This April saw Ayaamii Sledge play Melissa Crandell in the feature film Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, which is a remake of the 1991 film of the same name, and Ayaamii reunited with the cast at the recent premiere event and she was directed by Wade Allain-Marcus. Since Series 1 of the Netflix series The Upshaws, Ayaamii has played Sydney alongside a cast including Mike Epps as her on-screen grandfather, and it has been announced she is returning for the upcoming Series 5. Last year, Ayaamii played Nadine in NBC’s Grand Crew, and her further screen roles have included 9-Year-Old Athena (Angela Bassett) in 9-1-1, Young Poppy (Octavia Spencer) in Truth Be Told, a Jedi Youngling in Obi-Wan Kenobi, and she played Serena Williams in Series 2 of Home Economics and Essence in episodes of Disney’s Sydney to the Max. Talking with Ayaamii, we found out about playing Melissa Crandell in new feature film Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, filming as Sydney in the Netflix series The Upshaws and being in the cast of Grand Crew last year.

Can you tell us about the new feature film Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead and your character Melissa Crandell?

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead is about an older sister of four being stuck with watching her siblings because their mother had a nervous breakdown. The amazing, smart, and dark media expert Melissa Crandell is the third child, who is into gaming and loves to watch murder mysteries. Because of her murder mystery passion, she was able to help her sister secure a job and guide her siblings on how to solve the issue of the babysitter’s dead body.

How was it being part of the remake of the 1991 film of the same name and how did you prepare for your role?

Honestly, seeing my mom and her friend excited about the remake of the movie and I was blessed to be a part of it, I was nervous! I knew this was a classic, and I had to work hard to make sure I did not disappoint the fans of the original movie. I waited to watch the original movie because I wanted to make sure I was open to the direction of the director and also to put my own twist on it. I prepared by just studying the script and I was already into murder mystery shows so it helped me get in character.

What was Melissa like to play and how was it filming alongside the rest of the cast?

Playing Melissa was so much fun because it’s totally the opposite of Ayaamii. Melissa is dark and wears gothic fashion, but Ayaamii walks on set with everything pink LOL. The cast of Don’t Tell Mom is the BEST. We had so much fun. We had lunch together and played games together during our downtime. We enjoyed being around each other and the crew. It felt like everyone on set was like my family!

What was it like on set of the film and being directed by Wade Allain-Marcus?

Director Mr. Wade Allain-Marcus was the best director I had the pleasure of working with. He was able to give direct instructions but at the same time he took the time to ask me “How would you deliver this line or how would you say it?”, he gave me the opportunity to use my creative gift and that’s when I realised how much I love what I do.

Did you have a favourite scene to film and who do you think will enjoy watching Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead?

My favourite scene was when we took the babysitter’s body and put her in the driver’s seat like she was the driver and put her foot on the gas, let her roll down the hill, my plan was for her to hit the tree but the car actually ended up in a pond so she drowned and I said, “Hmm, even better!”. A lot of people would enjoy that scene because of how unexpected and funny that line was.

How did you find the experience attending the recent premiere event and how did you feel seeing the film be released in April?

This was actually my first movie premiere, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I actually filmed The Upshaws earlier that day, and I had to get ready fast to attend the premiere. I am everything girlie, so have a stylist, shout out to Shelli Bradley from The Bradley Studio for the amazing pieces by NIL+MON and my makeup artist Rejae Chanell for making sure I looked red carpet ready. I was just excited the movie was being released, and April was the perfect release month.

You play Sydney in the Netflix series The Upshaws, how would you describe your character, and how is it filming with Mike Epps as your on-screen grandfather?

Mike Epps is funny on camera and off camera, he is so approachable and cool all the time. I am the daughter of Mike Epps’s oldest son Bernard (Jemelle Simon). Sydney is another very smart character I get to play. With her mom being a police officer, Sydney is curious, competitive, smart, and independent. I love working on set with the Upshaw family, not to mention Kim Fields, Wanda Sykes, and Mike Epps!

What do you enjoy most about filming for The Upshaws and how has it been developing the role across the series so far?

I really enjoy being around amazing actors and actresses on The Upshaws. My role in The Upshaws is to reflect a young girl building a relationship with her father, whom she met at nine years old, and almost teaching him how to be a father. In a couple of the episodes, Sydney was acting like her grandfather lol.

Can you tell us about playing Nadine in Grand Crew for NBC last year?

Nadine was one lucky girl; she was with her godfather and his wife, who did not have any kids, so you know, I got everything I wanted and more. I also drove my godfather Wyatt crazy by asking him to look for “Fredrick Duglass” in a book like Where’s Waldo.

How was it playing 9-year-old Athena (Angela Bassett) in 9-1-1 and Young Poppy (Octavia Spencer) in Truth Be Told?

It was super fun and they are really similar because my role for both shows is playing the “younger” Angela and Octavia. Playing young Athena was emotional because one of the kids in the neighbourhood was missing, and I wanted to help find her. I was already investigating and asking questions to help. Young Poppy was a hard role because I had to really communicate with emotions and no words. Young Poppy also had to deal with physical abuse and death so that was something different for me at that time. One fun fact: my dad calls me Poppy, lol. Overall, it was an honour to play a young Angela Bassett and Octavia Spencer.

What was it like working on Obi-Wan Kenobi as a Jedi Youngling and being involved with the Star Wars franchise?

Working on Obi-Wan-Kenobi was REALLY different from any other set that I have worked on. It was really secretive, and I had to learn some choreography/stunts, which was really cool. Being a part of the Star Wars franchise is an honour, and I loved my filming experience on that set! This was actually a long casting process. I auditioned in maybe February, and I booked it in August, so this was a very intense casting process. I actually didn’t even know the project until fitting but I knew it was going to be a great project lol.

How was it getting into character as Serena Williams in Series 2 of Home Economics?

It was really fun to learn more about Serena Williams to get into character. I also learned a little bit about Serena’s sister, Venus Williams, because of my castmate who played Venus. This role required me to sing and I was nervous but I like singing so that was my little debut.

What do you remember most from filming your episodes of Sydney to the Max as Essence?

I remember the really cute outfits that they put me in for the ’90s theme of the set. I also really liked the time when my older sister and I were filming this scene where we were fighting over the oven temperature. It was just really fun to act like we were fighting even though we were the complete opposite of that in real life.

How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do?

I have always been animated, so a good friend of the family, who worked for Motown Records at the time, told my parents they would be crazy if they paid for my college education. After that, my parents decided to put me into the industry, and I am so glad they did because I love acting.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch and how do you like to spend your free time?

My favourite films are Shrek and Minions. My favourite shows are Gilmore Girls and The Amazing World of Gumball! I like to do my hair or look for different hairstyles to try, and I love to cook and bake different recipes.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping this year brings for you?

I have auditioned for some great roles, so I hope to hear back from casting soon. However, I just announced Season 5 of The Upshaws, so look out for me in the next season!

Follow Ayaamii on:

Instagram