The Squeeze - Xochitl Gomez: Write It Into Existence

Episode Date: January 10, 2024

Happy New Year, Lemon Drops! We are starting Season 2 off with a bang as the Lautners are sitting down with actress and Dancing with the Stars champion, Xochitl Gomez. Xochitl talks about her background that led her into acting, what it’s like to often be the youngest on set, the process of auditioning for the role of America Chavez and what it’s like to be a part of the Marvel Multiverse. She shares how she copes with the negatives that come with fame such as social media bullying and how she combats the negativity. Xochitl dives into the importance of surrounding herself with a great group of friends whom she leans on whenever she needs a positive distraction and how setting healthy boundaries has helped her to worry less about things that are outside of her control. As if her acting career isn’t impressive enough, Xochitl recently brought home the Mirrorball trophy and will be going on tour with the cast. She shares exciting plans to document the experience for us all to see! Welcome to Season 2, Lemon Drops; we can't wait to show you what we've got in store. If you’re interested in seeing Xochitl perform on Dancing with the Stars Live, you can find tickets here: https://www.dwtstour.com/. Make sure you follow Xochitl on socials @_xochitl.gomez. Thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting this episode: Squeezed – Go to squeezed.com and get same day local delivery or Free Fast delivery nationwide with code THESQUEEZE  Hungryroot - Go to hungryroot.com/THESQUEEZE to get 40% off your first delivery and free veggies for life Blissy - Use code SQUEEZE and get an additional 30% off at blissy.com/SQUEEZE To email us your questions or share your story, you can reach out to [e-mail]. Be sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode! Plus, follow us on Instagram, @thesqueeze and personally @taylautner and @taylorlautner + on TikTok @thesqueezepodcast  To learn more from The Lemons Foundation, follow @lemonsbytay on Instagram and visit lemonsbytay.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Go to your raceadviseur or Sunnycars. Of course, once the movie came out, that was another wave. It got to the point where literally I was getting like death threats and I was getting videos of me green screened where they were like throwing stuff at my face. I got my TikTok account banned like six times in one day. They were mad because I was playing America. They didn't think I was Latina enough. There's also just

the fact that I was playing, you know, a girl who is into girls. And they got so mad to the fact that they were sending me death threats and sending me like evil messages. It got so scary to the point where I was filming a video outside with one of the Dr. Strange posters in the back. And I was like, I'm back. And as I was rewatching the video, like, a car backfired. The sound of that, like, freaked me out. I, like, shut down. And it was just, like, at that peak of all these death threats and all these things and all these articles and all these people were saying all this stuff.

I never think that it gets to me. But at that one point, it had, like, freaked me out. When life gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Over here at the squeeze, we talk about it. Hello, you little lemon drops, and welcome to 2024. Happy New Year. Not only 2024, but officially the first episode of season two. Season two, season two.

I would just like to get out of the way immediately. I am recovering from a cold. So if you think I sound congested, you would be correct. I am feeling much better, but I can hear it in my... I can hear it myself. Not just cold, you had the flu. Yeah, it was pretty nasty. Yeah, and some fevers gone on.

Yeah, it was really, honestly, it was the sickest I've been in a long time. Yeah. But it was going around. Yeah. Half of the people we know. Yeah. Felt maybe more. Yeah.

It's a rough one. So I hope everyone stayed healthy over the holidays in New Year. I hope you had a great time. And yeah, I'm on the ups. But man, are we excited for this? We took some time off, not really some time, maybe like a couple weeks. Taylor forgot where he sat. It's true.

In the room. We went to film and I was going there. And she was like, where are you going? And I go, oh, when it's just solo ups, I go there. She's like, no, you go here. I was like, you were totally right. That is embarrassing. So funny.

Yeah. It's okay. Little rusty. forgive us, but... Oh, I just cracked my neck. I really hope the mic picked it up. Oh, I didn't hear it. Okay, no mind. I just heard it because it was my own neck. Um, anyways,

season two, we've got some fun stuff for you guys. Um, something that we decided to change up a little bit, kind of spruce up was our lemon 11 segment is now lemon 7. And we added some fun questions into there. Yeah. Some of them will be the same. Some of them have changed. And you will you'll see our first Lemon 7 during today's episode.

Who do we have it on today's episode? Speaking of today's episode, we got a fun one to kick off the year in season two. Yes. Because we have, I mean, most currently, dancing with the stars champion. Yes. But also very talented actress and hilarious human being, Zocchi Gomez. I wanted to text her after and be like, when can we hang out? But like I didn't want to like come off too strong.

Right. Yeah. Yeah. I didn't know like so as Jay for listening. Yeah. If you're listening, we didn't want to. You were all right. We just had, we truly just had the best time with her.

Like I left and I feel like my cheeks hurt. Like we like laughed a lot and she's just, she, she was so fun to have on. But I had, I had run into her like maybe a week prior to our taping at an event. And she, like, I saw her across the way and I was like, oh, Zocchi's here. Like, she's coming on the podcast next week, but we'd never met. And then I'm talking to some friends and all of a sudden, like, I get a tap on my shoulder and I turn around and she's like, jumps in front of me. She's like, I'm coming on your podcast next week.

And, like, was just like so excited and sweet. And I was like, oh, my gosh, yes, you are. And we hugged. And it was, I felt like I had, like, none or forever. But she's just so, like, full of life and bubbly. It's like very contagious. She's a ball of fun and just, yeah, so easy to talk to. You just want to be around her.

Yeah. She's awesome. Just why I wanted to continue hanging out with her. Yeah. So we'll see. And she's crushing it right now. Yeah. Wow.

I mean, if you're a Marvel fan, she plays. America Chavez. America Chavez. And if you're a Dancing with the Stars fan, then you certainly know who she is because she can dance. Yes, she can. And we talk all about it. Yeah. So what do we think? We should probably start the episode. But also, if you're new here before we start, feel free to hit the subscribe button. Please. And follow us along on this journey. So that you guys don't miss an episode because we've got some fun surprises up our sleeve. Big season two. Okay, let's roll the tape. All right. See you on the other side.

Sochi, welcome to the squeeze. I'm so happy to be it. Oh my gosh. We are. We are. Oh my gosh. We are. so honored to have you. I've watched a few these. You have? Yes, I have. Wow. That is, that makes me excited. I hope that gets me extra points. It does. It does. It does. Making me blush. I don't think we've ever had anybody start by saying that. That's sweet.

But now I'm, no, I'm, no, I'm, no, I'm, this season we haven't had anyone. That, that is a fact. Because people, this is the first episode of season two. And we are starting big. A bar is, Hi for this year. First of all, congratulations on winning Dance with the Stars. Thank you. We will get into that plenty later. I'm going to put that under the table for now.

Before we start, we, well, we start each episode with a game called Citrus Got Real. And in this jar of lemons, there are random questions. And if you've watched before, you know what kind of questions they are. Okay. I'm excited. See here. Here's a drum. I don't want to be the one at the top because, like, basic.

It needs like a reload. I know. Our printer ran on the ink. That's not really. That's so real. Production budget. Okay. Okay.

