She might be the friendliest triple threat you’ll ever meet. At just 16 years old, Miranda Cosgrove has a hit TV show (“iCarly” on Nickelodeon), a debut studio album (“Sparks Fly”) and an upcoming movie role (the voice of Margo in “Despicable Me,” a 3D animated film scheduled to be released in July). On top of all of that, Cosgrove recently took the time to meet with 150 Harlem students to promote affordable afterschool programs as part of an “Afterschool Rocks” event sponsored by Quaker Chewy and the non-profit Afterschool Alliance. New York Family spoke to Cosgrove on the telephone during her New York visit to find out how she does it all.
How did you get into show business?
I was 3 years old and in a restaurant with my parents. An agent asked my parents about me modeling and doing commercials. At first, my mom wasn’t sure, but we tried it, and I did fun things and liked it. I did it as a side thing, really.
Did you expect “iCarly” to become as popular as it has?
I really didn’t. When I was 13 and on the show “Drake and Josh,” the creator [Dan Schneider] took me and my mom aside and said he had a few ideas for a show for me. I still get really excited when people recognize me.
Are you good friends with your castmates?
We’re like brothers and sisters.
We’re together 10 1/2 hours every day. We argue and then love each other two seconds later. I’m really close with Jerry [Trainor, who plays Carly’s brother Spencer].
You started acting on the show “Drake and Josh” at 8; were you also interested in pursuing a career in music even then?
I always liked singing. I got into the guitar because of Drake [Bell]. I used to follow him around and make him teach me chords and stuff. For my 16th birthday, Nickelodeon got me an awesome Gibson guitar like Taylor Swift’s with my name on it.
Do you write your own music and lyrics?
I’m always making songs up in my room, so I had a lot of different ideas when I went to the producers. The album was a big collaboration. I’ve been working on it for about a year and a half. It was so great that I got to really concentrate on the album; it was my first big break from filming “iCarly.” It was so hard to narrow down a ton of songs to 10 or 12 or 14. I’m so happy “Kissin U” is the single, though, because it’s one of my favorites.
What was it like to voice an animated character for the movie “Despicable Me”?
It’s really different doing animated stuff. They film you the whole time, and I didn’t know that. They use your facial expressions and hand movements. I thought that was pretty cool. But the first few days, I went in my pajamas and probably looked so dorky. When I found out they were filming, I tried to look better. G
To learn more about Cosgrove’s partnership with Quaker Chewy and the Afterschool Alliance, and to enter to win a free private performance by Cosgrove, visit quakeroats.com.
Plus, This Month’s
Highlights In Books, Music And DVDs
BOOKS
Farm Written
and illustrated by Elisha Cooper this beautifully illustrated story
introduces young readers to day-to-day life on a farm for everyone from
the farmers and their children to the cows and barn cats. (Available
now; Scholastic)
MUSIC
Ranky Tanky String
band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem breathe new life into old favorites
by Cat Stevens, Tom Petty, Nat King Cole and more in their first family
album. (Available now; Signature Sounds)
DVD
DVD Jim Henson’s The Animal Show with Stinky
and Jake: Lions, Tigers & Bears Jim Henson creations, Stinky
the Skunk and Jake the Polar Bear, invite the wildest of wildlife to be
guests on their riproarin’ talk show. Includes five fun episodes.(Available April 13; Lions
Gate)
—Mary Squillace
