Madison Pettis

An Extraordinary Example for Little Girls Everywhere

by Sharon Bialy

I waited patiently at Marmalade café in Sherman Oaks to interview Madison Pettis, one of Hollywood's fastest rising young stars. She was an hour late. New to Los Angeles from Arlington Texas, Madison and her mother, Michelle, moved here two years ago. Stuck in Friday night traffic in LA could easily produce a frazzled, hungry, exhausted nine-year-old. To my delight, the young star of "The Game Plan" and Disney channel's new hit, "Cory in the House" rushed over to the table like a breath of fresh air, lit up the room with her infectious energy, and apologized profusely for being late. Brown curls cascading down her face, dressed in a teal blue shirt, pink tulle skirt, and polished blue toe nails, she ordered from the kids menu. Like any star, regardless of age, her smile was contagious, skin luminous, and she oozed confidence and charm. This intelligent, thoughtful, talented, well-mannered, and NORMAL nine-year-old had me at hello.

Madison was originally spotted at her acting class in Texas, under the tutelage of Cathryn Sullivan. Mitchell Gossett and Melissa Berger of CESD Talent Agency of LA had flown down to scout talent. Madison was five at the time.

HOW DID THIS ALL HAPPEN FOR YOU? Madison: I was at the mall and they had a contest for a magazine cover for Dallas Child (a family magazine). They were looking for 12 kids to be on the cover. They interviewed me and a few months later they asked me to be on the November cover. The photographer mentioned how natural I was with the camera and recommended a modeling agency in Dallas Michelle: She just started kindergarten. Madison: They signed me and I started working. I wanted to try commercials and TV, so the print agent recommended I take acting classes to see if I liked it. MICHELLE, WHY DID YOU BRING MADISON TO LA? Michelle: She booked her first audition and was on a roll. She booked commercials, Barney TV series, and Barney videos, and there just wasn't anymore there. The acting teacher encouraged us to spend a pilot season in LA, but she was so young, I wasn't sure. The deciding factor was when Mitchell Gossett (CESD) said he would represent Madison. I needed an objective eye to make the decision, because it's a big leap of faith. Every mother thinks their daughter is talented. JERICHO (CBS) WAS YOUR FIRST JOB. TELL US ABOUT THE AUDITION. It was my first audition for a drama. Another girl in the waiting room got a call from her agent that she had just booked another pilot, "The Class," and she and her Mom starting crying with happiness. I thought, maybe that will be me one day. I was a little nervous, but I don't really get that nervous and you guys were so nice.

[*Madison came in for a smaller role at Bialy/Thomas Casting, and our associate, Judith Sunga, was so impressed, she sent Madison out to the waiting room with pages for a larger role. Madison had ten minutes to prepare for the part, a girl who needs an emergency tracheotomy during a bus accident.] WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO TO HELP YOU? Madison: She explains stuff I don't know. I didn't know what a tracheotomy was (giggle). She helps me with the jokes I don't get in "Cory". Michelle: I'm her last resort when there's a quick change, but I'm not an actress. I always have her work with a coach for a big audition. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG ACTORS? Madison: Make sure you like it first, because there is a lot of hard work involved and if you don't like it, it will get boring. I love it. It's so much fun. If you really want to do it, take acting classes because there is so much to learn…basic things about the camera, being on set, where to stand - not just acting. I'm still learning. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHER PARENTS NOT TO DO? Madison: Don't pressure your kids, it will make it too hard on them and they won't enjoy it. Mommy's not like that. Don't force them to work too hard, or practice too long. Just encourage them.

Michelle: That's why I hire a coach so I'm just the mom, encouraging, supporting and being the chauffeur. I'm not the manager, not the coach. MICHELLE, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PARENTS? Michelle: It's what Madison said. If this is what they really want to do, it requires commitment on both sides. It requires sacrifice, like any sport. You need to know when it's time not to go to an audition because there is something more important, or when to know that you must rehearse your lines. It's practice and dedication; learning how to balance the commitment and then back off and not put on the pressure. Judging and critiquing is best left to other people.

DO YOU EVER FEEL PRESSURE BEING A STAR? Madison: No, What kind of pressure do you mean? WHAT ABOUT BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER KIDS? Madison: That makes me feel good, because that means I'm doing a good job. I think it's good to look up to someone who is doing something positive. You do have a responsibility to act a certain way, but I really just have fun. I like meeting fans. At first it was weird, but it's so cool to get fan mail from all over the world. TELL US ABOUT AUDITIONING FOR THE GAME PLAN? Madison: It was my very first audition for a movie. I was nervous because there were so many girls, but I was happy to be on my first movie audition. The casting director said, "We gave you four scenes but we are only going to do two." [*This is standard procedure in a casting office when they are running late.] Madison: I did my two scenes, and then they asked me to do all four. They asked if I could dance. I told them I took ballet, jazz, hip hop and clogging. They asked me to come for a callback the next day. Usually, they never tell you in the room, they just say good job and you walk out. I was so shocked and happy but I had to say "no, I can't come back tomorrow" (more giggles). My great grandfather had passed away a week before and we were going straight to the airport. They rescheduled for the next week. I had 8 callbacks and then a final screen test with two other girls. It was a full work day. I didn't know what was going on because it was my first test. Michelle: One of the reasons she got the job, per the director, was that in between set ups, instead of sitting in a corner perfectly behaved, she struck up a conversation with the director and star, Dwayne Johnson, "The Rock", about Elvis, country music, etc. She wasn't intimidated and she wasn't self conscious. She was just being herself. [*It was the same at her Jericho audition. She was conversational and comfortable being herself.] MICHELLE, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MADISON IS SICK? Michelle: She's a pretty healthy kid. I think we have our priorities straight. It's a commitment for life. DO YOU DO ANY CHARITABLE WORK? Madison: Yes, I think it's very important when you are a celebrity to do what you can that is positive and helping other people in the world. I try to do what I can. We went to LA Children's Hospital and signed autographs, and the Ronald McDonald camp. I also went up to the room to visit kids who couldn't walk downstairs and that was really hard. It was kind of scary because you have to put on special gloves and scrubs. I asked them what they wanted for Christmas and they said "I just want to go home". I wish I could help more. It was very sad. DO YOU SLEEP? Madison: Yes, I do (giggles). I sleep at least ten hours a night. DO YOU HAVE CHORES? Madison: I'm in charge of my room. Michelle: She's a neat freak like me. Madison: My advice is if you take something out, put it back in its place.

Our time was up, dinner completed. Night had fallen, and it was time to head back into LA traffic. I was invigorated. This month, as we celebrate nurturing the family bond, it was reassuring to know that good parenting and the ethics of hard work, commitment, and dedication led to success. As opposed to the usual sensational stories of misbehavior, Hollywood rewarded us with Madison Pettis, one extraordinary girl.