Upon introduction, it is hard not to get caught up in the fast-paced world of Max Schneider. Quickly approaching the eve of his 21st birthday, Max’s entire 5’7” frame seems to continuously vibrate with an energy for all things entertainment. A YouTube performer, singer, songwriter, actor and model, Max started in the entertainment world at the age of 16, receiving his big break when he was cast as Zander Robbins in the Nickelodeon show “How to Rock.”

From there, Max has acted in numerous Nickelodeon shows, landed guest roles on television series such as “Law and Order SVU,” modeled alongside Madonna for Dolce and Gabbana and developed a devoted YouTube following which he has named “Schneidermonkeys.” And when others lecture him that someday he’ll have to choose between music and acting, Max laughingly responds: “Why?” As he puts it, “I have one life to live. I want to do all these things and give it my all.”

With an acting resume that reads 10 pages long, Max comes across at moments as far more mature than his age. But sitting atop his cast chair from his Nickelodeon days, feet dangling as he animatedly shared stories about his best friend-turned-girlfriend and zip-lining dates, Max seems like any other young man who enjoys going on late night adventures with his friends. Today, Max dropped the first single “Nothing Without Love,” a preview of his debut album that will drop in August. Following the release of the album, he will be moving to Chicago to film the new NBC show “Crisis.” Sitting in his recording studio, Max talked about his dream of owning a talking monkey, what YouTube has given him that television can’t and why he refuses to choose between film and music.

What does a typical week look like for you?
Max Schneider: I would say it involves a lot of music making, singing and dancing and making videos and figuring out new concepts for videos, and then I do a lot of auditions for acting stuff, and sometimes I’m shooting something, sometimes I’m not. And then on my free time I try to do random things with my friends like going bowling or going skydiving, something like that. Try to switch it up.

If you had a completely free day, what would you want to fill it with?
Completely free days always kind of freak me out, ‘cause I’m like, “What do I do?” So I definitely get a good workout in so I feel good for the day, and then I love doing something new on that free day, like whether it’s– I love ziplining. I like making it an adventure day, and then yeah, just getting a good dinner with my friends or something. A nice ending to it all.

Do you get recognized a lot when you’re out and about?
I get recognized a lot, yeah. Depends sort of the place I’m at, and what I love these days — I’ve been really lucky to like work in YouTube stuff and Nickelodeon stuff — so the different people that come up to me sometimes it’s young people like 12 or 13 and sometimes it’s– I was in this Starbucks — I love telling this one — I was in this Starbucks in an airport, and I’m standing there and I’m waiting for the drink, and the guy is like, “Max Schneider,” and I was like, “Yeah.” He’s like, “Wait, you’re Max Schneider. I watch your YouTube,” and I was like, “Word, man.” This guy, like this 35-year-old guy at Starbucks, was like, “Yeah man, keep doing your stuff.” And I left and I just didn’t think that would happen. That kind of stuff happens sometimes; it’s cool.

Do you feel a different connection with your different groups of fans? Because with YouTube it is really you being you and with television you’re playing another character.
It is definitely different in a lot of ways for sure. I definitely feel like people who watch my YouTube stuff definitely know me in a very genuine sense, but I’ve also been really lucky that a lot of the Nickelodeon stuff I did, I really just played myself with like little different character differences. I did a show called “Beauty and the Beast” where I played this character Jake Riley who is just like the biggest jerk ever, so if I meet people that only saw that — actually my friend had a friend who was like, “I saw him on that show.” I didn’t know if I should talk to him though ‘cause like I didn’t know what he was going to be like, so people like that might think I’m a jerk, so it’s funny to see how different things give you a different portrayal.

How do you think people view you on your YouTube channel?
I don’t know. I hope that they enjoy it for one, and I hope that it makes them happy. That’s my main goal, but I really try to keep it as real as possible. My one thing is I talk a lot; I’m doing it right now, and I try to not really have a filter because I feel like you can tell when things are scripted, and I really want people to get a sense of me in the most genuine way possible.

Have you ever put out a video that you looked back and thought, “Why did I do that?”
[laughs] I’ve definitely put out some videos that I’m like, “Oh man,” especially some old ones. I would say when I first started doing YouTube videos when I wasn’t really into it, 16, 17, I was like super vain. I was looking at the camera, I was like, “Hey guys, how’s it going?” I look back, and I’m like, “Oh my gosh, what am I doing?” So things like that and then some videos like even from recent years I look back and I’m like, “Why did I think that was going to be awesome?” But you got to take the risk, and sometimes it’s going to be kind of crazy but you just got to do it ‘cause that brings in new cool stuff.

If someone was to play you in a movie, who would you choose?
Oh man, I would love Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play me. I love him; I think he’s awesome. He’s older than I am, so I don’t know if that would work but if it could work I would love that.

