ICYMI: Tenzing Trainor from Lana Condor’s latest hit Netflix series (ahem, he also played Parker in Disney’s Liv and Maddie) did a lil IG takeover for us yesterday. From working with Netflix to whether or not he’s still in touch with the cast from Liv and Maddie, Tenzing answers fans’ most-asked questions right here.
Here’s everything you missed from Tenzing Trainor’s Q&A…
Q: How was it working with Lana Condor?
Tenzing Trainor: It was such a great experience and I’m so grateful for it. She’s an amazing actress as you all already know I’m sure but she’s an even better person. She’s a great actor to lead our show and did such a great job. She took care of all the actors really well.
Kevin Estrada/Netflix
Q: If you could work with another Disney star for a movie/series, who would it be and why?
Tenzing Trainor: So, I’m gonna assume that this is all-time Disney. I would have to say Zendaya obviously cause she was amazing in Euphoria, Spiderman, and everything that she does. But, a more random one would probably be Zac Efron. I really like Zac Efron in his comedy roles like Neighbors or Baywatch so I would say like a funny movie with Zac Efron.
Q: What projects will you be working on next?
Tenzing Trainor: There are a couple of things that I’m working on that are still being kept quiet but one thing that’s coming soon is Abominable. I did an animated series with DreamWorks in 2019 and they’ve now made it into a TV show and that should be coming out soon hopefully.
Q: What made you want to audition for your role?
Tenzing Trainor: It was just so random as you can imagine. Honestly, the age as well – this is the oldest character I’ve ever gotten to play. Usually, I’m like a freshman or a sophomore.
Q: What was your reaction when you found out that you were cast for the role of Gavin?
Tenzing Trainor: It didn’t really hit me when I first got the phone call from my manager and agent. They had said, ‘So, you booked a role’, and I was like, ‘Sure, when can I start?’. It didn’t hit me fully until it was a couple of weeks in and then I was like, ‘Wow. I’m really shooting a Netflix show right now with Lana Condor.’ I would say that my initial reaction was a bit modest and not how it should have been.
Erik Voake/Netflix
Q: Would you say that you and Gavin have any similar qualities? How so?
Tenzing Trainor: Yeah, I think I share some similar qualities with all the characters I play. That’s probably why I love all of them so much. With Gavin, there are so many things that I could name. For one, we both have like Grandpa vibes, if that makes sense. He dresses like a Grandpa, sometimes I feel like a Grandpa.
Q: Tell us three fun facts about you.
Tenzing Trainor: One, my grandfather Tenzing Norgay was the first person to have ever reached the top of Mount Everest. Two, I love Sriracha. I put Sriracha in literally everything. Number three, my favourite colour is green, like a dark forest green.
Q: Which cast member did you connect with the most and why?
Tenzing Trainor: Everyone was so great. I got along with everyone really well. I have to give a shoutout to my afterlife group – Abigail Achiri, Savira Windyani, Reid Millier, and Zoe Colletti. On the complete opposite of the show, Mason Versaw and Michael Solomon. Those are some fantastic guys, who I really established a real connection with and we’re great friends in real life. Everyone was great.
Erik Voake/Netflix
Q: Are you still close to the cast of Liv and Maddie?
Tenzing Trainor: Yeah, I mean, we talk from time to time. We don’t really hang out a lot but we shoot each other a text once in a while on Instagram or something like that. I’m actually looking after Kali’s two dogs.
Q: What was your favourite scene to shoot in the Netflix series?
Tenzing Trainor: So many things to choose from with my wild character. The graveyard scene, where we first meet Gavin. It was also my first day on the shoot and meeting the cast. It was a super fun and crazy scene to do. I would probably say that’s my favourite scene.
Do you watch any South Asian films? If yes, what’s your favourite one and why?
Tenzing Trainor: That’s an interesting question. I personally do not watch a lot of South Asian films but my mom pretty much only watches Indian shows and movies. So, occasionally when I go to her house, I catch her watching something and I’ll watch a little bit but I haven’t really dived into watching South Asian content all that much.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Tenzing Trainor: When I’m not working, I’m a full-time student so I go to college and that’s where a lot of my time goes in. I play soccer, I play video games – just normal things. Nothing special.
Erik Voake/Netflix
​If you could travel anywhere in the Middle East, where would it be and why?​
Tenzing Trainor: I would love to go everywhere cause I like to travel. If I had to choose one, I would say Egypt. There’s so much to see there – the pyramids and everything.