Mads Lewis is strong, authentic, and full of love for her family, friends, and followers.

The 15-year-old Chicken Girls actress plays Birdie, the dance team captain, older sister, and sometime-mean girl on the Brat web series.  Mads first found a social media following through the Musical.ly app, and now has a YouTube channel and over 500K followers on Instagram.

Related: Every Episode of Chicken Girls Season One, Ranked

Everly Mag talked to Mads all about social media, playing the mean girl, bullying, confidence, being a triplet, and more!

Everly Mag: How did you get your start on social media?  What did it feel like to have a lot of followers?

Mads: Musical.ly was where I first got noticed.  I started on the app almost 3 years ago.  It feels great having followers.

Everly Mag: What inspired you to start your Musical.ly and YouTube?

Mads: Musical.ly and YouTube for me were apps that gave [me] the opportunity to be [myself].  I’ve never been the one who cared about making a fool of myself.  I love to laugh, so if people laugh at me for being who I am, then it [makes] me happy.

Everly Mag: What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 years?

Mads: I would love to be in a movie or TV show.

Everly Mag: Who inspires you when you’re acting?  What are the best and hardest things about acting?

Mads: On Chicken Girls, I try to bring out my inner Regina George…LOL.  I play the mean girl [Birdie].  I’m actually really nice.  I love everything about acting.  Early call times are the hardest.

Everly Mag: What’s a typical day like on the Chicken Girls set?  What’s your favorite thing about being on the show?

Mads: We eat a lot, hang out, play games, and do school.  My favorite thing about the show is getting to work with my best friends and have an amazing fun crew.

Related: Quiz: What Chicken Girls Actress Are You Most Like?

Everly Mag: Is it hard to play the mean girl on Chicken Girls?  Do you ever worry that people will think you’re mean in real life?

Mads: Sometimes it’s hard, but I don’t have to be super mean so it’s not too bad.  Yes, I do sometimes worry that people will think that I’m really mean.  Luckily the fans I have had the pleasure [of] meeting know that I am actually really nice!

Related: 5 Reasons to Start Watching Chicken Girls

Everly Mag: Have you had any experience with bullying?   What advice do you have for teens experiencing bullying?

Mads: Yes, sadly I have been bullied.  I don’t think you ever really get over it, you just learn to ignore it.  You have to tell yourself [that] the issue is with the person doing the bullying, not you.  Best thing to do is ignore them.

Everly Mag: What makes you feel confident?

Mads: My family, my friends, and definitely my followers.

Everly Mag: In your opinion, what’s the best thing about you?  What makes you feel insecure?

Mads: I like my eyes.  I actually have anxiety, and it makes me feel insecure.

Related: 3 Common Insecurities Teens Face (and How to Confront Them)

Everly Mag: What advice do you have for teens experiencing insecurity?

Mads: Surround yourself with people who lift you up.

Everly Mag: What are the best and worst things about being a triplet with your sister Riley and brother Dakota?

Mads: Best thing is having built-in, forever friends.  Worst is fighting over stupid things.

Everly Mag: What advice do you have for someone looking to improve their social media?

Mads: Be real!

Everly Mag: What do you like to do with your friends?  What makes you laugh?

Mads: Just being with my friends is my favorite thing.  All kinds of things make me laugh.  Funny old Vines probably make me laugh the hardest.

Everly Mag: Describe yourself in 3 words.

Mads: Outgoing, funny, and creative maybe…LOL.

Everly Mag: Do you think social media is good or bad for teens?

Mads: I love social media, but then again I don’t really know what it’s like to not have it.

Everly Mag: What defines a good relationship?

Mads: For me, I need a person who makes me laugh, and someone I can trust.

Related: Interview: Actor Caden Conrique

Everly Mag: What kinds of movies, songs, and TV shows do you like?

Mads: I really like love stories and love songs, things that really get you in your feels.  I’m not a big TV watcher.

Everly Mag: What upcoming projects should your fans look forward to?

Mads: Chicken Girls the Movie!

Everly Mag: Finally, what’s something about you that most people don’t know?

Mads: Believe it or not, a lot of people don’t know that I’m a triplet and [that] our birthday is Christmas Eve.

Find Mads Lewis on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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Feature Image Credit: Mads Lewis via Instagram