MADISON PETTIS

CM: You started your career around five years old and you got your first big major role as Dwayne Johnson’s daughter in The Game Plan. Can you tell us more about that? How did you feel working with someone like Dwayne Johnson at such a young age?

MP: The Game Plan was the very first movie I ever auditioned for! I was only 7 years old at the time, so I didn’t watch wrestling & I had no idea who The Rock was haha! But we had great chemistry together as soon as we met. He was very fatherly and protective, but he’s also really funny! The first day on set he left a box of Dunkin Donuts in my trailer with a note that said, “Let’s have a kick butt first day honey! xo Dwayne”. Even though he’s a huge mega star, he was really down to earth & humble. Everything about working with him & making the movie was such a fun experience!

CM: Your new series ‘Five Points’ just came out in June! Congratulations on that! Can you tell us about your role as ‘Tosh’?

MP: Thank you! Yes, I play Tosh, who is basically the popular girl in school. She cares a lot about appearances; she focuses on how she looks & what she wears, and she’s obsessed with having the “perfect” relationship with her boyfriend who’s a star football player. I was excited for the challenge to play a “mean girl” because it’s the first time I’ve played that kind of unlikable character. Tosh definitely fits the mean girl stereotype, but she’s a lot more complicated than that. There’s a lot going on with her beneath the surface which affects her & she tries to hide that. Her “mean girl” attitude stems from her own insecurities and she projects that onto other people. It was important to me to make sure she wasn’t some caricature of the popular girl; I wanted to give her layers.

CM: Can you spill to Composure whether there will be a season two of ‘Five Points’?

MP: We are waiting to find out, but I hope so! Season 1 ended with a shocking twist, so I know the fans want to see what happens next!

CM: What’s the most challenging character that you have ever played? Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

MP: I did a movie a few years ago called “Do You Believe” where I played a pregnant homeless teenage runaway. I wore a 9-month pregnant belly in the movie. Since my character was homeless, I wore no makeup & I went days without brushing my hair because the director and I wanted it to feel realistic to what living on the streets would look like. My character was dealing with so much emotionally all on her own, trying to figure out what was best for her and her baby. I did a scene where I give birth in the backseat after a car accident, which was one of the most challenging scenes I’ve ever shot. I’m really proud of my performance in that movie.

CM: Who inspires you the most as an actress?

MP: I am very inspired by Kerry Washington, who I got to know personally, because she is our amazing Executive Producer on “Five Points”! She’s been incredibly successful in both film and television & her performances are always so truthful. Kerry also has her own production company & she’s producing projects that she’s passionate about. And while accomplishing all of that, she balances her career with being happily married & a mom to two adorable kids who manages to keep her personal life private. Those are goals I have for myself, so everything about Kerry inspires me!

CM: What are the ups and downs of being an actress, working in the industry since you were so young?
MP: The “ups” are… that I’ve been able to do what I love for all these years! I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since I moved to Los Angeles & I’m so thankful that I’ve been working consistently for this long. I also feel very lucky that I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with very talented people who’ve also become my close friends. On the “down” side, it’s very easy to get caught up in the “What’s next”? For an actor, it can be a lot of pressure to always have something going on. This business is a rollercoaster & it’s easy to get discouraged when you’re in between jobs. But you just have to stay positive and be proud of how much you’ve already accomplished so far!

(Which leads to the question lol)…

CM: What is next for Madison?

MP: As for “what’s next?” for me haha…right now I’m waiting to see if we’ll do a Season 2 of “Five Points”. I’m also working on a new animated series Tina Fey is producing for Disney Channel called “Fancy Nancy”, which is based on the books. The show is adorable & I play the voice of “Brigette”!

CM: What is the best advice that someone has given to you as a public figure?

MP: My mom reminds me not to compare myself to anyone else, which is great advice whether you’re a public figure or not. It’s easy to look around and wish you had what someone else has, or do what someone else is doing. But we are all on our own path! It’s important to appreciate each step in your journey.

CM: Let’s move forward with beauty talk! What are your five must have beauty products? What is your beauty secret?
MP: My five must-have products are:
1) Bioderma cleansing water
2) Kate Somerville ExfoliKate
3) Clean & Clear Blotting Sheets
4) Neutrogena Leave on Acne Mask
5) Bobbi Brown face base
My beauty secret is “less is more” when it comes to skin care. My skin is very sensitive so I don’t like to experiment too much. I like to keep it simple with a few products that I know will work.

CM: You have beautiful skin, how do you maintain your skin?

MP: Thank you! I make sure not to go to sleep with makeup on! Taking it off properly at night is so important.

CM: What is your favorite makeup look?

MP: My favorite makeup look is a bronze smokey eye, fluttery lashes, glowing skin & a brownish pink glossy lip!

CM: What are makeup products that you can’t live without?

MP: I can’t live without Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Anastasia cream contour palette, and Kat Von D lip liners.

CM: Let’s talk more about your hair! We are obsessed with your hair! How do you keep the curls so healthy? Any tips in particular?

MP: Thanks! Proper trims are so important to keep curls healthy. If you have curly hair, I’d recommend a hairstylist who does a “curl by curl” cut! Curly hair is also naturally pretty dry, so it’s important to keep curls hydrated. Using a leave-in-conditioner is essential! I also frequently use deep conditioners & masks in the shower to keep my curls moisturized.

CM: What is your favorite hairstyle for your everyday look?

MP: I keep it pretty simple with a wash & go curly hairstyle! I brush it out while it’s wet, use a leave-in conditioner, dry it gently with a microfiber towel, and that’s it! If it’s a lazy day, I throw it up in a bun.

CM: Lastly, do you have any advice for young girls out there?

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Always listen to that little voice inside your head.