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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 27, 2008 - 43 Teen makes a splash in Disney film Oakville actress shines with Jonas Brothers If you tuned into Camp Rock last Friday night, you may have noticed an almost18-year-old from Oakville sharing the screen with the Jonas Brothers. Jasmine Richards, best known for her stint on the Disney series Naturally Sadie, almost stole Camp Rock away from the fraternal trio with her turn as Peggy, the hanger-on to camp queen bee Tess Tyler. Tess is one of those toxic blonds Disney movies love (remember Sharpay in High School Musical?), but she's eventually put in the shade by the amazing performance Richards gives as Peggy. "I think every girl can identify with what I do in this film," said the bubbly Richards the day after the gala premiere in Manhattan. "There's a Tess Tyler in every school, every neighbourhood; she's always out there. "At the end, Peggy sticks up for herself, which is what I had to in real life when I found out that some people who said they were my friends, really weren't." That's often a problem when someone starts getting a bit of fame, as Richards did when Naturally Sadie hit the airwaves. "A lot of the kids would shout really mean things at me as I walked down the hallway," she said sadly. "But I finally found four really good friends and that made a difference. "When I graduated, I put this sentence in the yearbook under my picture: `Don't let anybody tell you that you can't make it, because in the end, they mean nothing.'" If Richards sounds wise beyond her years, it's because she's had to grow up quickly a lot of her life. "I was born in Scarborough and moved to Oakville when I was one. Then my dad left when I was four, and it's been just my mom, my older brother and me. They've both been so great to me. My brother's been like a father figure." Richards caught the acting bug early and showed up for her first open audition, with no agent or no credits, when she was 11 and got the job. But she didn't suddenly go all showbiz. "I refused to go to a performing arts high school, because I didn't want to stick out like that. I wanted to live a normal life. I didn't want anyone to think of me as different." She has been working for Disney for four years now and they keep planning projects for her, so she's one lucky young woman. And she got to work up close and personal with the Jonas Brothers. "They are so amazing," she sighed. "They're gentlemen, they're great guys, they're so talented! They deserve all the success they've had and more." And she was proud to be a part of Camp Rock. "It's all about acceptance, finding your own voice and being true to yourself. That's why I think kids are going to love seeing it. I know that's why I loved making it." - Torstar News Service SUBMITTED PHOTO RISING STAR: Oakville native Jasmine Richards recently made waves when she starred in the TV movie, Camp Rock. Legendary Ladies AT THE OAKVILLE CENTRE DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL & The Oakville Centre present DIANNE REEVES "STRINGS ATTACHED" Thursday, August 7th at 7:00 & 10:00 pm Join four time Grammy Award winner DIANNE REEVES accompanied by superstar guitarists RUSSELL MALONE and ROMERO LUMABO for one hot night of Jazz! SLEEMAN BREWERIES presents LILY TOMLIN Saturday, Sept. 27th at 6:30 & 9:30pm LILY TOMLIN, one of America's foremost comediennes, continues to venture across an ever-widening range of media, starring in television, theater, motion pictures, animation and video. Through her wonderful array of characters, she brings her legendary talent to Oakville for one special night! All performances are at The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts To order tickets call 905-815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784 Order on-line www.oakvillecentre.ca