Jenna Boyd: Sob Sister

'Traveling Pants' Actress Juggles Skating, Sibling Rivalry

"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" opens today. It's the story of four very different teenage girls -- with very different body sizes -- who find that one pair of used jeans magically fits them all. The pants are also tried on by another character, Bailey, played by 12-year-old Jenna Boyd. Though the jeans don't fit Bailey -- the pants have only so much magic -- the role of a young girl with a big problem is perfectly suited to Jenna.

Jenna has been involved with acting since she was discovered in a modeling search at age 2. She already has been in a wide range of roles: She appeared in a few episodes of "Barney." ("All I remember is, I would say, 'It's time for Barney Says.'. . . It's really embarrassing.") She has also been in some movies meant for grown-ups.

KidsPost's Scott Moore spoke with Jenna about how she learned to cry on cue for her "Traveling Pants" role, her figure skating goals and her actor-brother, Cayden, who has a role in "The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lavagirl in 3-D."

The character Bailey is very open, self-assured, talkative and seems more mature than her age. How does that compare with you?

A lot of people say I am very mature for my age. But I'm not the kind of person to go up to someone and automatically make friends, the way Bailey is.

Have you read Ann Brashares' book that the movie was based on?

I've read all three [in the Sisterhood series]. I love them all a lot. I read the first one when I found out I was going to play Bailey. I finished the third a month and a half ago.

How did you prepare yourself for the crying scene?

I have to focus the whole day. I can't talk to anyone. I have to focus about being sad. I have to understand what [the character] is going through. That will make me cry and feel what they are feeling. [Bailey] is just so afraid of not getting to know people. I sort of thought, I have my little dog and my mom, and I imagined looking at my dog for the last time.