Editor’s note: Cody Linley is a 2008 graduate and is known for his role as “Jake Ryan” on the hit TV show “Hannah Montana.” StuCo sponsor Allison Stamey contacted Linley and reporter Jackie Guerrero got the opportunity to do a phone interview with him and ask him about his career and about his recent film “Hoovey” which you can read here.  

Q: What have you done since graduation?

A:  “Well I moved to California, and I’ve been in different projects. I was on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ when I was 18, and that was a blast. I continued to work on ‘Hannah Montana.’ Also I did voiceover work. I played Jesus on the audio work for the New Testament. I come back home all the time and visit with my family.”

Q: Has it been a challenge to break out of the Disney/teen idol mold?

A: “I think that ‘Hoovey’ is my first movie that has really started my career as an adult. Up until then I was more of a Disney heartthrob. I was recognized for that and still am from Hannah Montana. It’s totally fine and I’m OK with it, but I’m growing up now and I want to be able to do different roles.”

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring actors in high school?

A: “Continue t0 create. Find an outlet so that you are constantly sharpening your skills.”

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from LHS?

 A: “Going to the football games and being a part of the Rowdy Crowd. I was grateful because my Grandpa hadn’t missed a game in like 40 years, even the away games. It’s a family tradition, and I felt lucky to have so many friends and family be a part of it. Some of my other favorite memories was also playing basketball.”

Q: Have you ever been starstruck before?

 A: “Usually I try to keep it on the low, but when I was working with Juliana Hough on ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ I got to go to the Emmys, because she was nominated for one of her choreographies. We went to the green room to have a quick break and Tom Hanks was there. I met eye contact with him and I said something goofy, like ‘Oh that chicken looks good,’ and he just smiled at me and kept going. He’s one of my favorite actors.”

Q: What was it like transitioning from being in the halls of LHS to walking red carpets?

 A: “I was lucky enough to walk the red carpet and go to school at Lewisville High School simultaneously, which is pretty rare. In high school, I was at LHS for the first semester and then the second semester I would have to withdraw and go to a charter school in L.A. I think it was a natural transition because I have been acting since I was about 5 years old. I feel at home in both places because I’m a student, I love to learn, and I see myself as a regular guy. But I’m also an artist and actor, so being on the red carpet is just part of the gig.”

Q: What is it like being a public figure?

 A: “It takes patience, but then it’s also an honor to be able to be viewed as a role model for society. I just try to be respectful to the people that are excited to meet me, and also use the power of the spotlight or any fame that I have ever received to help other people, or bring attention to causes that I think are for the highest good.”

Q: What was it like being on “Dancing With The Stars?”

 A: “It was intense and very busy schedules. An emotional roller coaster because we became so close to each other. The whole cast. Whenever it ended, it was very shocking because you are going from working together every day to having nothing to do. But it gave me a lot of exposure, and it showed me that I’m capable of doing great things. I’ve never done dancing until then and I enjoyed it.”

Q: What was your favorite dance on “Dancing With The Stars?”

A: “The jitterbug, the one I got the highest score on. I think I liked it a lot because I got to be a little bit goofy.”

Q: What is your dream role?

A: “To play a spy and learn martial arts, an action-type movie. I would also like to do something that is very opposite of my personality, something that is challenging, that requires a lot of preparation.”