College News has a chat with ‘Pretty Little Liars’ star, Shay Mitchell
College News: Shay, you’re serving as a bit of a cupid in the new dating experience show Get Roped In – can you tell me about that?
Shay Mitchell: It’s a really awesome experience to host this kind of a show! There are tons of fun and flirty ways for people to meet one another and hopefully make some connections. I’m really excited to be a part of it!
CN: So many of us have been “roped into” online dating—what are your thoughts on it?
SM: I think it’s great, a lot of my friends use it. Social media has given us a lot of opportunities. But also, just getting out there and having fun is another way to meet new people.
CN: You have millions of followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media outlets. Do you think social media has changed the way millennials relate to one another and communicate?
SM: Absolutely. There are so many positives; it’s a great way to express yourself and stay in touch with friends and even meet new people. But I think it’s really important, if you’re on a date, to make sure you put the phone down. [Laughs]
CN: You stay extremely busy acting, but you have a great blog as well, Amore and Vita, what’s that creative process like for you? What are your favorite things to talk about on your blog?
SM: My friend, Michaela, mainly writes it all. We write everything and get it set up the day before, so it all stays pretty current. We think of ourselves as healthy people, so it’s a lifestyle blog with recipes, style tips, and a lot more. Sometimes it’s her standing on a chair taking pictures of food, sometimes it’s me. Whatever inspires us or catches our eye we put on the blog.
CN: You have such an amazing sense of style. Do you have a style icon?
SM: Today I woke up and put on a onesie. Whatever I feel like or whatever mood I’m in inspires my outfit of the day. If I had to pick a style icon it would definitely be Sophia Loren.
CN: Of course, we have to ask what’s happening with your character on Pretty Little Liars. What’s in store for the show?
SM: Everyone has pinned Alison or “A” as the bad guy, but you’ll be surprised. You’ll have to stay tuned!
CN: Oh, how cryptic! On a slightly different note, who inspires you?
SM: A lot of people inspire me, friends and family, all the people I surround myself with.
CN: So what’s a day in the life like?
SM: I always start my morning with some kind of physical activity whether it’s just a brisk walk with my dog or something more intense. Physical activity is really important to me. I make sure to do that before anything else.
CN: And what do you do in your free time—that is if you have any?
SM: I love to take trips and keep everyone updated on my social media. Even when I’m on a hiatus from work, I’m never completely off work. I don’t think I ever could be not working, I don’t think I’d want to be.
CN: A lot of young people look up to you. What advice do you have for college students pursuing their dreams?
SM: Always take it one day at a time and don’t get overwhelmed! cn