AJ Michalka Talks About Disney’s “Secretariat”

September 30, 2010 | by Disney Dreaming

We recently spoke with AJ Michalka, who stars in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures film “Secretariat,” about her role as Kate Tweedy in the movie! Here’s what she had to say:

Did you audition for the part of Kate?

“I did. I actually originally put myself on tape and it went really well and I got really good feedback, and they said ‘The director would love to meet you in person,’ and I went in and I heard [about the part] a couple weeks later. I was overwhelmed and it was a really easy process.”

What was it like to work on “Secretariat”?

“It was amazing. I’m a huge horse lover and I’m an avid horse rider myself. I have so much respect for that sport. I grew up going to the horse races and they’re in the gate and they’re ready to race their hearts out – it’s such a passionate sport. [Secretariat is] such a beautiful story. I was able to meet most of the Chenery family, and I got to meet the real Kate.”

In which ways are you similar to your character in the movie?

“I would say I’m a lot like her! In the sense that she’s a strong girl just like her mother in the movie. I have a strong relationship with my mother. Penny’s always been the person that’s a go-getter and so is Kate, and that’s how me and my mom are. I’ve learned a lot from my mother, we’re super close. It’s important to go for what you love and not quit, and that’s what the story is about and that’s what I do everyday. Kate is a strong, witty go-getter personality, and that’s how I am.”

Which actors did you learn the most from on set?

“I worked the most with Diane. She’s so professional and so beautiful, and a wonderful person – no attitude and so professional and giving as an actress. I think that’s the most important part [of acting], if you can give to another actor or actress on camera or off camera than you’re really helping to portray a story. Making a story is a real effort. [Diane is] a team player.”

Do you have any funny stories from the set?

“I think that being able to shoot the family scenes was the most fun because the director let us improvise a lot. I think those scenes were really active and we were all taking over each other and acting like a real family.”

What was different about working on “Secretariat” than working on the other movies you’ve been in?

“For me I became really close with these people. I consider myself really close to the director. The fact that I was able to be a part of the theme song, to not only be a part of ["Secretariat"] as an actress, but also as a musician, this is a song that [director Randall Wallace] wrote while we were filming and I had never really done that in a film. I have to say I really believe in this film. I’ve never really portrayed a real character.”

How did the video for “It’s Who You Are” come about?

“It was really fun and it was really easy to shoot. It wasn’t difficult or hard or stressful, just sing your heart out and have fun. The video, I think, to me is really beautiful because it’s like creating a song. I have my journal out and as the video progresses the song does as well.”

Walt Disney Pictures’ “Secretariat” arrives in theaters on October 8th. Be sure to read our review of the film here.