BY IRVIN RIVERA

ABBY JAMES WITHERSPOON plays Lizzie in Paramount+’s “Secret Headquarters” along Owen Wilson, Momona Tamada, Walker Scobel,Jesse Wililams and Michael Peña. 

The superhero film promises a lot of fun-filled adventures, friendship, laughter and action. 

If not acting, Abby James is enjoying her life as a regular teenager, doing cheerleading, taking care of her summer reading and keeping herself busy with her clothing line ABIGAIL DRAPER GIRL.

In this exclusive interview, ABBY dishes on her acting career, on being a superhero, playing her character, the challenges she experienced while filming, rising above the challenges, her inspirations, proud moments of her career, her clothing line ABIGAIL DRAPER GIRL, important life lessons learned and more

Hi Abby, how are you? What’s keeping you busy nowadays?

I am great! I am about to go back to school so I am working on my summer reading in my free time! Mostly hanging out with friends-  I went golfing for the first time a few weeks ago. 

How would was it to play Lizzie in Paramount+’s “Secret Headquarters?” and how would you describe Lizzie’s character evolution?

It was so much fun to play Lizzie. At the start of the film Lizzie is just having a good time with friends and going to school. As many unexpected events take place she has to use her skills to help her and her friends out of scary situations. Lizzie is really outgoing and smart! 

What’s unique about the show?

I’ve really never seen a film like it. Secret Headquarters takes on a whole new perspective of the kid of a superhero. It’s full of friendship, laughter, and lots of action. It’s truly just a super fun movie to watch at any time with people of every age. The best part about playing Lizzie is that she is super outgoing so I am able to talk a lot and really fast. As well, I was also able to improve a good bit which is always fun.

If you could choose your own superpower, what would it be and why?

I would have to say teleportation. I’m always wanting and needing to be in two places at once, so it would be really helpful. 

What are the challenges and the highs that you experienced during filming?

The first thing I think of is the stunts I did in the film. When I was first learning new skills, it was really challenging, as expected. On the day we filmed my stunts it was really rewarding to see the progress I made! The stunt team is so nice and helpful. I am so thankful I was able to work with them. Our head stunt coordinator was Greg Rementer and he was the best! 

How did you manage to rise above the challenges?

I never gave up and knew that the final product would be amazing. I even did some ab workouts to strengthen my core, and if you know me, you know that is a lot of effort. I am not the most athletic person in the world.

What is your proudest moment in your career so far?

I am most proud of the stack of auditions I have submitted over the years.  I started keeping a folder of all the sides that I memorized to audition a couple years ago.  I was getting frustrated that I hadn’t booked, and felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything.  So, I got a binder to have a reminder that even if I didn’t book the job, there was so much work that went into filming and preparing the audition. I’m most proud of my determination and ability to keep going after what I love! 

How did acting start for you? Was it something that you’ve always wanted from a young age?

I always knew I wanted to be an actor.  When I was 8 my family was visiting my aunt in California.  She was filming Hot Pursuit at the time, and we went to set.  I sat in the director's chair and watched for hours.  Later that year my aunt asked me if I wanted to play her as a kid in Hot Pursuit. I worked 1 day, and it solidified that I wanted to act. After that I begged my parents to get me an acting coach and agent so I could audition!  That was when I was 9. Since then, I have submitted close to 200 auditions!

Aside from acting, what else keeps you busy?

I am a pretty regular teenager. I go to school and I am a cheerleader.  I just had cheer camp last week to get ready for football season. I also love my friends and spend as much time as I can with them! This summer I got to travel to Vancouver to visit Momona, and since Walker is working in Vancouver we all got to see each other!  It was so much fun!! 

Tell us more about your clothing line ABIGAIL DRAPER GIRL. How did it start and what inspired you to create it?

My sister Draper and I created ADG! We are so lucky to have a lot of strong women in our lives and we started thinking about all of the things girls are told.  Be nice, be sweet, and be polite.  And we think girls can do that, but we also think girls should be told to use their voices, have confidence, and not be afraid to have power.  So we created the semi-sweet line! Girls should be semi - sweet as opposed to just sweet. 

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

My mom and dad always tell me to surround myself with people who build me up! They also tell me to be that person for others as well. I always try to keep that in mind! 

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I would have to say Alice and Wonderland! I am super adventurous and love meeting new people, which is a lot like Alice! I also think Alice’s blue dress is super cute so of course I had to choose it.