Frankie McNellis chatted about her upcoming roles in Sony Pictures’ The Honey Girls and Netflix’s adaptation of hit Broadway musical 13.
Read on below for Frankie’s full interview with Courageous Nerd!
Welcome Frankie and thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
Frankie McNeillis (FM): Thank you for having me!
You’ve already done varied projects – film, animation, music– in your growing career. Who or what first inspired you to start acting?
FM: When I was 8 or 9 years old, I competed in a singing competition. That’s where I met my manager. She heard me talking about how I wanted to be a big star and be like all those Disney Channel kids. I wanted to be on TV, so she was like, “Oh my gosh, you should try acting.” She sent me [on] my first audition then I fell in love and have been doing it ever since.
One of your upcoming projects is the film Honey Girls, distributed by Sony Pictures. Without giving too much away, how would you describe the plot and the character you play?
FM: It’s very fun, the film is very fun. I just got to watch it. It’s really about friendship, being together and being better together. It’s basically about a bunch of teenage girls who join this competition hoping to be the next big artist. They secretly form a group called The Honey Girls!
In your opinion, what do you think makes Honey Girls stand out to films that may be perceived as similar or within the same genre?
FM: One huge thing that’s different is that The Honey Girls already existed before we did, before we were cast in it. It’s based on a line at Build-A-Bear. It’s really cool, how we take in the original Honey Girls personalities into the movie. Also, our director Trey Fanjoy did such an amazing job with the movie. Each song is a music video on its own, it’s so cool.
Where can people catch Honey Girls once it’s out?
FM: It’ll be digital and DVD – you can just run to the store and grab a copy. Or, online, it’ll be on Amazon Prime I believe. iTunes… there’s a few places you can get it.
Another of your projects is Netflix’s feature adaptation of 13. How would you explain the original musical to those who are unfamiliar?
FM: Without giving too much of it away, it’s basically about this kid from New York City named Evan Goldman. He’s about to have his big Bar Mitzvah party – he’s so excited, going to have all his friends there. His parents are going through a divorce, so he goes to Indiana with his mother and lives with his grandma. He’s going to this new school, doesn’t know anyone. He’s hoping to make new friends so he can invite them to his Bar Mitzvah party. I’m one of those ‘friends’ he makes – we’re not really friends in the movie. You’ll see!
What do you hope fans of 13: The Musical take away from this feature film version? When will it be out?
FM: There’s a few things that have changed, I will say that. Each character learns a lesson by the end of the movie. The audience watching can take away that and apply it to their real life. In both movies, Honey Girls and 13, you learn about friendship. At least for my characters.
Professionally or personally, what do you hope to accomplish in the coming months – are there any other projects you would like to mention?
FM: I really enjoy doing musicals so I hope in the future I can continue to do that. Maybe even work on a TV show, because I’ve never done that yet. That would be super cool. Anything involving all the stuff I like to do – I sing, dance and act so I just want to do all of it at the same time!
Thanks again for taking the time, Frankie – take care and stay safe!
FM: Thank you so much!
