TIME FOR KIDS ONLINE

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
March 11, 2004
Meet Madylin Sweeten, actress
TFK finds out why everybody loves Madylin Sweeten

You may know Madylin Sweeten, 12, as Ally Barone, the role she is famous for playing on the hit CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. The show is based on the life of Ray Romano, the show's star and creator. Romano has a real daughter named Ally and twin boys named Geoffrey and Michael, played by Madylin's identical twin brothers, Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten, 8. TFK spoke with Madylin about the show (which was just signed on for a ninth season), working with her brothers and being famous.

TFK: Do you watch the show at home?
Madylin: Sometimes. Most of the time we don't, because we already know what's going to happen.

TFK: When you do watch it, what's it like to see yourself on TV?
Madylin: It's normal! When I was younger it was a little more exciting, but I'm used to it now.

TFK: How do you go to school while filming?
Madylin: I used to go from school to work, so I'd go to regular school and then I'd go to school with my tutor. But it was really hard, because I had seven teachers and all these contracts to fill out. So instead, I'm going to do online school.

TFK: Is it hard to memorize lines?
Madylin: No! Sawyer, Sullivan and I memorize everybody's lines—our lines included.

TFK: You go to a lot of awards shows, including the Emmys, SAG Awards, TV Guide Awards, and Young Actress Awards. What's that like?
Madylin: It's fun! I get to get all dressed up. Mom makes some dresses for me. She and I will design them, and then she'll sew them and put them together.

TFK: Do your friends watch the show?
Madylin: Yeah, they watch the show sometimes if they finish their homework. They're so used to seeing me on TV, because I've had all my friends since the third or fourth grade.

TFK: Is the character you play anything like the real Ally?
Madylin: My character is a lot like the real Ally. The real Ally is funnier than the character is, but I think that they're pretty much the same. I think it's kind of cool, because I get to go out there and act exactly like her, and then I go back to the dressing room and we play dolls together. What's great about Ally is that she and I both want to be fashion designers.

TFK: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Madylin: I do horseback riding, dance, art, music lessons, and I used to take tennis.

TFK: What actresses do you look up to?
Madylin: Drew Barrymore is my role model. She is really cool, and I heard that she's really nice. I want to be a good actress like her when I grow up. And I think Cameron Diaz is really funny.

TFK: What advice do you have for other kids who want to become actors?
Madylin: Don’t let your parents be your manager, because they don’t know what they’re doing! You need someone who knows about the business to tell you what to do, where to go, what to sign. Don't get so wrapped up in working. It should be fun as well. Always make sure it's fun.


By Jennifer Marino