Naomi Scott: I won't go off the rails like other Disney actresses

Naomi Scott, currently working on Steven Spielberg-produced sci-fi show Terra Nova, reveals the secrets of perfecting a US accent, finding her inner Disney cheese - and whether Lemonade Mouth is the new High School Musical.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/film/875592-naomi-scott-i-wont-go-off-the-rails-like-other-disney-actresses#ixzz1htP8jnOK

By Andrew Williams - 15th September, 2011

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London-born Naomi Scott first appeared on Disney Channel UK show Life Bites

before winning a role in Lemonade Mouth (Picture: Getty)

Is Lemonade Mouth the new High School Musical?


Naturally people have compared the two. It’s flattering considering the success of High School Musical but this isn’t a musical, as such. It’s about a band, so the songs are performed rather than spontaneous. It’s maybe aimed at a slightly older audience.

How was your US accent?

Interesting. I’d never auditioned using a US accent before. Luckily they thought I was good enough and I just went for it. Hopefully I did all right. I didn’t have any training, I had to learn on the job. There was a sound guy who would say after a take: ‘That sounded British.’ That was as much as I got.

What did you struggle with?

I had to say: ‘I have to go to AP class.’ I kept saying: ‘I have to go to a plea class’, because I didn’t know what an AP class was. I asked at the time but I’ve forgotten. It’s a mystery. Sometimes my words got muddled but, on the whole, it wasn’t a problem.

As a British person, was it difficult to find your inner Disney cheese?


I understand what you’re saying. This is feel-good but it does have an edginess Disney hasn’t done before. It has a good story and the music isn’t cheesy – it stands alone.

What inspired you to want to become a performer?

I’d always put on little shows at home but when I was 11 I did a community event in Woodford, where anyone could go. You had three days of vocal training and performed your song at the end. I sang I Say A Little Prayer. It’s a tough song to sing but they gave me the confidence to go for it and belt it out. It was the first time I’d sung and they thought I wasn’t bad.

You’re doing a Steven Spielberg dinosaur show, Terra Nova. Are you a dinosaur expert now?


We interact with CGI dinosaurs and have animatronics as well – they look so real it’s scary. I should be an expert but I’m not. I’m improving. I know about the TED conference now. It’s this thing where scientists are making chickens into dinosaurs. It’s really interesting.

Have you worked with Steven Spielberg yet?


He’s one of the executives and we film in Australia. Sometimes we’ll be on set and we’ll be given props and the director says ‘that’s a Spielberg prop’ that he’s specified he wants in the shot. We’ll be like ‘oh wow’ and are thrilled to be holding an apple he’s asked for.

Is Kelle Bryan from Eternal still your manager?


She’s my agent. She’s a right sharp cookie. I was singing at an event when I was 14 when she approached me. She said: ‘I know you can act’ and ‘Disney will eat you up.’ And Disney UK was my first job. It’s weird to look back on moments like that. She’s had a lot of experience, so gives me advice on how to present myself or perform. She’s brilliant. None of my family are in the industry so it’s good to have someone like that.

Some Disney performers, such as Demi Lovato, have gone off the rails. Are you worried that will happen to you?


There are too many people around keeping me grounded to go off the rails. I’m my own person. You can’t generalise about people. I’m aware of the decisions I make and the responsibility I have as a role model. I wouldn’t disregard that. It’s a privilege. That’s not to say people don’t make mistakes – we’re all human. No one’s perfect. I’m just going to be myself.

Where do you see your career going?


Wherever I want it to go.

You’re pretty confident then?


At the moment I’m doing Terra Nova, which is amazing. I want to pursue music in the future but I’m taking it a step at a time and making sure I’m constantly growing.

Lemonade Mouth iDVD is out on September 26.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/film/875592-naomi-scott-i-wont-go-off-the-rails-like-other-disney-actresses#ixzz1htPg5Xa2