HB: I think some similarities- Jude and I are both very observant. I like to think that I always try to pay attention to what’s happening and what’s going on, whether I’m not involved or I am, I like to think that I always keep track of everything and what’s happening. I think that’s one big similarity that Jude and I have.
MM: The chemistry between all the cast members is really apparent on the show. Do you guys hang out off set?
HB: All the time! We all get together and hang out so much of the time and it’s great. Gavin is one of my best friends, Maia feels like a real sister. All the different kids like Cierra, David, Jake; they feel like very close brothers and sisters. I always think of Sherri and Teri as moms, if I ever have any issues I can always come to them, just like I would my own mom. So, yeah, we hang out on and offset- we’re just like a family. It’s cool.
MM: That’s wonderful to hear. Now, do you ever watch the show with your friends and family when it airs? What has your experience been seeing yourself on TV?
HB: I watch the show every week and I keep up with it. I kind of get addicted myself. It’s always cool to see the finished product, going through and doing a scene so many times, taking a day to get it, and then watching it done is kind of nice. It does look good in the end so it’s cool to see. I love watching it with friends and family, hanging out. It’s kind of weird to see yourself on TV. You have to really get over the fact that you’re in two places at once, but you’re not, but you are. It’s interesting. I always like to look at it as, I’m not really looking at myself, I’m looking at a character I portray. So it’s weird, but it’s very cool to see.
MM: I bet! So, the show deals with real issues that people, families, and teens face today. Being a young adult, has being on the show changed your outlook on life at all?
HB: I think yes, totally. Being on the show, and learning a lot of the things I have, has changed my outlook on a lot of stuff. Especially since my characters in the foster system, I have learned so much about the foster system, that I never even heard of. Certain things that people say, or stories here, and the things that you learn about, some stuff that these kids go through, is just incredible to hear. It’s so crazy to think that a human being can be presented these pains and hard times and then go through them and live a successful life, live happy, and move forward. It’s incredible to see.
MM: That is so great. Let’s touch on a few random questions before my final one. What was the last movie you saw in theaters and are there any coming up that you’re looking forward to seeing?
HB: The last movie I saw in theaters was Exodus: Gods and Kings. I thought it was incredible, it was very well done. A movie that I kind of want to see that’s coming out in March I believe, called Chappie. It’s basically about the future and how robots are going to save the Earth. They create this robot that has its own conscience and can make its own decisions and learn, observe, and absorb information around it. I’m kind of excited to see that because it’s an interesting concept and it would be cool to see how that unfolds.
MM: It sounds like an awesome movie. Now to the hard hitting question, which would you prefer- a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion?
HB: I think it’d be cool to see aliens over zombies, but I think I’d be more likely to survive during a zombie apocalypse. So, I’m not quite sure- I don’t want to die either way. (laughs)
MM: (laughs) That’s a very good point. To wrap things up, why do you think so many people have grown to love this show? What gives it that “it” factor?
HB: I think that this show is real. A lot of the problems we portray on the show, people go through in their lives. I think that a lot of stuff that happens to the characters, happens to real people. I think that’s why so many people relate to it and watch it, because there’s so many things that we look at and cover, that are big, big problems or topics in our world. We’ve done stuff on the foster care system, suicide, questioning your sexuality, we’ve done stuff on being transgender. It’s crazy to think of all the different stuff that’s been on the show that you see every day in your life, and I think that’s why so many people love the show.
MM: I think that it fits so well. You could have a show that people slam all these issues into and it’s not done well. This show is just so great that it portrays all these aspects of different lives, and I think that you guys do a great job at it.
HB: Thank you so much.
MM: You’re welcome. My final question is, if you could star on any other ABC Family show, what would it be?
HB: I actually have a very good friend, it’s my best friend, who kind of got me hooked on Chasing Life. That would be a show that I would like to be on. I think the people who work on that show are amazing actors. I met some of them personally and they are very kind people. I think that would be a show that is brand new and touches on another very interesting topic, cancer, and what it’s like to go through that process.