Audrey Smallman Talks UP TV’s ‘Date My Dad’ [Exclusive Interview]

If you’re looking for a new show the whole family can watch this summer, UP TV’s Date My Dad may just be the perfect fit.

The show, which stars Barry Watson and Raquel Welch, follows a single father and his three daughters who have made it their goal to get their dad to start dating again.

Audrey Smallman plays the incredibly smart Gigi, who is the youngest of the three daughters. I had a few questions for Smallman about her role on the show and how she got her start as an actress.

Tell-Tale TV: You discovered your love for acting when you were five years old. What did you love about it? How did you know that was something you wanted to do?

Audrey Smallman: I loved the improv side of acting. How I could be anyone at anytime, as well as dressing up in all the costumes. I also love meeting new people.

After taking classes at Arts Umbrella in Vancouver, B.C, I started going to acting camps where I would perform in front of a camera. It was there that I found out the other kids in the camp all had agents and were booking commercials or TV roles. After camp one day I asked my mom if I could get an agent to get on TV. She asked if I really wanted that and when I said yes, she said, why not, let’s see what happens!

Tell-Tale TV: What can you tell us about your character on Date My Dad?

Smallman: My character’s name on Date My Dad is Gigi Cooper. She is an eight-year-old genius. She is the youngest of the three daughters on the show. She is very smart, a bit quirky, a planner, and really funny. She also has a genuinely kind personality.

Tell-Tale TV: What’s your favorite thing about working on the show?

Smallman: My favorite thing about working on Date My Dad is that we are like a big family. Everyone helps each other and makes sure we are all happy and feeling well. I also like that every day is new and exciting!

Tell-Tale TV: What do you think people will enjoy the most about watching Date My Dad?

Smallman: I think people will enjoy all the funny situations the daughters (that includes me!) put their dad through. But I also think they will get into the show and be able to relate to a lot of the things the family goes through.

Tell-Tale TV: Is there anything you’ve learned working on Date My Dad that you think you can carry with you to future roles?

Smallman: The biggest lesson I learned is that there is a little bit of me in Gigi. And that is okay.

Tell-Tale TV: If you could work with anyone on television, who would it be and why?

Smallman: I would LOVE to work with Jennifer Lawrence! She was SO good in all the Hunger Games films, and I just think she would be a really nice person.

Tell-Tale TV: I read that you enjoy watching cooking shows for kids. What’s your favorite? Is that something you’d ever like to try?

Smallman: My favorite cooking show is Master Chef Junior. I don’t think I would like to cook on the show, but I wouldn’t mind being a judge. Oh and tasting all the food, since I really can’t cook.

Tell-Tale TV: What other kinds of things do you like to watch on television?

Smallman: I like to watch Speechless. My brother is in a wheelchair and so is “JJ.” They both also have cerebral palsy. There are three kids on the show, and there are three kids in our family. A lot of the situations I can understand.

I also like Victorious because I love music. All the characters are all quite unique in their own way.

Be sure to catch Audrey Smallman on Date My Dad, premiering this Friday, June 2nd, at 9/8c on UP TV. In the meantime, take a look at the trailer here:

*Featured image credit: Pink Monkey Studios

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