If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be? Oh. I would be, I don't know what it does. I don't know what it. You can picture. it though? Yes. Okay. So it looks like that at the top and people use it

to like scoop the cake. Oh. Like the baking. Oh yeah. Oh, like the one with that. Wait. Oh. What is that called? But like the rubbery top. Yeah, the rubbery top. And you spread icing on a cake. You spread icing. You scoop the thing so that it's like cleaned out. This is embarrassing. I don't know what that's called.

Spatula? Is it called? It's not a spatula. No. Is it a type of spatula? Rubber made a But I beat her because she's cute and she's useful. Okay. I'm pulling her up. Yeah, that's it. What is it called?

The barber made commercial high heat, is it silicone heavy? Oh, it is a spatula. Wait, a spatula slash food scraper. Is that way? Those are not. Anyway, maybe not that one, because that's not a cute name. No way. Okay, so you're a food scraper.

Okay. Beautiful. I love it. Great choice. Gosh, I don't even know what I would be. I would be a whisk. Well, I was going to say that. I was like, that's too easy.

Why are you being a whisk? And I like mixing things together. It's more like stirring the pot. Yeah, I do like stirring the pot. You should be a ladle. Why would I be a ladle? Because like that's like for a big pot. What's like an overly dramatic kitchen utensil?

Like every time you, like I'm a blender. It's like. Unnecessary loud. Unnecess- Wow. Talking is difficult. Frick. What about like those measuring cups?

Yeah. I'd be the ones that like there's like 400 and one and they're all connected so you can't get rid of me. Yeah. Yeah. It's like, geez, I got to pull this thing out. Like I got like. I know. You got anything?

Why was my first initial reaction to say a cutting board? Maybe that was the last thing I cleaned. I don't know. Okay. Because they're sturdy and. dependable. Okay. There you go.

That was solid. It's deep. Better than a food scraper, honestly. I like food scraper. I thought about that. There's no way it's called a food scraper. I thought I had a cuter name. Yeah.

That's not right. We'll think of one. We'll think of one. Okay, but as we said, you are our first guest of season two, which is very, very fun for us, kicking off the new year with a fun guest. But you're also our youngest guest that we've had on. And I did want to ask if this is going to backfire if you say yes, because I just said that you're the youngest.

But I imagine that like most things that you do, you are like the youngest. Does it ever like bother you of people or like talk about like you being young? Or ask you how you feel about being the youngest. Like I used to get that a lot. Yeah, I got that a lot. But when I was young, I used to get it. I promise. I was young at one point, guys.

Yeah. No, I don't get too bothered by it. It gets a bit repetitive, especially when I'm like, you know, in interviews. And they're like, you're the youngest one. You're the youngest one. It's like back-to-back interviews. And I'm like, okay, I get it.

I'm young. You're on a best junket. Yeah. But at the same time, I kind of like being the youngest. There's something so great about it just because, I don't know, I feel like especially after being on Dancing with the Stars where I was the youngest one there, it almost felt like I was like the younger sister to everybody. Yeah.

And that's like a good feeling. I like that feeling. I like being like the one that gets the hugs and stuff. Yeah. But sometimes it can get a bit sad, you know, because like working on Dr. Strange, I was the only kid. I was the youngest one. Yeah. And I was there for like seven months.

And it was in the middle of the pandemic. And I was like, guys, I'm so sad right now. I'm like so lonely, you know. And I had, luckily, I had like a really great. relationship with my hair and makeup people, but mainly because they were the only people in my circle. Yeah. You know, especially in the pandemic, like, no one could be in, like, it was everyone's, everyone had different bubbles, you know. So, you know, different times, it means different things. Yeah. But I think right now, you know, being the youngest is like a nice, nice thing. I think it's also

because, you know, next year, it's like, then you're 18. I'm going to be 18. And that sunk in, what was it like a couple days ago, I was sitting in the car and I was like, look at how the other one. I was like, it's like only a couple more months of being 17. You're getting up there. That's how I feel about me. I said 26. Like how I'm 26 now, but I've like, 27. Oh, turning 27.

Oh, whoops. Oh, yeah, yeah. Like, you realize you're 10 years older than Sochi. And she was like. Picture this. Vow's 20 years older than me. 20 years. What year are you born?

2006. Okay, so then I'm only nine. Okay, you're not. That's why I was thinking you were 27. Wait, is that? Yeah, I'm 97. Yeah. In February, you will be 10 years older.

Wait. What? Okay, I was thinking, is it actually the other one? What? No, right, I was trying to do math in my head. Is it not mapping right now. Yeah, in February, you will be 10 years older. Yeah.

But yeah. February. Oh, sorry, that's my birthday. What the heck? When's your person in March? You aren't the one that gets ages and numbers wrong. I know. What is happening?

I'm nervous. I'm in front of a dancing with the stars. I mean, I guess so. Wow. Yeah, he did remind me of that because I'm having like this weird thing about turning 27. I think because I feel like I lost like 22-ish, 23, 24, 25.

I lost that like during pandemic-ish years. That just went quick. Yeah. Yeah, it just, I'm bled. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm going to be... Not yet. I got a couple months. I have a couple months.

Being young, I feel like has its pros and cons. Yeah. I definitely can relate to the lonely thing. Like when we were filming the franchise for years, I was always the youngest. Always like, you know, people would be going out and doing their own things and have those clicks. Then they come back and they talk about it and you're like... Yeah, I was like, where was my invite? Got you.

I'm 16. Yeah. Now I get it. So something, as you guys know, that has been a huge part of my mental health journey, Taylor's mental health journey journeys as individuals. And as a couple, has been therapy. Amen. And that is why I am so excited to share our next sponsor with you guys, which is cerebral. Cerebral is here to help you achieve your mental wellness goals with professional therapy.

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There's no, oh, I don't have time to go drive. It's too long of a drive. No, you can do it on your lunch break. You can do it before work, after work, and it's honestly just, it's convenient. Yeah. It's convenient, and they have great therapists. Yeah, and it'll just keep you accountable too. So we highly, highly encourage that you guys check out cerebral because therapy is just then wonders for us.

And we know it'll do the same for you. To get started on your path towards better mental health, cerebral is giving our listeners 15% off their first month of online therapy, medication, or both. Get started at Cerebral.com slash podcasts and use code the squeeze to make 2024 your best year yet. That's Cerebral C-E-R-E-B-R-A-L.com slash podcasts and use code the squeeze. Offer is only valid on monthly plans. Other exclusions may apply. See C-C-C-C-C-E-C-C-E-C-E-C-E-C-E-C-E-C-E-L-TAL. Something fun that you two have in common. and I believe is you're both OG Southern Californians,

which I feel is like rare. Everybody here is from somewhere. That's also, I get that a lot. It's like, people ask me like, where are you from? Where are you coming from? Like, guys, I live here. Yeah. I literally live.

That's one thing that took. There was a time, there was a time in my lifetime that people thought I was Canadian. Why? Because I did a show in Canada. Okay. And I had, like, posted a picture, and it was me holding, like, a Canadian flag, like, four Canadian flags and, like, a hat and, like, a little thing. And I was like, guess where I'm at?

Okay. I don't know. It was, like, some corny thing. And I was like, guess where I'm at? And, like, felt like, like, it was supposed to be me teasing, like, that I was filming. Yeah. Bro. Some random, like, magazine, like, I don't know, person writing up an article.

