Q&A With Stefanie Scott of 'A.N.T. Farm'

By Mekeisha Madden Toby
Special to MSN TV 

Disney star Stefanie Scott is nothing like Lexi Reed, the character she plays on "A.N.T. Farm." But just so you know the differences right away, the Chicago native, who grew up in Florida, is quick to point out how she is in real life.

For instance, Lexi is a competitive brat who fans love to hate, while Scott loves her fans. Lexi adores designer handbags, but Scott is an animal lover who appreciates Forever 21, vintage clothes and resale shops.

Bing: More about Stefanie Scott

Perhaps Scott is rubbing off on her character for the better. On the Sept. 21 installment, Lexi helps Chyna (China Anne McClain) break up with Fletcher (Jake Short) when their friendly date heats up and makes Chyna nervous. Lexi helping Chyna? See? She's not so bad.

Scott, 15, sat down with MSN TV during a recent set visit in Hollywood to talk about Lexi and why fans should give the girl a chance.

MSN TV: So are Lexi and Chyna friends now?

Stefanie Scott: Not really. She still has a rivalry with Chyna and she feels very threatened by her because she's younger than Lexi but she comes in singing and trying to steal the spotlight from Lexi. It's tough because Lexi has the same dream of being on Broadway.

Bing: More about 'A.N.T. Farm'

Because she is bratty and insecure, does it make it hard to like Lexi?

No, I love Lexi. I think she's so fun because people love to hate her. She's so girlie and she does the craziest things. Lexi says things I would never say. But she's also not scared of what people think of her, and that's why I love Lexi. I see a different side of Lexi being able to play her, because she's misunderstood. People think she's mean or sassy, but she's really self-conscious. She's threated by someone coming in and stealing the spotlight. Lexi is just a girl with a dream of being on Broadway. Her sassiness is her armor, and that's why she acts that way. In reality, she's very lovable and has a heart of gold. But she can be very evil.

Is it fun playing a mean girl?

It is fun. I wouldn't classify her as the mean girl because she has her moments. This season, she and Chyna hug and they have their sweet moments. But I also think Lexi is such a game player and she's in it for the win, too. That way, she always has the upper hand. She's very interesting. Every week I get a script and I'm like, "Oh, Lexi! What are you doing now?"

Do Lexi's sometimes evil ways make it hard to watch the show?

I don't sit down on my couch and watch the show. I think that's kind of weird. But when I see the show, it's like I'm not watching me. It's like I'm watching a different person. I do see the final cut of most of the shows. In the beginning, I was kind of scared of what people would think of Lexi. That they would think that she's mean and misjudge her. But I've gotten really great feedback on her because people find her so fun to watch. Even when she does not-so-nice things, she's so bold and she says things you wish you could say. That's mostly the feedback that I've gotten.

You were saying there are good things that have come from the show and Lexi. Like what?

There was an episode where Lexi and her friend Paisley (Allie DeBerry) were working to get Lexi on the cover of the school newspaper. And Lexi was willing to do anything to get it. That included having Paisley fake choke so she could do the Heimlich maneuver and be a hero. Of course Paisley ends up really choking and Lexi didn't know what to do. So she had to quickly learn how to do the Heimlich maneuver and save Paisley. There was a 6-year-old, in Sacramento, who saw that on our show and saved her best friend's life. There are really good things that come from Lexi and the show. It's crazy. We get mixed feedback about the show, but at the same time, we get such great stories about how this show is helping people.

Do fans think you're your character?

Thankfully, no. I have YouTube videos and I'm a total goofball in real life. Fans seem to know me for me. They see my Twitter feed or my YouTube videos and they see me a different way. I'm the girl at Color Me Mine with my best friend on a Saturday night and not doing anything Lexi does. I'm just a teenager. I'm not crazy.

"A.N.T. Farm" airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Disney Channel.