TRENDING

GL: Was it to difficult to film an episode about juding people based on their looks?

Jessica: It got really emotional. All of the memories of being picked on in school just came rushing back and it just felt like the responsibility of that episode was so huge. Everyone’s been there – this is a story that everybody has. Dove Cameron and I just felt like it was our place to share that story right. At the same time, Willow’s strength is so vast that she never lets things get her down, so that trickled down to me as Jessica. It's helped me be more confident in who I am, in the things that I like and what makes me me. 

GL: That's so cool you're learning from your character. Do you and Willow have a lot in common?

Jessica: We do, and I think that the traits that I love in her, she helps build in me. I’ve always considered myself a strong person, but she helps me overcome things because even when I speak to Joey as Willow, and I pour my heart out to him and he doesn’t reciprocate, I think I would be so heartbroken, but Willow keeps persisting because she knows what she wants. Now, if I see something that I want or that I think should be mine, I’m gonna go for it. 

GL: On the subject of Joey, do you think there's a chance he'll return Willow's feelings one day?

Jessica: Absolutely. I think that he’s just waiting for the right moment. In season two he seems more prone to the idea of thinking of us as friends. In the first season I think Willow was more like a stalker, but this season Joey’s starting to see Willow in a different light. I’m waiting for season three to be a Jillow year. I’m gonna start a blog about it. 

GL: We think it's so cool how Willow gets to be both totally tomboyish and also super girly.

Jessica: I feel like on a lot of shows you have to just be one or the other. I think it’s important to show that you can be a sporty girl, you can play every sport you want, but on the weekends you might want to put a pair of heels on and you might want to feel super girly and pamper yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can do everything. 

GL: So what do you think of the "What A Girl Is" music video? 

Jessica: When I was growing up, there weren’t a lot of messages like that and you didn’t see a lot of girls like me on TV. It was tough. When I was younger, I used to find scripts online for movies that I love and I would write my own part in them, because I didn’t get to see that. When I see videos like “What A Girl Is,” with all different kinds of girls and all different kinds of talent, it’s heartwarming. It’s about time. And then they bring the boys in and I think it’s important for everyone to feel like they can be who they want to be. I love that. 

GL: What does it feel like, to be able to play the kind of girl that people don't see on TV a lot?

Jessica: It’s overwhelming. When we’re shooting, we’re such a family and it almost feels small; you don’t realize that you’re making an impact on people. I get fan mail from across the world talking about what it's like to see Willow on screen and how it makes girls who look like me want to take an acting class. It makes them happy about where they come from and want to know more about where I’m from because they don’t get to see that all the time. I think it’s incredible, it is really overwhelming. I feel such a sense of responsibility, but I love it. I’m really proud of it. 

Do you love watching characters like Willow on your favorite TV shows? What other kind of characters do you want to be able to see? Share your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to catch the television premiere of the "What A Girl Is" music video tonight (2/15) on Disney Channel at 8:00 p.m. with a new Liv and Maddie. 

Photo credit to: twitter.com/scatter

by Chelsea Duff | 2/1/2016