A new Disney Channel Original series, Austin & Ally, will debut on our screens next week and is tipped to be a hit after wowing the kids and tweens in the US.
The comedy series follows two polar opposites – Austin, an extroverted musician/singer, and Ally, a brilliant yet shy songwriter – and their two best friends, Trish and Dez.
Unbeknownst to Ally, Austin and Dez “borrow” one of her songs, record it, create a video for it and post it on the internet, after which the song and Austin become overnight sensations.
When Trish convinces Ally to tell the world she wrote the song, Austin pleads with her to write another hit for him. Instead, the two combine their talents to create a true musical tour de force.
Newcomer Ross Lynch stars as Austin, with Laura Marano (Without a Trace) as Ally, Raini Rodriguez (I’m in the Band) as Trish and Calum Worthy (Good Luck Charlie) as Dez.
Tonight spoke with Rodriguez about the show and her character, Trish. The 18-year old, who made her film debut as Kevin James’s daughter in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, also starred in several TV series, including The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, True Jackson, Huff and Family of the Year.
Austin & Ally was a perfect match for Rodriguez who says music is also a big part of her life, evidenced by her large and eclectic collection of songs and the fact that she plays the guitar.
Rodriguez said when she auditioned for the role the producers sent her the script of the pilot and she not only laughed at Trish’s lines, but at everybody else’s lines, too.
“The show was just so funny and so well written it grabbed my attention immediately and from that moment I really wanted the role of Trish.”
Explaining a bit more about Trish’s role, Rodriguez said she is Ally’s best friend and Austin’s manager who schedules all the appointments and “gets to yell at people and make things happen”.
“She’s a bit sarcastic and does get into arguments with Dez quite often because they don’t get along that well and get on each other’s nerves.
“She also works at the mall, but can never hold down a job, so she has to go through different jobs at the mall. I had five jobs in an episode, one job in an episode – and they all come with elaborate costumes.”
Commenting on working in showbiz, Rodrigues said: “If you have a love and a passion for what you do, it will show and in your heart.
“I have a great family and owe a lot to my parents. I still have to clean my room, do the dishes and stay home and watch my brother. I have to be a normal teenager.
“My dad has always said you need to be prepared for real life and not just your acting life, which is very true,” she said.
Rodriguez hinted that the audience will hear her play the guitar in a few of episodes towards the end of the season.
• Austin & Ally debuts on the Disney Channel on Saturday, April 28, at 9.35am