Please raise your hand if your hormones have ever been victimized (in the best way) by Evan Adams abs. It’s okay, there is nothing to be ashamed of. We’re a family here and I am telling you that my hands are raised. Well they were. I had to put them down to type this.
If you think that your hormones have been victimized by Adams abs, just know when it comes to Academy of Lies, you’re getting those but your getting something else. The boy can sing.
Shortical was like hold my beer, the fans are going to get something they aren’t used to.
Now, I am sure I am going to get the standard message that I get every time that I say verticals are predictable. They are, but I feel like that is okay. That is part of a formula that makes people keep coming back – the predictability and the comfort. Academy of Lies fit the mold of predictability, but also let that go a bit and gave us new things from the actors involved.
Academy of Lies stars Olivia Rose Williams, Rommy Romero, Autumn Noel, and Evan Adams. The jist? These kids are all part of this elite performing arts school. Mia Campbell has arrived at the school and she doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s the daughter of a famous dancer. But Ashley, well she’s going to let it go when people assume that she’s the daughter and she’s going to use this to get what she wants. Meanwhile, Judd is the guy that all the girls are drooling over. He’s only got eyes for Mia, but due to a lot of miscommunication the walls are up there.
Mia isn’t afraid to keep calling Ashley out every single time that she lies about who she is. Not everyone takes kindly to that, but I think people should appreciate that Ashley isn’t getting her hair snatched for how she acts. She’s miserable. She’s cruel.
It turns out that Ashley is the the Campbell family drivers daughter. Now, Mia hadn’t wanted a bunch of clothes that her Mom designed, so she gave them to the driver. He in turn gave them to his daughter, which is why she was mistaken as Olivia Campbells daughter. Now, you would think that when he finds out that his daughter is being a c-u-next-tuesday, he would put a stop to it. However, parental relationships are complicated.
Ashley is determined to make Mia’s life a living nightmare, but Judd is determined to protect her. He cares for Mia and so no matter what is tossed her way, he reminds her of how strong she is and how talented she is.
Sure there are doubts in this whole series – after all when you are a teenager gossip is bible. You’re at that stage in life where insecurities are prevalent (not that they ever go away) and you’re searching for a sense of belonging. But there is also that moment where you realize that you could be wrong.
That’s a humbling experience.
Now, before we get to Evan Adams, we really need to talk about Autumn Noel. The actress has been in several verticals. Some of our favorites include Carrying His Triplets, Becoming His Wifey and Prince Charming x3. You can’t judge a vertical by its title. They are misleading.
Autumn Noel is talented and I feel like with every role that she takes on – she grows. At first a lot of the roles that she took on felt like all of the characters were all submissive, naive and didn’t know how to stand up for themselves. This role felt like growth – as if Noel knew that she has come to her own. That’s inspiring.
Watching her character of Mia be filled with confidence, strength, and fight in her – well, I am thankful to see the range that Noel can pull out of her characters.
While not familiar Olivia Rose Williams, I have to say that her character of Ashley fit the villain role well. She made you want to jump through the screen and tell her to behave and be nicer to her father. Will be looking forward to seeing her career evolve.
Evan Adams stars as Judd, a musician with a heart of gold. He wants to perform, and agrees to help Mia at the showcase. Everyone has turned against Mia, but he doesn’t want to. They continuously miscommunicate, overhear half conversations, and don’t know how to solve problems.
Mia has been through a lot with the kids at school. Judd is loyal and he should know who Mia is. However, when Ashley steals her phone and sends him a message that she’s not interested, he takes it as something that she would do. That’s what really bothers me. You can tell that he is hurt.
He’s so into her that he wrote her a song for her to dance to. He has to know her. He has to know that she’s better than that. It’s heartbreaking for the both of them – Judd even blocks her. Ashley gets her kicked out of the gala and makes her life a nightmare.
At detention – Mia confronts Ashley and tells her all the things that she knows – including that Ashley failed the entrance exams. Others overhear and Mia says that she plans on coming clean after the gala.
Ashleys Dad finally puts her in her place and to that I applaud him. Sometimes being a parent is doing the hard things.
Life has a way of working itself out and who she is comes to light. Judd took her off block and read all her messages. He shows up for her and for the first time Mia sees that people will show up for her and not because she’s Olivia Campbells daughter.
Academy of Lies is a decent vertical – one that ultimately shows the evolution of two actors – Autumn Noel and Evan Adams.
For that alone it’s worth the watch.