Stuff that you're from Canada? wrote that I was from Canada and that I was born Canada. And the thing is that this person was all in like, always Spain writing this article. And the thing is, it got stuck on Wikipedia. Oh, no.

Yes. And it stayed there forever. And my mom was like, we need to get rid of that. Like, I want to get rid of that. Like, you know,

and it took months to get rid of. Like that I was from Canada. So now I'm like so, like, Yeah, I'm from here. And I grew up in Echo Park. I like try my best to like put that everywhere because like, guys, I'm not Canadian. There's nothing wrong with being Canadian.

No. Like I love to be Canadian. They're very nice. But you're not Canadian. So you're not there. I filmed the show in London. Can I be British? If you can do an accent.

Yeah, no, you can't do that. No. Okay. So you grew up here. I'm curious because I think we probably like started in the industry. around the same age. Like, how old were you? And what did that look like for you getting into acting?

So it started with, my mom was in the industry because she did set decorating on like commercials and like that kind of stuff. And she would always bring me with her to like prop houses and all that kind of stuff. And I just really like being there and being a part of it. But of course, at age, you start getting like more bubbly and like. Your mom is like, what am I going to do with you? I can't bring you to work. Yeah. And so she put me in musical theater.

And I did that from 5 to 12. And I did like 22 full-length musicals. It was my favorite thing on the planet. Like, guys, I am a musical theater kid. And I kind of like love it so much. But yeah, that's how that started. And it wasn't until like 10. I started getting like bigger roles in, you know,

the plays and stuff. And I was like, I kind of like this. You know, and so when my mom was working, I asked you're like, I kind of want to get into this. How do I like do that? And so I started out with a commercial and then things got a little harder just because, you know, kids who started out younger got roles because they had more of a resume. And so it was harder for me because I'm like, okay, it doesn't matter if I can be the silliest one and the funniest one in the room. The other kid's going to get the commercial because they've already done like, four or five other commercials. Yeah.

So my mom put me in, like, what is it called? Student Films that, like, college students were doing and stuff like that. And so I did a lot of student films for USC and, like, Chapman and stuff. And that's where I gained a lot of my experience. I did a lot of students. I didn't even realize that was at Stink. Yeah. That you could do that.

Yeah. I became the kid for student films. Like, there was a point where I was. a point where I was like on a like streak. You were the Merrill Streep. Basically. Basically. I like to call myself that.

I like to call myself that. But that was a period of my time where I was like I'd done like four or five of them back to back. And it was like lead roles too. Yeah. And that's kind of where I gained all my experience and really just like understood what it was. That's where I gained a lot of my like respect. and a lot of my, you know, how I should behave on set and like what other people were doing and what their jobs were. Yeah.

Because, you know, student film kids, like, they're, like, more willing to be nice to you, you know, and, like, let you in. Yeah. And probably a great way to start. It was. It was a great way because also they're, like, happy to have someone who's happy on set, you know? Yeah. And that was me. I was, like, very much, very happy to be there. And then I got like a few roles on like TV shows and stuff like that that were like guest stars and stuff.

And then I got babysitters club at like 13. Okay. And that was like a full season of in Canada for three months. And that one. You're Canadian. Yes. And then the pandemic hit. And so then we did like a bunch of our stuff during the pandemic.

Like a lot of like our show released during the pandemic. pandemic, which is weird and hard. And then I got Dr. Strange after that. What was that, like, audition process, like, for Dr. Strange? It was funny, actually. Really? Yeah. That's not what I thought you were going to say.

No, well, I find a lot of things funny. So, I had gotten an audition for it, and the size were for someone who was, like, 17, 18. My 13-year-old booty was like, uh, this isn't. I don't know. I'm going to get this. You know, this is not, not it for me here, but I'll try. And so I did my audition. And then I sent it out and I didn't get anything back for a couple months.

I was like, okay. It was just like a tape? Yeah, it was a tape. And I like sent like, because for my tapes, I usually send like two different reads. So I do like one that's like one version and then another one that's like completely opposite. So I was like, within that, I'll have something. Like I'll get something back, you know? but I did take in the fact that it was like originally for a 17, 18 year old character.

And I was like, okay, I'm not that. So, yeah, I didn't hear anything for a couple months. And then a couple months later, like, I don't know, four or five months later, maybe even more than that. I got another audition for it. And I was like, oh, wait, but now she's like 14. And I was like, I can do that. And so the scene was a little different, but same kind of thing. Oh, they wrote her character younger?

Yeah, they wrote her character younger. And I was like, okay, I could possibly do this. And then I was looking at the sides. And then there's like words like sorcerer. And like there's like a joke about like Taco Bell Supremes and stuff like that. And I was like, I think this is for Doctor Strange too. And so then I looked into it a bit more. And I was like, what character could this be?

And so I like tried my hardest to find a character like a character that would fit in this world. And because I was already banned of Marvel. So I kind of like Yeah picked up the puzzle pieces And I was like Oh this is America Chavez Like this could possibly be

America Chavez Wow you put that together Yeah And so with kind of just the characteristics of America I planted those into my scene You know Kind of did exactly what I did before

In the tape that I had sent But also chose different like Elements that fit America a bit more So things that were a bit more like sassy Certain lines were said like A bit more like rough than I did originally. Yeah.

And then I sent that. And then I got told that I was like, pinned. Mua. And so then I got a friend of mine who did like stunt stuff. I worked with him because I was like, okay, if I'm pinned, there's a possible chance that I could go for like a, you know, audition, like, in person and stuff. And they might like ask me how well I can do stunts and like all that. Yeah.

And the thing is, I do martial. arts. I was going to ask, did you before this? Yeah. I started doing martial arts when I was in babysitters club, like right before that. I started doing martial arts. And my mom put me in that because she was like, you could possibly go out for like superhero stuff, like action films. Like, I want you to know what you're doing. And I was like, I'm never going to do that. I'm never going to be in an active film. Do you see me? I'm not a superhero. I was just like I like constantly like had negative feedback on it, which looking back at it now, I probably should. shouldn't have. And I went, she kind of forced me at first. And then I, like, grew up great friendship

with people there. But yeah, I went to a scent guy and we did some, like, boxing, we did some training and we did some of that for, like, a solid, like, week and a half of just, like, intense training for every single day. And that was great. Because then I got told that I was going to go to England for the, like, audition, like, what is it called? The in-person audition. the final, the final one, the test audition. Was it just, do you know, was it just you at the time? No, there was a few other girls because I saw them on the plane. Oh, fun.

Yeah, that was so awkward. I haven't told you, that was like, that is one of the most awkward things is when you see other people there. Yeah. And you're like not familiar with each other, but like your acquaintances because you constantly see each other at the same things. Yeah, you're like, good to see you. Yeah. Literally. But the thing is you have to say good luck because you just don't know who it's going to go to.

You know, at least I want to be really nice to each other because I'm like, yeah, I don't ever want to be on a person's bad side. And I think it's always best to just say good luck. Yeah. But yeah, I did my audition. Benedict was there. We were in the sanctum sanctum, I think is what it's called. Why am I forgetting how it's called? But yeah.

But it was like a chemistry read. It was a chemistry read. And I did my whole audition with a pizza slice. I like ate it and I like threw it down. And I remember for my second, we had like done the first go. And they were like, that was great. Could you do it like one more, blah, blah, blah. They gave me an adjustment and I did that.

