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Is it too corny to say we're ~falling~ hard for Abby James Witherspoon? With the actress's half-adventure, half-horror movie Monster Summer hitting theaters tomorrow, we have a feeling that a lot of our fellow autumn enthusiasts (PSL girls and Stranger Things superfans, that's you) are about to hardcore agree. 

Aside from appearing in the upcoming frightful-yet-fun flick (which, BTW, is directed by none other than Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie!), Abby is learning the ropes of the industry by studying Film and Television Production in her first year of college and, ofc, somehow making time for normal teenage girl stuff, too. We sat down with her to chat about all things Monster Summer, plus her IRL love for her castmates and her top throwback films.  

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Abby James Witherspoon (@abbyjameswitherspoon)

Girls' Life: What are you most excited for people to see when they watch Monster Summer?

Abby James Witherspoon: I hope that it just reminds them of childhood with its nostalgic feel. Actually, when we were  filming Monster Summer, our director and producers told us to watch similar movies like The Goonies or E.T.—which I had obviously seen before! But I went back and watched those and that was really the vibe that we wanted to give off with this film. I hope it's a movie that people want to watch every single Halloween season.

GL: Can you tell us anything about your character Sammy?

Abby: I'm not going to give away too much, but she is definitely a tomboy. In real life, I am very much a girly girl, but I do have some tomboy tendencies at the same time. I think playing Sammy really got me back into those feelings. After playing the role of Sammy—who loves baseball and typical tomboy things—I got a dirt bike and I started dirt biking with my boyfriend.

GL: Wow, so not only did you get into character—but the character also got into you. 

Abby: Definitely. I loved playing a character where I was like: Oh, my hair's a mess? I don't care. That doesn't matter. It was really fun to just play and have fun. I didn't have to worry about being this perfect-looking or perfect-acting person. She's a little sassy and has some attitude to her. She's a really strong young girl.

GL: What was it like to work with other young people on set? Any memorable bonding moments?

Abby: It was so much fun. I had never worked with a cast of mostly boys. But this was me and three boys: Mason, Noah, and Julian. And they are just the best people ever. On the weekends, we would go kayaking in the freezing cold. We went to movies together, we went to dinners together and we really had this great bond. I think that chemistry shows really well on the screen—you can tell that we truly were just such good friends. And we still are!

GL: Do you have a dream role you'd love to play someday?

Abby: I love coming-of-age stories, and I'm from Nashville, Tennessee, so I love movies that are set in a Southern context. This is so specific in a weird way, but I want to be in a coming-of-age movie where I can wear overalls and cowboy boots and be this, like, country girl. I also want to do a rom-com really badly. When Harry Met Sally, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, I love them. 

GL: Do you have a personal fave nostalgic movie?

Abby: The Goonies was my favorite. I think the banter between the cast in that film is so unique. I've always loved that movie, and I love watching it with my dad. And he was actually staying with me while I was filming Monster Summer, so it was fun to revisit it, like we had done so many times before.

GL: Any advice for our readers who want to pursue their artistic passions?

Abby: When it comes to your dreams, It's really important to keep reminding yourself why you want it and what it is about this passion that made you want to start chasing it in the first place. For me, I truly love acting, being on set and telling stories. At the end of the day, if I'm putting in the work and enjoying it, I think what is supposed to come is going to come. And where I am in life right now is where I am supposed to be.

A few fast faves with ✨Abby James Witherspoon✨

Her fave college class: "I'm loving Screenwriting right now. I've grown up going to sets my whole life, and I'm really drawn to the behind-the-scenes side of the movies."

Her fave fall fash trend: "Okay, I just invested in these—I got some tall, black boots and I'm loving them. Totally gets you in the fall vibe."

Her fave way to spend a day off: "Since I've never lived near the ocean, it's going to the beach in L.A. because I'm super close to it here. I'd get some coffee, shop, try not to spend too much money and end the day by watching the sunset."

Follow Abby on IG and check out Monster Summer in theaters October 4!

More content for movie lovers, right this way:
🎞️ The scaredy girl's guide to the perfect spooky movie night
🎞️ Descendants' Morgan Dudley takes us behind the scenes of Rise of Red
🎞️ Writer girlies everywhere, prepare to fall for Jillian Shea Spaeder

Slider and top image: Raul Romo

by GL | 10/3/2024