THE MAGAZINE recently spoke with DOG WITH A BLOG star G. Hannelius! The talented 14-year-old tells us what it’s like filming on set and catches us up on her exciting life.
DOG WITH A BLOG is about Avery Jennings (Hannelius) and Tyler James (Blake Michael), who’ve recently become step-siblings. Since they’re always fighting, their parents try to stop the feuds by buying them a dog named Stan. Soon enough, Avery, Tyler and Tyler’s younger sister, Chloe (Francesca Capaldi), discover that Stan has a special ability- he can talk! But what the family doesn’t know is that Stan is secretly blogging about the various events that go on in their household.
Tell us a bit about your character on the show, Avery.
Avery’s really driven, she’s really passionate. She’s a smart, independent girl. She’s definitely best friends with Stan, she loves him a lot, and she’s opposite of Tyler because they have very different personalities.
How do you enjoy playing Avery versus other characters you’ve played on the Disney channel before?
I love her! Compared to other characters I’ve played on Disney, I was kind of a mean girl on GOOD LUCK CHARLIE and a little bit of a bratty girl on SONNY WITH A CHANCE. So she’s really different because she’s smart and driven. I really love playing a character like that!
Are there any cast members you’ve grown really close to since filming the show?
We all get along really well, we’re like a real family on set! I love Francesca, who plays Chloe on the show. It’s just a really fun set to be on!
Is there a fun memory you have from being on set so far?
I think that one of my favourite things is that we have a park and there’s a play set on it. Francesca and I are constantly playing on it! We really hang out at the park like it’s a real park. It’s definitely one of my favourite memories!
Season One of DOG WITH A BLOG was a success and has been picked up for a second season. What’s your reaction to the show’s popularity?
Oh my, it’s unbelievable! When the first episode aired and I heard about how many viewers we got, I was so amazed. I think that it’s a great family show and that Avery is such an inspiration for girls. It’s really awesome that it’s reached so many families!
Can you reveal any exciting details about season two?
Well we just started filming, so we’re only a few episodes in, but I’ve actually just finished shooting the Halloween episode. I don’t know how much I can say, but there’s a lot of fun stuff coming up and it’s a really fun episode! Avery is definitely growing as a character- she’s older and she’s in the 8th grade. She’s got plenty of friend problems and boy problems, so I think a lot of girls are going to be able to relate to that.
Avery’s style on the show is quirky, stylish and fun. Do you dress at all like her?
Avery’s style is the best! I wish I dressed exactly like her. It’s funny because the wardrobe people who work on the show actually get a lot of her clothes from some of my favourite stores! My favourite thing is that she mixes a preppy cardigan with skull earrings and clogs. I think that’s really cool!
What five words would you use to describe your personal style?
Classic, comfortable, fun, funky and savvy!
Over the past few years, you’ve released a few music singles. Can we expect more music from you soon?
Yes! I have five singles on iTunes right now and I just finished recording another, so there will be a few more singles coming out. I love writing songs- I’m constantly writing, so there’s definitely more music coming.
Do you have any cool talents you can tell us about?
One thing that is not so secret, because I did it on the show, is that I take circus classes! We’ve incorporated that into one of the episodes recently and Avery was walking on stilts, which I actually did. I juggled and did contortionism too. I also fence, sing and horseback ride- there’s a lot of stuff I love to do!
When you’re not working, what do you like doing with your friends?
I love bike riding in our neighbourhood and running. One of the things we do the most is paint our nails. I actually have a YouTube channel called GByGNailArt, where I do tutorials. I love painting my nails with my friends, and I love painting their nails!
You’ve been supporting the nonprofit organization called A Window Between Worlds for four years now. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
A Window Between Worlds is dedicated to helping women and children who have survived domestic violence. They use art therapy to help women and children. I’ve actually been co-hosting “Art In The Afternoon” for three years now! We knew a friend who volunteered there and as soon as I met all of the amazing people, I was really drawn to it.
How does it feel to be a role model for girls when you yourself are so young?
Thank you! I’m a role model? Well I think that’s great! I think Avery is a great role model because she’s so smart and driven and a hard-worker. I really love that kind of inspiration for girls, she’s such a strong female character.
Thanks for speaking with us, G.! Best of luck filming DOG WITH A BLOG!
Be sure to catch new episodes of DOG WITH A BLOG on Family Channel!
(Photo Credit: Ricky Middlesworth)