And I remember I had like completely kind of messed up one of the lines. And I was like freaking out in my, in my inside. Like I was like, I was like, I already said that. And so like repeated my line. And I was like made it like kind of Benedict's problem. I was like, I already said it. Like, I already said that. Why are you making me repeat my stuff?

Fine. I'll repeat it for you because you're slow. And so I, like, did all this stuff. And I, like, kind of, like, improvved it because I was like, eat, I messed this up so bad. Find a way to, like, figure it out. And then, like, it just went really well. And, um...

Did you have to wait a while to hear after that? Well, then, here's a thing. Because after the audition, you have to do your stunt, like, evaluation. They did do a stunt thing. They did. Wow. And the thing is, because it was all like scheduled, the girl before me was supposed to do her audition and I was in the trailer. And then when she goes to the stunt evaluation, I go into my audition.

And by the time I was getting out of my audition, she was only just then getting out of her stunt evaluation. So I knew that she was probably in there. It was in there for like 30, 40 minutes. bro. I went in there and they were literally like okay can you like walk that way and walk back

and then I wanted to just see you do some jogging and like that was it that was it they like made me like kick a thing at the very bottom and I was like I didn't get it

right that's where your mind goes I literally I literally sat down in the car on the way back and I was like I don't think I got it yeah because why wouldn't they like asked me to do like a whole evaluation why wouldn't they want to see me like do stuff Yeah. If they didn't think that I was an actual option.

Yeah. You know, I freaked out. Yeah. And the thing is, it was also the pandemic during that. So I had to, that was a other thing. I had to stay in a hotel room in London for a whole week before, yeah, before the audition. Wow. And so then I got back to my hotel.

I have to wait a couple more days. And then I come back home. And I'm all just like, it's a great experience, you know. You've got to be thankful. It's a learning lesson. take it to the next one. Yeah. And then I get home and I'm also like, I don't know, I think I got it.

My agent's like, okay, let's get on a Zoom. I want to talk to you about a few things. And then she pulls up the phone and Sarah Finn's on the phone. And she goes, hey, sochi. And I was like, why is Sarah Phon on the phone? I was like, I swear if they tell me that I just got the role, I'm going to be so serious. Like, please. And Sarah Finn was like, hey, sochi, I just want to say, thank you so much for auditioning.

It was so much fun. And I was like, yeah, I did not get it. And then she was like, yeah, I just want to say, you know, welcome to the Marvel family. You are America Chavez. Oh, wow. And I was like, I just got chills, you saying that. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, she was like super nice.

Like, again, this is like on the phone, on a Zoom call. Yeah. And I was just like, wow. And like my voice like cracked. And I was just like, oh my gosh. And it did not like settle into my brain for a couple of days because it was just like. What does this even meet? Yeah.

You know? And then of course there's like the negotiations and all that that have to go on. And so even though you get told on phone, like, you're America Chavez. Yeah. I don't know. The lawyer's still got to work it out. Because at the time, I was on babysitters club and I was set to do the second season. Oh.

So you figure out timing and everything. Yeah. And I ended up not being able to do the second season of babysers club. And luckily, it all worked out. but it was a really hard time for me just because my whole future was basically in the hands of a bunch of dudes and suits, you know?

Yeah. And they're planning out what it's going to be like and my future with Marvel and my future with Netflix and all that. And it was just like, I was sitting there, I was like, I can't do anything. Yeah. You know, they're just going to figure it out, I guess, you know.

Did you ever either like before filming or during filming, feel an insane amount of pressure being like, you know, I'm America Chavez in, you know, a multi-hundred million dollar movie in acting opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. Like, was that ever terrifying to you? Or no, it was exciting. It was exciting. I mean, to me, I always feel like I shouldn't ever feel terrified if I already have all the things in place. Like for me, planning and knowing my stuff is the most important thing. And so, like, I had notes upon notes about America. I had all this stuff. And the thing is, that was great for me, but it was also, like, hard, too, because I have all my

notes and how I picture America, you know, and sometimes that doesn't fit to, like, a different thing that gets written, script that we had originally gotten, then gets rewritten. And there's a bunch of like script changes. And I'm like, okay, here's what I think America is and how I've pictured her just from the comics

and then from the script and like, this is how I view her. And then it doesn't match with the new script that was given, you know? So it was hard, you know, having to let go of the person that I had created, especially in that, you know, test audition. Because that was how I pictured America was.

I was like, that's who I think she is. You know, that's her soul. That's her, that's her spirit. And so having to warp that and change that and have to go into the mindset of like, this character is not there yet. She will be, but in the future, you know, we have, we don't get to see that yet. And so working that was hard and just like weird. Yeah.

And that was probably the one time that I felt pressure. Because then I realized, okay, this is my face. you know, on the screen. And I'm having to like portray a character before she is the character that people know her to be. Yeah. Because people only saw America when she was like 18, you know, in the comics. Yeah. And so I was like portraying a 13 year old version of the person that they know and love.

Yeah, that's true. That process is just like so crazy. Like I just love hearing all of it because I've never done that in my life. know the half of that. Yeah. But it's just like, it's so different from, like, I feel like every time it's like so different. And also like the things that people say like them only like, like having you do like the cake or like the lock and you're like, I didn't get it. But then there's also times and you're like, oh, I got it.

Or then you don't hear. Yeah. In the audition room, like I was like, psh, guys, I got this in the bag. Two seconds later, like very easily humbled. I was like, uh-uh. It's the worst audition processes. Like, you just, you never know. You never know.

That's the thing. You truly never know. Because sometimes you have experiences where, like, you truly believe you knocked it out of the park and you're like, there's no way I'm not going to get this. Yeah. And you don't. And then you have times where you go in and you read once. And they're like, thanks for coming.

And you walk out. They're like, okay, so they hated me. And then you get a call and they're like, you got it. You're like, what? You just don't know. It's almost like they want to mess. with you a little bit. Yeah.

But it's true. It's true. It's true. Making a jump from all the stuff that you've done and starting at an early age, you also, you have a large presence online. And that, you know, over the last few years and for years to come is going to grow and grow. Yeah. I mean, it already has, but it's going to continue to. I know that you have dealt with, you know, like anybody with that kind of presence online, but, you know, your fair share of negative comments and bullying, racism.

What has, what has it been like for you dealing with, like, the dark side of social media? Has it been tough? Yeah, of course. You know, all that stuff is very tough. and it's hard to see or read or like be in your mind and be like, how can someone write that, you know? But at the same time, I have a very well-established good relationship with, you know, my fans and stuff like that. So, yeah. But it was a hard road to get there, you know, at first when I did babysitters club and it got announced that I was playing Dawn, which is a blonde white girl with like blue eyes in the original books.

and in the comics and it got announced that I was playing her there was like enormous backlash and at that time I didn't have an established fan base

you know and that was really hard for me that was probably one of the times that I was like I don't like this you know and it didn't sit right with me

you know especially seeing comments that were just like that is not my dawn yeah she is like brunette brown skin

brown eyes This is not how I pictured my Don. Yeah. I'm like, guys, what? And it's just common after comment. There's like nothing, no one defending me at all. And you're 13 at this time. I was 12.

