Check out last year's interview with Alyson here

Alyson in a promo shoot for Camp Rock

Tell us about filming 'Camp Rock'?
Oh my gosh, it was such an amazing experience. I got to meet a load of variety of people and I got to learn about different styles of music and it was my first to get to sing, dance, and act all in one film. So I’m very excited.

So, go on, confess. What was it like acting with the Jonas Brothers?
Oh my gosh, of course I knew this question was gonna come up. Well, I think people expect them to be such rock stars and in real life, they’re just amazing people in general. They’re family is very supportive of what they do and it’s very good to see that in the Hollywood business cause you don’t see it often. They’re much of, you know, gentlemen. They take care of us and they’re like our older brothers.

So tell us a bit about your character, Caitlyn.
Caitlyn is an inspiring music producer and she is very vibrant with the colors that she wears. She mixes and matches a bunch of different patterns. She immediately befriends Mitchie and wants the best for her so she knows that there’s good and bad crowds at Camp Rock and she just wants Mitchie to shine and do the best she can.

Aw, that sounds like a very sweet character.
And you’d be surprised. She’s actually very sarcastic and funny. So, it’s interesting. She’s a great friend but you know; she’s not a little sappy love story; she’s definitely got a little edge to her.

Oh, I love sarcasm. Did you ever want to laugh at one of your lines?
Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? When I first read the script, my name used to be Lourdes in the original script. I was supposed to be a gothic girl and I read it and I’m thinking ‘Oh my gosh, this is insane’ but they changed it to Caitlyn and you know, made her who she is now. I couldn’t stop laughing on set while I was saying my lines. I could not believe that they were making say something like that but it was really funny and it got a laugh so it’s good.

What was the hardest thing about playing Caitlyn?
The hardest thing is that she has to watch Mitchie go through the ups and downs and in real life, I wanted to help Mitchie and I wanna be there for her and Caitlyn was but she’s kinda stuck in a position where she just has to let life take its course almost. I think it was, it’s hard for her and myself, in real life and in the movie to watch that happen to any friend because you always just want the best for them.

So how are you and Caitlyn similar?
Caitlyn is I think the more extreme version of Alyson. You know, when she’s happy she’ll be ecstatic and when she’s mad, she’ll tell you she’s angry at you where as with me, I’m kind of more of a one tone, ‘Yay, I’m happy’ or ‘okay, I’m a little upset but oh well’ and I never would tell anyone that I was mad at them. And she’s definitely very expressive and you know, you can see it in what she wears. She wears very crazy things and I’m more of a t-shirts and shorts girl. But we both like music so that’s something we have in common.

Aw, she sounds like a very typical artistic and creative type of person. You know, extreme emotions, the crazy clothes.
Ah, yeah. That’s exactly it.

So what was your favorite scene to film?
My favorite scene to film is probably the scene where Megan, who plays Tess, the mean girl and I get into a little argument. Her and I in real life are so close but we had to argue with each other and act like we didn’t like each other so there’s noodles that we get to throw at each other. It’s very crazy and insane but in between takes, we’d actually give each other a hug and you know, let them know that it’s nothing personal; it’s only in the script.

Oh, wow. Noodle throwing. That sounds like fun.
I know, right? And I get paid to throw noodles.

Paid for a food fight, that sounds like pretty intense. So describe a typical day for you when you were filming Camp Rock.
Wow, a typical day. Well this particular film had music, dancing, and acting, so there was a lot going on. Every morning we would have to go get our hair and makeup done, and then we would go to school for a little bit and get that out of the way. After we would film a few scenes then maybe we’d have to do an interview with a magazine. Sometimes they’d have to go back and record music and once we got done with that, we’d go back to set, film another scene, and rehearse for the next day’s scenes. That night, we’d just kinda, everyone was so tired, we’d hang out but we wouldn’t have to do anything. We’d just want to chillax for a little bit cause it’s very hectic everyday.

That sounds like a very, very long day.
It was and there’s restrictions for how long a minor can work but they made the most of those ten hours. And you know, just jam packed it with a bunch of work but we loved it, every second of it.

I bet there wasn’t much sleep involved in there.
Yeah and no the thing is, we could’ve slept if we wanted to but we were all hangin’ out with each other.

So were you and the cast really close?
Yes. Actually, it’s something you don’t see very often on sets. Everyone bonded instantly and we all know each other and can lean on each other for anything which is very special and I’ve been lucky enough to work with these talented actors and actresses and I learned about music, you know from the boys and from Demi. I learned about acting through the other people that are working on the film so it’s definitely a learning experience but we’re all like family now.