Who would be the leading characters in your movie?
Probably me. I’d probably be in the movie, maybe. My mom and my dad ‘cause they’re awesome, and then my grandma who passed away recently because she was the coolest southern woman who said like hilarious things all the time. A bunch of my good friends, for sure some in New York, some in Los Angeles, and then I feel like there would have to be a talking monkey — somehow we would have to incorporate that. That is not something that is in my life currently but if it could be I think I’d be even happier than I am now. So in the movie world if I could just have a talking monkey pet that would be pretty awesome.

Just to hang out with, yeah.
Just to hang out with and play music. Just do stuff.

Do you think in the next couple of years you will steal a monkey from the zoo and train it to talk to you?
I don’t know if I’m going to be able to steal the monkey from the zoo. I’m not good at stealing things, but if I could, you know, possibly adopt a monkey — I know that’s hard to do but I’ve looked into it, and I’m hoping that that will be a possibility.
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Joslyn Davis chatted in the ClevverTV studio with Max Schneider about his new single and music video for “Nothing Without Love,” his upcoming show at the Roxy, his new NBC show “Crisis” with Halston Sage and his awesome fans – Schneider Monkeys!

ASHLEY BAYLEN (AB): You began performing at a very young age. Do you remember what initially sparked that passion?

MAX SCHNEIDER (MS): Well I saw my first Broadway show, Beauty And The Beast, when I was 4 and right after the show I got home and reenacted the whole show on my living room table for my family. I guess it was just one of those things in life that you know you wanna do and that passion never disappeared, it’s just gotten stronger since then.

AB: A few years ago, you were selected for the reputable YoungArts Program in Miami, studying under notable theatre performers. What did you learn from that experience?

MS: YoungArts was definitely one of the highlights of my life and such a pivotal part of my growth as an actor and performer. Not only did I learn how to give everything I’ve got to each project I do, I also learned to respect and love my fellow actors and performers and that respect has really brought so much joy to my life.

AB: At 17, you landed a Dolce & Gabbana ad posing with Madonna. How did you get that gig and what was it like working with Madge?

MS: It was insane. That day was definitely one of the most surreal of my entire life. I just went in for a casting for the campaign, they took a few photos of me, then I left. I didn’t think much of it. A few days later I found I got the gig and I couldn’t believe it. It was just an absolutely amazing experience and anytime anyone asks me about it I have to remind myself it really happened.

AB: Yet another impressive feat, you were cast alongside Olympia Dukakis, Virginia Madsen and Aidan Quinn for your first feature film “The Art of Love”. What was it like acting with such Hollywood legends?

MS: Being a part of “The Art Of Love”, now titled “The Last Keepers”, was really wonderful. I was a very minute role in the film but just being in a cast with those incredible actors was an honor enough. It was my first time on a film set and just seeing how it all worked and how different things were shot, it really sparked my fascination in film and I’ve been loving working in the TV/Film world ever since.

AB: You currently star as Zander in “How to Rock”. How has your life changed since joining the Nickelodeon team?

A: It has been such a magnificent journey working with Nickelodeon. They’ve really embraced my personality and my love for music in both “How To Rock” and the hip hop Cinderella film “Rags” along with “Figure It Out” and the other projects I’ve done with them. My life has only changed for the better since I began working on the Network. Meeting people who are fans of the shows and knowing that something you do makes someone else happy, it’s just the best feeling in the world.

AB: On top of acting in theater, film, and TV, you’re also a musician. You just completed a tour with Victoria Justice. What were some of your greatest memories from the road?

MS: Touring with Victoria has been absolutely incredible! I love live performance more than anything else and we’ve been having the best time on the road. It’s tough to pick one memory but I’d say one of my favorite memories was walking on stage for our first show in Costa Mesa. I’ll never forget the feeling of walking out on that stage, having the lights hit my eyes and a split second later I felt the energy from over 13,000 people at once.

AB: Can you tell us anything about your upcoming first full-length album? Any themes, titles, or lyrics floating about?

MS: There’s not too much I can tell you but I will say that the album will be very personal. When I write I really love using actual experiences from my life with the producers I write with. Overall though I want to make people happy with the album. I hope it brings smiles and energy to the people that listen to it. And I’ll definitely be saying “baby” many a time throughout the album.

AB: Do you have a preference between acting and music?

MS: This is always one of the hardest questions for me. I’d have to say music though. I’ve been really blessed with the projects I’ve done lately incorporating both acting and music but I couldn’t live without being able to sing and perform. It’s just something that such a vital part of me.

AB: Where does the term “Schneidermonkeys” come from, in reference to your loyal fans?

MS: Well people have always called me Schneider Monkey just because of my energy and mass consumption of bananas. Plus I just love monkeys so I thought well I love monkeys, I love my fans, why not put the two together.

AB: Lightening round. What is your Favorite movie?

MS: Fight Club

AB: Favorite band?

MS: Maroon 5

AB: Most embarrassing moment?

