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Called "Bev" by her friends, 18-year-old Beverley Mitchell plays 15-year-old Lucy Camden on 7th Heaven. On the drama, she's the second daughter of Eric Camden, who is a minister. Some of the issues Lucy had to grapple with: a friend who dies in a car accident involving drunk driving and a friend who cuts herself. In this interview, Beverley shares with us some of her joys, goals in life and the causes she champions.

You just graduated from high school in June. Did you get much of a summer break?
I had three months off (from filming) and two months were in school. I graduated and did all that stuff. Then I had one month for my senior trip. I went to Puerto Vallerta for a week. Then I came home and went to a beach house for another week.
Then I came home and then we went on a cruise to Puerto Mazatlàn.

Were you able to attend a regular high school?
School would send me work and then I would do it at the set with my studio teacher. When I'm done I send it back. Occasionally I get thrown back into school, like for a day. It's completely out of the loop but it's OK.

Do you feel that high school students need to go to a traditional school or can it be done at home?
I don't think it would be the same experience at all. I loved high school and I think it's really important for kids to go to high school because they are able to communicate with kids their age. They get to be their age and act their age. You learn from other people's mistakes and you make your own mistakes, but you have a chance to do it with other people who are making the same mistakes. I think so. I think it's very important that kids need that community type of thing. I loved the football games. I was a cheerleader. Kids need to be active because that pulls them away from other problems in society like gangs and violence. They have better things to do.

So you were able to manage cheerleading with your other activities?
I was. I only did it for a year because it was too hard. Plus, it was hard on the squad because cheerleaders need to be there all the time. I wasn't able to make that commitment.

How many hours a day did you spend on the set?
Probably at least nine or ten.

What would be a typical day?
I'd wake up at the crack of dawn, and I'd be there 5 o'clock or 5:30. I get to work at 6:30, go straight into hair and make up, start rehearsing for the day, wait until they're done setting up the lights and then we go film it. Then in between blocks like that I would go to school. So, like, a 20-minute block here and there and that's how I got my schooling done. State law requires kids to do three hours of schooling per day so that's what I would do. I'd get 20-minute blocks and hope it would equal up to three hours and it always did. If not, it would be like five because I had so much work to do.

How do you like working with your cast members?
I love them all. They're like my family.They're wonderful. They're very supportive and kind. They're always there when I need them.

Do you all hang out after work or do you see them so much that...
We did the first season, but now we're at our fourth season and it's kind of like we're going to be together for the next nine months so during summer we really don't see each other. We all need a break from each other no matter how much we all love each other.

How would you compare your cast to say the cast of Buffy, Felicity, or Dawson's Creek?
Well, mine is a lot more spread out because we have anywhere from babies -- that are I don't even know how old they are-- to Steve. (Collins, who plays her dad.) I don't know. I think all the casts are really tight knit as is ours. I don't know if there really is a way to compare. We're both doing what we love and fulfilling our dream, working on television. The only way I can say they're different is the age, the type of people they are, they're different.

Would you want to guest star on any of those shows?
I'm content with my show. Well, obviously, I won't turn down the work. So, I guess I would, but I love my show. I'm having a blast so I don't think I would ever switch shows.

Are there any moments when you get tired of acting?
Well, everybody always wants a day off. But, no, I don't think I'm sick of it. This is what I've always wanted to do. I love it. This is my passion. I'm actually going to college to study film and television as my major. I haven't gotten sick of it and I've been doing it for 14 years so that's a pretty good thing.

Which college did you decide to attend?
Just a local college in Santa Monica. Like around Santa Monica.

So this way you can still focus on acting at the same time?
Yeah.

If you had the time, would you want to join a sorority?
I don't know. I'd have to check it out and see what they're about. I've only heard the rumors so I would have to check it out for myself.

Are you going to be living on your own or at home?
I'm going to live on campus in the dorms. I'm really excited about that.

This is the first time you'll be away from home, right?
Yeah, but I'm not that far away though.

How do you feel about it -- the classes and the whole experience?
I only have two classes because I'm continuing working while I'm going to college. But I'm really really excited because at least I'll get this and I'll get the chance of living on campus. I'm excited to meet new people and open a new chapter in my life.

Will you have a roommate?
My roommate is actually my best friend so I'm really excited. We have to go shopping so that we have coordinates.

