Willow Shield was the Grand Marshall of a parade in San Antonio and she stopped by to do an interview with Kens5.
“We never thought it was going to be this huge,” Shields said.
The movie’s quarter-billion dollar success has propelled 12-year-old Shields into the national spotlight. She’s making red carpet appearances, giving interviews and, this weekend, taking in San Antonio’s sights.
This is Shields’ first visit to Fiesta. “This is my first time in Texas, so I’m super-excited,” she said.
She’ll serve as the Grand Marshal for the Fiesta Flambeau parade Saturday night.
Shields said the movie definitely has changed her life away from home in New Mexico.
There, she said she’s just like any other pre-teen who studies and hangs out with friends. Getting recognized in public still feels odd.
“We never thought I’d be walking in the airport and someone yells out, ‘Look, it’s Willow Shields.’ It’s really funny to experience that,” she said, giggling.