The Dirt with Julia Goldani Telles, Bailey Buntain, Emma Dumont and Kaitlyn Jenkins of “Bunheads”

March 22, 2017

All photos by Adam Taylor, courtesy ABC Family

If you’re like the DS staff, you’re already obsessed with “Bunheads,” the new ballet-centric show on ABC Family. What’s not to love? The show’s star, Sutton Foster, has serious Broadway cred, the plot gives us a sometimes dramatic, sometimes hilarious look at the life of a dancer and, best of all, four real-life dance students get their big breaks on the small screen! Kaitlyn Jenkins, 20, who has trained in ballet, modern, hip hop, tap, jazz and ballroom, plays Boo, who loves to dance but struggles with the fact that she doesn’t have the perfect ballet body. Former School of American Ballet student Julia Goldani Telles, 17, plays Sasha, who’s got the dream body and the talent but doesn’t really have the heart. The musical-theater loving Bailey Buntain, 22, plays Ginny, who yearns to break out of her small town life. And Emma Dumont, 17, who has a couple of small movie roles under her belt, plays fun-loving Melanie. Read on for The Dirt with all four breakout stars.


JULIA

Dancer you would drop everything to see:
Natalia Osipova!

Biggest guilty pleasure:
“The Ellen Show’s” Hidden Camera Pranks and Dance Dares.

One thing most people don’t know about you:
I eat raw garlic. It’s great.

What are your pet peeves?
People who leave the toilet seat up! GROSS!

Dance-wise, do you have any bad habits?
Many, but I like to think of it as interpretive dancing 😉

What’s the strangest thing in your dance bag?
A plastic monkey watch that I once found in a classroom

What was your reaction when you found out you were cast in Bunheads?
I ran around my house in my pajamas, howling.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A spy.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
On a remote island, formulating my world-domination plan.


BAILEY

If you could dance with any performer, past or present, who would it be?
Fred Astaire. But before we could start dancing he would have to pick me up off the floor from fainting.

Biggest guilty pleasure:
Cuddling up in bed, eating Wheat Thins and watching Instant Netflix on my nights off. Wow, I’m exciting… J

Favorite food:
I LOVE Mexican food.

One thing most people don’t know about you:
I’m an Auntie to 9 nieces and nephews, and I’d rather hang out with them than most adults. They are the sweetest little people.

One thing you can’t live without:
My sisters. They’re my best friends, my inspiration, and the good kick in the butt I sometimes need.

Who would play you in a movie?
Oh probably one of the Victoria’s Secret models. Oh wait… HA! I’m sorry I fell asleep for a minute and was DREAMING.

What are your pet peeves?
The sound of snoring drives me a little nuts. Oh and I hate getting to a movie late and missing the previews.

Dance-wise, do you have any bad habits?
I carry tension in my shoulders. If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard “Shoulders down!”…

What’s the strangest thing in your dance bag?
Floss. Oral hygiene is no joke.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Belle from “Beauty and the Beast.” Clearly, I was a very realistic child.


EMMA

Dancer you would drop everything to go see:
Ariana Lallone. She used to dance for Pacific Northwest Ballet, and she is stunning. I’ve ever seen anyone command attention in their dancing like she does.

Most played song on your iPod:
“Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett

Favorite movie:
Billy Elliot. I own it on VHS and have seen it a thousand times. I also love Fight Club.

Biggest guilty pleasure:
Butterfingers. Butterfinger Crisp. Butterfinger ice cream. Anything Butterfinger.

One thing most people don’t know about you:
I play Roller Derby.

If you weren’t a dancer/actress, what would you be?
A biomedical engineer.

Who would play you in a movie?
A teenage Amanda Bynes.

What’s the strangest thing in your dance bag?
An allen wrench.

Do you have any pre-performance habits or superstitions?
Right before I go on stage, I like to put a little Tiger Balm under my nose. It smells great and reminds me to smile.


KAITLYN

Dancers you would drop everything to go see:
Desmond Richardson & Diana Vishneva

Favorite movie:
The Help and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

Biggest guilty pleasure:
 CUPCAKES!!!

One thing most people don’t know about you:
I have this burning desire to ride a motorcycle.

If you weren’t a dancer/actress, what would you be?
I would want to pursue a singing career or possibly photography. It would have to be something “artsy!”

One thing you can’t live without:
My iPhone <3

Who would play you in a movie?
Jennifer Lawrence

What are your pet peeves?
When people lie

Dance-wise, do you have any bad habits?
Sometimes my turnout isn’t as good as it could be.

Do you have any pre-performance habits or superstitions?
First I jump up and down and then I shake my arms out. Then, I give a little prayer and blow a kiss to my pointe shoes!