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Editor's Note: This interview was conducted prior to the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

It's official: Darby Camp is the perfect sleepover host.

Of course, she's the star of Disney's new movie, The Slumber Party, in which a hypnotist shows up to a birthday celebration and turns things, um, upside down. Needless to say, Darby's had onscreen experience with the wackiest and wildest of sleepovers. But even behind the scenes, Darby loves all the things that make a sleepover bash epic: endless board games, tons of delish snacks (Oreos are her personal fave!) and quality time with her BFFs.

She still remembers one of the best slumber parties she ever attended, when she was only 10 years old. "I had like 20 girls over at my house, and we watched The Wizard of Oz," she remembers. "It was mermaid-themed, and we made cupcakes."

Aside from reliving her most cherished sleepover mems, we talked to Darby about her fave parts of filming and the life lessons she's learned along the way. 

Girls' Life: Can you tell us a little bit about The Slumber Party and your character Megan?

Darby:  This movie is super fun, and it’s very chaotic. And my character Megan is really timid, and she’s kinda scared to try new things. But, throughout this movie, we get to see how she grows and becomes, you know, confident and excited.

Girls' Life: The movie features a little bit of ~hypnotism~. Is that something that you personally would ever try?

Darby: I think in the beginning, I would feel a lot like Megan did. I would be a little scared and maybe a little bit worried about what would happen, but I think I would eventually warm up to it and just go for it. 

Girls' Life: What was it like behind-the-scenes of The Slumber Party? 

Darby: I was super excited to get to work with a lot of kids my age. We got to bond—we would just like go do stuff together. We went to Dave and Buster's and we would hang out on the weekends and play games.

Girls' Life: And what did you learn from Megan's journey?

Darby: In the beginning of the movie, Megan realizes that she is a little bit anxious. And I can really relate to that because when I started high school, I had the same feelings. But throughout the movie, she starts to gain confidence, like, I’m going to step up, I can do this. She realizes, once you just go for it, how fun it is to go on adventures. 

Girls' Life: How have you explored that adventurous side and broken out of your comfort zone lately?

Darby: When I started my freshman year, I ran into our school’s cheer coach and she was like: Hey, you should totally try out. And I got home and I was like: There’s no way I could do that. Then, my parents kind of hyped me up, so, I went to tryouts and I was literally terrified, but I ended up making the team and it has been such a wonderful journey. I never could see myself doing that, but once I tried out, I realized I could do anything I put my mind to. 

Girls' Life: If you were planning the ultimate slumber party with your friends, what kind of stuff would you do?

Darby: I’d probably invite like 10 girls, and what I really love to do is just play board games and eat junk food all night. I love to play Monopoly. When I was 10, I got the My Little Pony Monopoly and I have a Coraline Monopoly, so I like to play the different versions. Maybe we'd throw on a TV show or play music in the background, too.

Girls' Life: What do you hope people heart most aboutThe Slumber Party?

Darby: I hope that people love how timeless it is, and I feel like anyone at all ages can enjoy it and relate to it. I hope people learn how important friendship is, and that it’s okay to be different and express your differences, because your friends should be able to celebrate that with you and accept you for it.

Girls' Life: Finally, what words of wisdom most inspire you lately?

Darby: One quote that I love is from Ferris Bueller's Day Off— “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  

Watch The Slumber Party July 27 on Disney Channel and starting July 28 on Disney+!

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Image: Emily Sandifer.

by Katherine Hammer and Madelon Basil | 7/27/2023