Mitchell Musso
Mitchel Musso is coming into his own on the Disney Channel hit, Hannah Montana, as Oliver. He brings charm and comedic talent to a swarm of young fans eager to see more of this new star. We chatted with him in a recent interview.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Tell us about yourself.
MITCHEL MUSSO:
I'm a 14 year-old boy and my birthday is July 9th,1991. I love to skateboard, love sports. My favorite sport is probably basketball. I like to hockey sack, I like hanging out with my friends, talking to girls, just a regular teen life. I have two brothers, one older one younger, Mason and Mark. Mason is 11 and Mark is 17. I have a dog that's just the love of my life. He's my best friend. I got him on my birthday about three years ago. His name is Stitch. [Also] I am an actor, been acting since I was about nine, and I just got off a movie, Monster House, which is premiering July 21st this year. I play the lead. I'm doing Hannah Montana and I just did
Life is Ruff with Kyle [Massey] from
That's So Raven. From Hannah Montana, my character is Oliver, who is best friends with Miley. She is a famous pop star and trying not to let anyone know that she's a pop star. We go through everyday life, things that happen; we get into trouble, helping each other. There's always something happening. Just a kid's show.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How did you get your role in
Hannah Montana?
MUSSO:
The process of getting on was they first knew me from
Life is Ruff, and then they called me in and said they wanted to see me for Oliver. So I went in for the first audition and I ended up coming back two or three times and the 4th time I read with Emily and Miley for testing. After that, they called me in and I got the part. I shot the pilot about 9 months ago. About seven, eight months later they said they wanted to make it into a series. I was just so excited, because I've shot a couple pilots before but none of them have ever been picked up. Just being on a TV show, you get to be the same person each week. The show is amazing. The script just writes itself now. We have a terrific cast.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How are you like your character, Oliver?
MUSSO:
He's really out there. He's way, way into girls. That's all that's on his mind. Helping his friends out and some more girls. There is no time for school with him.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Why will kids watch
Hannah Montana?
MUSSO:
I think that everybody can totally relate to
Hannah Montana in a way. You've got 2 friends, who go through problems and you're there for them, there's trouble, gotta bail your friends out, you have fun with your friends. It's like real life, and I'm sure everyone can relate to it.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How does everyone get along?
MUSSO:
We're all the best of friends, call each other, hang out. We hang out on set, do school together.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How has working with Disney helped your career?
MUSSO:
Disney, I've always wanted to work with Disney. Everyone knows Disney. It's always been one of the top things I've wanted to work for. I figured hey, this is where I want to be, then this is where I should be. I have always wanted to do it, got the chance to and took it and ran with it.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Why did you want to become an actor?
MUSSO:
It all started with my dad's best friend and he got my little brother into it. When my brother was into it, I thought that was so cool, to be out there on T.V. So I decided to give it a shot, and now I'm here.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How would you describe your acting style?
MUSSO:
Definitely comedy, for sure, that's my favorite thing to do. I love it, I love the attention.
THE STAR SCOOP:
How has your journey to becoming an actor been?
MUSSO:
It's been real hard, actually. It's brought me a long way. I'm a little Texas kid, I'm a country boy. I decided to come out here [for pilot season] after I did secondhand lions with Haley Joel Osment. And so my agent told me I should give it a shot. Ever since I came out to L.A., it's been exciting, fast pace, so exciting. I love what I'm doing.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Can you explain what pilot season is?
MUSSO:
Pilot season is basically just a certain part of the year, about 3 months long and you just audition for T.V. shows; pilots are what you call them before they turn it into a series.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Why was this so difficult?
MUSSO:
It was a big step for me because California was huge to me. I've never really been anywhere except for Texas. There are a lot of turn downs and stuff. You have to get back up and try it again. It's tough for some people. I get over it, but for some people it's a big, big letdown. This is a hard business.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What songs are on your Ipod, or what CD do you have in your player right now?
MUSSO:
Probably Blink 182, Mac Dre, I'm running through my ipod right now. New Kids on the Block. I love New Kids on the Block. Queen, love Queen.
THE STAR SCOOP:
Favorite color?
MUSSO:
Lime green for sure.
THE STAR SCOOP:
What other projects are you working on?
MUSSO:
It's motion captured – mocap…it's like
Polar Express. Animated, but we had to act everything out, just in a wet suit and reflectors in our faces. It's all about two neighborhood kids who are best of friends and they end up finding this girl named Jennie who is supposed to be the girl they both fight over. These three kids have to take out this monster house. It's pretty kid friendly. PG.