Many people recognize Hayley Orrantia as the talented star of the hit ABC series “The Goldbergs,” but to shih tzu Gizmo, she’s just the girl who loves and adores him and makes sure he’s well taken care of!
The 21-year-old from Highland, Texas, isn’t just a dog lover and actress, though – she’s also a singer and songwriter, who began performing professionally when she was just 13 years old. However, it wasn’t until Orrantia turned 17 that she began making waves in the entertainment industry.
Early in 2011, Orrantia appeared as Penny in the kids’ movie “Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang.” Come fall, she was competing on the first season of the U.S. version of “The X Factor.” She auditioned as a solo singer for the Fox reality program, but Simon Cowell put her in a group with three other girls. Calling their quartet Lakoda Rayne, they made it into the top nine before being booted from the contest.
In 2013, Orrantia, who is one quarter Mexican, was cast on the ABC television series “The Goldbergs.” The quirky comedy, which also stars Wendi McClendon-Covey, Jeff Garlin and George Segal, follows one family as they try to survive the 1980s. The show quickly became a fan favorite, and it will enter its third season this fall. As the Goldberg’s eldest child, Erica, Orrantia rocks the decade’s outrageous fashions, and obsesses over ’80s entertainment, including New Kids on the Block and the TV show “Dance Party USA.”
Orrantia occasionally gets to showcase her vocal abilities on “The Goldbergs” (her character also aspires to be a singer), but true fans can find her voice on several Disney soundtracks like “Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure,” “Camp Rock 2” and “Hannah Montana Forever.” She also co-wrote “Power of a Girl” for the Girls Scouts USA in honor of its 100th anniversary, and “Who I Am,” which she wrote for a friend with an eating disorder and has performed live at several events for the National Eating Disorders Association.
“The Goldbergs” third season premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 8:30 p.m., on ABC, and Orrantia can be seen next year in the flick “God’s Not Dead 2” alongside Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe and Robin Givens. But before that, she took time out from her busy schedule to speak to HNGN about her adorable pup Gizmo…
Tell me about Gizmo—what’s his story?
Gizmo is seven and a half years old, but acts like an old man. He gets really grumpy when we bring another dog around because he is unfamiliar with it. He doesn’t like new things. Gizmo loves playing with his stuffed animals and riding in the car. He’s a very social dog when it comes to being outside or around humans, just not with other dogs.
Does he have any of your personality traits?
In the way that he’s really social, I guess, you could say he’s a little like me. He’s a lot more like my dad, though.
What are some of Gizmo’s favorite things?
He loves his stuffed moose! We call it his baby.
What does he do that makes you smile or laugh?
He can stand up on his back legs and dance around in a circle. Sometimes, when he gets really hyper, he will race across the house at full speed until he finally wears himself out – it’s hilarious!
Why the name Gizmo?
We think he looks a lot like Gizmo from the “Gremlins” movies, so we just had to name him Gizmo.
Does he ever go to work with you?
No, I can’t bring him to work. I feel like it would take a lot of my attention away from work.
What have you learned from having him in your life?
Having Gizmo around has shown me how smart dogs really are. He picks up on things so quickly, and responds to things I say as if he truly understands what I’m saying. Dogs are a lot smarter than people think they are.
What does he really mean to you?
Gizmo means a lot to me. He knows when I am upset about something and will come lay next to me as if he’s trying to comfort me. I love him!
For more on Hayley Orrantia, connect with her on social media: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
