Joey King has appeared in countless commercials, done voiceovers for “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” and Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears A Who,” and has acted in television shows like “CSI,” “Entourage,” and “The Suite Life.” Did we mention she just turned 10? Currently, the star can be seen playing lovable troublemaker Ramona Quimby in the new movie “Ramona and Beezus”—the screen adaptation of Beverly Cleary’s beloved novels—in which she shares the screen with actors Ginnifer Goodwin, John Corbett and Selena Gomez. Here, the pint-sized starlette shares what is was like to play Ramona.
How did you first get into show business?
My mom put me in it when I was four and I just loved it. My first job was a Life Cereal commercial and I still eat that stuff!
Have you read any of the Ramona books?
I only read one and after I found out I got the part, I read all of them and I loved them!
Are you similar to Ramona yourself?
In some ways, like we both have a big imagination and big personality.
You made a lot of messes in the movie; what was your favorite messy scene to film?
The scene where I got to play with fire. I know this sounds bad, but I was having a great time playing with fire.
It seems like Ramona loves anything to do with art. What is your favorite subject in school?
I’m homeschooled and I like art as well, but if I had to pick a subject, I really like Spanish. Even though I’m not that good at it, I like it!
When Ramona finally got her own room, she was scared of monsters— you were really believable acting so scared. How did you make yourself frightened?
Well Ramona is scared to be alone at night and that’s how I am with my own room, so I just think of that in my life, and it kinda works out.
Which scene was the most fun to shoot?
The water fight scene was for sure the most fun to shoot! I had the best time doing that scene because they were throwing buckets of water at people. After the first take I said, “I didn’t even get that wet, throw buckets at me!”
How did it feel to crack the egg on your head in the lunch scene?
Hilarious and kinda fun! I cracked more than seven eggs on my head. I took a nice, long shower that day.
When Ramona auditioned for the peanut butter commercial and fell into the sandwich, it was really funny. Has anything like that ever happened to you during a real audition?
I think once I was supposed to be dancing and I fell over on my butt. I was like, “Oh, I’m sorry!” It was pretty funny.
Did you do your own stunts?
My stunt double did most of them, like when I fell through the ceiling and fell in the mud. I did the fun ones, like flying through the air.
You have several siblings yourself. What was it like to squabble with Selena Gomez as your on-screen big sister?
She’s great—I had the best time with her! She’s so sweet and it was so much fun. We would laugh after the fight scenes because we’re not really like that.
Plus, This Month’s Highlights In Books, Music And DVDs
BOOKS
Read to Tiger
Written by S.J. Fore and Illustrated by R.W. Alley Children
ages 3-5 will fall in love with this goofy and enthusiastic tiger,
whose karate kicks, loud gum chomping and train whistles don’t give his
young friend the chance to read in peace. (Available now; Penguin)
MUSIC
The Disney Reggae Club
Various Artists This CD reinvigorates your family’s favorite Disney tunes, from “Under the Sea” to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Recorded by some of the
best musicians in reggae—like Ziggy Marley and Matisyahu—it’s filled
with mellow, islandinspired songs for the whole family. (Available now; Disney)
DVD
Diary of A Wimpy Kid
Taking
Jeff Kinney’s popular web and book series to the big screen, the movie
chronicles the tribulations of Greg Heffley, a young boy who has to face
entering middle school with a seriously dorky—but very lovable—best
friend. (Available August 3)
—Noelia de la Cruz and Ally Hickson
