Fifteen-year-old actress and singer Laya DeLeon Hayes is no stranger to the small screen. Hayes has been performing since the age of five, making her television debut on Grey’s Anatomy Halloween episode, “Thriller.” Since then, she has appeared on Disney’s Raven’s Home and Liv and Maddie, Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans and Game Shakers, ABC’s Quantico, CBS’s Code Black and NBC’s Chicago Fire. Hayes also has recurring roles on two Amazon Prime series: Just Add Magic and Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny. The teen made her movie debut in Sister Code as Young Lavae, and she later starred in Nickelodeon’s holiday movie, Santa Hunters. Her most notable casting, however, is the voice of Doc on Disney’s Doc McStuffins, a series that follows a six-year-old doctor who cares for stuffed animals and toys in her own, fun-filled clinic. In the fall, Hayes is also set to star in the new CBS drama, The Equalizer, playing Queen Latifah’s daughter, Delilah. Below, the Texas native hones in on her journey to Hollywood.

Which was your first love: singing or acting?

My first love has always been acting. Once my parents allowed me the opportunity to pursue it and told me I could make a career out of it, I was all in.

How did you first become involved with the Grey’s Anatomy franchise?

It was one of my first auditions when I moved to Los Angeles, so I was really nervous. I didn’t know what to expect but gave it my best. I clearly did something they liked and booked the part. Grey’s was a wonderful experience. It was my first opportunity to work on a major show that my friends and family still watch to this day.

How did your time on Grey’s help you grow as an actress?

Grey’s allowed me to showcase the type of acting I was trained in, which is more dramatic and serious. The character helped grow my confidence in my acting abilities, and I proved to myself that I could be a successful actress.

How did your role on Grey’s differ from your role on Just Add Magic?

I booked the role of Taryn on Grey’s when I was nine and Piper on Just Add Magic when I was twelve. I only worked on one episode of Grey’s Anatomy, but Just Add Magic was my first recurring role on a TV show. I did 13 episodes, so I got the chance to develop relationships, get more experience in front of the camera and shoot at different locations. I was able to grow with Piper, as she became a bigger part of the story and had an episode named after her.

What was your favorite part about being a part of Raven’s Home?

I really liked my character, Zeena. Having the opportunity to work with Raven [Symone] and the rest of the cast was also pretty amazing. I made a lot of friends, and getting the chance to learn to step dance was a highlight for me.

Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from Raven’s Home you can share?

During lunch, we would all play basketball. We also created a fun dance to go with our characters’ traits.

What was it like being the voice of Doc McStuffins?

Voicing Doc was very inspiring. To be able to play one of the only black animation characters on television was pretty amazing. Doc has a lot of fans, and when kids and parents find out I was the voice, the adults freak out and the children just stare in awe.

As Doc, do you feel like you have a responsibility to children across the globe? What message do you hope to spread through your character?

For me, it’s about spreading kindness and love. Doc has helped so many kids feel comfortable when going to the doctor. She has also become an inspiration to kids who want to become a doctor one day. Regardless of race, anyone can relate to Doc and see her as a role model.

What are your future plans?

My plans are to continue to work hard and stay focused. I want to make a name for myself in the entertainment business and one day have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I aim to do more movies and continue to challenge myself as an artist. Ultimately, I hope to do more projects that inspire me and tell stories that have an impact on others.