ACTRESS Miranda Cosgrave is already known for her part in Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh and now she’s voicing over the character of Margo in new animation Despicable Me. We caught up with Miranda to talk acting, the day she did the conga with Steve Carell and being a role model.

Have you done much voice-over work before?

This was my first big animated thing really and I had a good time. It was fun. It was nothing like anything I’ve ever done before, being in a little booth and not having anybody with you. Sometimes they played Steve Carell’s voice and then I would
answer back.

Did you get to meet the rest of the cast?

I recorded my part separately but I met Steve Carell and Jason Segel when we were doing publicity for the movie.  The first time I met them, I was supposed to do the conga with them. There were all these people dancing.  They were laughing really hard. Also I met Julie Andrews on the way out one day. I was really excited because I love Julie Andrews. I’ve always loved her. I love Princess Diaries but then I’ve also seen her incredible movies like Victoria and Sound of Music. I got nervous and I said: “I loved you in Princess Diaries 2.”

Did you meet the girls who voiced the sisters?

I met the littlest girl. She’s adorable. Some of her lines in the movie, she just made up. They told her to make up a song about unicorns and, in the beginning of the movie, she sings a little song about unicorns she just made up on the spot.

Did you get the chance to make stuff up as you went along? 

The director is awesome and he’ll just be like: “Go crazy. Do whatever you want for a few.” I did that a lot. I got to copy Steve Carell’s voice. That was my favourite part because it was so hard to copy his accent. 

What was it like the first time you saw your character?

It was really fun to see my voice come out of the character for the first time. I also didn’t know that they film you while you’re recording and then they use your facial expressions and hand movements. I found out the fifth time I went in that they were filming me and I’d gone in with my pyjamas.  I started to try to dress up once I found out.

What sort of advice would you give to youngsters that are trying to get into the industry?

When I was younger I was actually a little shy. I think it helped me a lot to take acting classes and also to be in plays while at school. I remember I was in a play about aliens and it was a big moment. I remember thinking: “I really love acting”.  I think
that just helped me a lot to break out of
my shell.

Do actors actually audition for a voice job? How does that work?

I did, yes. I auditioned for the movie. I was so excited when I found out that I got it because I love so many people that are in it.

What was your first job?

I was in a soda commercial on a beach when I was three or four. I was supposed to build a sandcastle. After that I was on another show on Nickelodeon called Drake and Josh, when I was eight or nine.

Do you have any goals for the next ten years?

I want to go to college really badly. I’m in 11th grade but I have to take the SAT test in two months so I’m nervous. I want to go to NYU really badly or to USC. I think I’d study Film. Plus, I’ve always loved writing. English is my favorite subject in school. And I love Tina Fey. I’ve been watching all the 30 Rock episodes. I think that’s so cool that she writes the show. I’d love to be able to do something like that too.

How does it feel being a role model for young girls?

It’s so funny like when people come up to me and they say: “I got an outfit like you.” It’s just so sweet. I guess I don’t think about it that much. I try to make the right decisions for myself but, sometimes, I think about how little kids watch my show and they might look up to me.

What’s it like to be a celebrity in Hollywood?

I like it a lot. I love getting to go to different events. It’s nice because now I’ve made a lot of friends that are in acting. I know pretty much everyone in Nickelodeon and Disney so all people there are around my age. Katie Palmer is really great. There is a new show in Nickelodeon called Big Time Rush and all the guys in that show are my friends. I can still also go horseback riding a lot, though, and  I see movies. I’ve been going to the beach a lot with my friend too.  

Despicable Me is released on DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray on 21 February from Universal Pictures