This document summarizes an interview with Ashley Benson, who plays Hanna Marin on the television show Pretty Little Liars. Some of the key points covered include that Ashley often doesn't know what's happening on the complex plot of the show. She discusses finding out who the character "A" was, enjoying playing a sword-wielding character in her new movie Pixels, and valuing close friendships and trust among the cast members of Pretty Little Liars over the years.

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If you’ve ever watched an episode
of Pretty Little Liars, you’d know that
the plot twists are next-level hectic.
“Most of the time, I don’t even know
what’s happening,” laughs Ashley,
who plays the wise-cracking Hanna
Marin. “Whenever anyone asks me
what’s going on in the show, I have
to ask, ‘Wait, what happened? Who’s
this person? Why are we running
away from them again?’ It’s really
hard!” We’re glad we’re not alone.
As one-quarter of Rosewood’s most
drama-stricken foursome, alongside
Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell and Troian
Bellisario, Ash has held us captive to our
screens since 2010 when PLL first aired.
Proving she’s no one-trick pony, the
25-year-old stars in the latest blockbuster
flick Pixels as the feisty sword-wielding,
butt-kicking Lady Lisa. This is one girl
who’s not letting anything – or anyone
– get in her pretty little way.
Let’s start with the biggest, most important
question: when did you find out who A was?
“I found out a couple of months ago
but I couldn’t tell anyone. Everyone
found out soon enough, though.”
Did you get sick of being asked that?
“No, I thought it was funny because
I liked to hear everybody’s thoughts on
who they thought A was. I always say
that I want to be A because it would
be fun, but they would never let me.”
If you could go back and play another
character in Pretty Little Liars, who’d it be?
“Probably Spencer. I love her style on
the show, and I think she’s just a really
fun character with really fun scenes.”
During Season 1, Hanna was riddled with
insecurities. What’s your top confidence tip?
“Be comfortable with who you are. So
many people compare themselves to
others – I still do that! – but you have
to remind yourself that you’re perfect
the way you are. Don’t just follow a
trend or follow people you see doing
certain things. Do your own thing.”
In real-life who do you think is the
most stylish member of the PLL cast?
“Shay Mitchell! Her favourite colour
is pink and she’s always in heels.
She’s definitely much more stylish
than her character, that’s for sure.”
Hanna has the most amazing wardrobe. Have
you ever taken anything from the set?
“I’ve definitely brought home some
things, but I always have to give them
back, which sucks! Now that Hanna
is a little bit older on the show, I like
a lot more of what she’s wearing, so
I’m going to try to keep some pieces
because I’m totally obsessed with her
new wardrobe now!”
The show is centred on the four girls and it’s
their closeness that has kept them together
despite all the drama that goes on. What’s
the biggest lesson about friendship you’ve
learnt over the years from PLL?
“If you have one to four really good
friends, or even that one special friend,
I think that’s most important. You need
to be able to trust whoever your best
friend is so you can share everything
with them. Find someone who makes
you happy, you can trust and you can
have a good time with – that’s really
important for a true friendship.”
You’re now starring as Lady Lisa in
Pixels, which is seriously SO exciting!
What first attracted you to the role?
“It’s pretty cool that’s she’s an action
hero. I’ve never done anything with
swords or fighting and I’ve always
wanted to. The swords were really
hard to handle but I finally got the
hang of it. There was also a bunch
of running, jumping and kicking, but
the sword fighting was the hardest.”
How did you juggle filming this with PLL?
“It was hard! I would train first thing in
the morning before hair and make-up
for PLL and then I trained at lunch or
after filming. Then I’d do Pixels on the
weekends and I was constantly flying
around! It was fun, though.” b
You sent us questions via
Facebook and we quizzed
Ash. You’re welcome!
You’re a big inspiration
to so many teens. Who
inspired you when you
were younger? – Taylor
“My mum. She was always with
me at auditions and she was
always on set. My whole family
has always been so supportive.
I think I got a lot of inspiration
from them because I’ve
seen them help me along
my whole career.”
You have such amazing
style! Who’s your style
icon? – Kennedy
“Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
I really love their style – they
can pull off anything! I grew up
watching them and I love that
they look so good all the time!”
Will you be coming to
Australia anytime soon?
– Danielle
“I’ve never been but I have
a lot of friends over there.
It’d be really fun to visit,
so hopefully soon!”
SHE’S THE DITSIEST CHARACTER OF THE LOT, BUT, MOST OF THE
TIME, HANNA BRINGS THE GOODS – ALONG WITH THE LOLS.
4 times Hanna Marin was a secret genius
IS
FOR
ASHLEY Catch Ash in
Pixels, out
September 10.
When she investigated
Holbrook’s alibi. She
played detective and,
as it turned out,
Holbrook wasn’t where
he said he was. Boom!
When she went to Mrs
Grunwald to help find
Mona’s body. It was a
smart move and gave
Hanna invaluable info.
When she aced her SCTs
(err, SATs!) to the moment
her guidance counsellor called
her in for cheating, this girl
is cluey despite not knowing
the actual name of the test!
When Mona told her she
was smarter than Spencer.
If the original A thought
Hanna was smart, that
shows she’s a total genius.
PRET
TY LITTLE LIAR
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SPECIAL