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Amanda Bynes is all growed up

Jun 5, 2007, 11:17 AM | by Whitney Pastorek

Categories: Film, Television

Bynes_l One last Q&A from the MTV Movie Awards, PopWatchers, and then I won't say "fuchsia carpet" ever, ever again (DON'T THINK YOU'RE GETTING OFF THE HOOK, JON VOIGHT): After the jump is my quick chat with the lovely and talented Amanda Bynes, who is starring in this summer's Hairspray re-re-adaptation, and who appears to have suddenly become 21 years old.

I am flabbergasted at how this could have happened, as to the best of my knowledge the spunky little Nickelodeon farmhand (pictured, left, on her old Nick series The Amanda Show and at right arriving at Sunday's awards ceremony) has never been incarcerated, been publicly intoxicated, flashed her lady parts, dated Wilmer Valderrama, battled an eating disorder, or emancipated herself from an overbearing parent. In fact, it seems as though for the last 14 years, Amanda Bynes has done nothing but work hard, act well, have shiny hair, find the funny, and generally be the man. And now that she's a legal adult, she can go forth and prosper both in her career and in her life, unbesmirched by police records, dumbass catchphrases, unfortunate vomiting incidents, poor financial choices, or herpes. Huh. That's crazy.

Entertainment Weekly: When you get this dressed up for... [sweeping gesture with hand] this, how do you take it to the next level for an Emmys, or Oscars?
Amanda Bynes: That's a good point. Well, I haven't been asked to those yet, so I figure I'm not gonna worry about it. But I guess for that I'd wear a longer gown. This is, you know, a mid-thigh cut, so I figure at least it's a little bit younger. But you know, I've always wanted to wear a gown. I've never really worn one.

EW: Never?
AB: No! I've never been to the Oscars or the Emmys. So I just gotta keep doing a good job in movies, and hoping I will one day be nominated, and then I'll get to go. But I'm a big fan of not going somewhere unless you're involved in a movie that's being nominated or something. Otherwise I feel like you're just going to go, and I think that's kind of cheesy and annoying. So, [tonight] I'm just like, I was invited, I'm part of a movie that's presenting [Hairspray], so I'll go. But otherwise I like to sit home with my popcorn and my parents, and pick out things I like and don't like about other people's attire.

EW: Not to be creepy, but you're freaking me out by how grown up you are right now.
AB: Really? I'm sorry. [pauses] People have said that.

EW: Could you stop?
AB: I don't know what to do! I've tried to press my head down... but you know what? I'm 21 now, and I don't want to be so sexy that it's uncomfortable, so I'm definitely not doing any movies that are uncomfortable to watch. But there's cute boys around. You know. You wanna look a little sexy.

EW: Who are you macking on?
AB: Um, nobody that I can say in Entertainment Weekly!

EW: I wouldn't have printed it.
AB: It's a respectable magazine!

DG Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 07:32 PM EST

I dare someone to darken her hair while she sleeps.
P.S. She should do hip hop abs.

David G. Mon, Aug 18, 2008 at 10:21 PM EST

Maybe alcohol must have caused her to gain weight.

David G. Mon, Aug 18, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

Amanda Bynes has been my favorite actress ever since I was in sixth grade. I thought about liking her as a girlfriend. I really wanted to meet her someday and now things have changed, I really don't. I noticed her new pictures when she started gaining weight. I wish she would lose weight, but she doesn't have to lose weight if she doesn't want to. I can't just marry someone I haven't met. Amanda probably has a boyfriend and maybe I should just forget her and move on. And I hope she has a nice life.

DG Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 06:15 PM EST

I want the younger Amanda back.

David Gronseth Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 05:58 PM EST

I wish Amanda Bynes was on a subway diet.

lol Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 06:00 AM EST

i like the show what a girl wants

Nigel Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:40 PM EST

oops i seem to have a missing vowel problem

Nigel Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:39 PM EST

oops i seem to have a missing vowel problem

Nigel Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:36 PM EST

Lol im a big fn of Amanda, but im also enjoying the Peter bashing of ths thread. Mst amusing and definately deserved.

