Meet the Cast of ABC Family’s YOUNG & HUNGRY! ~ #ABCFamilyEvent #YoungandHungry

Last week I posted about my experience visiting the set of ABC Family’s new comedy MYSTERY GIRLS! While out in Los Angeles that wasn’t the only new television show on ABC Family that I learned about…

If you were following along, you probably saw when I had breakfast with the cast and Executive Director of ABC Family’s YOUNG & HUNGRY! The show is about the charming Josh (Jonathan Sadowski), a well-off young tech entrepreneur who hires a feisty charismatic young food blogger, Gabi (Emily Osment) to be his personal chef. Along for the ride is Gabi’s sharp-witted roommate and best friend, Sofia (Aimee Carrero), as well as Josh’s publicist and right-hand-man, the high strung Elliot (Rex Lee).

Photo Credit: ABC FAMILY/ Adam Taylor

YOUNG & HUNGRY is a fun show! I can’t tell you how badly I want to raid Gabi’s wardrobe closet, or how Sofia keeps me laughing with her one-liners. The show does have more adult themes than other ABC Family programming, but if you are mature enough to handle it, the show is enduring. Plus I just love that it is centered around a blogger!

I loved interacting with the cast and learning about each individual. The interviews were a little more on the informal side, which was great because it definitely felt more conversational. It wasn’t just us asking them questions. The cast seemed genuine in learning a little more about us mommy (and daddy) bloggers and our backgrounds. I’ve included below little tidbits from each sit down session .

Interviews with Young & Hungry

Original Photo: ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin. Edits by me.

It was really cool to learn that the Miami native actually has a background in theater. She studied performing arts and graduated from Florida International University with actually a degree in International Relations. She noted that her family is supportive of her acting, but that she is the only actor in her family. She comes from a very practical background, and so it was important to have a career to fall back on just in case she moved away from acting.

When Aimee came over to the table, one of the first things I noticed was her gorgeous black and gold metallic dress she had on! I could help but soon inquire on the fashion provided on the show. She noted that the stylists often use wardrobe pieces from Nordstrom, especially the BP line! To a single working mom like me, to know the fashion from the show came from an affordable source was awesome. She noted that her style icons include Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett, as she loves the look of classic suits. She loves finding outfits at Top Shop and one of her must-have beauty products is NARS Tinted Moisturizer!

When I asked her if there was a specific actor or director she would love to work with in the future, she didn’t even have to think twice about her answer! I was excited to learn that she would love to work with Wes Anderson, who happens to be one of my favorite directors. She’s a huge fan of his style, and how he intertwines comedic elements into his witty scripts!

Original Photo: ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin. Edits by me.

What a cutie! Think Jonathan’s handsome on screen? Wait till you see him face to face! Let me just say though… Jonathan is one SMART dude. Aside from acting, he is also an accomplished writer. It was very cool to learn that he’s written and sold numerous screenplays. Did you know he wrote the show for singer Pink’s Truth About Love tour?

Jonathan hails from the south side of Chicago where he comes from an Italian family. Like Aimee, he also has a background in theater. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We asked him if he was anything like his counterpart Josh on the show. Jonathan admitted that him and Josh do share certain qualities, such as they are both big kids at heart, who loves geeky topics (like Star Trek!) Also they both very much enjoy video games. Jonathan noted that is a magician member at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. Of course we had to ask to see a trick! Jonathan pulled out the old classic split moving thumb trick. He assured us his other tricks are legit!

We chatted about the great chemistry among the cast. Jonathan noted that he would love to share with the audience the backstory of how characters came into each others lives. For instance in the pilot we obviously see how Gabi and Josh come together. Though Jonathan would like the audience to see of how Josh and Elliot came to work together, or how Yolanda came into Josh’s life.

As for which actor Jonathan would love to work with one day? None other than the talented Daniel Day Lewis! Good pick!

Favorite part of filming the show? The live audience! Jonathan loves having the live audience there at filming. Nothing is better than hearing that instant laughter after nailing a joke.

Original Photo: ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin. Edits by me.

Not going to lie… I was super excited to meet and interview Rex Lee because Entourage was one of my favorite shows, and Lloyd, his role, was one of my favorite characters! It’s great to see Rex again on my television every week. His comedic timing is great and if you enjoyed him as Lloyd, I think you’ll enjoy him as Elliot as well.

So what attracted Rex to YOUNG & HUNGRY? At first he joked it was all about having a job! But really, he found the show to be quite sweet with heart. He complimented the chemistry of the cast, noting that he’s actually known Jonathan for a few years, so it was nice to work with him.

When I asked Rex which director he would love to work with one day… he quickly praised Kimberly Peirce, who directed BOYS DON’T CRY. Other dream directors include David Fincher, Woody Allen, and Martin Scorsese.

Eager for the Entourage movie? Don’t worry! You’ll get it! Looks like it will be a June 2015 release.

Original Photo: ABC FAMILY/ Craig Sjodin. Edits by me.

In chatting with Emily, we asked what attracted her to the role of Gabi. She noted that loved how Gabi is such a strong female character who is out there on her own doing what she wants. So then we just had to know… playing a chef, how are her culinary skills? Emily noted that they are actually pretty good! Her specialties? Salmon with breadcrumbs, and Angel food cake.

Now when Emily walked over to our table, this shoe fanatic noticed that she was wearing TO DIE FOR heels! When talking about her personal style, Emily noted that she is indeed actually a t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops kind of girl. Though if she had to pick a celebrity whose style she loves, she would go with Emma Watson! She complimented Emma on her Red Carpet fashion.

Just like Aimee, we learned that Emily too is a big fan of Tilda Swinton. She would love to work with her one day. She excitedly noted that she always wanted to work with Adam Goldberg and actually got her wish! She recently worked with him on the film NO WAY JOSE.

David Holden, Executive Producer

During our breakfast we also had the chance to chat with David Holden, the Executive Producer of YOUNG & HUNGRY. He discussed how he wanted to make a show that had heart, and wasn’t “snarky” like other programming. The show was inspired by the blog BrokeAss Gourmet. The blogger, yes who is really named Gabi, posts recipes that are always under $20, but geared towards those who enjoy the finer things in life.

We complimented him on the great chemistry of the cast and inquired about how casting went about. He noted had Rex Lee on board pretty early in the process. As for the role of Gabi, if the show had gone to network, fellow executive producer Ashley Tisdale, would have taken the role. Thought when Emily auditioned, David noted that she “got it right.” He said Emily had an absolute amazing confidence about her and likeability appeal that was perfect for Gabi. Another little tidbit he revealed was that the role of Yolanda was originally a Latina character. However it was changed to an African-American character, and David praised the chemistry between Rex and Kym Whitley.

So David’s advice for young talent looking to get into the business? Perform, perform, perform. You never know who you might be performing in front of and what opportunities that performance could open for you!

Be sure to connect with YOUNG & HUNGRY on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Don’t forget to tune in at TONIGHT at 8:00pm ET/PT on ABC Family! Jesse McCartney will be guest starring on tonight’s (July 30th) episode!

Photo Credit: ABC FAMILY/ Adam Taylor

Missed my live updates from my LA adventure? No worries! Just head over to my Twitter (@AshBG) and Instagram (@ashb4211) and look for the hashtag #ABCFamilyEvent!

While I attended an expense paid trip by Disney to the press events for Guardians of the Galaxy, 100 Foot Journey, and ABC Family, all opinions are 100% my own.