Madeline Carroll, who plays the part of Farren in The Spy Next Door, talks about life in show business, what it's really like working with Jackie Chan, and her hopes for the future.



Maddy, tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in L.A. in Cedars Sinai Hospital on March 18, 1996. I was going to be born on St. Patrick’s Day, but the doctor wanted the day off, so I didn’t get to be born March 17th.  I have three brothers and no sisters. Ned is the oldest; he’s 15. Then there’s me; I’m 12. Then there’s Jack; he’s 10. And then there’s Dylan; he’s 7.

How did you get started in this business?

First I started out in modeling for print ads when I was really little. Then one day I went into a nail salon with my aunt and this lady was there and she thought I was really cute. She told us to come by her office, so we did.  I had to kind of audition for her and she was really happy with what I did. She ended up becoming my agent.


So what’s the first thing you ever did for television?

I did a Fisher-Price ad when I was about 4 or 5.  I had to sing into a lollipop.  It was fun.

What’s your favorite thing about being an actress?

Getting to play different people and seeing things from different points of view. When you believe in something and you get to see somebody else’s point of view, it’s really cool. When I was little I loved playing dress up and trying different things and getting my photo taken.  I love it.  I love the red carpet too. It’s one of my favorite things, getting all ready for the red carpet.

So you’ve been to red carpet events!  What do you like most about the red carpet events?

It’s so much fun! Getting your picture taken, having people take pictures with you, giving interviews….its just the whole thing. It’s so exciting.

Do you get excited when you meet celebrities?

I love meeting celebrities!  When I met Jackie I was so excited; I had butterflies in my stomach. Now I’m just used to him.


Did you watch Jackie’s movies before you met him?

Oh yeah!  I watched all the Rush Hour films, Shanghai Noon, and Shanghai Knights. My favorite was Rush Hour 3.

Of all the roles you’ve played so far, which has been your favorite?

This one, because I get to play the mean girl and I like playing the mean girl, especially to Jackie!  [Laughs]


It’s not in your nature to be mean, then?

No. I can be kinda silly or outgoing, but I’m usually quiet and I’m not mean. I like to make sure that everybody’s  happy.


So when you’re playing a mean girl, who do you model yourself after?

I just kind of try to make it up by myself. I saw the movie Mean Girls and I loved that movie; I actually loved it. It’s my favorite.

What kind of role would you like to play in the future? One that you haven’t already played.

I think it would be cool to play an angel in a movie. I think it would be really fun. The other day I was watching an old movie and this little girl says “…every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”  I love that movie now. I’ve seen it a few times. Yeah, I think it would be fun to play an angel.

What’s it like working with Jackie?

It’s so much fun getting to see him do all these stunts. And his stunt team is awesome. I try and test them all the time, like I’ll run up behind them very quietly and then throw myself in the air so they have to catch me.  It’s really fun working with them; they teach me all kinds of tricks and stuff. It’s cool seeing what it’s like behind the scenes when Jackie does stunts because they look so great in his movies and they look even better when he’s actually doing them in front of you.


So do you think Jackie really likes kids or not?

I think he loves kids! He’s so nice and he gives us presents, makes sure that we have everything we need, and keeps our energy up on the set.

In China, Jackie is known as “Big Brother.”  Do you think he acts like a big brother to the kids on the set?

Yes!  He is like a really big brother. He takes care of us on set and buys us presents all the time. He’s very attentive.


You’ve been working with Jackie for about two months now. What’s the best time you’ve had with him so far?

My favorite time with him was teaching him to say things like “Rad!” and “Awesome!”  or  “Jiggy Fa Shizzle! Da Bomb!” When he said “jiggy fa shizzle” it came out “jiggy fa shushie.” It was so funny.

So is Jackie a good student?

Oh yeah. He learned to “talk the talk and walk the walk.”


Jackie said that if he hung out with you for a few months, he’d learn to speak perfect teenage English. Do you agree?

Definitely! He's a good student.

Do you have specific goals for your acting career?

I want to do lots of movies that will touch people and I want them to keep renting my movies far into the future, the way they do with movies by people like Kevin Costner, who I worked with in Swing Vote. Even though his movies – like Dances With Wolves - were made a long time ago, people still rent them today.

Do you have any hopes for the future that aren’t associated with your acting career?

I really want to travel to Thailand and the Philippines and visit some of the orphanages there.  At my church we donate money to two really great charities. One of them, Zoe International, goes to Thailand and the Philippines and rescues children who have been sold into child prostitution. They take them in and teach them about the Bible, give them clothes and food…..basically take care of them. I want to go there some day and visit with the kids that we’ve helped.


Is acting hard work or is it just fun all the time?

Acting is really really fun, but there can also be a lot of devastation.  When you go and audition, it’s hard because if you don’t look right or if for some reason you don’t get the part, you think it’s because of something you’ve done wrong.  And it’s not. If you don’t get the part, it’s just not God’s will, but there’s a lot of devastation in that.  Sometimes I’d be praying so hard that I would get it, but when it didn’t happen, it was really devastating. But you just have to keep going. And now look…here I am in New Mexico filming with Jackie Chan!

In The Spy Next Door, you are required to cry for one scene. How do you make yourself cry?

Well, I think about how I would feel if I ever lost my family; we’re so close and just thinking about ever losing them can make me cry. Sometimes I think about my dog who passed away this year. I think about how we treated him; always running off and leaving him alone. I think of his eyes looking up at me….

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Paintball, surfing, playing with my brothers, jumping on the trampoline,  watching television.


What about school?

Usually I bring work from my normal school, but this year I got pulled out and put into home school for this movie. I don’t like home school.  When I’m done with this movie I’m going to go back to my regular school in L.A. 


Do people at school treat you differently now that you’re a celebrity?

Well, some people do, but in a good way. But my old friends treat me the same because they know I’m always going to be their friend. It’s kinda funny going from being someone who people ask to take a picture with and then back at school they’re like “pass the ketchup!”  I really like public school, though.

Who is your favorite actor, besides Jackie of course?

Probably Jack Nicholson,  Meryl Streep, and Kevin Costner.

What’s your favorite kind of movie?

Comedy, definitely.

Do you like Chinese food?

Yes!  Especially now because Jackie REALLY likes Chinese food. One night he actually cooked for us and the fried rice he made was really good, wouldn’t you say?


Yeah, I think he did a pretty good job. I remember that you spilled your rice and Jackie gave you a lecture. Remember what he told you?

Yeah, he told me that when he was a kid, they ate every single grain of rice because they were so poor.

What do you think of New Mexico?

I love it!  I really want to go hot air ballooning, but it’s not the season. Anyway, I think the producers would kill me if I got in a hot air balloon right now.

In the future when you become more and more famous, what do you think will keep you grounded?

My family, especially my brothers. If I ever start to get a big head, they will slap me silly and just pound me into the ground. 

A few more photos:

Message comment

Type your comment here (maximum: 400 characters) Help us keep the comments clean. Click REPORT ABUSE next to any inappropriate or offensive comments. Please refrain from posting any phone numbers, web links, home addresses, etc.
	Your name: