Vale Cooper had her first leading role earlier this year when she starred as Young Alana Thompson in Lifetime’s new biopic film I Was Honey Boo Boo, with the real Alana narrating the film and Chelsea Larkin playing Mama June. Also this year, Vale played Young Missy in the Paramount+ crime drama Happy Face, working opposite Dennis Quaid, and she previously played Young Rebecca in the Hallmark Christmas film Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane. Answering our questions, Vale chatted to us about starring as Young Alana in I Was Honey Boo Boo for her first leading role, working opposite Dennis Quaid for an episode of Happy Face and being in the cast of Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane as Young Rebecca.

For your first leading role, you star as Young Alana in Lifetime’s new biopic film I Was Honey Boo Boo, what was it like finding out you’d booked the project?

I was jumping on the bed!

Were you able to work with Alana Thompson (who narrates the film) in preparation for filming and how was it telling her story?

No, unfortunately I didn’t get to meet Alana, but I really would have liked to.

What was it like getting into character as Young Alana?

It was so fun because she was very energetic and silly, and I liked that!

How was it filming with the cast, including Chelsea Larkin, who plays Mama June, and being directed by Katie Boland?

It was amazing! During and after many scenes, Chelsea and I did fun and silly things. She is hilarious!

Katie – she is SO NICE! And even when she was correcting me, she always said, “That was great!” or “Gorg!” and then she told me what to correct.

How did you find the experience filming on location, and what was it like on set?

On set it was so fun because I LOVED EVERYONE! I even met a donkey on the set. I named him Ron Weasley (from Harry Potter, of course) and I fed him an apple. I loved England. My Auntie Mary lives in London and I was so happy to see her.

Do you have any favourite highlights from your time playing Young Alana that you can share?

My absolute favourite scenes were wearing that pink fluffy dress. I LOVED IT! I wanted to take it home 🙂 I even got to wear a funny thing called a “flipper”.

How did you feel watching I Was Honey Boo Boo for the first time?

I was nervous at first to see what I would look like, but then when it started, I was really proud of myself and EVERYONE.

In this year’s true crime drama Happy Face, you played Young Missy in an episode opposite Dennis Quaid, how was this?

It was very scary, because my mom explained that he was the murderer – I get now that he was NOT the real serial killer.

What was it like playing Young Rebecca in the Hallmark Christmas film Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane?

I loved getting to wear the fancy Christmas dress and do all the singing. I LOVE singing!

How did you get into acting and what do you enjoy most about being an actor?

I went to a call in our city with my older two siblings. They asked, “What can you do?” and I did what I do best: impressions. I did Mike Myers from Austin Powers: “Get in my belly!!!”.

Do you have a process for learning scripts?

My mom reads the script with me, and then we try to understand what everyone is doing and thinking. Then we read it a few times. When I really have it, I do the lines while doing other things, like playing basketball or brushing my teeth.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I love scary shows. I love Stranger Things and I’m excited for the new season. I also watch The Phantom of the Opera musical every weekend with my mom. It was so fun to sing with Emmy Rossum one day! She is amazing.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Everyone in my family plays sports. I am playing soccer, volleyball, basketball or climbing by myself. Or I am at my brother’s or my sister’s games, where my mom coaches.

What are you hoping this year brings for you and do you have any acting projects that you can talk about?

I want to go to Hollywood to film a BIG MOVIE!