Some of the younger actors are choosing to advance their careers instead of going to college.So, why did you decide to go to college?
Well, I think it's really important to have something to fall back on because the entertainment industry is so fickle. You need to be sure that later on down the line that you have something else to go back on when all of a sudden your career's all dried up and they don't want you anymore. I think the way my career's going right now, I have nothing to worry about. I'm on the show and things are going pretty smoothly and I'm given the time to go to college and why not take it? I've always wanted to go to college. I've always wanted to learn more about film and television so that one day I can possibly direct and produce and write films like Jodie Foster and Ron Howard.

So you would see yourself doing that after you retire as an actress?
Actually, I think I'll do acting, too.

At the same time?
Yeah.

Do you plan on staying at 7th Heaven for awhile?
Yeah, I'm having a blast. Everyone treats me wonderfully, and I have nothing to complain about.

Do you have any new films coming up?
Actually, no. This summer I dedicated myself to graduating with my class because I thought that was really important. You only graduate from high school once and half of these people I won't see again. So I thought it was important for me to take the summer off and be a normal teenager.

So you walked across the stage and...
Exactly. I did everything.

While in high school, did you feel that you were treated differently because of your status?
No, because I knew everyone that went to my high school because I went there before I got 7th Heaven. So, everybody knew me, so they never treated me differently and to them I was just, like, Bev. They don't feel weird that I'm on TV. They're like you're just Bev and I'm, like, exactly, thank you.

You turned 18 this year, right? What did you do to celebrate?
I had a big party at a hotel. We had a huge dance party and it was a blast. We had, like, 100 people there.

Now that you're legal, have you gone clubbing or bought a lottery ticket?
I went to one club, an 18-dance club. It was fun, because I love to dance.

What kind of music do you like?
I like everything, anywhere from country to alternative to, like, soft rock. I like everything. I don't have a particular taste.

I hear that you're really active in promoting anti-drunk driving and anti-drug use. How did you get into that?
I remember somebody told me about the cause and I thought it was a wonderful cause. They hooked me up with the people who run it, RADD, Recording Artists, Actors & Athletes Against Drunk Driving. So, I've been publicizing that and going out with them. The message is really an awesome message because most of the time they tell teenagers not to drink because you're not legal, but they know that teenagers will drink and there's really no way to stop them. But their message is that if you're going to, be safe, have a designated driver or, if you have one sip or one drink, not to drive. They're going around the country promoting this message and telling kids how important it is and the different ways that they can get home safely rather than driving their car.

For other teenagers who want to get involved, how should they go about doing it?
We're coming around the whole entire country. There's a Web site. Type in RADD, it should come up.

What other causes do you believe in?
Kmart's Kids Race Against Drugs. I also go around the country promoting that, too. Kmart has set up this awesome program for kids that they can drive little race cars. It shows them that they can have other natural highs in life, that they don't have to go smoke pot and do drugs to get that and there are other ways to have fun. They show kids different routes to their lives and different ways to enjoy themselves. They set up these little races all around the country with these cars and kids who win get scholarship money. It's just awesome to be part of it.

It seems like young people are becoming more aware of the world around them. Do you think that kids today are becoming more active compared to your parents' generation?
Yeah, I do. The reason is because when our parents were younger, not as much was going on. There weren't as many problems as today and I think kids are recognizing what's going on around them and they're not exactly pleased with it. So, they're doing their best to make their world better for the future and make it brighter. So, they've taken initiative to start fixing things. I know, like, at my high school we have to do 60 hours of community service. But once we started, we enjoyed it and did lots of it and even when we surpassed our 60 hours. They liked making everything better. They like feeling that they're making a difference.

Would you try other entertainment venues if you couldn't act anymore?
I can't even imagine not being able to act.

How tall are you?
5'2"

Who are your role models?
Probably my mom. She's a very strong woman who's gone through a lot. She's a wonderful mom. She's done everything for me above and beyond what she should of. She's always been an amazing person to all of her friends and family and if anybody ever needs her, they can count her on.

Do you think you're like your TV character or different? Similarities and differences?
We're similar because we both love to shop, we're talkative and outgoing people. The difference is sometimes she's kind of sheltered. I'm surrounded by my friends and she doesn't really have that many, but the ones she does she really values. I also value my friendships because they mean the world to me. They're everything. I'm surrounded by them constantly. I hate being away from them.

Do you consider yourself a very outgoing person?
Oh, completely. I'm very outgoing.

How did you get started in showbiz?
I was approached when I was 4 years old at the mall and somebody thought I was cute when I was throwing a tantrum and I've been in it ever since.