That sounds so sweet! Now I know you’re gonna kill me for the next question but which cast mate is your favorite?
Oh, haha. No, I won’t kill you. You’d be surprised at how often I get asked that. I would say, probably... I mean, I know everyone always says ‘yeah, I love everyone’ but I’d say the person I got closest with was Demi, who plays Mitchie. Because we met each other at the audition and we knew right away that our characters just clicked together and once we saw each other on set and I didn’t know she booked it and she didn’t know that I booked it so when we saw each other and it was, you know, just like this reunion. I was so ecstatic to see her and she’s so talented. I’d say she was probably the one I got closest with but I don’t have a favorite, so definitely all amazing.

That’s quite lucky actually to meet someone at the audition and actually work with them at the end.
Yeah and we got to go in together and we rehearsed our lines and right when they saw us together they said ‘wow, they have this chemistry that they look like they’ve known each other for years’ and we had never met before. It was just something we knew right away. I was gonna be so mad if Demi didn’t get it. Because she so deserves it and she did so well.

Wow, so as they say, love is in the air and love at first sight, it was like friendship at first sight.
Exactly, yeah, I love her as a sister.

Aw. Can you give us any hints as to what happens to Caitlyn in the movie?
Well I will say that there’s a lot of different twists and turns that you wouldn’t expect with my character. She’s a very up and down type of person so different things happen to her and even Mitchie does a few things to her that she regrets later but I can’t say any details.

Did any embarrassing moments happen when filming Camp Rock?
Oh my gosh, yes, a ton. We actually have certain lines that they change right when we’re filming so we have to learn them, the new ones, very quickly and it was during a very emotional scene and I couldn’t spit out the line right and you know, all these people are staring at me, watching and waiting for it so I felt very vulnerable and I had to get it down. Even the other cast members were having trouble so it’s something we can look back and laugh on. You know, eventually. Right now it’s humiliating but one day we can laugh about it.

So you just finished filming The Alyson Stoner Project? It’s very exciting! Can you tell us a bit about it without ruining the surprise?
I will say that it is a dance video hybrid. You’ll have to figure out what the hybrid part means but it’s gonna be packed with a bunch of different kinds of entertainment and there’s even going to be cameo appearances by other celebrities. You can actually visit the MySpace and the website we’re gonna put up soon. You’ll get to see the behind the scenes action and you guys can kind of piece it together on your own.

Yes, I saw that Taylor Dooley was there and Mike from The Super Short Show, stuff like that so…
Yeah and there’s David Henrie from Wizards of Waverly Place and you know, you’ll see. There’s a bunch of ‘em, so.

So what makes it such a big secret?
I think the fact that I’ve never done anything like this so it’s something new and I’m still trying to figure out what it’s about so how can I tell you guys, right?

Right! I get that. So you worked with Kevin Schmidt on Cheaper By The Dozen, how different was it having him a director rather than a co-actor?
Oh my gosh, well first of all, he’s so phenomenal and he’s so intelligent and smart, it’s amazing. You would be absolutely in awe if you met him and he looks completely different from what he did in Cheaper and you can see that on the pictures on the site. Seeing him as a director, it made me be, well I developed more of a respect for him. I know he’s multi-talented so I listened to whatever he needed and he was very open to any ideas towards the Alyson Stoner Project. So I think it was just kind of a joint effort and we both worked together and he’s definitely going to make the next Gilbert type of film, I know it.

So was it your idea for this project or what it Kevin’s?
It was actually our family. We’ve been wanting to do something that is... uh, ah, I guess I can’t tell you! Well we wanted to do something together and we both had this idea about somethin’, somethin’, somethin’ so we did this and I think that covers that somethin’ somethin’ somethin’.

Okay, I won’t push you anymore. Just one last question, when will it be out?
Okay, we don’t have a set date but hopefully by mid-2008.

Ooo, exciting, exciting, not too far away.
Yeah, I know! It’s kind of like when Camp Rock and Alice Upside Down all kinda hit.

Sounds like your year.
I hope so, gosh. You know, take it one day at a time and just make the most of it cause I don’t know how long it’ll last, gotta be thankful.

Aw, yeah. I read your blogs and you sound definitely very, very thankful.
Well yes because I think people would kill to be in this business, so I can never take it for granted because it’s a complete blessing that I get to do what I love.

You mention in your blogs that you’ve been working on your singing. What made you start singing and decide to pursue it?
Music’s always been an important aspect in my life. I started dancing at a young age and once I was around kids who are triple threats, they sing, dance and act, I knew right then that I wanted to do it too. I’d written my own music but I’d never actually had the voice to sing it so I started training vocally and every day I learn to love it more and more. It’s a way for me to express my feelings through song without having to feel completely vulnerable in telling my friends my dirty little secrets. I can just write about it and sing it to ‘em.

Any plans for a future album?
Oh my gosh, that’s a big step. I think I have to figure out right now, I have to record a couple other songs that aren’t for an album first and we’ll see where it takes me.