Okay. Yeah, I hadn't turned 13 yet, actually. And so, yeah, that was just a whack time for me. And I was just like, you know what? I'm going to do something for me because this sucks. And so I created anonymous profile because guess what? that's what everybody else is doing. And I created like three or four different like profiles and different names and different things.

And I like wrote back to people and I was just like, guys, can we please just give it a chance for the show to come out and then we can like make our decision. And I like wrote back like as a young Latina mom actually. I was like, I think this is a great representation for my daughter. I love this. Like I just wrote like a bunch of things like that. Stop. in different people's perspectives. And I put that out there because I'm like,

that's who will tell me later on when they stop me on the street. It's going to be a mom saying how their daughter feels represented. Yeah. Thank you. Which they have. And I hear it all the time. But at that moment, I didn't hear that at all. And so I was like, you know what?

I'm all right. This in existence. And I defended myself. And it just takes that. It literally just takes that because after a few, I wrote a few of those, a few people wrote back and they're like, thank you for saying that actually. Yeah.

You know, that changed my perspective. And, you know, you're right. I should just wait. And I was like, thank you. Like, I just needed that. Like, I just needed something, someone to say something to help me. Yeah. Because no one else is going to.

Yeah. I'm going to write this into existence. It's one of my favorite things. That is so good. That's a 12 year old? I know. Two? Yeah, I like, fully told my mom.

I'm like, mama, is it okay if I, like, create profiles to, like, you know, defend myself. And she goes, yes, you can. I literally sat there. Like, with, like, I was so excited to you. I was like, this is how my night's going to go. And it was my favorite thing. And I did it on, like, Twitter.

I did it on Instagram. I did it on Facebook. I did it on everything. I love that you'd, like, admit to this because everyone does it, but no one says anything. They do? I'm sure. I assume there's a lot of people.

themselves, but everybody like, yeah, makes, you know. Does something. Oh, I'm sure there's people that. To defend themselves. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. I know of a couple in my head, but I'm not going to out them on this podcast. Yeah.

No, I admit it because it felt really great. Yeah. I never say my names that I created, so I could do it again. Yeah. Still got those. Got them up your sleeve. Do you, has it gotten much better? or do you still, you know, see stuff that?

Well, the thing is, after that, once the show came out, it was all good and it was great, you know, but also with Dr. Strange, I was in the middle of the pandemic sitting in my room in England, and the news broke out that I was cast, you know, and that was also something that I was not prepared for. I was just like, oh, it's happening today. Oh, great. Okay, here it is. And that was hard, too. That was within itself really hard for.

And of course, once the movie came out, that was another wave. And it got to the point where literally I was getting like death threats. And I was getting like videos of me like green screened where they were like throwing stuff at my face. And I was like, what is going on? And like I got my TikTok account like banned like six times in one day. It was crazy in one day. What are people mad about? they were mad about the fact that, well, they were also mad, number one, because I was playing America, and it wasn't, like, they didn't think I was Latina enough. And certain things like that, we were just like, okay, guys, and that my hair wasn't curly. I'm like, okay, I can curl it, guys. And then there's also just the fact that I was playing, you know, a girl who is into girls. And her mom has, you know, a wife. And the thing is, it's like, guys, why?

what? And they like talked, I don't know, for like a couple minutes. And like the two moms had a scene where they, I think she kissed her on the cheek. And so it got banned in a few, you know, places. And those people got so mad at me for the fact that they, that the movie wouldn't be able to come out where they lived. And they got so mad to the fact that they were sending me death threats and sending me like, you know messages. And like, it got. so scary for me because I was like what I didn't do anything you know yeah and um it got so scary to the point where I was literally like on the out I was like outside filming a video where I was like my count is back after being banned for like the seventh time I was like it just

became a joke because at that point I had fans you know I had grown like a fan base and yeah they're very supportive I like limited my comments so only like they're still limited to the point that only people that I follow back can comment on TikTok especially. It's rough. It's rougher on TikTok. It was for a while. It was pretty scary. You know,

I just, I did not want to see anything. Yeah. And I thought that the only way that I could do that is if I just, you know, cut it down to the people that I allow. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

And so, yeah, I was like filming a video outside during, with like one of the Dr. Strange posters. in the back and I was like, I'm bad. And as I was rewatching the video, like, a car backfired. And like the sound of that, like, freaked me out. I like literally like shut down. And it was just like at that peak of like all these death threats and all these things and all these articles and all

these people were saying all this stuff. And to me, I never think that it gets to me. But at that one point, it had like, you know, kind of freaked me out. And it was like a one of those moments. I was just like, okay, well, that happened. Yeah. Yeah. Gosh. That's crazy. But now that I've experienced all that, you know, to me, anything else is like, okay, what are you going to do? Yeah. What else you got? Bring it on. Yeah, literally. That's such a good, like, outlook to have, like, already kind of, like, set up.

Yeah. Like, for yourself, like, with so much life to come. Like, that's really great that you just have that. It's not going away. Yeah. Yeah. It's going to. Come back. Things are going to happen, you know, and at least I've already experienced those things. Like, I have those accounts that I did that.

You know, I have my limited for a reason, you know. I have the block button easily accessed for a reason. Yeah. Yeah. And so I'm not, like, nervous about any of those things anymore. Like, at first, at a point, it, like, reached a moment where I got scared, you know. Yeah. And the thing is now I'm not, like, eh.

Yeah. You know, I see a comment and I'm like, okay. Yeah. Like recently, like on Dancing with Stars, I'd like won the relay race or whatever in like week seven. I don't know. Like there was a bunch of backlash like, you know, she's just being, she's the favorite, you know? I'm like, guys, you're saying this this week. Next week, it ain't going to be this. So I'm going to just let this happen. And what's happened is happen. Yeah. I'm going to take that win. We're good. And I just like don't even reply to anything because it's like, they're just looking for something to say, you know. Yeah. Yeah. You feed into it and they're getting exactly what they want. Yeah. People behind a keyboard that are too scared to say to your face. I was once that too, except I wrote like really defensive grade stuff. Something that we kind of like connected with you and your team before, something that I actually have not like heard of prior to it and is AI porn, which is where like people's likeness is used in ways that.

are definitely not approved. Yeah. And it's a massive topic that I've only just recently learned about. That is definitely very destructive in people's lives and in mental health. And we are so sorry that you have been a victim of that and directly affected by it. And no one should have to deal with that, but especially you being a minor still. Yeah. It's something that is just...

Doesn't sit right. It makes me want to. vomit in my mouth. Yeah. And it's just not acceptable. What has this experience been for you? Like learning about it. Yeah.

Well, to me, I didn't really, well, funny enough. Also, not funny, but I got to say funny. But I had, like, looked up on Twitter, like, because I don't own it. Like, I don't have an account, really. Yeah. But sometimes when I go to events, you know, I, like, dress up in a certain way and, like, people will write about it and, like, say how. like they thought my outfit was.

Like that's what I care about. Yeah. And I looked on Twitter and one of those kind of videos popped up and I was like, what is this? And it wasn't until then that like I'd realized that my mom had actually like, you know, had full battles, like told my agents and it was like, we need to take this down, that kind of thing. So she'd known that this had been going around. She had known and I didn't, you know, which I, they encourage. You know, you have to be very thankful to have a mom who is, like, so protective and so on it. Because I'd never seen any of those before.