Chelsea Fri, Aug 24, 2007 at 04:48 PM EST

i think she is losin herself

lais Tue, Aug 7, 2007 at 12:14 PM EST

Sou...fã de Amanda Bynes ela é show...

samir Sat, Jun 30, 2007 at 04:03 AM EST

She is great actress and i she had god gifted talent keep going and all the best

LL Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 04:48 PM EST

She could tone down the makeup and the spray tan a bit. With the blonde hair and the bling, it's all a little much. Fresh-faced wins beats out overdone everytime, Amanda. I do love that she's stayed sane for all these years though. Good for her.

fredric Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 03:28 PM EST

I heart Amanda, too. Her films have done moderately well - a movie doesn't have to clear $100 million to be a decent hit; it should just be profitable. She's talented - not stellar, but she makes the right choices based on what she's got. It's good to have actresses like her or Mandy Moore or Natalie Portman who keep their act relatively classy. It's a refreshing departure from what is normally published these days.

MJ Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 11:20 AM EST

amanda bynes is one of the best out there, good work!

Stephanie T. Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 10:46 AM EST

I think that the weight gain is a good thing. She was looking too thin for her height.

Ep Sato Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 09:32 AM EST

I also dug her with Frankie Muñiz in "Big Fat Liar". Paul Giamatti's a scene stealer in that flick, but Amanda and Frankie have a very cool "friends just before hormonal teen years kick in" kind of a vibe in their roles. By far one of the better kids movies my kid brother forced me to attend.

Tim Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 08:39 AM EST

For every 10 screw ups like LiLo, Britney and others, there's one Amanda. Sounds like she has good advisors and support system. I'm 38 and I get a kick out of the Amanda Show reruns on Nick.

Spelling & Grammar Geek Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 01:02 AM EST

Actually Peter, the person who resorted to name-calling & insults is always the loser in ANY argument; it's a classic defense mechanism of someone without any valid point to make. If you hadn't displayed your lack of intelligence, maybe people wouldn't feel the need to point it out.

ceej Wed, Jun 6, 2007 at 12:40 AM EST

I think she looks TOO old. What is she like, 30?

Emperor Norton Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:46 PM EST

Hi Peter,

You're right that pointing out grammar is a roundabout way of saying that your post is unacceptable.

But your post is unacceptable, whether you can spell or use grammar or not.

Lighten up and don't use your time and energy being crass. It's always a good idea to wait to post until you've thought about things. It's also good to spell check and re-read to make sure your grammar is functional.

Communication is a two way street. If you expect others to read you and respond to you, then also expect to be held to some sort of a standard.

This isn't a graffiti board - it's a community. There are standards and expectations, and that's not a bad thing.

If you don't like an actor or writer or actress, we'd like to hear some interesting critique. But not flaming and slamming. That's not fun for anyone to witness.

And I don't think it's very good for you as a human being.

In the spirit of community, it's sometimes important to be called out.

Dr Phil Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 09:37 PM EST

She's only 21... i think she's doing fine... how many people have managed to accomplish this much and stay so grounded? She has more years to mature but it looks promising, given her obvious sensibility.

EW Editors Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 09:32 PM EST

"argument" not "arguement"

FLIPPER Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 09:00 PM EST

Yeah, she's adorable, but her 'serious' acting needs work. She really needs to do something a bit more challenging than 'She's the Man' so we can actually see if she can act.
And despite all the Lohan-loather comments, at least she can act.

Maeve Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 06:27 PM EST

...just don't call people morons and idiots when you can't spell.

Maeve Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 06:26 PM EST

I don't recall arguing with you.

Jasper Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 05:44 PM EST

Agreed. When you have to pick apart someone's spelling, your on the losing end of the arguement.

Message board spelling critiques. The last resort of desperate men.

Peter Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 05:43 PM EST

You know you've lost an arguement when your forced to attack grammar and spelling.

So thanks for conceding.

Maeve Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 04:58 PM EST

I'm sorry, Peter, but if you are going to write "your a moron" and "your an idiot" at least spell "your" correctly. It's "you're."

Elizabeth Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 04:52 PM EST

I really liked her quote at the MTV awards when asked about Paris going to jail she said something like..."the bottom line is don't drink and drive, she makes enough money she should hire a driver" which is exactly what I've always thought about all these actors getting DUIs. It was nice to hear someone who made sense.

Dee Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 04:48 PM EST

Haha OMG TylerD! You got me in stitches with your comment!

Tyler D Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 04:26 PM EST

That's some wonderful irony there, Peter.