Was that a hint for a huger project?
It’s actually a song for Alice Upside Down. I’m recording that in about a week and a half.

Has Alice Upside Down come out in America?
No, it’s supposed to come out, hopefully in July.

So you have Camp Rock, Alice Upside Down and The Alyson Stoner Project?
And then my dance video if that comes out then. And Phineas and Firb. Ah, it’s so exciting!

Alyson with Kevin and Joe from the Jonas Brothers

Aw yeah, you went to London recently, how was that?
Yeah! It was so amazing and our schedule was jam packed so I didn’t get much time to see the sites and everything but we got to go on a bus tour and visit all the architectural designed buildings. I really enjoyed and I tried a bunch of new foods so my stomach was very satisfied with me, I guess.

Really? Cause England isn’t exactly famed for the food.
Everyone was telling me the food is amazing there so there were Indian restaurants and Chinese places and you know, they were the real deal. In America, we don’t really have the real deal.

That’s true though. That’s not really English food though but yeah, the Chinese things there are amazing. Do you remember which Chinese restaurant you went to?
Oh, well I know there was this Indian restaurant called the “Red Fork”.

There’s this really really good Chinese restaurant called “Royal China” and it’s absolutely amazing.
Oh, really? I’ll have to go next time I’m in London.

Oh yes, maybe I’ll be there next time. Mm, maybe we’ll go shopping.
Yeah! Oh! There’s a store called Top Shop, right?

I love that store, yes.
I was supposed to go but I never made it! I wanted to go so bad.

Are you serious? Oh my God, the one in Oxford Street is huge.
That’s right where we were staying! It was like so close yet so far away.

Aw it’s got everything in there. It’s got clothes, accessories, everything you can imagine.
Yeah I’m definitely hitting up that store next time.

Definitely! Primark is really good and it’s like bargains and everyone likes a good bargain.
Yes, especially me.

I feel your shopping pain. So you have a YouTube channel with Lindsay Taylor, tell us a bit about that.
The YouTube channel that Lindsay and I created with our friend Kelsey, it promotes a healthy exercise program which is Lindsay’s dance class and it’s available to kids ages 6 to 17 and anyone can and learn a bunch of fun moves and put them together. You can also meet new people so it’s kind of like a social night. Also, we can give them a chance to freestyle at the end and do whatever they want to do and just let them all know that they can really pursue their dreams and if it happens to be dancing, we’ll be there behind them 100% of the way. So this channel, we put up videos showing the previous week’s dance routines and the viewers can either learn them or just watch and actually as a part of youtube.com/lthiphop is what it is, we put videos of behind the scenes things like I went to the Shrek premiere and gave them a video for that so it’s kind of a fun environment where kids can go and it’s safe videos and there’s nothing bad.

I’m guilty of learning almost all your dance routines.
Ah, thank you! See, they’re really simple, fun moves and you can learn them at home so that’s what’s good.

Yeah, they’re really good and you have some instructional ones and you pull people through them. Which dance routine do you think is your favorite?
Out of LT Hip Hop?

Yeah.
I would say towards the beginning we had one to Ciara, ‘Get Up’ and I think I like that one just because the song was very energetic and I just wanted to get up and dance and I also taught one to Mary J Blige’s ‘Just Fine’ and the dance was incredibly simple and incredibly easy but the vibe everyone was giving off in the class was just every upbeat and fun and we had a ton of fun that night. It wasn’t necessarily the best routine but it was one of the best classes.

Oh yeah and I loved your talent show dance. That was amazing! Congratulations on winning as well.
Oh thank you. I actually had a 100 degrees fever that day. I got sick so I felt bad that I couldn’t go full out but I think it turned out all right.

It was amazing, how long did it take to make that routine?
Oh my gosh, only a few days. We only had a few rehearsals so yeah, it was definitely insane but if it was on time and all scheduled, it wouldn’t be Hollywood.

Haha, true. What inspires you when you’re making dance routines, where do you get your inspiration and your dance moves from?
I think with different music you feel it in the beat, you feel different rhythms and different styles. If you listen to like Wyclef, his music is kind of, almost, reggae-ish so you start doing like reggae moves and if you listen to hardcore hip hop, then you think of really hard movements with a lot of force. I think it’s just something that once you keep dancing and you’ve done it for so long you just hear it in the beats and it comes to you. It makes it fun choreographing stuff and it just kinda comes out of your body.

Wow, it sounds you should be a choreographer by nature like your body is telling you to choreograph.
Well you know, I think with the Alyson Stoner Project you’ll get to see me to do some of those things.

Like you upside down? I believe there’s a picture of you upside down.
Uh, yeah, that was interesting. It was a last minute change once again so I had to change the dance all in that day so I can do that little move.

