Exclusive Interview with Baby Daddy’s Daniella Monet
Daniella Monet is not a newbie to sitcoms, having acted on several Nickelodeon shows, with her most well-known role being Trina Vega on Victorious. This week Talk Nerdy With Us had the opportunity to talk with Daniella about her new role as Sam Saffe on Freeform’s Baby Daddy. Sam went to high school with the Baby Daddy gang, was Ben’s teenage crush, and has come back into their lives as the new manager at Ben and Danny’s bar. Read our interview below to find out why Daniella loves being on this show, what she thinks about her co-stars, and what television character she would love to play.
What is your favorite part about playing Sam?
One of the things I really like is that this is my first coming of age role. It is a really good transition from the characters I played on Nickelodeon. The role is age appropriate, which is fun for me because she’s doing things that I can relate to in my own life. Like working as a bar manager, that’s a typical job for my age. I love playing a female manager of a bar and working with these guys. The dynamic between Sam and the rest of the cast is really interesting and has been fun to play.
After being on a show like Victorious since the beginning, what is it like stepping into a show that has been on the air for a while?
It’s actually really great and fun. I think that everyone knows their characters so well and the story line is so established, that it makes stepping in easy. The cast is all so talented. There is not one green actor on that show. They work well together and are great at their craft. They are all great comedians, which is what I love to do. I was a little nervous at first, but everyone embraced Sam and myself. That made it fun to jump in and be playful with the character. Jumping onto a show in its fifth season is actually a blessing. It’s so well received already, there isn’t as much pressure.
I’m so glad! I could imagine that it would be really nerve-wracking, so I’m glad that your experience has been so great! It has been years since Ben had his crush on Sam, so why do you think Ben can’t seem to fully get over her?
(Laughs) Hmm, I don’t know. I think there’s something about high school crushes that are embedded in you. There’s just something special about that time in your life. You’re experiencing certain feelings and that doesn’t go away for a while. To have someone come back in your life, it would be weird for any of us. We’ve all had crushes and know what that’s like.
What do you think Sam brings to Baby Daddy that is different from perhaps the other characters?
She brings a little bit more of their history. They all went to high school together so there’s more to find out about that and what Sam was like in high school. It allows us to tell those stories. There’s also a little more to work with. There are some scenes with Sam and Riley coming up that are really fun. There’s this girl power dynamic with Sam and Riley that I can’t wait for people to see.
With five seasons, fans seem to love Baby Daddy. What do you think makes this show so special?
It is so well cast. All of them get along so well in real life. I can’t stress that enough. They hang out together outside of work all the time. So, everyone is excited to be there and I think that really translates. They know their craft so well. I had a chemistry read with JL (Jean-Luc Bilodeau) and knew immediately it was going to be great banter. They really understand comedy. They are all so familiar with their characters and the show and I just want to add the right amount with Sam.
If you could play any other character on television currently, who would it be?
That’s a really good question. I really like the show Suits and I think I would like to play Donna. She just knows it all. She’s such a strong woman and always seems to save the day. I think it would be awesome to play her.
I also love that show and love Donna, so I totally understand.
Thank you! I’m glad to do it!
I don’t know about you, but I am even more excited to see more of Sam as the season continues now that I have heard from Daniella! So, be sure to join me in watching Baby Daddy on Freeform on Wednesday nights at 8:30 pm!