Kat McNamara is a force to be reckoned with, yet she's as sweet as can be! You saw her in 'New Year's Eve' and 'Kickin' It,' and now she's ready to shine on the big screen. We caught up with her as she wrapped up filming two major projects: 'Girl vs. Monster' and Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn — out in early 2013! In this exclusive interview, Kat dishes on her most embarrassing moment, what it's like to kiss Jake T. Austin, and why it's cool to be "one of the guys!"

J-14: We've heard dating rumors about you and Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn costar Joel Courtney. Admit it: Are you two more than BFFs?
Kat: We're totally best friends and we have so much fun on set. We're on a quest to find the best mashed potatoes in the world! We send each other pictures of us eating them wherever we are. My friends see me as just one of the guys. Guys and girls can be friends without having to date!

J-14: You had to kiss Jake T. Austin in 'New Year's Eve.' What's it like to smooch with so many cameras in your face?

Kat: I always end up being the girl that has to kiss somebody! The director told me, "Just grab him and kiss him! Pounce on him!" I had only met Jake a few days before, but it was fine because it's all acting!

J-14: Tell us about your most embarrassing moment ever!
Kat:
Well, I had only met Joel [Courtney] once at the audition for Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn. When I found out I was going to be working with him, I decided to see 'Super 8.' I loved the movie and I Tweeted him immediately after: "Just saw Super 8, it was amazing of course!" But instead of "It was amazing," I accidentally typed: "I was amazing!" I was mortified. But he was sweet about it! We agree that autocorrect is terrible.

J-14: What was the most fun part about filming 'Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn'?
Kat:
It was fun to play my character, Becky Thatcher — she's always crying, laughing, angry, and happy all in the course of a few scenes. And I got to do a bunch of stunts, like when Tom and Becky are being chased through the caves, we had to run and jump and crawl on our stomachs. The dress I was wearing got so dirty!

J-14: What was the craziest part about filming in Bulgaria?
Kat:
In Bulgaria, they use the Cyrillic alphabet, which is completely different from ours. You can't sound the words out, so you can't read street signs or packages in the grocery store! You have to rely on pictures and guesses.

Photo Credit: Katie Amey/J-14 Magazine

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