Wow. Hardcore Hollywood, huh?
Yep, totally.

So you’re really into the environment, what are your top tips for our readers in helping to save the world?
Helping to save the world. I think first of all with paper, you know we use a lot of graph paper in schools so make you sure you cover every inch of that space and don’t waste it, if you can use both sides. I think when you are in a room you can have a light on but after you leave, make it a habit to turn it off so you’re not leaving that on. And if you’re not using like the phone chargers or electrical equipment, you can go ahead and unplug it. You know if you don’t need it to be plugged in at the time. Little things actually make the biggest differences and if you make it a habit it won’t feel like a drag to have to do it, it’ll just come naturally. Another thing is if you’re going to a grocery store and they always give plastic bags with all of your groceries in it you can actually take your own bag and it can be re-used and re-used instead of having to use all of the plastic. And make sure you recycle.

So you’re also really into keeping fit, what are your top tips for readers regarding staying fit?
I think the most important thing to stay fit is nutrition. If you’re not taking care of what you’re putting into your body, it’s a lot harder to take care of what happens to your body so if you are on a very well nourished and well balanced diet, it’s something that it’ll make you feel better. It gives you a ton of more energy to do the fun things that kids are supposed to do like go outside and hang out and have fun. So I think first of all, focus on what you’re eating. it’s totally okay to eat ice cream cause I would know that because I have a big sweet tooth. After you start exercising, make it an enjoyable hobby that you like to do that’s fun and active rather than making yourself go to the gym and on the treadmill because that gets very boring. So you know, play sports and be active everyday and don’t be too obsessed with it because we’re kids and we don’t have to worry about it so much. Well cause I know there are so many things you can do but the more you focus on it the harder it is to stay on that exact path. I make it a point to do my exercise everyday but I do it through something fun whether it be I took my dog on a walk yesterday or today I can go up and make up a dance in my room for 30 minutes and call it a night.

So you’re going to star in Camp Rock, what was it like filming?

So if you could dye your hair any color, what color would you dye it?
Um, I would make it leopard print. Leopard, zebra, giraffe and like all of the animal prints on my head. ‘Cause I think I love those kinds of patterns, and they wouldn’t be too much of color but they would be a bunch of different spots and stripes on my head which would kinda be fun.

You’re crazy! I just imagine you walking into a premiere with like a zebra head or something.
That is totally something I would not do in real life but I would in my dreams.

What do you find more boring than watching paint to dry?
Watching grass grow, that would be pretty boring.

Yeah, that could take a while. What’s the strangest thing you’ve had in your mouth?
The strangest? Yikes. Huh. Uh, yikes, I think, well what’s the strangest thing you’ve had in your mouth?

Well I once was playing truth or dare with my friends and we were making these horrible concoctions with each other and I ate zucchini with milk and watermelon and chocolate sauce all combined together.
You’re kidding!

Nope, it was the most disgusting and vile thing I’ve ever tried in my life.
Oh my gosh, I don’t know if I can beat that. Well I think the strangest thing I’ve probably eaten or had in my mouth. It was one when my sister was making one of those weird concoction drinks and she didn’t tell me she was so when I came back I think it was, first of all, some kind of pop and they mixed salt and pepper, ketchup, mustard and I think whatever our entree was, pasta all into one and she goes, just try it, just try it. And she faked it, she took a sip and made it seem like it was really good. So I did. It was gross.

That sounds disgusting!
Yeah, it was completely horrible.

Now time to be creative: How would you survive a crocodile attack?
A crocodile? What the heck? Um. Well if I survive, gosh, how would you survive. Well I’ll watch reruns of the crocodile hunter.

Well the most creative answer I’ve had is ‘I won’t smile’ because apparently there’s a song that says, ‘never smile at a crocodile or something.’
Oh. Haha, nice.

If you had to choose, would you rather live without knee joints or elbow joints?
Elbow joints because I love running and I’m a dancer so I use my legs a lot more I guess than I will, you know, basketball. So you know, even if I couldn’t shoot, I could maybe kick it in or something.

So you keep a blog and you update it very often, why is it important to you to keep that updated?
I think they get to see my progress in what I’m doing. They get to see different things that I love and enjoy in my spare time so they get to know me, the real Alyson rather than just the actress and it’s a chance for me to connect with them and they can post comments so I can know what they’re up to and stay in touch with them.

Do you still not have a MySpace or have you created one?
I have the Alyson Stoner Project MySpace and that’s myspace.com/alysonstonerproject but other than I don’t have a MySpace still.

Do you go on that MySpace or it more of a whole Alyson Stoner Project team go on?
I go on it sometimes. We just created it so I’m gonna be on there quite often making sure, I’ll look at comments and messages, are positive and other than that I think it’s gonna be me and also Kevin and the producer who go on there.