Learning a foreign language might seem
borderline nuts — on top of studying
anthropology at USC, filming scenes
for NBC’s Undateable, finding time to
do tons of charity work, and recording
her upcoming album — but it’s
actually what helps keep Mendler sane.
“I like so many things, and I think
that there’s something good about a
distraction, something you do just for
yourself that doesn’t necessarily have
a purpose to other people. It’s not the
most practical use of time,” she admits.
“Yeah, eventually, it’ll probably be handy
to know another language, but I could
be busy writing a song or working on
an audition. But focusing my brain on
something else that I do just for myself
— I think that’s been a positive thing for
me. It just makes me happy.”
That positivity has carried over into her
acting career. As Candace, a waitress on
the NBC sitcom Undateable, she plays a
uniquely upbeat character. “It’s an odd
pairing, her with these guys, because she
is younger and so optimistic, and they’re
a little more cynical.”
But that doesn’t mean it gets too serious
on the set. “I crack up at literally all of
them. I have a really hard time looking at
Chris [D’Elia] while I’m doing the lines,
because he makes me laugh, just the
way he’s looking at me while I’m doing
something. But I think Brent’s character
is probably the funniest to me.”
44 ragged // raggedmag.com