WHEN it comes to discovering those whole-some teenage heart-throbs to sell to the masses, Disney Channel is an unrivalled authority.
While the channel have little control on how their finds – bad girl Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) and her epic twerking fail being a case in point – pan out post their Disney lifespan, they are able to create a win-win situation with their cash cows.
Right now, the spotlight is on Dove Cameron.
This 19-year-old, primed to make her arrival on the music scene soon with her debut album, has been idolised for her TV series Liv and Maddie on which she plays the dual role of sisters. One is a child star, Liv, and the other an athletic tomboy, Maddie. Both are plagued by the usual teenage dilemmas.
Reflecting on her high school journey, Cameron says: “I loved school. I was one of those kids who didn’t fit the mould at school, so I made my own. And I ended up skipping a grade and graduating a year early.”
This on-screen perfection isn’t a stretch for the starlet. But with the experience being rather fresh, it certainly helped to lend authenticity to her characters.
While she worked hard on those good grades, she had her best and worst subjects.
She laughs: “Science was my worst subject at school, but English was always my favourite. I am from a family of writers, so I’ve always been interested in writing. I would find myself writing poetry in the corner of science class and I’d hear: ‘Dove! What are you doing?’ I’d reply: ‘Sorry. I’m trying to be a poet here. Give me a break.’”
For those feeling socially-inept, she advises: “I was never the popular kid in school. When you don’t fit in somewhere, I’ve found that a lot of time it has nothing to do with you as a person. It is just because you are on a different path to everyone else.”
While her popularity status has changed since her TV break, she hasn’t strayed from her sense of style.
She notes: “I’m super old-fashioned, so I like to wear lots of pretty vintage dresses and flat shoes. I also love wearing jeans and sweaters with flats. I’m not one for getting dressed up all the time. Most of my clothing comes from second-hand stores and vintage shops. I’m in love with a baby blue velvet dress that I bought recently. It’s from the ’50s and I’ve adapted it to fit me the way I want. It’s beautiful.”
By the way, she calls it “upcycling”.
As for her favourite outfit on the show, she admits: “There is an amazing dress in the Halloween episode. But I can’t tell you about it.”
A fan of the fashion sensibilities of Ariana Grande, Emma Watson and Chloë Moretz – her music taste is quite a jaw-dropping revelation.
“I love The Dandy Warhols, Lana Del Rey, The Cranberries, The Rolling Stones, Cream and Led Zeppelin. I’m a classic rock and roller at heart!”
Talk about a mixed bag of surprises – on and off screen!
• Liv & Maddie airs on Disney Channel (DStv channel 303) on Saturdays at 8.05am.