Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Baby-Sitters Club’s Momona Tamada

Momona Tamada joins the club of talented up-and-comers ready to make their breakthrough in 2020. But this isn’t the first time you’ve seen this fresh face. She’s appeared in AMC’s award-winning series The Terror and as young Lara Jean in Netflix’s beloved franchise To All the Boys.

This July, she shines in her biggest role to date as Claudia Kishi, the vice president of the Baby-Sitters Club. Yes, that Baby-Sitters Club.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Momona to learn more about her, The Baby-Sitters Club, and what it’s like introducing this beloved series to a new generation.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Momona: Since I was younger, I’ve always loved art. I love painting. I love anything art-related, and I also was a dancer. So I think acting came naturally to me.

PC: What was the biggest lesson you learned from dance that you brought over to acting?
Momona: Definitely to always work hard and to never give up on your dreams.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Momona: Definitely my mom and my grandma. They’ve taught me to always be determined and work hard. And also some of my teachers, like my dance teachers, have really influenced my life.

The Baby-Sitters Club

PC: You’re starring in the upcoming Baby-Sitters Club. Tell us about the series and your character.
Momona: The series follows the adventures of five girls and all their babysitting experiences. I play Claudia. She’s the trendy and the cool one of the group. She loves fashion and is super artistic and creative.

PC: What attracted you to this role/project?
Momona: When I got the email saying that I had an audition for The Baby-Sitters Club reboot, I was really excited because I grew up reading all the books. I was super pumped.

PC: You get to introduce The Baby-Sitters Club to a new generation. Did that bring any pressure?
Momona: Definitely. It brought lots of pressure. When I was reading The Baby-Sitters Club books, I looked up to Claudia a lot. I saw myself in her, which was awesome. Bringing these characters to the next generation is such an honor.

PC: What similarities/differences do you share with Claudia?
Momona: I love art and anything art-related. I’ve always been super creative, but one of the differences is that she is not the best student. I’ve never had any trouble with my grades growing up.

PC: What can you tease about Claudia’s story arc in the first season?
Momona: She is super bold and will stand up for her friends. After she meets and creates a super close-knit relationship with all her Baby-Sitter Club friends, she really realizes the importance of friendship and family.

PC: This is a breakout TV role for you. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Momona: I’m shocked that I’m playing Claudia in such a beloved series that was based on the novels. So definitely the biggest life lesson I feel like I’ve learned is just to be bold and to be you.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Momona: Every morning on set, we would get pancakes. We would watch H2O: Just Add Water. It’s this mermaid show.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Momona: I grew up watching the Studio Ghibli films, so definitely Kiki’s Delivery Service was one of the first ones I ever watched and My Neighbor Totoro.

PC: Favorite book?
Momona: The Baby-Sitters Club, of course. I just finished The Outsiders for school, and I really liked that one.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Momona: La La Land

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Momona: One Direction

PC: Hidden talent?
Momona: I have a double-jointed collarbone, so my collarbone would pop in and out.

To keep up with Momona, follow her on Instagram. Binge-watch all ten episodes of The Baby-Sitters Club today on Netflix!

Photo Credit: Jenna Berman at Mandisa Photos