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ASHLEY ARGOTA IS TAKING HOLLYWOOD BY STORM!
(By: Bessie Sorge)
Best known for her ability to make you laugh on Nickelodeon's new hit television series True Jackson, VP, Ashley Argota is taking the quick path up the ladder to success. Born and raised in Southern California, Ashley is definitely no stranger to the business. At fifteen, she has already made her mark in Hollywood encompassing a broad range of talent. It is no surprise that Ashley Argota is already becoming a household name.
Ashley got her start in the business when she landed the role of Young Nala in Disney's theatre production of The Lion King. After returning from the tour, Ashley made a lasting impression at the Amateur Night at the Apollo talent show. During her time at Amateur Night at the Apollo, Ashley was able to showcase her ability to wow a crowd with her incredible singing voice. In fact, Ashley made such an impression that she quickly became the youngest contestant ever to win five consecutive weeks in a row. She later was crowned the "Star of Tomorrow" after appearing on "Showtime at the Apollo."
Ashley's love for music landed her a record deal at the young age of thirteen. Joining with Moho Productions allowed Ashley to record her debut album and gave her the ability to expand her music by co-writing one of the tracks on the album.
It wasn't until Ashley landed the role of Lulu on Nickelodeon's new hit show True Jackson, VP opposite Keke Palmer that all of her dreams really started to come true. Hollywood Teen'Zine recently caught up with Ashley to discuss fashion, music, her role on True Jackson, VP and much more.
How did you become involved in the entertainment industry?
Well, when I was little - I was a little character - I used to talk in little accents and I was really goofy when I was little and my mom was like "you know, I think you would be a good little actress." So, she ended up putting me into acting classes when I was five and after that I just never stopped because I loved it so much.
What attracted you to the role of Lulu on True Jackson, VP?
I am a lot like Lulu. She's always happy all the time and she just wants to make the best of life and she's really outgoing and I'm really outgoing like that. The only part I guess I don't identify with, the one I had to like channel in me was the part that she can be really ditzy sometimes. So it's kind of like "wow" you know she gets distracted really easy and that's not me in real life. When I saw that she was just, you know, happy and on top of the world like I am normally I was like "oh this is perfect."
You've had some pretty hysterical scenes as Lulu, have there been any funny moments behind-the-scenes?
There was this one episode when I had to eat a bunch of doughnuts - I had to stuff doughnuts in my mouth and they were all powdered doughnuts and it was my first time doing it and I stuffed so many doughnuts in my mouth (that) I thought I was going to barf. But, It was good, it was good. And then there was this one episode - it's a lot of food related things, a lot of crazy food related things. There was like - there was one time when Matt, who plays Ryan, had to beat box and there were pretzels in his mouth, like dry pretzel in his mouth and when he beat boxes the food like sprays all over me.
Oh no! I just saw that one food fight scene.
Oh my gosh! The food fight scene. I wish I was in that scene that's so cool. I wish I got to do that.
Do you feel having the audiences immediate reaction helps make it easier to film the comedic scenes?
Yeah, you know, the audience - it's really cool having them here too because it gives us a lot of energy, not that we don't have (energy) we are balls of energy over here but, I mean, we can feel the energy of the audience and it just makes us a lot, you know, we are happy when the audience is here. We love it! We love performing in front of them. But, yeah it's really cool when they're here because we can hear like okay maybe this joke isn't as funny as we thought, do we need to change it, do we need to do something to it, or maybe just say it a different and yeah they're pretty good with helping us out with that.
Fashion plays an important part in the show, how do you describe your own personal style?
I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. I like skinny jeans and I have Uggs. I wear Uggs all the time that Keke got me for Christmas. And I like to layer my shirts, like, I'll wear like a long sleeve t-shirt and then a tank top outside of it. And my wardrobe's kind of colorful, I guess I could say.
What is a must have piece that every girl should have in her closet?
I think that girls should have a nice jacket that goes with everything because I have a jacket that goes with everything that I wear all the time.
What are your favorite stores to go on a shopping spree?
I love Westfield and Papaya and Forever 21. So those are my three favorite stores and Pac Sun and Hollister.
Name one fashion trend that you would like see fade away.
I read in a magazine lately that a fashion trend coming out right now is ripped tights. I was like oh no I really don't like ripped tights. I think that's one thing that I don't want to see.
I've seen a few people in the magazines wearing those too.
I know and they were like "oh it's a fashion trend coming out, is it gonna like stick"? And I was like, "I hope not!"
If you could pick one celebrity to change wardrobe with who would it be and why?
You know what, also in a magazine because I read a lot of magazines, Nicole Richie was seen wearing this really, she has really really pretty gowns and stuff. So, if I could exchange gowns with her I think I would be happy. And also just like her every day clothes, she is so simple she just wears jeans and a sweater or something.
Do you have a favorite outfit you wore on the show as Lulu?
Yeah. It's actually in our Ryan Sheckler episode I wore a purple, it's kind of like a puffy sleeve shirt and just like regular blue jeans and flats and a necklace, a colorful necklace to go with the shirt. So, that was one of my favorite outfits.
So far, what has been your favorite scene to film?
