Inside Out: Exclusive Interview With Kaitlyn Dias (Riley)

What does the teenage star think of the film's success?

By Alex Leadbeater /

Even by Pixar standards Inside Out was a surprise - not only was it a return to form after some less well-received films, but it actually stands as one of the studio's finest films (and an uncontested best of 2015). But what's it like being a part of such an immense success? To find out, WhatCulture had a chat with Kaitlyn Dias, who played Riley in the film, ahead of the movie's home video release to talk about the Pixar experience and what's next for the gang of emotions. WhatCulture: The film has been so so loved, it's my favourite of the year, and many people regard it as one of the studio's best. Obviously you know you're gonna be in something good when you go with Pixar, but when did you realise this was something REALLY special? Kaitlyn Dias: Not at first because I was 11 when I first came on to the project so I was like, €˜Oh my gosh€™ it€™s going to be a Pixar movie!€™ but then as time went by and I got more of a sense of what the plot was like, I was just like OK this is going to be really big! And then, I finally saw the movie in its entirety I was just like 'Wow this is going to be huge!' WC: You€™ve grown up with Pixar movies. What€™s your favourite (aside from Inside Out, obviously)? KD: My favourite would have to be Brave, because Merida is a really awkward character, she€™s not afraid to go after what she wants, plus the archery thing is really cool too! WC: And what was it like to find yourself acting in one of these movies you watched growing up? KD: It was mind-blowing and it still is, I€™m still wrapping my head around the fact that I€™m going to be part of Pixar€™s legacy; people will have this movie in their home for generations to come, and I€™m amazed and very thankful to be part of it. WC: What was it like getting yourself in the head space of a 12 year old - did you find yourself drawing on your own experiences for Riley? KD: It wasn€™t that hard for me to jump back just a couple of years to get in to Riley€™s head, and I did draw on my own personal experiences. In fact I think that€™s what I always try and do - draw on my own experiences and see what I would have done in that situation and see how I would have reacted and sometimes if the characters think a bit differently than I, so I€™ll try and think €˜What would they do in that situation€™. WC: What can you tell us about Riley€™s First Date, the short film accompanying the Blu-Ray? KD: So Riley brings a friend over just to hang out for a little bit and dad gets a bit protective over the fact that her friend is a guy so he€™s like €˜He better not hurt my baby girl€™. But they realise that they have a bit more in common than they thought, Riley€™s dad and her friend.
WC: Would you like to return to Riley to see her deal with the teenage years? KD: Oh yes that would be fun, lots of drama for sure! WC: How would you see a sequel working? Puberty, or something a little more creative? KD: I think the sequel might take place during her freshman year of high school and we get to see all of that drama going on, which would include all of those things you mentioned; boys, puberty. The puberty button gets pressed! Inside Out is on DVD, Blu-Ray and VOD on November 23rd from Disney Pixar.