Maitlyn Pezzo has had her sights set on making it in the entertainment industry since day one. After years of performing in musical theater productions, the now-20-year-old was discovered by a Hollywood agent at age ten, igniting her onscreen career. In 2014, Pezzo was featured in TNT series Rizzoli & Isles, as well as in Disney’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. Three years later, the teen starred in Becoming Lucy, winning Best Actress in an Indie Film at the Festigious International Film Festival for her role. In 2018, she reached a wider audience when she was cast on Brat’s Dirt alongside Kalani Hilliker, Lilia Buckingham, and Carson Lueders. Get to know Pezzo as she reflects on her past acting roles and shares some bloopers that occurred along the way.

How did you first get into acting?

My mom and I always joke about how I came out of the womb with a top hat and a cane singing show tunes! Basically, I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember. I went to a creative arts preschool, and at three years old, my classmates and I made up shows and performed them for our parents. I remember the feeling of joy I had every time I put on a show, and that feeling has stuck with me to this day.

Who are some actors or actresses that inspire you and why?

I absolutely love Sally Field. She’s in my all-time favorite movie, Sybil, and has been in countless other amazing movies. I’ve always admired how she loses herself in a role and how she can play dramatic and comedic roles with the same level of expertise! I’m also a big fan of Eddie Murphy and Anthony Hopkins.

What was the audition process like for Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn?

It was actually really funny! I originally auditioned for one of the other roles in that episode: Emily. She’s this fast-talking, high-energy girly girl, the absolute opposite of Indra, who I ended up playing. When I got into the room and saw Amber, the casting director who I’ve auditioned for many times and absolutely adore, I did the scene once. She asked me if I had a change of clothes, and of course I did, because I don’t like dresses. As soon as the audition was over, I changed into shorts and a sweatshirt. She told me to go downstairs, change, throw my hair up in a ponytail, and then come back and learn the sides for Indra. I read it a few times with my mom in the hallway and then did a cold read for Amber. It was a crazy audition experience, but it’s still one of my all-time favorites.

What was your reaction when you found out you were cast as Indra on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn?

I was in the car with my mom driving home from acting class when my manager called us. He told me I got the part of Indra, and I literally screamed in delight the entire way home.

How are your characters on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn and Dirt similar? How are they different?

Honestly, it’s kind of comical how different Indra and Celeste are. One of the only similarities I can think of is that they are both athletic. Indra is an intimidating wrestler on the outside because of her voice, appearance, and her seemingly aggressive behavior, but on the inside, she’s a big softie. When it comes to Celeste, what you see is what you get. She's very sarcastic, not afraid to give you a hard time, and won’t let anyone stand in her way. However, when she loves you, she’s the most loyal and wonderful person to have by your side.

What is your favorite part about being on the set of Dirt?

Every part of being on Dirt is incredible, from filming to downtime with the cast to learning more about the industry, there is never a dull moment. I’m always overjoyed.

Pezzo with "Dirt" castmates (from left) Blaine Maye, Lilia Buckingham, James C. Burns, and Tayler Holder

Pezzo with castmates Lilia Buckingham and Kalani Hilliker

Who are some of your favorite cast members to work with on Dirt?

The whole Dirt cast is like a family. We’re all crazy close and love each other dearly. We have a Dirt group chat and try to hang out outside of set as much as we can!

Any funny moments from being on set that you can share?

There are so many, it’s hard to keep track. One time, David Patty (Daniel), Hunter Rowland (River), and I were all hanging out waiting for our scenes later that day, and there was a box of Emergen-C packets at crafty. Hunter dared me and David to eat the whole packet without any water. Being the geniuses that we are, David and I agreed, and long story short, we ended up looking like rabid dogs and were burping up orange for about an hour. Not our brightest moment, but definitely one of the funniest!

Pezzo with Tayler Holder and Blaine Maye

Pezzo with (from left) Kalani Hilliker, Lilia Buckingham, and director Will Slocombe

Pezzo and Tayler Holder

What’s up next for you?

Right now, I’m working on some amazing short films that I’m so thrilled to be a part of and can’t wait to share with everyone! I also have a secret project going on right now that I can’t share yet, but it’s really cool, and I’m looking forward to telling everyone about it.