“13 Reasons Why” Star Anne Winters Dishes On Being The New Kid In School + Working With Kevin Hart...

At age 23, Anne Winters has been out of school for more than five years but this year, she’s heading back twice. The Dallas-born actress, who just won a Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series Daytime Emmy for her work in the go90/Awesomeness TV’s scripted series “Zac & Mia,” is the new girl in school on the second season of Netflix‘s critically acclaimed drama “13 Reasons Why” starring Katherine Langford and Dylan Minnette. Anne will star as Chloe, a beautiful, confident girl at school trying her hardest to navigate high school’s treacherous waters and make it all seem effortless when the series returns on May 18.

She’ll then be heading to “Night School” in the Universal film of the same name on Sept. 28 opposite an all-star hilarious cast that includes Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Ben Schwartz, and Taran Killam. The film follows a group of troublemakers who are forced to attend night school in hopes they’ll pass the GED exam, and finish high school. Anne shines as Mila, a hipster from a wealthy family who is forced to get her degree by her parents.

We chatted with Anne about her two upcoming school-centric roles, the social impact of “13 Reasons Why” and in a battle of the funny between Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, her pick for an overall laugh-out-loud winner.

In “13 Reasons Why” you play Chloe, a beautiful, confident girl trying her hardest to navigate high school’s treacherous waters and make it all seem effortless. Was your high school experience similar? 

I can definitely relate to Chloe’s identity in the show. In high school I was always super confident thinking I knew everything when in reality had so much to learn. It’s “cool” in high school to make everything look easy/effortless when really your trying so hard to keep it all together.

Why do you think the show is so impactful? 

I think “13 Reasons” was super impactful because it didn’t shy away from REAL issues and didn’t sugarcoat them. Teenagers are smart. It’s one of the only shows that I think teenagers can truly relate to on a deeper level.

The “13 Reasons” cast is pretty close-knit. Did they become like a family? If so, what was your role within that family? Who are you closest to? 

Yes, everyone is a family on set. When you’re dealing with such raw topics and emotional scenes all the time, it’s fun to play and joke around off set which makes everyone closer. I got closest to probably Justin Prentice (Bryce), Timothy G (Monty), and Alisha Boe (Jessica). You’d have to ask them what “role” I played in the family off set lol, I don’t know!

You were a competitive cheerleader at one point. How would you liken cheerleading to your current life? 

Competitive cheerleading in high school was the most stressful thing I’ve done in my life! Honestly nothing in acting has ever made me AS nervous as I got before a competition. BUT I will say… I just did a taping in front of a live audience for “Beyond the Reasons”, which will air after all the episodes, and that was super nerve-racking! I think what makes me nervous is being behind stage about to “perform” knowing you only get one chance to not screw it up!! Lol.

You’re also starring in “Night School.” Was going to set every day the time of your life? 

The set of “Night School” felt like being stuck in detention with the FUNNIEST people on earth. So many times on set when the camera was rolling, I tried not to laugh and ruin the scene. If you ever see me just turn my head and play with my hair…. that’s me laughing. Definitely a fun time!

Who’s funniest, Tiffany Haddish or Kevin Hart, and why? 

Kevin and Tiffany are both probably the funniest people on earth, I’m so happy I got to work with BOTH of them. BUT if I have to choose one, I gotta go with my girl Tiffany. She became like my big sister on set and girls stick together #girlpower.

Do you have a favorite memory of filming “Night School?” What was it if so?

My favorite memory filming was seeing Taran Killam (who plays the Principal) and Kevin fight. Lol. They are super funny to watch. I just loved getting a month worth of free comedy shows and SNL skits.

Photos: The Riker Brothers
Makeup: Harriet Hadfield
Hair: Mika Fowler
Styling: Lo VonRumpf