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An interview with Shay Mitchell

ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars started out as a summer distraction and has turned into a full-blown phenomenon – thanks in large part to Shay Mitchell, who plays bashful jock Emily Fields. Emily had a relationship with the Pretty Little Liars’ now-dead best friend, Alison. And, after dumping her boyfriend early in the season, she’s now developed feelings for another girl: Maya St. Germain (Bianca Lawson).

After speaking with Shay, the success of the show became less of a mystery. She is full of energy and warmth and contagious passion about Pretty Little Liars. She spoke with me about why she’s so excited to play a character who’s trying to figure out her sexuality, about what’s in store for Emily and Maya, and about the ever-present (but always-illusive) “A.”

AfterEllen.com: So let’s talk about Emily Fields. Did she choose you or did you choose her? Shay Mitchell: I think it was a little bit of both. I was originally reading for Spencer, and then when I got Emily as a part I was like, “Oh, this amazing!” I fell in love with her character, and I am so proud to be getting to play her. You know, her sexuality wasn’t labeled. It wasn’t in the background that she is a lesbian, or she’s this, or she’s that. She’s just trying to figure it out. And so many teens are going through that same thing, where they’re trying to figure themselves out. And I love that they can relate to her.  

AE: Were you hesitant at all about playing a role where the character was going to be getting into a same-sex relationship? SM: No! (laughs) No at all. Seriously, not at all. The way I have been brought up and the way Emily has been brought up are totally different. My parents have always encouraged me to be who I am. And the way I see it, your sexual identity shouldn’t define who you are. And I didn’t even think about it when I read her character. I thought it was exciting and it was new, and I was so happy to put it out there – especially on ABC Family. I thought, you know, maybe teens who are watching this with their families will have an easier time bringing up their own sexuality.

AE: All the Pretty Little Liars have secrets that they’re keeping for different reasons, and one of Emily’s secrets is her attraction to girls – first with Alison and now with Maya – but it doesn’t seem to me like she’s keeping it a secret because she’s ashamed of it. SM: Exactly! That’s one of the questions I had for my character: Why is she keeping this a secret? And I really think it’s just what you said. It’s not that she’s ashamed of it. It’s just that people are always trying to label you: Are you straight? Are you gay? Are you a lesbian? And Emily is like, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let me figure it out.” I think she just wants to be confident in her own identity so that when she decides who she wants to tell, she can be like, “I don’t fit into any category. I am what I am. This is what it is.”

AE: I like that. And I like the conversation she had with Hanna in “Homecoming Hangover” where Hanna said, “Look, you’re Emily with Ben and you’re Emily with Maya. We love Emily and want her to be happy.” I loved that. I really, really did – especially because that’s not something you’d expect to hear from Hanna. (Laughs)

AE: Can you talk about Maya and Emily’s relationship? We know they’re going on a date in tomorrow’s episode, “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone.” SM: Yes! I’m really excited about tomorrow’s episode. It’s going to be very different for people, very different from what they’d expect. It’s going to be a good one. I want to talk to you after tomorrow’s episode!

AE: Excellent – but can you tell me anything juicy in the meantime? SM: I can’t, but I would love to!

AE: So many secrets, Shay! Why do you think Emily is drawn to Maya? SM: I just think, after everything Emily’s been through – especially last week with the homecoming episode – that Maya is a rock for her. And she really connects with her. She kind of needs her to be around for a little bit, you know? She really understands Emily, and Emily is comfortable with her. I think right now Maya’s presence plays ahuge role in Emily’s life.

AE: It’s a very sweet relationship. SM: It is a very sweet relationship.

AE: I think a lot of people were expecting it to be like 90210 or Melrose Place, just sort of torrid and sexy for Sweeps and then – poof! – gone. SM: You know, a lot of my guy friends, when I explained the character, they were like [deep guy voice] “Yeah, awesome. [Bianca] is hot; you’re hot!” And I was like, “No, stop it! It’s not going to be like that.” And then they watched the show and they’re like, “Wow, that’s actually sweet.” And I’m like, “Yeah, I know.”

People expect it to go one way, and it doesn’t. And I love that. You have Emily, who’s this sort of shy teenage girl. She’s like so many girls I knew in high school. And Maya is bringing out these other characteristics in her.

AE: Do you think Maya’s presence in Emily’s life is a positive thing? SM:I really do.

AE: Speaking of positive things, is Toby gone forever? SM: [Laughs] You know, I don’t know! AE: Sure, you don’t. How about this then: Do you know – and don’t say who if you do because I don’t want to be spoiled! – but do you know who “A” is? SM: I honestly don’t. I know the book readers know the “A” that was written about by Sara Shepard, and I don’t know if it’s the same or if it’s changed. And I actually think it’s a good idea if the writers don’t tell us because it could always slip out. My family truly doesn’t believe I don’t know who “A” is. They’re like, “Fine, Shay, if that’s the way you want to play it, don’t tell us!” I’m like, “I really don’t know!”

AE:What kind of feedback have you gotten from teenage girls? SM: The feedback I have been getting from a lot of girls is that it’s really helped them talk about their sexuality with their friends and with their family. And they’re happy that Emily isn’t a character who labels herself [as gay or straight]; she’s just figuring herself out. And that makes her relatable to them. And to me, that’s really awesome. AE:You know what else is awesome feedback? We’re having a Who’s the Prettiest Pretty Little Liar poll right now, and you’re winning in a landslide. SM: [Laughs] No way! Thank you! That’s really cool.

AE: One of our readers Tweeted and told me you were related to Lea Salonga. Can you sing too? SM: Yes, she’s my mom’s first cousin! She was just at my house just a little while ago. But can I sing? In the shower, I am phenomenal. If I could record a CD in the shower with all the amazing acoustics, I would.

AE: So we won’t see a Pretty Little Liars musical episode then? SM: You now, that could happen! The other girls are amazing singers! Lucy [Hale], Ashley[Benson] and Troian [Bellisario]: their voices are amazing. Maybe if we were to have something like that, I could be the dancer. I’d background sing and dance! That would be fun!

Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesday nights on ABC Family.

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