Interview with Jade Pettyjohn

Jade Pettyjohn stars as Summer on Nickelodeon’s Emmy-nominated television series, School of Rock, currently in its second season airing Saturday nights on Nick. We sat down with her to talk about season 2 of School of Rock, her upcoming Nickelodeon movie, Rufus 2, if she plays any instruments, what her fans might not know about her, and her upcoming projects. Read on to find out more about this talented actress.

Photographer: Diana Ragland

Hair: Sienree

Makeup: Helen Robertson

Wardrobe: Jordan Grossman & Simona Sacchitella

GLITTER: How old were you when you first started acting?

JADE: I had always loved creating different characters and putting on plays with my friends, so it just felt right to become an actress. I started working professionally at the age of seven.

 

 

GLITTER: What can you tell us about the Nickelodeon series, School of Rock? Who do you play?

JADE: This television show is about a group of prep school kids who create a secret band with their substitute teacher. The show follows the band as they go on adventures and deal with music, school and what it’s like to be a pre-teen/teenager.  I play Summer on School of Rock, who is the ambitious band manager of the group!

 

 

GLITTER: What can you tell us about season 2 without giving anything away?

JADE: There are a lot of exciting things in store for season two! There will be a lot more original music, more stunts, slime and relationship growth.

 

 

GLITTER: What was your reaction when you found out School of Rock was nominated for an Emmy?

JADE: I was FREAKING OUT! Brea, who plays Tomika on the show, found out through social media that we were nominated and she told me.  We ran around the stage screaming and trying to find the rest of the cast to tell them the news.

 

 

 

GLITTER: Tell us about your upcoming Nickelodeon movie, Rufus 2.

JADE: I play the role of Kat in Rufus 2.  I’ll be starring alongside Jace Norman, Haley Tju, and Davis Cleveland. We had such a blast filming it and I’m so excited for it to come out this fall.

 

 

GLITTER: What does a typical day look like for you?

JADE: The fun thing about what I do each day is a new adventure and completely different from the day before. One day I’ll be playing music with cast of School of Rock, the next I’ll be in Canada filming a movie, and the next I’ll be attending my regular high school.

 

 

GLITTER: Do you play any instruments?

JADE: Yes! I sing, play guitar, piano and I write.  I can’t go a day without music!

 

 

GLITTER: If you weren’t acting, what would you want to do instead?

JADE: Oooh, that’s so hard! Acting and music has always been what I’ve wanted to do.  If that wasn’t the case, I would probably want to spend my life creating different organizations that help people in some way.

 

 

GLITTER: Is there anything your fans might not know about you?

JADE: What I had for breakfast?

 

 

GLITTER: What charities do you support?

JADE: Funny you should ask that.  Now that we’re on hiatus from School of Rock production I’ve been exploring the various charities I’d like to be involved with.  One of them is Guitars over Guns.  They deliver a high impact arts-based mentoring program to empower at-risk youth.  They don’t have a chapter in LA yet, but I’m prepping for when they do!

 

 

GLITTER: What do you enjoy doing on your free time?

JADE: I like hanging out with friends. I love amusement parks and going on hikes with my dogs.  I really enjoy working and staying busy.

 

 

 

GLITTER: What is your definition of self-love?

JADE: I see self-love as being happy with who I am as a person.  The way I feel when I get an A on my report card, or when I do something kind for someone else, or when I make some kind of art — that defines self-love for me.  When it comes down to it, self-love is about being totally and completely happy with everything you do.  To embrace the strangeness and love all of the amazing things you have to offer, because I promise you, you are absolutely stunning.  And not just your hair or your eyes (as lovely as they may be), but I’m talking about you.

 

 

GLITTER: Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

JADE: I’m guest starring right now on a new television series called Pure Genius.  I love the character I am playing.  She has a lot of layers, which makes playing her a lot of fun.  Watch for my episode airing on CBS in December.

 

 

GLITTER: How can fans follow you? 

JADE: My Instagram is JadePettyjohn_official and I have a YouTube channel under my name, Jade Pettyjohn.