Interview with Adrian from Secret Life of the American Teenager

Secret Life of the American Teenager

Character: Adrian Lee

Actress: Francia Raisa

Recently I had the opportunity to talk to rising star Francia Raisa, who plays bad girl Adrian Lee on ABC Family’s new hit drama Secret Life of the American Teenager.

As far as the actress behind Adrian, Francia Raisa isn’t new to acting. In fact, she’s played opposite of Hayden Panettiere (Heroes) in the teen movie “Bring It On: All or Nothing,” starred in the Nickelodeon movie “Shredderman Rules” and as the female lead role in ABC Family TV movie “The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream” alongside actor Matt Lanter (Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy). In the summer of 2007, she also shot the lead role in “Underground.”

Here goes:

What do you like about the show (Secret Life of the American Teenager)?

FRANCIA: I love it. It’s a great show. It’s a teen drama and has an important message about teen pregnancy. The characters have a lot of back stories, like Ricky and my character, Adrian.

How do you feel about playing the so-called “bad girl” on the series?

FRANCIA: I love it personally because I’ve always wanted to play the bad girl. I’ve always had to dress tomboy-ish in the past, and this time I can dress sexy, so it’s fun.

But I’m not just a ‘bad girl’ in the show. I have a back story. My character’s parents and family lifestyle has made me have a bad life.

What is your back story?

FRANCIA: I’m looking to fall in love. My mom is a flight attendant. And when she is home, she’s always with her boyfriend. I don’t even know who my dad is. There’s no one that shows me any love and I don’t have any friends. Even though Ricky leaves me when I want him to stay, I love him and he wants me.

It wasn’t too long ago when you were in high school?

FRANCIA: Right, I was in high school two years ago.

In the show it appears that all kids think and talk about is sex. Is that true to life from when you were in high school?

FRANCIA: I can remember as a freshman, it was about was sex, sex, sex — who got pregnant, who had sex, who’s in a relationship — everything was defined by that. We had several girls at our school who were pregnant, and that was always talked about. So yes, I think it’s very true to life.

As a new show, Secret Life of the American Teenager has already found an audience. Have people recognized you on the streets yet?

FRANCIA: Actually, yes. It’s weird though because sometimes I will think they are staring at me and I will wonder why they are staring. Then I see how they get excited that it’s me. I’m glad they enjoy and like the show. The least I can do is sign an autograph.

Is it cool to work with veteran actors Molly Ringwald, John Schneider and Josie Bissett?

FRANCIA: I don’t get to be around Molly much, but the little I have, she’s really cool. She’s the cutest thing. John — he’s fun to work with. He makes you feel comfortable and he’s really good at improv and he let’s you improv with him. I got to talk to Josie Bissett while getting my makeup done and she’s really an interesting person.

How about your classmates on the show?

FRANCIA: We are all really close. If anything happens, we call each other.

Is it fun working for director Brenda Hampton?

FRANCIA: “It’s awesome. She is close to everyone on the show. She always tells us news about the show and talks to us quite a bit about our characters.

How do you handle people’s reactions to the show — good and bad.

FRANCIA: People get very emotional. I just want people to treat us as a person, not as the character on the show. One person called me a slut. I guess that means I’m doing my job right. Adrian doesn’t want to be known as a smart person because she doesn’t want Ricky to think she’s a dork. She wants Ricky to think she’s a sex goddess. But in reality, Adrian is very studious.

So what’s Ricky’s problem? He seems like he wants more than one girl.

FRANCIA: He wants what he can’t have.

Do you watch teen dramas?

FRANCIA: I was a big 90210 fan. In fact, Jason Priestly just directed one of our episodes so that was really cool. I’ve watched Blossom, Dawson Creek and 7th Heaven. I’ve watched Gossip Girl and Degrassi: Next Generation too.

How was your experience working on the “Bring It On” movie?

FRANCIA: “I was very nervous but very comfortable. It was fun hanging out with Hayden. It was a good learning experience.

How about “Cutting Edge?”

FRANCIA: In the “Cutting Edge” movie I had more of a lead role so it was a lot of hard work. We shot in Montreal and I didn’t want to leave. I loved it there. Plus, the cast really had chemistry.

The “Cutting Edge” movie is an ABC Family movie, so will we get to see the movie on the channel now that people will know you from the show?

FRANCIA: Yes, both of my movies have been playing on that channel, plus they are available on DVD.

You were recently featured on the cover of a Latino magazine? Tell me about that experience.

FRANCIA: “I didn’t even know I was on there. My cousin called me and asked why I was on the cover. I asked her what was she talking about. Turns out it was from an interview I did on the set of “Cutting Edge.” I don’t even remember really doing the interview because it was between sets.

Besides acting, I see that you like to dance.

FRANCIA: “I can dance really well, but I’m not confident. I want to perform on stage with vocals. In a few years, I want to do musicals.

How do you feel to be representing Latinos?

FRANCIA: I am very proud of being a Latino, ever since I was very little. On episode 9 or 10, I will speak Spanish and you will find out more about where I’m from. I want to be a positive influence for Latino girls.

What does your family think about your acting career?

FRANCIA: My parents are very proud of me. I’ve talked about acting since I was little. My sisters are like, “whatever, that’s my sister,” when anyone says anything.

How old are your younger sisters?

FRANCIA: 18 and 14.

Do you have a boyfriend?

FRANCIA: Yes. We’ve been dating for a couple of years.

Is there anything you want your fans to know?

FRANCIA: I want to thank my fans for their support. Episode 9 and 10 will be when you get to understand what makes Adrian tick.

Anything else?

FRANCIA: I would like for my fans to know that my lips are not fake, They are all natural. I haven’t had anything done.

If people want to write to you, how would they do that?

FRANCIA: They are working on a website for me, but that’s not done yet. My My Space page is the best way.

Thank you Francia for the great interview! You are so sweet! I wish you and the show all the best!

Photos courtesy MLC PR

Tags: secret life of the american teenager, francia raisa, adrian lee, molly ringwald, john schneider, josie bissett, abc family, francia raisa interview