Willow Shields on Cover of Girls Life Magazine
''[When I got the part], I was going crazy,'' Willow says. Like Prim, Willow wears her heart on her sleeve. The New Mexico native, who has a family of pets like dogs and chickens, has been actively involved in shelters and charity work, like the Stomp Out Bullying campaign, her entire life. In fact, it was Willow's open heart that helped her fit into her character's gentle shoes. ''We are both always ready to give back,'' she says.
But it was perseverance rather than personality that helped this pint-sized blonde win her first big-screen role. Having acted since age 7, Willow admits she was initially hesitant to pursue her dream. ''Maybe this acting thing isn't going to work out quite well as I thought, she says of her earlier auditions.
Buoyed by her older brother and twin sister, who are also actors, Willow found her motivation to keep following her dreams-though it didn't come easy. ''Sometimes my sister gets a callback and I'm bummed out,'' she says. ''But, you know, we each get roles. Being supportive of each other is defientely the big thing.''
And don't be fooled by the exuburant exterior of this bold top and skinnies-wearing cutie. Deep down, she's extremely focused, always working to overcome her weaknesses.
''My BFFs helped me to get over my fear of heights,'' she says, describing how they talked her through her worries, constantly telling her things were OK when they found themselves anywhere high up. ''That's how I'd describe best friends. They're always helping you out.''
Kinda like the group of buds she found in Asheville, N.C., on the Hunger Games set. Looking up to the older gals, there's one major thing she learned from Amandla, Isabelle, and Jackie in the months they spent together: To simply have faith.
''You always have to believe in who you are and be true to yourself,'' she says. ''Especially after something as big as The Hunger Games, because it's going to be a crazy time.''
