FirstNews ISSUE 275

30 FirstNews ISSUE 275 9 – 15 SEPTEMBER 2011ENTERTAINMENT NEWS with Serena LaceySupah teens!IF you like your TV shows with bucket-loads of action, comedy and lots of ninjamoves, Nickelodeon’s new show Supah Ninjas will be right up your street. We caughtup with Ryan, Carlos and Gracie who play Mike, Owen and Amanda in the series!How did you get your parts in the show?Gracie: I sent in a video tape from Ohio andthey invited me over for several auditions inLA and we shot the pilot. Then I went backhome, went to high school, had home-comingand I found out I had the part for Nickelodeon.I was so excited. I was in tap class when Ifound out so me and my friends had a danceparty. It was so much fun.Carlos: I was trying to do acting for a whileand I read the script and thought it soundedcrazy and just the kind of thing I wanted. So Iwent and auditioned. Then one day I was in agrocery store getting a salad and I got a call. Ijust wanted to freak out right there but at thesame time not scare anybody. So I played itcool but I was going crazy inside!Ryan: I was never an actor before. They werelooking for Mike and he needed to know kung fu.There was a flier at my kung fu studio and my mumsaid I should audition. I auditioned a few times,sometimes with Carlos which was crazy as therewas instant chemistry. Everyone thought we werebest buds, even though we’d just met. Then one dayin the car my mum started saying: “There’s a ninja inthe car.” I was like “What?” I didn’t get it. She had tosay: “Dude, you’re going to be Mike.” I freaked out, Iwas dancing in the car… it was exciting!Did you already know martial arts?Gracie: Well, I am a dancer so some things camewith that, like the high kicks.Carlos: I watched super hero shows and cartoonswhen I was little and jumped off couches andwhat not and that’s what I wanted to do one day.I just look like I know martial arts. It’s fun. I’m thecomedy guy!Have there been any injuries? It looks painfulsometimes!Ryan: Not really, not on set. It kind of comes withdoing martial arts, you just have to train your bodyto become stronger. I’ve been doing martial arts forseven years and I’ve only had one or two injuries.But, you know, you heal and you get right back at it.Your body just gets stronger and stronger.Gracie: Carlos and I started martial arts training forthe show but they’re really cautious with us. We’realways safe.Carlos: Ryan can handle those injuries but we don’tget them because there is always someone theremaking sure we’re okay.Do you feel like you know what you’re doingonce you’re in your ninja suits?Carlos: Oh yes, you just feel better about yourself.You feel strong and muscular cause they’re skintight… ha ha.Gracie: I put my hair in a braid and sometimes itwill whip in my face when I put my mask on. It willsometimes come out the front of my mask as well.Carlos: You look like you have a moustache whenthat happens… ha ha!Gracie: The costumes are actually reallycomfortable. They dry clean them after everyshoot as we get a bit hot on set.Have you had to learn any other skills?Ryan: We all did!Carlos: I had to learn how to wield the bow staff,which is Owen’s weapon of choice.Gracie: I got to work with a couple of differentweapons, the cuff ones are cool. And the fan onesare really cool. We only had one day to learn how touse them and I was so scared I would get it wrong.But it went really well.Finally guys, how do you think you’re going tocope with fame?Ryan: It hasn’t hit me yet. I’m still freaking out in thecar that I got the role!Carlos: There are a lot of people around us to makesure the transition is easy.Gracie: Yes, we have family and friends and stuff!Don’t miss the brand new series, Supah Ninjasfrom 12 September at 6pm only on Nickelodeon.I’d love a lemonfrom a fan!ADAM Hicks is famous for his role as skater dude Luther in DIsney’sZeke and Luther. This week he’s back on our screens as the keyboardplayer in The Disney Channel’s latest movie, Lemonade Mouth!Welcome to England! Howare you?You know what? I love England, I wantto be out there in the rain right now!What is Lemonade Mouth about?Lemonade Mouth is the story of fivekids who meet in detention and endup forming a band together. The filmreally follows the lives of these fivekids. They all have their story arcsand they all have their own personalstruggles that they find ways ofovercoming throughout the courseof the movie. I play a keyboardistcalled Wen. The kids in the film reallyaren’t the cool kids. It’s about theoutcasts and the kids who feel likethey aren’t being heard.Did you ever get detention atschool?I did get detention because I was latefor school a few times, so I can relateto the guys a little.Are you more like Wen thanLuther, your character in Zekeand Luther?Yes, definitely Wen. I loved playingAdam plays Wen the keyboard player in Lemonde MouthLuther and I’ve played him for solong now – it’s been three seasonsand 73 episodes – that I wanted totry someone different. I didn’t wantto be typecast. Wen is more chilledout and relaxed than Luther is. Heis more Adam Hicks. I feel like I wasputting more of myself in there. Itwas great for me to be able to mixmusic and acting.Why is the film called LemonadeMouth?Lemonade Mouth is the name of theband we form and there is a part ofthe movie that explains how we gotour name. It has to do with a bullyand it is a big moment in the film so Idon’t want to give too much away.What was your favourite scene toshoot from the film?I think all five of us would saythe scene where we performedBreakthrough, that was the maddestscene, I swear. Usually you’ll get a callsheet and it will tell you the scenesyou’ll be shooting that day and thatday, it was just one scene for all of usand we did it, like, 50 times.Is Breakthroughyour favouritesong from thefilm?Probably,the chorus isincredible. OrDeterminate,you’ve got to hearit, it’s really just asong about rockingout. All the songsPopping up!Has Ryan been giving you tips?Ryan: When we’re doing somethingor we have to strike a pose I try tohelp out.Gracie: He shows me how tolook stronger.Carlos: There are plenty of peoplethere to help us. We have stuntcoordinators as well who all cometogether to make sure me andGracie look like we know whatwe’re doing.It’s ninja time. L-R: Carlos, Ryan and GraciePETER Andre, Stacey Solomon,Melanie C and the Sugababes willall be making guest appearances ata West End musical this week.The stars are all taking part in BBC Childrenin Need Pop Goes the Musical. They willmake special guest appearances in fourmusicals, where they will appear and singone of the key tracks from the show.Find out more at www.bbc.co.uk/pudseyFor more entertainment news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news