Camp star
NG Kids: Your Camp Rock character Ella is bullied by Tess Tyler in the film… Have you ever faced bullies at school?
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle: I was bullied at school, but it wasn't necessarily by a girl. I think guys at school didn't understand that I liked acting and singing back then. I was totally different to everyone else because I wanted to do drama and musical theatre.
NGK: So they bullied you?
AMPT: They didn't understand me, so they'd say things like, “You’re dreaming too big.” I actually met up with one of them last week and he said, "Wow, I can't believe you’re on Disney Channel. I'm so sorry, I was horrible to you at school." It was cool of him to say that.
NGK: What advice would you give to someone reading this who is being bullied?
AMPT: I would say to them: "Tell a teacher about it." I did, so I know what it’s like. People are scared to say anything because then you look like a little wuss – but I told the teachers and it all got handled well. Look at what one of the bullies did to me last week. He came and said, "Well done!"
NGK: Are you anything like your Camp Rock character?
AMPT: I'm a girlie girl, just like my character, Ella. I'm not really dumb like her, though. She is very naïve and I've always been an honours student and a straight A student, so I'm not that dumb.
AMPT: I have. I was a follower at school. Everyone goes through that, though. In middle school, I figured out you don’t have to change yourself for somebody just to be part of that group. I’ve got my best friends who really stick with me and trust me now, which is cool.
NGK: Who were you following back then?
AMPT: I was following the popular girls who did the cool stuff at school like wear make-up and things like that. I tried doing that and it was fun for a while, but it wasn’t really true to myself, so I changed and went to a different group of friends who took me as I am. I'm still with them now. I love them to bits.
NGK: What advice would you give to someone looking up to the popular people at school and dreaming of joining them?
AMPT: You have to be true to yourself at all times. Be friends with who you really want to be friends with instead of changing who you are.
NGK: What was it like working with the Jonas Brothers?
AMPT: It was amazing. They're such wonderful, down to earth people. Nick is a very genuine and truthful. At first, he was a little quiet and I thought, "Maybe he doesn't like me." But that's his character – once you get to know him, he opens up.
NGK: What about Joe and Kevin?
AMPT: Joe is very funny and he likes to be around the girls because he likes the attention. He's got a lot of jokes. Some of them may not make any sense, but the way he tells them are funny. He is very cool and he's a good friend. Girls definitely give him attention! Kevin is the sweetest guy around. He's sincere and kind… a true gentleman. I can't think of a nicer guy!
Catch Camp Rock on Disney Channel
Click here to read NG Kids' interview with the Jonas Brothers
Words: Adam Tanswell
Photos: © 2007 Disney. All rights reserved.