Jennifer Stone: From Wizards to Spy!

You probably know Jennifer Stone from her role as Harper in Wizards of Waverley Place, but this Friday, she will be starring in her own movie, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars. It is inspired by the classic book Harriet the Spy but it takes place when Harriet is older and trying to become the official blogger of her high school class. Willing to do whatever it takes, Harriet competes against her arch enemy, popular student Marion Hawthorne, in a month-long blog war. When Harriet's movie producer father signs on to produce the sequel to the hottest teen-musical, “Spy High,” she knows she has a perfect opportunity to get the inside scoop. But things don't go exactly as planned and you'll have to watch the movie to find out what happens. It airs Friday, March 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

We caught up with Jennifer Stone to ask her about Harriet, her favorite books, and what she likes to do on a lazy Saturday. . . 

Q: What was it like to go from acting in a TV show to playing the title character in a movie?
Jennifer: It was definitely something I haven't done before and it was definitely a learning experience and I enjoyed every minute of it because I love the fact that—you know, you're the character that's in most of the scenes and that most of the crew and the cast has to deal with everyday so if you come in in a bad mood that's not going to be good for the whole feel of the set that day. I love the responsibility of sort of setting the mood everyday for work and just being in a really good mood and helping everybody else as much as I could. And so I like the fact that with that kind of character you had a lot more influence over making everybody's day a little easier.

Q: Had you read the books or seen the original movie?
Jennifer: I hadn't read the books before. I read the first one in preparation for this project and I loved it and I really wished that I had [read it before]. It had my name written all over it maybe three years ago. It was absolutely—it was just such a great book. And I hadn't seen the original movie. But quite frankly this movie is so much a re-imagination and a different interpretation of the movie, so I mean it wasn't really relevant for me to see the movie. But I hear it's really good.

Q: How would you describe Harriet?
Jennifer: She has a line in the movie where she says, "I'm an individual in a land of followers," and I think that describes her in one sentence. She is just her own person and she loves writing more than anything and she is completely dedicated to that. She just sort of does her own thing and I love that about her.

Q: Would you be friends with her in real life?
Jennifer: Oh yeah. She's awesome. I would definitely hang out with her in real life.

Q: What three books would you recommend to a thirteen year old?
Jennifer: I have to say I loved Pride and Prejudice. I think that's a book every young girl should read. I mean once you get past the whole, you know, old English very proper way of speaking it's a classic love story and with a strong female lead which I love. I have to say I really enjoyed Lemony Snicket. That was one of my favorite books when I was thirteen or fourteen. I loved the Series of Unfortunate Events. And a third one, let me see, I also really enjoyed The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (ages 12 and up) as well. That was one I really liked. It was a really great book.

Q: You have a bold, eclectic fashion sense. Have you ever had an embarrassing fashion moment?
Jennifer: Oh yeah. I used to raid—and I still do—I still raid my mom's closet and of course everything has shoulder pads in it because it's all from the eighties and I've got broad shoulders so it just doesn't work. So I usually rip them out but this time I decided I'd just try it and see how it works. I walked around for a good week with this jacket on where I looked like general Patton. I looked so like an army general. Like I said I have broad shoulders so if you put shoulder pads on that it's going to look even broader so I looked like an army general. It was ridiculous but I thought I looked awesome and I strutted around the town, you know, I thought I looked so cool.

Q: What do you like to do on a lazy Saturday?
Jennifer: I don't watch TV much so like a lazy Saturday I love to sit on my couch and I'll record a bunch of old classic movies and I'll watch them on Saturdays. I love doing that. Or I'd go to the park and read. Those are my two favorite things to do.

Q: If you could invent a flavor of ice cream what would be in it and what would you call it?
Jennifer: That's a hard one. Most ones I like are already invented. I would love to have a Reese’s Cookie Dough because those are my two favorite things in the whole world and I think that would be a pretty good ice cream flavor. You would be sick after eating it but it would be really good going down.

Reese's Cookie Dough Ice Cream! Yes, please!! Ben & Jerry, are you reading this? Jennifer Stone has a great idea for you!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Interview by Marie Morreale
Photos courtesy of Disney Channel

Comments

[Comment #1]

Jennifer Stone is a great actor and plays Harper of Wizards of Waverly place very well. Therefore, I believe she will perform accurately on the movie Harriet the Spy. I can't wait to view the spectacular movie that has been prepared for us to watch.

[Comment #2]

hey jenifer i love ur charter on wizards of wavrly place she is son out going i love her outfits well i cant wait to see ur new movie ttyl__________________________love _mz.snuggles

[Comment #3]

I can't wait to see this!!! :)

[Comment #4]

i will totally be watching that to night! with my bucket of popcorn...lol

[Comment #5]

wanna c this so... bad :D

[Comment #6]

i have seen it tonight i'ts really good who i'm i kidding i loved it:)

[Comment #7]

i saw this it was cool but i didn't like when she tricked the mean girls and then she became popular for knowing scander hill

[Comment #8]

wow i saw the movie it didn't start off great the movie wasn't great i dont like that movie but i like her show!!!!! :)

[Comment #9]

Omg this was such a great movie

[Comment #10]

i cant wait 2 see this movie!!!!im soooo excited!!

[Comment #11]

I loved this movie it was great. Jennifer Stone is such a great actress. Skander Hill in the movie was mean in the beginning I can say that much. He turned out to be nice though.

[Comment #12]

I already saw that movie it was sooo kewl but i hated it when she became one of the popular kids and bailed on her bf's

[Comment #13]

so cool watching the movie later

[Comment #14]

i cant wait 2 c it either i no it will b so good especially if it has Jenifer stone in it!

[Comment #15]

Does this mean she's leaving Wizards of Waverly Place? Or was this just an opprotunity??????

[Comment #16]

I saw it! It was so awesome......

[Comment #17]

I LOVED THAT MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

[Comment #18]

I just saw like 15 minutes ago oh my gosh it is so awesome!!!! it made me lol and i had to tell my friends to catch it!!!!

[Comment #19]

hey mia i saw what you said and in the latest magazine said she would never leave wizards

[Comment #20]

omg! loved the movie! great ending, the other girls were jelous. well any way, the movie great!IDK if my friends saw it? I'll text 'em.

[Comment #21]

i love wizards of waverly place.i love the one were harper(jenifer) makes the dress. it was so PRETTY!!

peace out!!!!!

[Comment #22]

i want to see have not seen i am looking for it on disney yet!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #23]

I love harriet the spy ! It was so fun when I watched it . I had tons of friends over and we all watched it .

[Comment #24]

this was a great movie i preferred the beginning. she is a great spy

[Comment #25]

i loved the movie and i want to be in a movie just like you and we might have a lot in comon. like are outfits,hair,tast,name.