’t have a boyfriend. I’d like to date someone normal but how am I supposed to date someone normal when I don’t go to regular school, I’m never in town, and I’m always traveling? Nobody normal will ever come up and talk to me.
Why is the ‘feud’ between you and Lindsay Lohan still big news to people?
I have a feeling that if I was a normal girl that went to a normal high school, the high school would probably talk about it for two days and then it would be over. But just because people know who I am and people know who she is, everybody loves to talk about it. I don’t know her. I don’t care. If you read all the interviews, I haven’t said anything about it. I try and keep my mouth shut. That’s all I can say.