Ben Linus Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 04:00 PM EST

The funniest thing amanda bynes ever did was getting mentioned on 'The Office.'


she was kinda funny on All That

Peter Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 03:35 PM EST

Her timing is awful.

I think your confusing "great comedic timing" with "insanely predictable".

You see everything coming a mile away.

Peter Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 03:35 PM EST

Her timing is awful.

I think your confusing "great comedic timing" with "insanely predictable".

You see everything coming a mile away.

Peter Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 03:35 PM EST

Her timing is awful.

I think your confusing "great comedic timing" with "insanely predictable".

You see everything coming a mile away.

Kurt Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 03:33 PM EST

I've only seen bits and pieces of things she's in, but she seems to have great comedic timing. The fact that she seems like a mature, stable girl is all the more impressive.

SuzieC Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

Amanda Bynes has got to be one of the greatest young actresses today because she's gone her own way. She's hilarious and worth looking up to.

Jeff Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:55 PM EST

Amanda Bynes doesn't get the press that she deserves. Not only is she a good role model for young girls, she's got hilarious comic timing (especially considering the lack of it in her peers, Mandy Moore being the sole exception).

Plus... she's freakin' gorgeous. How about a great article from you, EW? Is that too much to ask? She deserves it.

GeeMoney Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:50 PM EST

I guess the truth hurts sometimes. You people can curse at me all you want. The girl is a stick. All I said was that she needs to eat something.

Peter Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:49 PM EST

Your a moron if you think that hating amanda bynes means you like paris hilton or lindsay lohan.

They all suck, and your an idiot if you think that hating one means liking another.

Paris and Lindsay are shallow, trashy, self important spoiled brats.

Amanda is annoying, has TERRIBLE Comiedic timing, and stars in god awful movies.

So in conclusion, I hate all three, and stop trying to paint us all as hilton lovers you moron.

Diane Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:42 PM EST

What a refreshing change from the trainwrecks we usually see - Lindsay, Britney, Paris.... It's nice to have a role model young girls can look up to.

aa Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:18 PM EST

i've liked amanda ever since all that; especially ask ashley. good for her for and her parents that she seems to have grown up normally.

GOB Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:09 PM EST

Whitney, you should have asked her about that shout out she got on The Office (the Bob Hope comparison from Kelly). That was awesome. Even Michael said he loved her movie.

Liz Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 02:04 PM EST

LOVE Amanda Bynes! One of the FEW young actresses out there who has an innate sense of humor - anyone seen The Amanda Show?

Cory Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:49 PM EST

Bravo, Amanda Bynes, for refusing to be just another drunk, drug-addicted young actress. I hope you continue to work hard and be successful.

Daisy Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:37 PM EST

I LOVED She's the Man (yeah, and I'm a full-fledged adult at 27). My brother (20) and his friends were shocked when they also found it LOL-funny. I was shocked when I found out they all had crushes on her! Thanks for reporting something positive!

Tasha Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:33 PM EST

Her weight gain is from doing Hairspray, she probably hasn't lost it all yet.

KingLouieXVIII Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:20 PM EST

While she's not the most gorgeous actress, Amanda is pretty. And funny, which is a quality that makes her more attractive. I thought she was the only thing that saved SHE'S THE MAN. But she is looking dangerously thin...

Emperor Norton Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:17 PM EST

Last month I was talking to a young woman about role models in her age group.

We both sat there, just silent, for about a minute, running through and rejecting dozens of people until we finally came up with Amanda Bynes.

Now, there's a cadre of parents, family, agents, managers, and handlers who know what they're doing.

Overworking and overexposing a child star is a surefire recipe for disaster. To turn a little human being into a commodity usually ends in tragedy

It's nice to see someone who is surrounded with smart and professional people who protect her image and her dignity.

And as for her slenderness - she's always been a very willowy child with a delicate bone structure. I don't think it's logical to whip out the anorexia card every time we see a slender person. She's not gaunt, or pale, and she has normal fat distribution.

All in all - Miss Amanda and her machine win the fame game hands down. Huzzah team Bynes!

Luke Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 01:00 PM EST

I think Amanda has made all the right decisions in her career so far. She's built up a resume full of funny and loveable roles that women can cheer for. We all know that in the end, it's the Julia Robert, Sandra Bullock and Meg Ryan that dominate Hollywood, not those glamour stars that women cannot relate to. I think if Amanda keeps on picking roles toward romantic comedy, she'll be fine and even more famous in the future. Just leave all the glamour stuff to Scarlett and Lindsay who have come to believe that they're the second coming of Marilyn Monroe.