Are both of your parents very supportive?
Very supportive. My dad and my mom. My dad is one of my biggest fans. Actually I think he is. He goes around telling everybody he's so proud of me and it's so cute. It makes me feel really good 'cause they love me so much and they go out and do so much for me. He's like my publicist. He tells everybody about me and he's got pictures of me and whips it out. When he hears people talking about 7th Heaven, he's, like, "Oh, really," and says, "Yeah I know someone on that," and they're, like, "Who? who?, and he's, like, "My daughter."

What is the best and worst thing about being an only child?
Well, I'm a complete optimist so I don't find anything wrong with it. I enjoy it and obviously I get all the attention. Normally, people would say not having anyone growing up with but my mom and my dad have always thought it was important for me on the weekends to find little buddies to play with so I was always around little kids.

Your parents recently got divorced. Has that bothered you or affected the way you view relationships?
Not really, because my parents are still, like, best friends. It just wasn't working anymore and I understand. They still talk all the time and it's, like, perfect between them. I think it's awesome. I think it's very grownup of each of them to know that things went wrong but they can still be cool about it. I appreciate it certainly because I was stuck in the middle. But I think now I understand that I thought love can last forever but sometimes it doesn't. They still love each other but not in the married type of way.

Do you have any pets?
I have two dogs and two cats. Dakota and Trixie are my dogs and Casper and Tigger are my kitties.

What are your hobbies, besides shopping?
Acting and being with friends, basically.

You like angels and stars. Why? Did that start ever since you were a girl?
I love angels. I've always loved angels, I've always been fascinated by them. I've always been fascinated with stars and constellations because my dad taught me that when I was younger and ever since I've loved them. I love looking up at the sky at night and the skies are clear and I just want to lay down and just stare because they're so beautiful.

So, do you have a telescope?
No, actually. I just like to look at them with the naked eye.

How do you keep your room? Is it clean most of the time?
Definitely clean.

Do you do it yourself?
Oh, yeah. My mom occasionally. Like if I slack once or twice, she'll do it.

How do you describe your own personality?
I'm very friendly, outgoing obviously and a happy person. I'm very optimistic, very trustworthy and honest and supportive of anybody.

Do you have a boyfriend right now?
No.

Are you interested in having a boyfriend now or waiting till college?
I guess there's no one special right now, but I'm not going to go out and look for one or anything.

I'm sure you'll meet a lot of guys in college as a freshman.
Hopefully.

Who do you admire in your generation of actors?
That's a hard question. I think I have to say Christina Ricci because she has done some amazing roles and amazing work. She's really good. I admire her work. She's a really great actress. She's awesome.

I think I saw you once in a hairstyles magazine. Was it fun having your hair and makeup done?
Oh yeah, I had a blast. I love doing stuff like that.

Do you do that yourself? Do you spend time trying out different makeup?
Yeah, I have every Mac color makeup. I think I have every eye shadow. Well, not, like, every, but I have, like, 50 eye shadows.

Wow.
I enjoy playing with them.

What types of clothes do you like to wear?
All the trendy, tight stuff. Because I'm so little that whenever I wear baggy stuff it looks like I don't exist, so I learned that I can't really wear that anymore.

What would be a typical outfit for you?
Like, Ms. 60s pants and, like, a Guess tank top or a Juicy Couture V-neck longsleeved shirt with big tall shoes and a purse. That's a fun outfit.

What are some of your favorite movies?
Oh, Armageddon. I just saw that the other day and I thought that was amazing.

For the first time?
Yeah. I loved the movie Nell with Jodie Foster.

Do you have any special talents or unique abilities?
Well, I sing, but that's it.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself pursuing what I've always dreamed of and hopefully just graduating from college. It's going to take me a lot longer because of work and hopefully directing very soon and producing.

What types of films would you like to do?
I haven't decided yet. I'll have to tell you when I get there.

Do you want to do more movies or TV shows?
I'd like to do more movies, but I'll just see what comes along.

Are you pretty selective with your scripts?
Yes.

Why is that?
I feel that I have to be kind of dedicated to my audience. So there are some things that I won't do. I'll go a little extreme, but not too extreme. Like, ... I don't think I'll do a sex scene anytime soon. I'm not quite interested in that, plus I have a lot of younger viewers that are big fans and I don't want them to see a movie like that.

You have an extra responsibility toward your audience.
Exactly.

Do you answer your own fan mail?
Yes, that's why it's taking me forever and I apologize to all those who have not gotten their letters. They're coming. I'm so behind. I just got a batch of 600 letters yesterday so I' m even farther behind now.

How many letters per month?
Probably close to 500 per month. Exciting.

-- By Linda Lou

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