My favorite scene to film, that is a good question. In our recent episode that just aired I did this scene with a dog and I have to like wrestle the dog basically. It was my first time working with an animal ever so that was really fun. And there's a part where I have to growl at the dog. The dog wasn't there with me. I did it at first with the dog but the director's like off screen going grrr and then I have to go grrr and I have to growl with him and it was so funny and it was so hard to keep a straight face because I just, I wanted to laugh so hard.
What was it like working with dog? Did it take a lot of patience working with an animal?
Yeah, a little bit. The dog, you know, wants to do his own thing. He wants to sniff everywhere and all that stuff. It was really cool to be able to work with a dog. He was such a cute dog. He was so big. And we also had a pony on the show in a fantasy of Lulu's. And the pony was really cute to work with.
Who would you like to see guest star on True Jackson, VP and what role would they play?
Guest star on True Jackson? Oh, David Cook! I don't know what role he would play, maybe he would just come in and True would design an outfit for him. But, I love David Cook. He's one of my favorite singers. And I know David Archuleta was on iCarly so maybe David Cook can be on our show.
Have you been watching American Idol this season so far?
I haven't because I am always here (on set). And we commute from home to set and I live about an hour and a half away from here. So, by the time I get out of the set and then I get home I'm either too tired to watch American Idol or American Idol is over. But, I have Tivo'd it and I'm planning on watching it whenever I have time.
You are also a pretty talented singer, will we be seeing Lulu take up singing on the show?
That's a good question. I'd like to know that too. I hope Lulu gets to sing on the show. I'd love to sing on the show. It would be awesome!
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I love Celine Dion. She is amazing. I've loved her since I first heard her. I also love Kelly Clarkson (and) Christina Aguilera.
So, you released an album last year. Tell us a little bit about that experience.
Well I started recording the album when I had just turned 13 and I started working with my Moho Productions, who is based here in Los Angeles. They just started writing a bunch of songs and everything came together and now I have an album out and it was really cool to be able to release that and I have a lot of performances for that. So we are trying to pitch it to different record labels and stuff.
You did a few appearances for the CD?
I have done appearances for my CD. For Rainbow Connections I went to Long Beach. I was supposed to go to Branson, but we ended up not going to Branson, Missouri. Rainbow Connections helped me film my first music video for one of the songs on my CD.
Is that your favorite song on the album?
I have two of them. I like "Dreams Come True," of course, because dreams are coming true right now. I could sing the song and it would so be like singing my life. And also "Everything Changes" that is my other favorite song and "Round and Round." I have a lot of favorite songs, but I guess those three are the best because "Everything Changes" its just kind of like a song that things change and you just have to go with the flow sometimes. "Round and Round" is a good song for now because it's about a new time in America and it was funny because it was written like three years ago and it's just so perfect for this time right now.
Did you write any of the songs on your album?
I did. I co-wrote "Gonna Get Ya" and I'm starting to try and write with my music producer.
Name five songs that you recently downloaded to your iPod.
Five songs that I recently downloaded. I've been downloading a lot of Demi Lovato on my iPod lately. I downloaded "Two Worlds Collide" by Demi Lovato, "Lala Land" by Demi Lovato. I downloaded "Stop and Stare" by One Republic. I love that song. "Gravity" by Sarah Berillous and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.
Now you're going to be singing the National Anthem for the LA Lakers in a few weeks are you excited or nervous about that?
I am so excited for the Lakers it's like ridiculous. I wish February 10th would just hurry up and get here already. I want to do it so bad.
You are a fan of the Lakers then?
Huge fan actually. We've been a fan of the Lakers since I was born, pretty much. Since before I was born I'm sure. Mom? Right? I met Kobe Bryant on my last day in The Lion King so it would be cool to go and see him again.
How do you manage juggling filming the show with school, dance class, piano lessons, and recording an album and keeping a social life?
That's why I have a phone. For the social life it's definitely, I text my friends. And I'm friends with Matt and with Keke on the set too so I mean it's like I don't ever hang out with anyone. But, its really hard but it's totally worth it. My mom always makes sure my school work is done. School is very important to us. And, she always makes sure I have really good grades in school. Works takes up a majority of my so I try to do, you know, piano lessons and recording and all that stuff, and dance classes on the weekends or during hiatus weeks. And I actually got a guitar for Christmas so now I am learning how to play the guitar.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read. Reading is like my number one thing. Greg actually got me a couple books for Christmas and I've been so busy with school that I haven't been able to read them. But, I finally got all my school work finished so now I can start reading the books that he got me for Christmas. I love reading and I learned how to knit and crochet a few years ago. So, I knit and crochet when I have time, which, you know, I can do that on the way to set and on the way home and stuff because it's such a long drive. And, playing with my dog when I'm home. I never get to see my dog but when I am home I love playing with my dog. And, of course, I'm a teenager so I love texting my friends and talking on the phone and all that stuff.
What can we look forward to seeing from Lulu in upcoming episodes of True Jackson, VP?
Well, you can look forward to Lulu being the same girl, she's just outgoing and happy and maybe you can look forward to her having a boyfriend soon.
(All Photos Courtesy of Nickelodeon)
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