Ryan Newman is only 15 years old, but she does it all: she’s a successful actress, model, singer and dancer. Her growing fan base currently includes over 200,000 Twitter followers – a milestone that she is very excited about. Her fans have supported her and watched her in popular shows and movies like ZEKE AND LUTHER, HANNAH MONTANA, and BIG TIME DREAMS (the star-studded movie culmination to the hit show, BIG TIME RUSH).
Currently, Ryan stars alongside Scott Baio and Ramy Youssef in the Nickelodeon series SEE DAD RUN. The show focuses on Scott’s character David, who is a former actor turned stay-at-home dad taking care of his three kids. His oldest daughter is the sassy Emily Hobbs, who is played by Ryan Newman! With more exciting projects sure to come, Ryan is definitely one to watch!
We recently caught up with Ryan to talk about BIG TIME DREAMS, Zac Efron, and summer fashion.
You guest star in the new Nickelodeon TV movie BIG TIME DREAMS which stars pop band Big Time Rush. Tell us about the movie and your role.
It’s very cool! I was so excited to work on BIG TIME DREAMS because I worked with Big Time Rush’s James Maslow a few times on my show, SEE DAD RUN. I got to work with him again and the other Big Time Rush members are so sweet. I had a blast. I actually got to play myself.
You currently star on Nickelodeon’s new show SEE DAD RUN playing Emily! Tell us about the show and your character.
SEE DAD RUN is about Scott Baio who plays my dad. His character’s name is David and he was a TV star for 10 years. When his show ends, he comes back home to be a stay-at-home dad and his wife, my mom, Amy, goes back to work on soap operas. Basically, David has to learn how to be a dad again and get to know his kids. His kids are growing up and the last time he was with them they were little, so he’s getting to know them as they’re changing. You get to watch the relationships grow and the dynamics change.
Do you have anything in common with Emily?
We have tons of similar characteristics! I kind of feed off of her and she kind of feeds off of me. I think the only real difference is that her siblings are younger and she’s the oldest child, so the dynamic with the siblings and even the parents is different. (Ryan has one older sister.)
James Maslow from Big Time Rush was a guest star on one of the episodes of SEE DAD RUN! Have you had any other cool guest stars on the show?
Yes! We had Garry Marshall on recently. That episode hasn’t aired yet, but that was such an amazing experience. I was so over the moon to be working with him. We’ve also had Tom Bergeron and Raven-Symone. That was incredible. She’s awesome.
If you could have one actor or actress on the show, who would you choose and why?
Zac Efron. Need I say more?!
What does a typical day on set of SEE DAD RUN look like?
When we’re rehearsing, we come in around 10 a.m. and start rehearsal. We rehearse every scene, normally in order, and get ready for a run-through. Basically you just go through the entire script like a play – you move from set to set and go through all the scenes for the producers and network so they can make changes and adjust accordingly. Every day we make changes and make the script better. Thursdays and Fridays we film, and Friday we have a live audience. We film at Paramount Studios.
What’s it like working on the set of SEE DAD RUN?
We are always laughing. It’s insane! It’s so much fun with everyone. With Scott, I can just look at him and we’ll both start cracking up because I can read what he’s thinking. I know him so well now and know exactly what’s going through his head and what he’s thinking about.
What originally sparked your interest in acting?
I was two years old when I started begging my parents. I would just point at the TV and say, “I do that!” I think I just knew! Everything I saw that had to do with acting or modeling inspired me. My first big role was in the movie Monster House. I was six years old and it was with Steve Buscemi, Nick Cannon and Mitchel Musso. I was the youngest person ever to be motion captured! So many people think Monster House was animation, but it was actually motion captured. That means we were doing movements in these wet suits and our hair was put up in these helmets that had dots all over them so they could see our movements. There were also dots all over our faces so they could pick up our facial expressions. That was my first movie and it was kind of interesting how it all worked out.
If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing?
I would probably be in the entertainment industry in one way or another, whether it be fashion, beauty, hair and makeup or directing. If I wasn’t in the industry, my back-up plan is CIA, doctor or psychiatrist.
You have a great style! What’s your must-have fashion trend for this summer?
My go-to during the summer is a cute little dress or romper and little booties. You never know with the weather in LA – sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s cold, so it can go either way. It can suddenly transition into fall but you can throw a jacket on top and you’ll be good to go.
Outside of acting, you are very passionate about several good causes. You recently tweeted about The Farley Project and said, “To a #worldwithoutbullies, #choosekindness!” Tell us about their goals and your work with them.
I just started to work with The Farley Project. They are amazing – anti-bullying and pro-happiness and peace. They basically go to schools and I go talk to kids and try to stop bullying and spread peace and love.
Having such a following at a young age, you’ve probably dealt with a few bullies yourself. Do you have any advice for teens who are struggling with peer pressure, insecurities, bullying, and similar issues?
You can either stand up or just let it be and not let it bother you. I think the most important thing is to be confident in who you are to know that this person is obviously feeling insecure about themselves and that’s why they are taking it out on you. It doesn’t mean its right, but that’s why, so you can’t take it personally and you just have to rise above it.
Thank you, Ryan! While SEE DAD RUN currently airs in the US, you can catch it every week in Canada starting Monday, September 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on YTV!