Interview: Laya DeLeon Hayes on How She Got Her Start

Laya DeLeon Hayes is best known as the voice of “Doc McStuffins” on the Disney Channel show

Laya can also be seen as playing Piper on the Amazon Prime series Just Add Magic, which is currently airing on Amazon now. When it comes to voice-over work versus live acting, Laya doesn’t have a preference. She loves both equally for different reasons. Though she said that voice-over work has helped her for her on-camera acting as well. Glitter sat down with Laya to discuss how she balances school and acting, the one thing her fans might not know about her, and what fans can see her in next. Read on to find out more about this remarkable actress.

GLITTER: What would you say was your big break?

LAYA: I personally don’t think I’ve had my big break yet, but one of the biggest roles I’ve booked was the voice of Doc McStuffins. While working on Doc McStuffins, I’ve been able to learn so much from the cast and crew which has resulted in me getting better as an actress and has been a great experience.

GLITTER: What can you tell us about playing Piper on the Amazon Prime series Just Add Magic?

LAYA: On screen and off screen, the cast welcomed Piper with open arms. What I loved about playing Piper was the fact that she was one of the only characters in the show who didn’t know about magic, but was still very helpful in finding solutions with her friends.

GLITTER: How are you like or unlike your character?

LAYA: Piper and I are both into theater and are very caring with our family and friends. We’re different because Piper is more talkative and a bit pickier than I am.

GLITTER: What other shows have you appeared on?

LAYA: I’ve appeared on Quantico, Code Black, Raven’s Home, Liv And Maddie and Game Shakers.

GLITTER: We know you do voice-over work so do you prefer voice-over work over live acting, or like both equally for different reasons?

LAYA: I like both for different reasons but I do prefer live action work over voice-over because that’s how I was originally trained. Although I do have a very special place in my heart for voice over because it has taught me a lot about on camera acting too.

GLITTER: How do you balance school with acting?

LAYA: I think it’s so important to be able to be focused on your career at a young age, be able to do school and be a teenager at the same time without feeling overwhelmed. Being home schooled really helps. My parents are also really good at helping me balance my time between my career, school and having friends.

GLITTER: What is one thing your fans might not know about you?

LAYA: One thing fans may not know about me is I am actually a pretty good singer. I post covers from time to time but haven’t in a while. I started singing a couple years before I got into acting.

GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?

LAYA: Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s a part of it.

GLITTER: Favorite Disney character?

LAYA: Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck it Ralph.

GLITTER: Favorite outdoor activity?

LAYA: My favorite outdoor activity is bike riding on the beach. It’s so exhilarating. I love the feeling I get of being in my own world.

GLITTER: Favorite food or restaurant?

LAYA: There is the Mexican restaurant called Loteria in Hollywood that has the best taquitos. So good!

GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign, what’s self-love mean to you?

LAYA: To me, self-love is all about loving and taking care of yourself physically and mentally. As well as embracing your individuality.

GLITTER: Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?

LAYA: There are some things in the works that I can’t announce yet, but you can watch me in the new season of Just Add Magic on Amazon Prime and even watch my new voice-over show called Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny on Amazon Prime as well. I play the character Jing. Season five of Doc McStuffins is also airing now on Disney Channel and Disney Junior too.

GLITTER: How can fans follow you?

LAYA: Fans can follow me on my Instagram: @ layadeleonhayes, my Facebook: @layadeleonhayes and you can follow me on my Twitter @ layahayes