Adamo Ruggiero and Lauren Collins
TheStarScoop.Com talked to Degrassi's Adamo Ruggiero and Lauren Collins about reprising their roles, the Degrassi movie and so much more!
Photo Credit: Epitome
The Star Scoop:
Tell us about how it felt to reprise your roles and go back to Degrassi.
Adamo Ruggiero:
Lauren and I, and Stacey and Jake, I mean, we've been gone for a year, Jake obviously longer. So coming back for this movie was really nostalgic. It was kind of like old times. We were all together and we were shooting at the Epitome Studios, where we shot our show since the beginning. This time we added the whole L.A. thing, which is super awesome. I know Marco so well; we know our characters so well that we kind of just go right back into it. I know it's a cliche saying, but it really is like riding a bike.
Lauren Collins:
Yeah. I think there's been so much talk for so long about a Degrassi movie. I think we're all so excited that it finally came to fruition. Everyone was really positive.
The Star Scoop:
Even though you haven't played the characters in a while, are you still getting recognized for these roles?
Lauren Collins:
Oh absolutely. I think even more so because a lot of the earlier seasons are getting much more play in syndication on networks like The CW.
Adamo Ruggiero:
MTV.
Lauren Collins:
MTV. MTV's now playing the show and obviously it's constantly on on The N.
Adamo Ruggiero:
I think it's more.
Lauren Collins
Yeah, especially with all the hype building up for the movie.
Adamo Ruggiero:
It's weird, because we are from Toronto. When we come to New York or L.A., the states, we feel the hype of the kids recognizing us. It's just so surprising and exciting for us, because we're so far removed from it.
The Star Scoop:
What do you think fans will be most excited about as far as the movie is concerned?
Adamo Ruggiero:
There's a rekindled romance. I think fans are going to go crazy over that.
Lauren Collins:
Yeah. I think the music is really fantastic. It's an amazing performances I really think people will love.
Adamo Ruggiero:
We've got some great guest appearances, which I think kids are gonna love as well, and there's something that kids will definitely be affected by or will affect them. I don't know if they will love it, but there's drama between the characters as well.
The Star Scoop:
Do you feel like you'd be open to doing more Degrassi things in the future?
Lauren Collins:
Absolutely. I say, never say never. Degrassi's been such a huge part of my life. It's the reason why my career has been so successful. I love going back. It feels like going back home.
Adamo Ruggiero:
We've been so lucky to have Degrassi be a part of our lives and to put it literally, have a job for so many years. It is one of, maybe the longest running Canadian show, and luckily we're so blessed to actually be a part of that. If it continues to live, we are so proud of the show. We're honored to be on it. I'm always ready to go back to Degrassi High.
The Star Scoop:
Why do you think that the show has been on so long and stuck like this? Why do people enjoy it so much? Why this show as opposed to other shows?
Adamo Ruggiero:
That's a question we sometimes will ask ourselves. What is it about this show that's been so charming?
Lauren Collins:
I think it has this unique charm that other teen shows haven't been able to really master to give them the longevity that Degrassi has had. Degrassi has been able to grow up with its characters and grow up with its audience at the same time.
Adamo Ruggiero:
I think maybe it's a Canadian thing. I think that's the charm [laughs]. I think it speaks a lot to what kids really want. They want the truth. They need shows that will inspire them and educate them and enlighten them.
The Star Scoop:
To all of the fans that have been following you for so long, what is something you want to say to them?
Lauren Collins:
The biggest thank you in the world. I really don't think the show would be around without them...die hard fans that we have that have just believed in us.
Adamo Ruggiero:
Definitely. You always hear a lot of artists saying thank you to the fans. Now I know what that means. We wouldn't have anything that we have if it wasn't for the kids that actually watch the show.
Lauren Collins:
And especially because we don't have this huge, big media machine behind us that's putting us out there all the time on every red carpet...
Adamo Ruggiero:
Our Teen Choice Award, I mean, that's it...there's no Hollywood glamour here.
The Star Scoop:
Do you have any behind the scenes stories the fans would like from the movie?
Adamo Ruggiero:
It's hard to even pick one. I think the best time was what Lauren, Stacey, Jake and I had in L.A. It was just like a vacation with our friends.
Lauren Collins:
It was so surreal. It had been put off for a while. It was just so surreal that we actually made it, and to be working like that in L.A., filming with this tiny crew, literally on the Hollywood strip.
Adamo Ruggiero:
Yeah. One of my favorite memories of it was shooting the ocean scene that you will see, which is essentially dramatic...running into the ocean with me and Jake and Stacey and I'm like practically drowning and our directors are in wet suits shooting. Those kind of moments literally made up this whole movie, and I think that comes on screen.
The Star Scoop:
If people aren't familiar with Degrassi, how would you sum up what it is to them so they could feel like they can go into the movie and understand it?
Lauren Collins:
Well, I think that's the cool thing about the movie. It does sort of have a bit of a separate feel to it, just because there's a few story lines...my character for example, we've never seen her in L.A. before. That's where the movie picks up, so that's new to everyone. That's new to fans that have been with the show forever and anyone new who would be watching it.
Adamo Ruggiero:
People who do not know the show at all...I would just kind of say it's a high school, dramatic soap opera meets a really exciting glamorous, glitter filled feature. I can't even describe it. It's like reality meets fantasy, if you understand. If you can't really get that, watch the movie!
The Star Scoop:
Where do you want to be in the future? Where can fans follow you next?
Adamo Ruggiero:
For me, it's been an eventful year. I shoot another kids' show back in Toronto. I did a play, a feature. I think our goal in the future, really, and I can definitely also speak for Lauren is to definitely be in the industry and to continue to work as actors and definitely in some capacity in the entertainment industry. I think for our fans, what we want as they follow us is I hope that they're just always proud of us. I know that sometimes there's young stars out there that it's difficult to be proud of. I just hope our fans are proud of us and that we respect ourselves and know we respect our careers.
Lauren Collins:
Yeah, absolutely. I know my heart lies in acting and that's definitely what I want to continue with. I'm not going to say no to anything else. I think I am too in love with show business to give up working in [this] industry. They're very supportive of us following our hearts and trying out new things. I'm sure if I try to write or direct or whatever, I don't know if they would let me do it right away, but they would be supportive of that.
Adamo Ruggiero:
Our life is a show..