TRENDING

Despite being the star of Disney+'s latest rom-com, Prom Pact, actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee is totally down-to-earth. She's trying to balance work and fun, she adores getting glam every once in a while and she's all about living in the moment. So basically, she's just like us.

You might recognize Peyton from all your fave Disney shows: Andi Mack and Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. But in Prom Pact, she plays a different kind of character: the ambitious high school senior Mandy Yang, who's determined to make her goal of attending Harvard a reality. With fellow outsider (and her BFF) Ben by her side, Mandy comes up with a prom-tastic plan to score herself a ticket to her dream college. What could possibly go wrong?

We asked Peyton to share her experiences working on Prom Pact, plus her thoughts on promposals, the perfect prom look and everything in between. Spoiler alert: Her answers are all too relatable!

Girls' Life: Did you get to go to prom in high school? Or are you living out your dreams through Mandy in Prom Pact?

Peyton Elizabeth Lee: I actually have never been to a real prom. I've been to several proms on camera, through [working on] various projects. I've also been to “Disney Prom” a number of times, actually. Disney has this great thing where they have these prom-like parties for their actors that are working during their own proms. It's funny—I actually met Milo Manheim for the first time at a Disney Prom. And then all these years later, we made a movie about prom together.

GL: We love to see it. What are your opinions on the promposal? Is it cute? Is it cringe? Why?

Peyton: Hmm, I think it's both. If you like someone, it really doesn't matter what they do. But if you don't like them, then you probably *won't* appreciate it. So it’s all dependent on the person.

GL: What would be your dream way to get asked to prom?

Peyton: Honestly, the way Blake promposes in Prom Pact is pretty great. I think I would have a hard time saying no to that. I can't really imagine anything better.

@peytonelizabethlee

GL: Describe your dream prom look.

Peyton: Mandy's prom outfit is amazing. It would definitely depend on the theme, but I think anything kind of poofy and pink. You can't go wrong.

GL: When it comes to Mandy as a character, how do you relate to her?

Peyton: I was very drawn to this project from the beginning because I connected with Mandy as a human. She's very academically driven and focused and goal-oriented, which I think I am [too]. Her real weakness is her inability to appreciate the things going on around her. She's so focused on being more successful and making more of an impact.

That's definitely something I have been working on in my life—finding the right balance of hard work and enjoying life. You can work hard and have fun. You can be academically driven and go to parties. You can be focused on your career and also have friends and fall in love. It's not picking one or the other, but it's about finding a healthy and happy balance. 

@peytonelizabethlee

GL: What other advice would you give high school freshmen for getting through those years?

Peyton: Try to enjoy it. For me, I went in and out of phases. Sometimes I was like, this is great! And other times I was like, why am I here? It's such a small fraction of your life in the bigger picture. Just take a deep breath and realize that, in both good and bad ways, it's temporary.

GL: You're hitting the dance floor at prom this spring. What's your favorite song?

Peyton: Anything by Post Malone!

What's your fave moment from Prom Pact? Tell us on Twitter @girlslifemag!

Want more insider info? Check out GL's other celeb exclusives:
💫 EXCLUSIVE! Get to know rising pop princess Hayes Warner
💫 EXCLUSIVE! Mirabelle Lee talks confidence and representation on new Disney Channel show Saturdays
💫 EXCLUSIVE! Hello Sister's "tragic" is already the song of the spring

Top and slider image: @peytonelizabethlee
Parts of this interview were edited or condensed for clarity.

by Katherine Hammer and Madelon Basil | 4/14/2023