Canadian ‘Tween
TV Series
25TH FEBRUARY 2014 BY ANNE BRODIE
Interview With ‘The Next Step,’ the
Canadian ‘Tween TV Series
The Next Step, the Canadian tween TV series set in a competitive dance
studio blasted out of the gate last year and became one of the Family Channel
most successful properties. It follows an ensemble of gifted young dancers as they navigate the
highs and lows of competition and growing up. The Next Step is a bone fide hit
with young people, as evidenced by a phenomenal social media response and a
packed mall tour. It airs in the US and Australia and has just been sold to BBC
International.The second season March 7 at 7:30 ET/PT on Family finds the kids fresh
off their Regionals win, having to re-audition to compete in the Nationals. And
that could spell major change. M&C spoke with four inspiring young stars, Victoria Baldesarra, 15,
Logan Fabbro, 15, Trevor Tordjman, 18, and nineteen year old Lamar Johnson in
Toronto, and all four dancers tell us they can eat whatever they want whenever
they want because they work so hard!
Monster and Critics: The show’s a phenom!
Lamar – We had no idea it would go into a second season! It was a new
platform and we didn’t know how audience would take it, but when the premiere
of the first season took off. When we went on the mall tour it was the most
incredible experience, we got to meet the fans first hand it was a treat for
us. It’s a unique show especially for the demographic. The people in The Next
Step you really care about.
M&C: Are you enjoying playing your characters, James and West?
Trevor - My character has a lot of attitude, but he’s also laid back. James
is almost too laid back, I’d say, and sometimes he doesn’t care enough, but he
also takes everything with humour. He doesn’t pay attention to the drama too
much, he doesn’t get involved but he always laughs it off, walks it off.
Lamar – My character is a goof. He kind of says whatever he says at the
moment, he’s honest and spontaneous; never really know what he’s going to say
or do and sometimes you’re like “What?” you’re kinda confused about him.
M&C: The series is about more than dance, isn’t it?
Trevor - It’s like the fact that there is relationship drama. It shows kids
what can happen and how to deal with it and the problems. I think it’s a good
part of the storyline. It allows the viewers to connect and relate to us. We
really lucked out with the people we ended up working with. Everybody sees eye
to eye and they’re all amazing dancers. We constantly inspire each other. The
guys will be doing a flip and I’ll go “Whoa!” We learn from each other. The
first time we met, we started flipping. That was the most I’ve ever leapt. We
started and we went off for an hour.
Lamar – We teach each other. We all have a very god work ethic. I think
that makes a big difference. People with a really strong work ethic are always
willing to learn and grow. No one is satisfied with where they’re at; they all
want to move forward and do better. There is a huge difference between the
first season and second season because we all think “I want to do so much
better”. All of us are dancers, even when we’re not filming were always
dancing, choreographing, teaching, training.
M&C: I hear you taught yourself how to dance?
Lamar – Yes. I always wanted to be an entertainer, and I did talent
shows and got picked up by different crews and choreographers who wanted to use
me for this and that. I met people and opportunities came to me and I got here.
Honestly this is a great thing for all of us The Next Step has changed our
lives. We would definitely be in it for as long as we can.
Trevor – We’re part of something great.
And if all the success wasn’t enough, the boys tell me they can eat whatever they want, whenever they want because they work so hard!
And if all the success wasn’t enough, the boys tell me they can eat whatever they want, whenever they want because they work so hard!
Both Victoria Baldesarre and Logan Fabbro – who play Michelle and
Amanda – enjoy The Next Step for the work and the opportunity to help aspiring
young dancers.
Victoria – It’s huge for us. Our producer told us the show was going to go
global and we thought he was insane and here it is. On my social media they say
“You’re my role model and inspire me and I want to dance like you” so when kids
watch the show, they’re really happy. They love watching the dance and there’s
always something new and the end outcome is always positive.
Logan – We try to teach kids to deal with their problems because there
is so much drama at the school, how to deal with their drama in mature ways.
Keep their hopes up high and dream big.
M&C: Logan your character Amanda had to swallow her pride to audition
with her rival studio. That must have been a good acting exercise.
Logan – I relate everything back to my real life, and competition. You
get humiliated sometimes when you make a mistake onstage so you feel you’re
letting a lot of people down but it happens to everyone. You just have to be
strong, and my character is very strong and she puts everything out there in
everything, especially in dance. She’s herself. She is very straightforward and
honest with everyone.
M&C: Victoria, your challenge is Emily, your rival and your team
co-captain.
Victoria – Exactly. When we’re acting together I feel like it’s easy to
play off each other. We always work off each other. Sometimes it’s really weird
and it’s almost awkward sometimes but it’s just the reality. There’s
competition in dance and every day people get into fights and I see it all the
time in my studio, maybe not the older levels. I have a little cousin who is in
dance and its always drama. I was like that too. Everyone goes through that.
M&C: Because you’re always acting, or training or in school, do you
feel you miss out?
Victoria – In September when we were filming and in school, it’s hard
because all my friends invited me places and I couldn’t go. I missed my
friend’s birthday last week because of dance. But at the end of the day it‘s
all worth it. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I wasn’t driven and focused on
dance and school. I’m really young so my social life is always going to be
there. Right now it’s a huge deal but it’s not a huge deal really.
Logan – We started at such a young age, at three and then competition at
6 or 7 and then you continue to do it all the time and it is a regular thing
and it’s a part of your life. Without it there would be a hole, an empty space.
You get a feeling when you dance and you can’t get that feeling anywhere else.
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