Checking in with MEG DONNELLY

Meg Housewife” Donnelly has is yielded thankful for for her. all that playing a trying-to-be-all-American daughter of an “American Now airing on Wednesdays, with its Season 3 premiere on Sept. 26, the ABC comedy series continues the misadventures of the Otto family that includes Donnelly’s Taylor, who would love to live a traditional teenage life in tony Westport, Conn. However, that’s rarely possible under the watchful eyes of her often-high-pitched parents, Katie and Greg (Katy Mixon, Diedrich Bader). “It’s so exciting,” Donnelly says of approaching another season of the sitcom. “I feel like all of us (playing the children on the series) have grown up so much in two years. And the show is so true-tolife. Often, I’ll do something that Taylor does, so I think she’s very relatable to teenage girls. I think both parents and teens can relate to Taylor.” Donnelly also appreciates other experiences that the Walt Disney Company has given her via this year’s Disney Channel movie “Zombies” and exposure on Radio Disney, where her first single – “Smile” – has proven to be quite popular in recent weeks. “It’s really cool that ABC and Disney are part of the same company,” she notes. “They’ve been amazing to me, and I’m so grateful for that.” During the past hiatus from “American Housewife,” Donnelly focused on her musical interests that also encompass songwriting and guitar-playing. “I was home in New York City and worked on that,” she reports. “I don’t really know what to expect, but music and acting are the things I’ve really always wanted to do. Now, I’m kind of working more on the singing part.” Birthdate: July 25, 2000 Birthplace and current residence: New York Marital status: Single Other television work includes: “Zombies,” “What Would You Do?,” “Team Toon,” “Sesame Street,” “Celebrity Ghost Stories” Movie work includes: “The Broken Ones” On having Oscar and Emmy winner Helen Hunt among “American Housewife’s” directors: “She is amazing! Actually, she’s directing Episode 2 of the new season. I’ve asked her so many questions about being an actress and going into directing and how you do it. It’s so challenging, and it’s really cool because she has an actor’s perspective, and I think that’s really interesting to watch (when she directs).” Favorite movie: “’13 Going on 30.”’ Favorite television series you’re not on: “’Black Mirror.’ It’s so good.” Favorite singer: “Whitney Houston.”