Yeah. And when I asked her, I was like, what is this? Like, can we get this taken down? And she goes, I've tried. You know, I've tried so hard to get it down. Like, she's had emails upon emails, but, like, there's been a lot, and she's dealt with it all. And I don't, for me, it wasn't like something that was mind-boggling, but just more like, like, why is it so hard to take down?

Yeah. You know? And that was my like whole thought on it, was just like, why is this allowed? Yeah. You know? And I just thought it was weird. And in my mind, I knew that it wasn't me. Yeah.

So it didn't like mess with me or anything like that. But it was just like something that felt really uncomfortable because I couldn't take it down. Yeah. You have no control over. Yeah. Did it, even though you obviously know it's not you and AI is freaking terrifying. Yeah. Did it feel like an invasion of privacy? Like, I mean, obviously it's not privacy. Yeah. Because it's not you, but it's just an invasion of, you know, who you are and the fact that people can do that with your face. Well, also, the people's face did not really looked like me. I think the only thing that like really resembled was like the eyebrows and like maybe the hair. So that's what I got to say on that. But, um, like I got better eyebrows.

But I was, I did see like, I was just like, okay, you know, if someone was really weird and twisted, this would not be very good for me, you know? And it freaked me out about the fact that someone thinks that's cool. You know? And it just, yeah, it made me just weirded out and I didn't like it

and I wanted it taken down. Yeah. And that was my main thought process. It was just like, down, take this down. Yeah. And it wasn't because I felt like

it was invading my privacy more just like it wasn't a good look for me. Yeah. This is nothing to do with me. Yeah. And yet it's on here with my face. and it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Yeah. Has it been taken down? I don't think so, actually. Interesting. Yeah, but I see a lot less of them. Yeah. They just haven't, because you can't take them down. Yeah.

You know. Is there like, I don't want to say, have you been able to cope with it? But I guess maybe for lack of a better word, cope, or is there, like, tools that you can put in place to, like, not have to see it? Like, have you, like, can you block it? Yeah, boundaries have been put in place to. Well, the thing is I like, just because I have a free account, like, I just take it away, you know? Yeah.

But it's just weird to think that, like, if someone looked up, you know, my name, that that's also what pops up too. Yeah. You know. But to me, I don't think about that, you know, because nothing good comes from thinking about it. Yeah. So to me, I just don't even give it light a day. Because if I do, then I know that my day is going to be, like, weirded out and I'm just going to sit weird and it's going to sit with me the wrong way. And so instead, kind of what I do is I just like,

okay, well, did we send an email? Can we get to take it down? No, we can't. Like, we've tried. Okay. Cool. I put my phone down. I figure out something to do for me because that weirded me out and now I got to feel a little better. Yeah. Feel a little refreshed. So I like do some skincare. I like go hang out with my friends, something that will make me forget what I just. saw. Yeah. You know. You're very good at setting. We always talk about like things that are like in our control and things are like out of our control and we spend a lot of time worrying about the things that are out of our control. But you do such a good job at doing these things and only focusing on the things that you can control, which is so impressive. And anyone, any age can definitely learn a lot from

you and how you approach life like that. Because I mean, I freaking worry about Everything and probably two out of those hundred things are actually things that I can control. We spend half, if not more of our lives, you know, fretting about fretting. Fredding. Yeah, that's what's right. Yeah, that's a word. I've never heard it with the I and G. I know.

It made sense in my mind before it came out. Don't you said don't fret. And then you added the IA. Freeding? I'll go with it. Huh. Okay. Worrying, fretting.

about things that, yeah, are not, that are outside our control. And it's just, yeah, it's difficult not to. Yeah. But yeah,

I've been thinking the same thing. Yeah, you're incredible. Yeah. Thank you. I need to learn something from you. No, it's like,

it just, it mainly has to do with having really good friends. Mm. Because for me, friends was really hard to just maintain, to get,

to find good ones, to, maintain that, you know? Yeah. And yeah, I actually just call this like one friend every single time, you know, that something is like just not sitting right with me and I just need to like a laugh or like, I need to forget something or I had like a argument that like, okay, that argument happened or like a misunderstanding happen.

Yeah. Gotta let go of it. Yeah. And so I call my one friend, which I actually found out you know. Teddy Purdy. What? Teddy. Teddy.

Like Teddy? Your Teddy. How? Teddy. Teddy is one of your close friends? One of my best friends. He's like my older brother. What?

How? Martial arts. Shut up. I saw he started doing that. Yeah. What? That is so crazy. Can you explain to our love and drop listeners who Teddy is?

Who. Teddy was my assistant. Daddy, yeah, I had a dream assistant, George, who was with me for a while. And my assistants, they become very close friends. And George, you know, became a very close friend to mine. And then George had an incredible opportunity come up. And now he's like, freaking worked his way up at showtime. But when he left, I was like, you need.

to find me the next George. You can't just leave me. Yeah. And he was like, I got you. And Teddy was, Teddy was a PA on a film I did called Run the Tide. It was just a PA. Oh, really? Yeah.

And that's where George met Teddy. And then so when George was bouncing, he was like, it's Teddy. Teddy's the next me. And I was like, what? So then Teddy did Ridiculous Six with me. He did. Did he do a Google? with you? He did cuckoo with me. Yeah, we did a couple projects together. But, like, I've been

keeping up with what he's been doing the last few years. And, like, he's acting, right? And martial arts. Yeah. That's so cool. So you met him through martial arts? Yeah. So after I came back from doing babysitters club, I was like, I got to get back into martial arts, you know? And so the thing is, he was actually, because of the way I started, I had to take a gap. And so I just kind of went in with a group that was where my level was. And Teddy was in that group. Wow. And at that time, I didn't really have friends, really, you know, especially after being, you know, gone for a couple of weeks.

You know, the ones that you had kind of fizzle away. And you're like, okay, yeah, that's great. Starting for the ground up again. And Teddy was there and he was just like laughing. And I was like, this is literally like my best friend. What? He's become that person for you. Like, I need to call somebody.

Yeah. And he just, like, talks to me about anything. We could literally, like, have a five-minute conversation just on saying goodbye. Like, saying bye and bye. Bye. Like, just like, I swear, it's so stupid. But he knows how to make me laugh, the artist. And he is so funny and he's so intellectual.

And, like, I've gone through, like, also friends where, like, you know, I hear someone say something behind my back. And I'm like, do I do. Like, I don't know how to, like, I don't know how to feel. like I just, that's so awful. And so when I have something like that happened, I immediately text Teddy. Yeah. Because he has such a clear mindset. And I think that's also what has like helped me throughout these years, especially through, you know, social media and all that is having someone like that who is so leveled.

You know, it's a battle. It's like, not a battle, but it's like between my mom and him because they have such good examples for me, you know. Yeah. And yeah, he has helped me through so much of just like, you know, so she, you can't control that. Yeah. You know, got to put your phone down, you know. And so I'm like, yeah, what am I doing? You're so right. Got to snap me out of it. He does very good job of that. But he was actually like at the very, the first Dancing with Stars episode and the last one. Oh, he's there. Yeah, he's just like, he's. This is so funny and crazy to me. Wow. What a small world. Yeah. That's crazy. He and I, like, yeah, he's basically like. my big older brother. So we all, what we've learned is we all need a teddy. We all need a teddy.

