Exclusive Interview: Jerry Trainor, Ky Baldwin, and Michaela Russell Talk Snow Day

Jerry Trainor, Ky Baldwin, and Michaela Russell are three of the stars of Snow Day.

A musical reimagining of the beloved comedy classic film, Snow Day follows a group of kids who are determined to achieve their dreams when their school closes for a snow day. Siblings Hal (Ky Baldwin, Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door) and Natalie Brandston (Michaela Russell, WandaVision) discover that anything is possible on a snow day when a surprise winter whiteout offers them the chance to break routines and take giant risks. Inspired to pursue his crush, Claire (Shelby Simmons, Bunk’d), Hal enlists the help of his best friend, Lane (Fabi Aguirre, Les Misérables on Broadway), to help him express his feelings, and Natalie decides she must challenge the town’s cranky snowplow man if she wants to pull off the task of creating a second snow day. Jerry Trainor (iCarly) assumes the iconic role of the Snowplow Man.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Jerry, Ky, Michaela about Snow Day, their favorite songs and numbers, and more.

PC: Jerry, Snow Day is a reimagining of a comedy classic. Why do you think this story has resonated with audiences? Why is it now the perfect time to introduce it to a new generation?
Jerry: This is going to shock you—I’m known to be a shocking person—but I’ve never seen it. I’ve never seen the original. It was after my time, which is odd because I love the actors that are in it. I should have seen it. But the reason this is the movie of our age is because who doesn’t want to have a free day away from school? I’m not even in school anymore and I want a snow day. You add in the song and dance and this is going to be a treat. It’s going to make you smile. It’s going to make you laugh. It’s going to make you sing. It’s going to become a classic. It’s destined to be as classic as the original.

Ky: Big words, Jerry. Woo.

Jerry: Look, I’m a big talker, pal. I throw down a mean gauntlet.

Ky: All right. A snow day represents a blank canvas for everyone and a worry-free day with no responsibilities. That’s good for everyone.

Michaela: It’s a really fun movie. It’s got every aspect, whether it’s singing, dancing, or comedic timing. It’s a joy to watch. It’s going to be so much fun. The audience is going to love it.

PC: Ky, in addition to the incredible work that you’ve done on screen, you’re a singer-songwriter. If you had to pick one of your own songs that best describes Hal’s journey in the film, which would it be and why?
Ky: One of my own songs? I might be biased because it’s in my head, but it’s my next song called “Tell Me.” It’s about telling someone what you want from them. It’s not exactly the same because he was previously in a relationship. He’s like, “Tell me what you want from this.” But he sings about that in the movie. He has this desperation to get out there and be the confident person that a snow day brings out of him. But generally, he’s not. He’s looking at Claire, the most popular and prettiest girl at school. He’s like, “Tell me what I can do. Tell me who I can be to make this work.” That’s the song off the top of my head. You know what? I take it all back. My very first song was called “You Make Me Want to Dance.” Boom. There you go. It’s exactly what you think it’s about.

PC: Michaela, you’ve brought so many dynamic characters to life already in your young career. What was it about Natalie that attracted you to this project?
Michaela: Natalie is fiery and feisty. She’s this high-energy, go-getter girl. That really attracted me to the role because I can apply that to my own life. I’m definitely ready to make my dreams happen. Plus, Natalie is really funny, and she adds to the story. I was so excited to play her.

Jerry: She made it difficult to be a mean person. I was like, “This is too adorable.” Then I was like, “No. I need to be a hideous monster. I got to go. I got to go be mean.”

PC: Jerry, you’re no stranger to comedy. What is it about this genre that excites you as a storyteller and a creative?
Jerry: I haven’t done a musical in a long time. I did musicals in high school, so I was very nervous but very excited to do something outside of my wheelhouse. It’s something that I hadn’t done in a long time that really thrilled me. Then I got to play this bad guy, which was so fun, and have no name. It’s weird, iconic, and odd. It’s never not going to be funny watching kids get the best of a grownup. It’s the perfect formula. Everyone loves it. You can’t go wrong. But do they get the best out of me?

Ky: Find out on December 16th on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.

PC: There are so many incredible numbers that are going to be in the film. Is there one in particular that you’re excited for audiences to see?
Jerry: I’m nervous. I’m nervous for the “Snowplow Man” song. The first thing I saw when I opened the script was “Snowplow Man” song. I didn’t even know it was a musical. I was like, “What? I’m sorry, what?” I got on my phone with my agent and I was like, “What, now?” I got to experience that and spent a whole day in the snow singing. These kids can attest to it because they did more songs than me. They were dancing and running around.

Michaela: It was cold.

Ky: At least we got to dance to warm up!

Michaela: Yeah.

Ky: I love the finale. I was really, really, really blown away by the songs and the talent of the songwriters. But the finale is my favorite. This is going to be a weird sentence, but it feels like a finale in all the best ways. It wraps you up in such a warm hug.

Jerry: That’s the logline, Ky. Snow Day is a nice warm hug.

PC: How would you describe your perfect snow day?
Michaela: I got this one. The ideal snow day would be enough snow to build a nice igloo with a TV and a hot chocolate maker. All of that good stuff. Then a bunch of barricades. Ky, are you writing this down? Then we’d have an epic snowball fight and sled. You can’t forget sledding, and then we’d make the biggest snowman you could possibly make. Then once the day is done, you go inside and enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate with your marshmallows and peppermint. You sit by the heater in a blanket, and you look out and enjoy the snow.

Make sure to follow Jerry (Twitter/Instagram), Ky (Twitter/Instagram), and Michaela (Instagram). Watch Snow Day on Nickelodeon on December 16th at 8/7c and on Paramount+ tomorrow.