MS: Walking up to a woman on the street and hugging her from behind thinking it was my mom only to find she was some random woman who was a little too comfortable having a stranger hugging her.

AB: Greatest Influence?

MS: My Mom

AB: Favorite food to cook yourself?

MS: Balsamic Chicken Salad

AB: Dream Gig?

MS: World tour with Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake.

AB: Most important quality in a girl?

MS: Honesty

AB: What projects are you currently working on?

MS: Currently I’m working on my next album, songwriting for other artists, shooting a second season of Figure It Out, and also writing my own feature.

AMP intern, Kayla Hohorst , sat down with Max on his tour with Victoria Justice. They talk about his new single and his dream tour! Be sure to watch the video below.

We sat down with Max and his band in their dressing room. Please forgive us for the red light, that was the lighting in the dressing room. He is the sweetest guy in the world, and has hilarious band mates who were laughing throughout the whole interview and providing answers to Max. We had a great time at his concert, he has unreal talent!

He also signed some autographs for lucky fans!

Xoxo,
Emma and Grace

Twitter: @Celeb_Corner
Blog: celebcorner.tumblr.com

Live! Starring…You caught up with Max in his tour bus for a 20-minute interview, which they’ll be sharing with you over the next several weeks on LiveStarringYou.com and through their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. At the end of the conversation, LSY! teen reporter Melissa asked Max if he ever dealt with bullying as a kid. Check out what Max said below. I’ve also added 1 pic form the interview to the gallery. Be sure to click on the gallery link below to view it.

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Home > Other > [2012] Interview with Live! Starring… You

Max Schneider is a 20 year old, up and coming singer/songwriter/actor from Manhattan. After appearing in the Nickelodeon T.V. Movie ‘Rags’ and the recently premiered sitcom ‘How To Rock’. He is currently on a U.S. tour with Nickeldeon star, Victoria Justice. You can find him on Twitter @maxgschnieder and at http://maxschneider.com/.

How has getting involved with Nickelodeon helped your career?

“Being involved with Nickelodeon has done such tremendous things for me. They are so fantastic. I’ve been auditioning for the network for a few years now and ‘How To Rock’ and ‘Rags’ kinda all came together at once. I got my first callback for ‘Rags’ when I had my first audition for ‘How To Rock’ and after about a week of callback after callback and testing with the other guys I found out I got the part and it was incredible. It was one of the best days of my life finding out I got that job and they’ve just been so wonderful to me. Not only musically but on their shows and they really embrace who I am; with my ukulele and my singing and it’s just been a dream come true.”

After being involved with ‘Rags’ do you think you want to focus more on acting or music?

“That’s always a tough question because ideally I’d like to be able to go down both paths and you know Rags was definitely a great way to do everything I love; sing, dance, and act all in one. And I loved the story and I would love to do more projects like that but I can’t live without singing every day. So I hope to continue to do both but if I had to choose I would choose singing.”

Do you plan on releasing new original music anytime soon?

“Absolutely. I’ve been working on my album for about a year now out in L.A. with lots of different ,wonderful writers and producers and just focusing on my sound and really writing the best music I can. I’ve written about 100 songs in this last year with other artists and myself and it’s been really wonderful. I hope to release soon; within the next year. I’d say definitely the sound we’re going for is like Andy Grammer mixed with Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, a little Gavin DeGraw and Maroon 5 and I hope people like it!”

How did you get involved with ‘How To Rock’ and what’s it like on the set?

“Well this audition came up and it was a Friday afternoon, I was walking home from school and my agent called me and was like, “can you go in for an audition tomorrow?” and I was like, “yeah, that’s kinda weird but ok”. So I go in for this audition and it just all just went so well and the part just clicked. You could go in for 50 jobs and really hope you get one of them but the part’s not right for you but for this one it was so right. And the executive producer David Israel is like the coolest man in the world. He called me after I got the part and just told me that he was really excited to have me on the cast and I have honestly learned so much from him. And on set it’s fantastic because we’re all a big family and it’s never like going to work, I get to have fun every day. It’s such a blessing to be able to get to do that. It’s just so much fun! We have Cee Lo on the show, we got monkeys on the show it’s so awesome.”
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Max chatted with StarCam’s Jennifer Tapiero at the Teen Choice Awards After Party about having younger kids as fans, his Maroon 5 medley with Victoria Justice, and their upcoming tour. Be sure to check out the video below.

ClevverTV chatted with Max at the 2012 DoSomething.org & Staples for Students Teen Choice Awards After Party about his upcoming tour with Victoria Justice and what’s next on “How to Rock.” Be sure to check out the video below.

Here’s a video of Max talking with StarCam’s Jennifer Tapiero at A Time for Heroes Celebrity Picnic about playing the ukulele every day, having Cee-Lo Green as a guest star on his show, and he even sings a little bit of “Crazy” right on the red carpet! Be sure to watch the video below.