Teddy's the best, bro. Okay, I need Teddy in my life now. Let's get Teddy over here. I need a teddy. I'm sure me and him have some fun stories. Well, yeah, because like sometimes that we will not tell on this podcast. No, just kidding. I don't know. Sometimes he would talk to me about certain things because I'm going through something and he's like had to help you through something similar, you know? Wow. And so he'll kind of like help me get that I'm not the only one going through it. Yeah. Yeah.

That's so awesome. Oh my gosh. Oh, thank you, Teddy. This is like a love episode for TEDA. Okay. Did you not see that. The title, Teddy. It's time.

It's time. It's time, finally. You were the winner of Dancing with the Stars. Yes. What season was this? Season 32. 32? Yeah.

Okay. So I'm going to be honest with you. I've never seen a full season. This season, because we haven't even watched it since we've been, did you just stop watching it at some point? Because you used to watch it, but we've never watched it together.

But then this season, she started watching it probably halfway through. And I would like peek in. Like I'd be in a living room and I'm like, and then I get like sucked in and I like watch a couple. And then I'm like leave. But the finale came and she, He's like, we're watching this whole thing.

And I was like, but this and this is on. She's like, I don't care. So I sat down and I fully watched my first full episode from start to end. And that's all I knew what happened on the finale. Oh, wow. And I said to, I said to Tay, like halfway through, this is, you know, no offense to anybody else. But I said, if she doesn't win, I'm never watching this show again. I was just very mad.

He did. It was halfway through everybody had done their first dance. It was like, this is great for everyone. But if she doesn't win, I am never watching this with you ever again. So I'm glad to say I can continue watching dance with the stars now. So thanks for that. You're welcome. But congrats.

Thank you. Did you watch the show growing up? Yeah, I did actually. I watched it with my grandma a lot. Oh. Yeah, but like going into it, of course, knowing that. I've watched it with my grandma a lot. You know that there's usually like a figure skater or like a tennis player or like someone who like did roller skating their whole lives.

I'm like, got you. So let me just set the bar down right here. And I was like, let's say you make it to week four, week five. Yeah. That would be great for you. And I'd be proud of you, Sochi. Yeah. Just said that to myself.

And I got there and I was like week four, week five came around. And I was like, we're still here. Maybe we might have a chance, you know, if we just keep going, keep coming up with great concepts, what great ideas, you know. And also just having a partner like, Val, you know, I didn't want it to end. So I had a great motivation for it to continue, you know. Yeah. I feel like they're all probably wonderful. But I just feel like he would be a great one, a great partner to have.

Yeah, well, especially at a time, you know, we were both kind of looking for something positive, you know. I think that Val has become my daddy now, especially at that time, I didn't really have, you know, relationships with my friends because I had to kind of focus on dance for three months straight. Yeah. And I could always go to Val for a laugh, you know? I could always go to Val for like just a good time. And that was really important for me. It was just like, like rooting the whole thing in fun. Yeah.

Because the second you take things just too seriously, I could disappoint myself. I can make myself overthink. And I'm like, that's not worth all of this. You know, I'm doing this for a show to dance. Yeah. That I don't really know how to dance at all. So just have fun. Yeah, you can't say that anymore.

Well, no, I can't say that. Wow. So there's also something fun that you're doing on tour. You let our listeners know what that is. Yeah. So basically I kind of came up with this idea just because, you know, on the show, there's a lot of behind the scenes. You know, a lot of people get to see what's going on and how it happens and like the process. And I, you guys know, planning. I was like, where's video footage of like what this process is like? Like I want to see behind the scenes of like what it is, you know, and I had no idea what I was getting into. So I was like, why don't just make my own videos? So Val and I are going to post like every week that we're on the show like two videos of just behind the scenes of being on tour, you know, what it's like the process of rehearsing at a new venue every single night, you know, getting ready, seeing the fans. And also just like a few little moments of banter between Val and like Rome and seeing Jenna and like, you know, all the dancers in there of like relationship with one another because that's what this show is about.

Yeah. Yeah. And so I feel like, of course, we all get to see, you know, people get to come and see people dance, but also you miss out on a little bit of the little moments that we like so much about the show. So I hope that within my videos, I can put that in there. So they're going to be pretty rough. I'm not going to be very well edited because I'm going to be on a bus. They're going to be great.

What a cool thing to be for everyone. We'll leave a link to like your socials where you're posting it and we'll also leave a link for tickets. Yeah. All right. This is Lemon 7. And I'm going to start with the first question. What movie or song title best describes your mental health today? Movie or song? Just going into rehearsal later today, I'm going to say, I feel like dancing by Jason Maraz. Oh, my gosh.

Very fitting. Very fitting. Oh, my gosh. It's hysterical. How is he? See, fun? Yeah, he's quirky and funny. It seems really fun just from my limited, my 12 minutes of watching him on TV. He's from, 12 minutes of watching. No, he's funny. He's silly.

I love him. Like, I truly do. Like, I wish, like, he was, like, the cool guy on, like, on the show. I was like, if I could make him laugh today, that would be great. Oh, my gosh. It's so good. Number two is how open are you with people in your life when you're struggling? Pretty open.

I just straight up call him, like Teddy. Straight up call him. Teddy. a bit lost day. So just a little giggle would be great. Yeah. I love that. We all could use more of that.

Or I sure could. Anyways, number three. Is it a therapy session? I'd like start crying. So gee, help me. Anyways, number three. Ooh, this is a new question. I love this one, though.

If you could only follow three social media accounts, whatever platforms, but only three accounts, what would they be? Oh. I know. You're good. I thought of this one. I added it. I know.

He's proud of himself. Probably Teddy. Just because he takes up one spot because you're just... Okay. Well, just because, like, he posts really funny reviews on his stories. I have seen his reviews. Have you seen his, like, movie reviews? Yes.

and he puts all the different... All the different emotions. They're so great. I've wondered sometimes how long did it take you to create that? You have no idea how some of like our running jokes last so long just because we're so like devoted to just making the joke. I would not even... I'll see a story that he puts up and I'm like, for you to have just made that, that probably took at least an hour. Yeah.

So funny. So for exactly that. Uh, Teddy. Ooh, now we're getting to Slim Pickens here. Right. I don't know if I follow my friends or like if I follow like a funny account. I know. What's like the best TikTok account?

Best TikTok account. I mean, what like makes you laugh the most? Um, usually my friends. Okay. So probably. So we're looking at probably your three top friends. Oh, this is tough. We're going to start some fights.

Back of the MySpace days. Stop, not my space. What is my space? Precisely. Precisely. Yeah, you had to like rank your friends. It was rough. Oof, that's rough.

Yeah. You had like your top ten. It would start fights. Oh, wow. Yeah. So I'm not going to do that to you right now with your three accounts. Well, I'll go with my three accounts here right now. Okay.

So Teddy. Okay. And then, of course. Okay. gotta hide my girls, I think they'd have to take up my two spots. Um, because I, I'd fill the rest with my like really good friends, but they're like guys and that gets weird. So, so I'm gonna go with McKenna, Grace, and Momo. I love her. I love McKenna so much. Momo, my little Momo. Oh, mama. Oh, my gosh. Okay. We did babysitters club together. Okay. So we have that. Like, I've been friends with her for a very

a long time. One of those that like lasts a while, you know. Yeah. So, so sweet. Those are my three. Those are good ones. Those are good.

