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Raising her voice and her renown
Berkeley Prep graduate Lauren C. Mayhew is coming to the silver screen in the new Hilary Duff flick. But remember, she's not really like the "mean' girl she plays.
By SARAH WILKERSON
Published October 4, 2004
[New Line Cinema]
Lauren C. Mayhew, upper left, says working with Hilary Duff, center, on the movie Raise Your Voice was a great experience. “She was very professional and hardworking,” she says.
[Getty Images]
Besides building her acting career, Lauren C. Mayhew will attend college in California and is recording a music demo.
When Xpress last talked with Lauren C. Mayhew, she was a high school senior with dreams of making it to the big screen. She had appeared on the NBC show American Dreams and had just been tapped to host a cable celebrity chat show, Real Access, on the N.
Now Mayhew, 18, has graduated from Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa. And while she enjoyed her days in the pop girl group PYT, her dreams of making it to the big screen are now a reality. You can see Mayhew co-starring with Hilary Duff and John Corbett in the New Line Cinema film Raise Your Voice. In the film Mayhew plays the "mean" girl, a role that is certainly out of character for her.
Did you enjoy working with your co-stars?
John Corbett was hilarious. Working with Hilary Duff was great. She was very professional and hardworking.
Have you ever been the victim of a mean girl or maybe been a little mean yourself?
Yes, I think everyone has been a victim at some point. Inevitably you run into mean girls in high school because you're trying to find yourself and where you fit in.
When did you first try acting?
I started acting when I was 8 or 9. I did commercials in Orlando.
Is this movie similar to the recent hit Mean Girls?
Mayhew: No, no. Not at all. It is a lot like the movie Fame. It's about an artist struggling to get where she wants to be.
Who was your character?
I played Robin, Terri's (Hilary Duff) nemesis throughout the movie. (Robin) controls the school, but when Terri arrives, she turns my whole world upside-down. My character feels threatened by the new girl. (Robin is) very manipulative.
Do you feel that you connected with your character?
The character was created for me on a page, I played the part. Do I think I'm like the character? Well, I hope not.
Is there a message you want any particular audience to learn from the movie? For younger girls maybe?The message would be to go after your dreams. But it's hard for 8 and 9 year olds to look at the long-term.What did you think of the movie when you were done?
I cried.
Was the movie a lot of hard work?
Yes, it was a lot of hours, but it's what I love to do.
How were you able to audition for the part? Did your agent sign you up? Was it an open audition?
My agent sent me out on the call. I auditioned for the "bad" girl. I had to read scripts for three scenes, I sang and I did a scene with Hilary.
Was (Berkeley Preparatory) lenient with you missing school days for acting?
In high school, I had two lives - a professional one and school life.
Do you feel like you missed out on the high school experience?
I don't regret missing school for my career. I mean I wasn't in town all the time on the weekends, but I'm not going to complain. I experienced it (high school).
Did you act or perform in plays at Berkeley?
I would have loved to but I traveled too much. I would miss rehearsals.
How do you handle traveling all the time?
You get used to it. I fall asleep - that's how I deal with it. It would be cool if I could go somewhere other than L.A. and Tampa.
Does anyone travel with you?
I have two stuffed animals that I travel with. Their names are Sammy and Brownie.
Do you plan to go to college?
I'm attending UCLA this semester. I'm taking some literature courses this summer so it will be easier for me to focus on my career during the semester.
What are you currently working on?
Recording a demo. I work with an engineer and producer (Joshua Rumor) in the studio. My producer picks the tracks to focus on.
Do you have any hobbies or interests other than acting?
In my free time I like to go to the beach, play outside sports like basketball, volleyball, and I'm really into tennis right now. And I like doing creative things like making collages and memory books. I love pictures. And I like to shop - I think every girl does.
- Sarah Wilkerson, 16, is in 10th grade at Palm Harbor University High.
