IN CONVERSATION WITH MADISON PETTIS

interview JANA LETONJA

Madison Pettis will star in Netflix’s upcoming rom-com ‘The Wrong Paris’, premiering globally on 12th September. A perfect late-summer watch marks another standout moment in Madison’s career. She first rose to fame at just 8 years old opposite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in ‘The Game Plan’ and became Disney Channel’s youngest star as Sophie Martinez in ‘Cory in the House’. Her global appeal continued with roles in ‘Life with Boys’, ‘He’s All That’, ‘American Pie: Girls’ Rules’, and ‘Five Points’. Known for her on-screen charisma and authentic connection with Gen Z, Madison continues to be a dynamic force in entertainment.

You star as Lexi Miller in ‘The Wrong Paris’. What can you tell us about Lexi, and what drew you to this role?

One of the reasons I was really excited to play Lexi is because I was excited to do a southern accent. I love doing all kinds of accents, but this is my first time doing one on screen, and it was so much fun. I’m originally from Texas, so it was easy to slip into her southern vibe. On the surface, Lexi serves as the mean girl and sort of the villain, but I think underneath she’s really a girl just looking for love. There’s more to her than meets the eye. 

The film plays with the idea of expectations versus reality—Paris, France vs. Paris, Texas. How does that theme play out for your character? 

I think my character is a “make the most out of any situation” kind of girl. She knows she has an advantage being in Texas as a southern girl herself. She was a little bummed to discover they weren’t in glamorous France at first, but she knows the cameras are still on her, so she’s not going to let her disappointment show, and nothing is going to get in her way.

There’s a clear nod to reality dating shows like ‘Love Island’. Did you watch any for research, or guilty pleasure? 

I’m personally more into scripted shows because I like to escape from reality, but I watched some of ‘The Bachelor’, ‘Love Island’ and ‘Southern Charm’ as research and to get into the spirit for this movie.

Do you think ‘The Wrong Paris’ says something deeper about dating culture or social media expectations today?

I think it says a lot about the world of reality dating shows, where some people go on the show for the wrong reasons. Not everyone is looking for love. There are a lot of ulterior motives people can have for going on those shows. 

You’ve been in the spotlight since age 8, starring opposite Dwayne Johnson in ‘The Game Plan’. How have you managed that kind of early success while growing into your own as an adult performer? 

I am always trying to tap into the fearlessness I felt as a kid. This business is tough and there's a lot of rejection. It's a challenge to not let it get to you. When I started out auditioning as a kid, my mindset was just “this is so fun.” I didn't feel self-conscious or nervous. I would walk into an audition room with no stress, I didn’t feel any pressure, I was just having a blast. I try to remind myself to keep that same energy now, because at the end of the day, this job is all about being creative and having fun, and you do your best work when you feel confident and free. 

Is there a particular role or moment in your career that you feel most proud of so far? 

I think rather than one specific moment or role, it’s really the longevity of my career that I’m most proud of. To think I’m 20 years deep working in this industry kind of blows my mind. This business is really tough to be a part of and to navigate. It’s easy to doubt yourself and give up, and it’s extremely competitive. There are more good actors than there are available roles, so just working consistently for 20 years is a feat all in its own. I’ve accomplished a lot, but still haven’t done half of what I’ve set out to do, so the future is exciting. I have the experience of a vet, but the energy of a rookie.

With over 20 million followers across social platforms, you’ve built a major presence online. How do you balance being a public figure with keeping parts of your life private? 

I like to think that I post just like any other 27-year old girl does. I enjoy sharing parts of my life, like my travels, my friends, my workouts, outfits, etc. so fans can get to know my personality better. And I post about film and TV projects I'm working on to keep them updated. I love showing behind-the-scenes stuff so they can see what my life on set is like. But I just naturally keep the more personal stuff to myself. 

Do you feel a sense of responsibility or influence as a voice for Gen Z? What messages are most important for you to share with your audience? 

I want to encourage people to be authentic and to be themselves. I think at times, social media can be kind of consuming and exhausting where we constantly compare ourselves to what everyone else is doing or wearing. There's a lot of negativity on social media, but I try to maintain a positive presence. 

What types of roles or stories are you hoping to explore next? Any dream collaborators? 

Making this movie reinforced for me how much I love making comedies. Being on a set where you get to improv, laugh a lot, and play around with other actors brings me so much joy. The vibes on a comedy set are high and the energy is infectious. I’d love to work with the SNL ladies like Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, etc. 

With ‘The Wrong Paris’ being such a fun, summery escape, what are you hoping audiences take away after watching it?

I hope people feel the way they felt after watching our favorite early 2000s rom-coms. My favorite movies from that era have a mix of scenes that are hilarious and then also really tender romantic moments. I think this movie has that mix as well. Those movies are so special because they make you want to go back and re-watch them again and again, and I hope this movie has that same effect on people.

CREDITS

photograhphy SELA SHILONI