Because then like whenever they post, they can like write a funny comment. Well, I follow, I follow two of your three. I follow one of the three. Yeah, I don't follow Teddy.

We need to get you Teddy's account. I know, I need to follow Teddy. Teddy was before me. Okay. What are we? Number four. What is your favorite form of self-care?

Ooh, my friends. I love going on hikes with my friends. I love. like that used to be my thing before Dancing with the Stars. Like I can't now just because I'm going on tour and like I was very devoted to my time

at Dancing with Stars. But I used to go on hikes like every week where I'd bring all my friends. Like I'd invite like I'd send an invite to like maybe 20 of my friends and sometimes they can't make it. You know, sometimes it's come up or whatever. So sometimes there'd be like a hike of like 15 of us. Like 10 of us like going up to the Griffith Observatory. Oh my gosh. She's a hiking girl.

It's like a 10 minute hike, guys I would be so honest I can do that one I was gonna say I won't not go on a hike No, it's just like a kind of steep hill That kind of winds around I could do, I could do it It's about the conversation

Yes, the group And it brings like a little boom speaker Oh, I play music And I'm just prepared Okay well now I'm going There's a dog sign us up Wait, what kind of dog do you have? I have a cattle dog mix

Oh That's also like another form of like self-care It's like pets So, like, thing is, I had to move out of my old house because their neighbors were being weird. So I had to leave my dog with my dad. And my mom and I just, like, went to this small little area. And just for, like, the time of, like, The Stars, like, the show, the movie coming out. And there's, like, this straight cat, this, like, neighborhood straight cat.

And I was, like, she sleeps with me. Yeah, she, like, sleeps with me. I don't feed her. I don't, like, I don't feed her. I don't feed her at all, like, so she has no reason to hang out with me. But I give her, like, a lot of love. She sleeps in my bed. She, like, has a little spot in the living room where I put, like, a little towel down.

She, like, sits on it. Oh, like. And she, like, sits at my PR boxes. Have you named her? Yeah, Tilippo. I don't know why. You're one of the funniest people ever. It was originally going to be Petunia because I thought it was a girl.

But then I thought it was a boy because the front neighbors took her to the vet and said it was a boy. Oh. And so I was like, oh, geez, got to figure out another flower, I guess. And so I put Tilippo and then I was like, wait, well, it was going to be tulip. And then I was like, wait, we need more like just Spanish stuff in this house. So I put an O with an accent on top. Tulipo. Yeah, so that's the Nipo.

Yeah, so that's the Latin in. Of course. Holy crap. That's great. But I think it's a girl. So now it's just Tlipo. Too scared to go back to Petunia. Okay.

Yeah. It feels like it could work. Yeah. Okay. Well, if we ever convince you to come back on this podcast, can you please bring Tilippo? She'd sit like right here. Yeah. She's the cute.

She's the cute. Bring a PR box. Put it right there. No, I swear she's like. And then I love boxes, man. They do. I didn't realize. But I like was looking for it.

I was like, Tilippo, Tilippo. I was like, man, this cat is just like not around here, I guess. And then I, like, looked at a box. And I was like, oh. Hi. She's like mining our own business in the box. Oh, my gosh. I did not think we're going to get to Lepo from the self-care question.

Anyways, number five, what would you say is the most misunderstood thing about you? That I'm older than I am. People think that I'm like 20, 25. That was me. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm like, guys, I'm 17. I know.

Girl who told me that you were 17. I was like, what? Yeah. Yeah. I don't know why people think I'm older. Yeah I'm like to me I feel like I act

And look exactly like Maybe because you're tall Guys I'm seven What I'm like 5-7 That's not even like Tall Tall taller than me

Everything's tall For you I know I know I'm not I didn't even think That was very tall I thought you were tall

And I saw you the other night Especially in heels too Yeah in heels I'm like Like 5-9 Yeah it's a good heel

I mean you also you carry yourself yeah I think that's what it is you have a very mature way of carrying yourself which is you're not like running around I don't know I also make it's down a dish decision

like why do I have like five slices of pizza I don't know but I did whoops yeah it's like why don't choose to eat the chocolate over the nuts that my mom decided that I should have I'm like I don't know

but I did Why do I like stay up to like 4 a.m. watching a Netflix show? I don't know. I did. Life is all about balance. Yeah. So. Yeah. I'm sorry. Charum. Number six. Who has had the most positive impact on your mental health? Ooh. I think it would be Teddy.

Yeah. And then when it wasn't Teddy, it was vow for sure. Yeah. That's so sweet. Two big older brothers. Yeah, literally. I think that's what I've like needed my whole life. It's just like this kind of big older brother kind of energy. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Okay.

Last question. It's a tough one. If you could go back to one moment in your life, what moment would that be and what would you say to yourself? Like as like a word of encouragement or like literally anything you want? Most people don't change anything. If there was a moment you wanted to change, go right ahead. But no, it could be any moment for whatever reason. And what would you go back to?

It could be to experience it again. Or, yeah, a lot of people do. It's like, keep going, Zochie. Yeah. No, I feel like that for me, it would be like times when, you know, my mom said I should do something and I said that it wasn't a good idea, you know, like the martial arts, you know, I went anyways. But like, probably having a better attitude.

mainly when I was younger I felt like I kind of was like, no, I don't need to do that. I don't need to do this. And I still do that a little bit. But I feel like I try my hardest to have a different perspective on things and be like, I should at least give it a shot.

You know, I can't say anything bad about it unless I've tried it, you know? So I definitely say for martial arts, I would have told myself, you know, shut up, girl, this is really fire and cool. and you're like waving a sword around and you're like knowing what you're doing you look pretty badass so

have better attitude about it. Oh my gosh, I love that. Okay, well, this has been a really fun way to kick off this second season. Thank you so much for coming. This is so fun. No, thank you for having me. This is a lot of fun.

I like having these kind of conversations. They're fun. Every once in a while, you know, having a serious combo is good. Can't wait to watch you dance too. I know. Go check her out on tour. Woo!

we said, what a ball of fun energy and stories is she? And what a way to kick off season two? Not too shabby. Episode one, season two, thank you so much, sochi for coming on. I truly couldn't think of a better guest to start the season off. Yeah, she was great.

Within her, but yeah. So much knowledge and wisdom at 17 years old. Yeah. It's crazy. Yeah. Thanks for reminding me. I'm practically 10 years older than her. A decade older. Nine years. Terrifying.

But we have, we just have some really fun episodes this season for you guys that we're super excited about. A great one next week. A great one next week. One next week that you have been requesting for a while. Yeah. So I think you'll be pretty happy. And then then the following week. And then the following week is really good.

And then the following week. And then the following. So you might as well click the follow button. Hit the subscribe button. Follow us along on this journey so that you guys do not miss out. As always, you can email us at loudweenerd. at the Squeaspodcast at gmail.com. Any questions, comments, concerns, guest ideas, tea time, and take questions.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram at the squeeze and on TikTok at the squeeze podcast. We post all of us up there. We post some fun like questions on Instagram as well. But I hope you guys have an amazing rest of your Wednesday and rest of your week. And we will see you right back here. See you. Right back here. Next week, same time.

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