Exclusive: Janice LeAnn Brown Discusses Joining Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
The Russo Family is set to return in the new Disney Channel series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Star of the new series, Janice LeAnn Brown, sat down with BB and fellow press members to chat about the new generation to experience the hit franchise and getting the chance to play a wizard.
On her reaction to landing the role: “For me it was very surreal because at that time, I was really in a place of self-doubt and I was questioning my craft and myself as a person and wondering if I’m actually really gonna make it in life. So the fact that I had got it at the time that I did, I just felt so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity. And I didn’t cry in front of my mommy or my papa because, I was trying to act like a big dog. But when I got to my room, I just started bawling tears of joy because the timing was just crazy and it felt like my prayers were answered.”
On what it was like to play a wizard: “I think it was very fun. From the beginning it was a little awkward, especially seeing how the results came out on camera and everything. I remember Selena[Gomez] telling me, ‘Yeah, it’s gonna be a little awkward at first, but the wand will turn into your best friend.’ I even named the wand Bobby. I have a name for my wand!”
On where she keeps her wand during filming: “I think we all know Alex’s iconic wand in boot. I put my wand in my sleeve sometimes. So the wand is definitely becoming my best friend just like she said. So it’s super fun.”
On the advice they received from David Henrie: “‘We’re doing this to make a kid smile, to make a kid laugh’. That’s one thing that Mr. David Henrie has taught us a lot, that he says pretty much every live show or every run-through, so it sticks deeply with me.”
On her first introduction to the franchise: “I was a fan. I didn’t really watch the original show like that. I watched one or two seasons. But I was a big fan of the movies, so I loved the movies. And just from watching the movies, I think what I really loved about it was the forgiveness of everything and how family really matters, how they could have your back. In Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie, I really loved the dynamic between Alex and Justin and their whole little journey between each other and just that really heartfelt moment that they had during the competition. It always stuck to me, even when I was 7 up to 11 and everything. I would say that’s really what stuck with me the most.”
On working with Disney alumni, such as Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel on the new season: “We learned a lot from Ms. Raven because I think she had a lot of wisdom to give us. She was in it for so long, and I learned a lot from her. There were things that I hadn’t even heard of that she said that actually kind of worked for me too. And then Ms. Danielle, she was just such an angel and she was so sweet and she was so funny. I think the best way I can describe her is kind of like what David said, a very classy, lovely woman. She had also a lot of wisdom and advice to give us that I think really stuck with me as well. She was just such a great person to work with and I would help that we would get to work with her again and it was just such an honor to have her.”
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premieres today, October 29, on Disney Channel.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Photo Credit: Disney/Maarten de Boer