Christopher Massey Phone Interview
1-7-06
(Nickelodean's "Zoey 101")

Transcript:

Tracey here from Pop Blitz Magazine. We are talking with Christopher Massey who plays Michael Barrett on Nickelodean’s "Zoey 101". Chris, can you please introduce yourself?

Chris: Hi, I’m Christopher Massey and I play Michael on “Zoey 101”.

What did you do for the holidays?

Chris: For the holidays, well for Christmas I came back to Atlanta. Me and my dad came back first, cos we had a lot of Christmas shopping to do for my mom and my brother. And then after that, most of the time for the holidays, everyone just gets together and do stuff as a family. A couple of years my mom will cook for them, things like that. New Year’s comes around and everyone comes down, cook some dinner. It’s a lot of fun.

Sounds fun. How did you get into acting?

Chris: Well I started modeling. Then, when I got bigger, we were at this mall and all these people were like “you should put them on a commercial or in acting”. So my mom found out more about it, and talked to my agent, and that’s when I got started.

Wow. How is theater different then television acting? Which do you like better?

Chris: I would have to say acting because theater is really different. In theater you can’t stop and say “I forgot my line, can we start over?” You have to keep going, you have to adlib, and try to keep everyone on track. Being an actor, it’s really good because you’re like “come on we have to keep going, keep going”. In theater, that’s your first instinct anyway, you know you gotta keep going, so I think that helps and motivates me a lot.

What was it like playing Simba?

Chris: Oh, it was really fun. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

You have done a lot of voiceovers (Stuart Little, CSI Miami, ect.). How is that different from a visual role?

Chris: I like voiceovers. With voiceovers you actually get to come in, the actors come in, and you actually get to see the show. With acting you kind of have to make up stuff, with voiceovers you just act. So it’s a good experience.

What is it like working for Nickelodean when your brother works for the Disney Channel?

Chris: It’s funny because kids will come up and be like “you work on Nickelodean and your brother works on Disney. Do you guys feel like traitors?” I know a lot of kids really get a kick out of that, but I mean it’s cool. We’ve got all the kids covered.

Pretty much. Between Nickelodean and Disney yeah. It seems like you and Kyle have worked on a lot of the same shows. What’s it like working with him?

Chris: Oh, it’s fun. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been on his show, and it was a lot of fun, because I got to play his bully. And it was cool, because we got to act crazy, and I’m always hanging out with him on set anyways. It was really fun, because he’s my brother so I mean like it’s cool. *laughs*

You received an Emmy nomination (Best Children’s Program) for “Zoey 101”.
What was it like being up against your brother?

Chris: Oh man, that was funny, because that was like the most asked question on the carpet. It was fun, but I mean we both lost. We were really excited, no sibling rivalry. When they announced it was a draw, they were like “we have a draw” and we were like “oh god”. Me and Kyle we were like “okay”. When the first name was drawn, then the second name was drawn and we were like “okay”. We thought it was like a tie.

What would you of done if you won?

Chris: You know, I would have just went up there and acknowledged my brother and his show. They’re like the #1 show on the Disney Channel. And they deserve to win, I mean my show, and his show, he deserves it.

Well that’s nice. Besides being a talented actor, you are a skilled golfer. You have won 2nd place in a few golf tournaments. Tell us about that.

Chris: When I was playing golf, that was one of my favorite things. It was really fun, because that’s when we were in Chicago. And we were playing all around the world, well not all around the world, all around the country.

Josh: I think me and you need to play golf sometime.

Chris: Oh yeah. I love playing golf, it’s so active. But I mean there are rules, it’s like you’re on your own out there.

Josh: Yeah I know, all the ladies keep asking me what’s the meaning, what do you get out of playing golf.

Chris: That’s what my mom says. She’s like “what do you get out of it?” but my dad plays.

I play mini golf but I’m not good.

Chris: *Laughs* Yeah, but you would probably like it being a girl, all the scenery you know.

Maybe. I read that you like gymnastics. How long have you been interested and have you taken classes?

Chris: Well, when I was younger, all the other kids would be able to do handsprings. And I never knew how to do it, I never knew how to do one. So, I was sitting there, and I would try to learn how to do it, but I would give up cos I couldn’t do it. And then when I learned, it was like “okay I understand”. So I thought okay if I master that I master anything else. Then, I was at a Hawks game, at the halftime show there were two guys my age, and they were bouncing off the trampoline, doing all this stuff. And I was like “Oh I wanna do that” so my mom actually signed me up for that program. But it was kind of hard for me, because all the stretching and all that. So after a week or two, I was like “You know mom, I can’t do this”. But I still fidget around with some of the stuff.

On behalf of Pop Blitz Magazine Happy early Birthday.

Chris: Oh, thank you so much!

Josh: Yeah, Happy Birthday man.

Chris: Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

You turn 16 in a few weeks. Are you looking to get your license?

Chris: Oh yes, I’m actually going to get my permit today.

Sweet, well good luck.

Chris: *laughs* Thanks.

What is your favorite school subject?

Chris: Science.

If you were not an actor, what would you want to do?

Chris: Play football.

Professionally or in college or?

Chris:Yeah.

So basically whatever, as long as it’s football?

Chris: *laughs* Yeah.

Josh: Football is pretty fun though, by the way.

Chris: Oh yeah, I played football all my life, until 3 years ago, when we moved to L.A and started the acting thing.

Josh: It especially sucks when your friends kick your butt in it.

Chris: *Laughs* No, well I mean, sometimes, sometimes. My cousins beat me.

Josh: I think my friends have kicked my butt in football quite a few times.

Chris: *Laughs* Yeah, yeah, I mean sometimes, but not a lot cos you know I’m like ya know.

For our final question, is there anything you would like to say to Pop Blitz readers?

Chris: I just want to say thanks for watching the show, and you know, I hope we have many more to come *laughs*.

Special thanks to Chris for talking to us. We had a great time. And to Scott for granting yet two more interviews.