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Interviewed By: Morgan McMurrin

Known for her roles in shows like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Pretty Little Liars,” Lindsey Shaw seems to be ABC Family’s go-to girl—and for good reason! The talented actress is quickly climbing the Hollywood ladder and her co-stars have nothing but good things to say about her. Check out the recent interview we did with Lindsey about her new movie Teen Spirit and make sure to check it out at 7pm on August 7!

AC: How’d you first hear about the film Teen Spirit? It looks so cute!

Lindsey Shaw: I first heard about it when my manager called with the offer to play Lisa. I have a wonderful history with ABC Family from “10 Things” to “Pretty Little Liars,” and to get a call with an offer for the part was so flattering and exciting.

AC: Can you tell us about the character you play?

Lindsey: I play Lisa Sommers. She lives on the outskirts of high school doing anything and everything to simply blend in and survive. Lisa marches to the beat of her own drum from her moccasins to her oversized flannels. She’s a creative spirit with a penchant for music and spends her spare time in her friends’ garage making  short films.

AC: Were you anything like Lisa when you were her age?

Lindsey: I was so much like Lisa in high school. I was very into my schoolwork and had little to no social life. I was shy and hadn’t yet found my own voice which I think is a stage everyone can relate to. High school is the time when you start to find where you fit in the world. It’s scary but totally necessary.

AC: You’ve been in the industry for a while now. Do you remember the first role you auditioned for?

Lindsey: The first big part I auditioned for was for a series called “Scout’s Safari” that was shooting in South Africa. I remember getting all the way down to the last two. They ended up going with the other girl, and I was so heartbroken. I was so nervous throughout the whole process!

Check out the film’s trailer below:

AC: Do you still get jitters when you read for roles now?

Lindsey: Yeah, that aspect of auditioning hasn’t really changed much. It’s still nerve-wracking, I’ve just learned a few techniques to channel all that energy. Sometimes it works, sometimes the nerves get the better of me. You never find one method for ensuring a great audition. Each room, each character, each day is different. Depends on if the stars align and the energy is right.

AC: Describe the relationship between yours and Cassie Scerbo’s character (Amber) in the film.

Lindsey: In the beginning, Amber and Lisa could not be more polar opposite. Amber runs the school with a well-manicured iron fist and Lisa is often the target of her wrath. It’s the age old tale of popular versus unpopular. As the movie progresses, Amber comes to need Lisa’s help in a way she never could have imagined. Lisa needs just as much help from Amber in realizing her potential. They become partners, each teaching the other about the perspectives they lack.

AC: Can you tell us about any fun moments you and Cassie shared on set?

Lindsey: Cassie and I had so much fun on set. We usually ate lunch together in one of our trailers and blasted music. We filmed a montage sequence at a mall really late at night, and were both tired and had so many clothing changes that we started to get ridiculously silly. We had to do all these different poses for each outfit and for one change we just started dancing in front of the camera. The director loved it and decided to keep it in.  We were falling all over ourselves laughing and moving to our own music. Cassie and I had instant chemistry, so every day was a new adventure.

AC: In Teen Spirit your character ends up getting a head-to-toe makeover and some confidence building from the school’s queen B. What do you think the key to having confidence is?

Lindsey: Being able to laugh at yourself. Confidence isn’t about being perfect or cool in every moment. It’s about enjoying who you are and allowing others to see that—even the silly mistakes.

AC: If you had the chance, would you want to re-live high school?

Lindsey: I wouldn’t want to re-live high school. But I’m so grateful for having the exact experience I had. Every lesson and triumph brought me to where I am today. It can be totally daunting, but high school is a crash course for life. Better to learn who you are and how to be comfortable sooner than later.

AC: With Amber’s help, Lisa ends up running for Prom Queen. Is that something you would have ever wanted to do in high school?

Lindsey: Prom Queen was never a big deal for me. I think it’s a title that can get in the way of forming real connections with the people you see every day. I think it’s a title that should come naturally, even surprisingly, to the girl whose disposition warrants such an honor from her classmates. It shouldn’t be so much of a competition or performance, but rather the cumulative result of forming genuine bonds with your whole class.

Get a sneak peek of Teen Spirit below:

AC: What would you say makes prom such a magical event for girls?

Lindsey: Prom’s magical because it’s the first big opportunity for a girl to go all out and strut her stuff. Girls get a chance to realize their inner princess! It’s the chance to step out of the everyday and put in the effort to feel as beautiful and elegant as she chooses.

AC: Did you attend your prom in real life?

Lindsey: I was home schooled from sophomore year on, but kept in touch with a lot of my classmates. I went to prom with a few of my girlfriends. It was one of the only dances I got to attend, so it was special to be a part of it even though I couldn’t be at school every day.

AC: Lisa has a huge crush on Nick in the movie. So much so that she’ll do anything to try and get his attention. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to impress a guy?

Lindsey: The craziest thing I’ve ever done to impress a guy was pretend that I was totally into this musical artist he really liked. I was going on and on one day about this artist in front of the guy and it turns out I’d been mispronouncing his name the whole time! He knew immediately that I knew nothing about the music and got a good laugh out of it.  It was so embarrassing.

AC: If you could go to prom with anyone, who would it be and why?

Lindsey: I’d go with Lil’ Wayne because he’s the man.

AC: We’ve seen you change-up your look (your hair mainly) in a lot of your roles. Is that something you enjoy doing; transforming into different characters?

Lindsey: I had chopped my hair off even before I got the audition for “Pretty Little Liars.” It was totally a personal decision. I was lucky enough to book “PLL” with the request that I alter my hair further for Paige. The hair stylist and I talked about a look that would really make a statement with this character, something severe and dramatic. Because I had just cut all my hair off, we had a little less to work with, however, the shape and color of  Paige’s hair came together in a way that I believe served the character very well.  In addition, having portrayed a character on ABC Family previously in “10 Things I Hate About You,” I really felt like the drastic new cut was almost imperative to creating a realistic character that the viewer could get lost in for “PLL.”

In Teen Spirit we showcased a little bit of both. I have short hair in the beginning and extensions post-makeover. It’s so great getting to transform so visibly for a character. The physical change is one more step further removed from yourself. Lots of cool, different stuff comes out when you can feel the change on your body as opposed to simply mentally constructing a character.

AC: What was your audition like for “PLL”?

Lindsey: The fun part about my audition for “PLL” was the chemistry read with Shay Mitchell. She’s a super centered, calm individual and I felt immediately at ease with her in the room. We ran through the scenes and I remember saying to her ‘You were so great, thank you.’ I realized what an odd comment that was to one of the stars of the show after leaving, and was mortified that maybe I’d super offended her. Luckily, all was well and I ended up getting to share many cool experiences with her afterwards.

AC: Do you think you’ll be guest starring in any more episodes?

Lindsey: I have not been approached for any more episodes at this point, but in Rosewood, it’s anybody’s guess.

Check Lindsey out in “PLL” below:

AC: What would you do if you found out Paige was “A”?

Lindsey: If I found out Paige was “A,” I’d be torn between celebrating and running for my life.

AC: Can you tell us about any up-and-coming projects you’re working on?

Lindsey: I’m working on a horror film here in Louisiana as I do this interview. More about it will be forthcoming in the upcoming months.

Teen Spirit Premieres Sunday, August 7th at 7pm ET/PT Photo Credit: ABC Family

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