Amy Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:54 PM EST

I love Amanda Bynes. Though I caught her Love Wrecked movie on ABC family and thought she looks a lot skinnier than she did a few years ago in What a Girl Wants. Hopefully its just natural growing.

Dennis Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

Why are people criticizing the box office gross of her movies when her peers have had their share of bombs recently? (I'm looking at you, Lindsay Lohan...you haven't done anything decent since "Mean Girls.")

Hose Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:34 PM EST

Only pejorative thing I can think of is clear anorexia. She would be way hotter of she gained some weight.

whol Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:26 PM EST

"has never been incarcerated, been publicly intoxicated, flashed her lady parts, dated Wilmer Valderrama, battled an eating disorder, or emancipated herself from an overbearing parent. In fact, it seems as though for the last 14 years, Amanda Bynes has done nothing but work hard, act well, have shiny hair, find the funny, and generally be the man. And now that she's a legal adult, she can go forth and prosper both in her career and in her life, unbesmirched by police records, dumbass catchphrases, unfortunate vomiting incidents, poor financial choices, or herpes. Huh. That's crazy."

truer words

Martha Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Ouch, Gee Money, that's way harsh. Would you prefer she had a bubble butt, treated regular people like crap and snorted coke off people's abs?

No Brand Woman Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:18 PM EST

I love that there's so much love for her here. She really does have talent and one day I think she's just really going to take off.
To the negative people: So what if she doesn't have some amazing career right now! You would prefer she peaked at a young age and was spiraling down by now like Lindsay?

Mozz Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:13 PM EST

I think she's one of the most comically gifted young actresses out there and know she has an amazing future. Good for her!

Fran Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 12:01 PM EST

Geemoney and Pete- I take it you must prefer the Paris and Lindsey types to a refreshing and honest girl like Amanda Bynes. Give me a break.

Ep Sato Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:59 AM EST

I've liked Amanda since her days on Nick's "All That". Keenan and Kel were a great pair, but she added that touch of subtle childhood obnoxiousness that's really fun to watch in a kid show.

And not all movie chicas grow up to be come Drew Barrymore wanna bes (that's right Lindsay, your stuff's not just tired, it was done 20 YEARS AGO already by a cuter actress), some, like Christina Ricci, Kirsten Dunst and now Amanda Bynes, simply grow up to become better actresses.

GeeMoney Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:33 AM EST

Amanda Bynes has no figure. She needs some junk in the trunk. Not to mention, she'll probably never really become that big of a star. Her personality is annoying.

Pete Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:16 AM EST

You probably didn't realize she grew up becuase she's been doing movies for the last six years....movies only about four people have seen.

Her box office gross is just slightly higher than the price of a used 88 volvo wagon.

Dee Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:13 AM EST

MM-don't forget Shia LaBeouf! He is, in my opinion, the best out of all his peers today...

Get Over Yourselves Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:11 AM EST

Co Sign On Raven
Much respect!

MM Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 11:01 AM EST

It is always refreshing to see a young actor/actress who has grown up in the business and did not go down the drugs/drinking/public displays of stupidity path. I'm glad EW is celebrating the positive and I wish more entertainment outlets would focus on that.

Other young stars that deserve recognition include Alexis Bledel, Raven Symone, Julia Stiles, etc.

t-bone Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 10:57 AM EST

love, love, love amanda bynes. i wish her all the best.

Sara Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST

Aw, I've liked her since she was on "All That". I even watched "What A Girl Wants".

No Brand Woman Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 10:50 AM EST

I've always liked her. She's so cute and funny and sweet! I really wish her nothing but success. She's talented and we really could use more funny and clever women out there in Hollywood.

Ceballos Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 10:42 AM EST

When they cut to Amanda during the MTV Movie Awards, I was convinced it was Hayden Pannetierre (I'm sure I just butchered her last name), which is weird because this article is party about how Amanda looks more grown up and Hayden is about four years younger.


It wasn't until the cast of "Hairspray" came out to present the night's biggest award (huh?!) that I realized it was Amanda Bynes

Stephanie Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

Did Bynes get a chin enhancement? She looks different those two photos.

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