The Sweet Life of Sophie Oda - Barbara Brownstein of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

If you watch the Disney Channel, you certainly recognize Sophie Oda. This talented teen portrays Barbara Brownstein, the Asian Jewish girl on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. (She's Cody's girlfriend on the show.) Even though Sophie is regularly working in Los Angeles, her home life is in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Staying out of LA might be the reason that Sophie is so down-to-Earth and grounded. She has strong ties with her family, and makes sure that her priorities are always straight. Even though this rising star can leave everything behind and have a successful acting career, Sophie makes sure that her education comes first.
Teen Trend Magazine was fortunate enough to catch up with Sophie, and find out all about her life on and off set.

TTM: Where did you grow up?
Sophie: I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

TTM: How old are you? When is your birthday?
Sophie: I'm 15 and I turn 16 on October 23.

TTM: Where did you go to school?
Sophie: I've gone to public school almost my whole life. This year I'm doing a combination of independent study and some college courses, so I can get some college credit in.

TTM: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Sophie: I like to go out with friends and do normal things like see movies and go out to eat. But I also really enjoy sitting at home and just spending time with myself doing absolutely nothing. (laughs) I do that a lot, so I often find little hobbies to occupy myself with. I like to paint. I've made lots of birthday presents and gifts that way.

TTM: When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?
Sophie: I think I've known that I wanted to be a performer since I was like 8 or 9. Singing was always my first love, and once I started performing in musicals when I was 6, I found the connection that led me to acting. The stage just felt right, like it was meant to be.

TTM: What was your first professional job?
Sophie: My first job was in the musical, The King and I, when I was 6 years old. Kids can learn so much from theatre. It teaches participation and responsibility. I think everyone should be exposed to live theatre in some way.