Exclusive Interview with I’m Not Ashamed Movie Star

Today, the motion picture I’m Not Ashamed is premiering in theaters. To celebrate, enjoy this interview of the movie’s star, Masey McLain. In this film, Masey portrays Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim at Columbine High School. Check out more about this movie, including more Q&A, fashion tips from the wardrobe team, and an exclusive interview with Rachel Scott’s real-life mom in the Fall 2016 issue of Girlz 4 Christ.

*2020 Update: You can read even more about Masey McLain and dozens of other amazing Christian girls in our book, Girls Who Change the World!*

Sadie and Bella Robertson acting with Masey McLain

Give us a brief testimony. How do you say, “I’m Not Ashamed” in your life?
In my own personal life, I’ve realized that in anything I do, I want to do under the umbrella of living for the glory of God. I want to intimately know Him, hear His voice above all others, and follow it. He is the only one that has satisfied my soul and has given me hope and true life, and because of that I know He’s worth following. When you decide to live for Jesus, there will be so many lures, distractions, and temptations that will try to throw off your focus and dull your purpose. I’ve definitely experienced that—we all will. There will be persecution, too. Most of us may never experience it physically, but we definitely will in other ways. So in all of that, for me to say “I’m Not Ashamed,” means for me to remember that in whatever circumstance I’m in, that I am a child of God. Because of the cross I have hope, freedom, and true life that the things of this world can’t compare to or take away. Ephesians 2:6 says, “and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” As a child of God, I am already SEATED in heaven next to Jesus. I’m already victorious, so what do I have to fear in this life? Because of that, I want to live for Him, and I want others to see the light that He has put in me and be drawn to Him because of it.
What was the most challenging movie scene for you?
The most challenging, but most rewarding scene for me was the shooting scene I had no idea what to expect going in that day to film. My heart was heavy and everyone on the set knew it was going to be a tough day. I remember it being SO hot outside and we had to film this scene almost all day to get all the shots and every angle and point of view needed. It was emotionally draining and exhausting in every way possible, but it was also one of the most special moments of my entire life. I remember the Lord flooding my mind with worship songs, and the story of Stephen (the first martyr in the Bible) was constantly going through my head. I felt like the Lord truly gave me a glimpse of how proud He was of Rachel in that moment and all I felt was Him singing over me and even smiling. It’s hard to explain everything the Lord allowed me to experience that day, but I hope I never forget it. I remember after it was over, I just completely collapsed and had a meltdown. I had no idea that day was going to be so hard yet so absolutely beautiful and powerful.

Masey McLain and Sadie Robertson in the church worship scene

Was it different to play someone who actually lived as opposed to a fictional character?

Yes! There is so much power in telling a true story. I got to rely on her journals, her mom, and what people that knew Rachel said about her. The more I read her thoughts and feelings that she wrote down, the more I realized how much I could relate to her and even how similar we were in a lot of ways.

How are you and Rachel similar? How are you different?

Rachel’s real life best friend, Mark Bodiford (who is portrayed as Nathan in the movie) got to screen the movie to give a review of what he thought about it before it was released. I was in awe when I read that he wrote how similar Rachel and I were—that our laughs were the same, our quirks, and our voice. He said that there were times that he didn’t feel like he was watching a movie, but rather reliving a memory. I never met Rachel, got to hear her voice, or see how she laughed or figure out her quirks. Only God could have orchestrated that. That still leaves me in awe! I also think we are similar in the way of having that desire to want to live with a purpose and make an impact on the world. That’s definitely something I found that lives in my heart and I could relate to. There are probably a lot of ways we are different, but one that sticks out to me is that Rachel always wanted a boyfriend throughout high school and that’s something I never really cared about in high school.

Rachel Joy Scott started journaling to bring her closer to God, which in turn was a vital reference for the making of this movie. If you’d like to keep a creative journal, check out Diary of a Girl 4 Christ.

What was your real life high school experience like?

My high school experience was really great at times, but also really hard. I played basketball and did plays throughout most of high school, and I remember that time with my team and cast being so much fun and the highlight of high school for me. However, there was a time when I felt extremely lonely, especially towards the end of high school. I homeschooled my senior year, and it was one of the hardest, loneliest, but most needed years of my life. I remember thinking that I had a choice- I could either sit in my own self-pity and waste the whole year doing things my way and trying to cope with feeling lonely, or I could seek God with everything I had and trust that there was a purpose to that year. I finally chose to trust Him. That year was so crucial for me. It was a year of renovation and preparation in my heart. Looking back, I see how He knew exactly what He was doing and that I desperatelyneededthat time of it being just me and him. He became my best friend that year.

How did you grow in your faith while acting for I’m Not Ashamed?

I’ve never experienced the level of dependency and intimacy that I had with the Lord like I did while filming. It was a really special time in my own walk with Him. This story is so special and powerful, and to be honest, I was so scared the months leading up to filming, because I didn’t want to mess it up! But I knew that God had called me to it, and I had to trust that. It was amazing to experience that dependency on Him. He knew Rachel’s heart more than anyone, so He’s the one I looked to the most to give me insight, even creatively. I walked away confident that whatever the Lord calls you to do, He will give you everything you need to do it.

Why do you think it’s important to tell the story of an event that occurred 17 years ago?

A story like Rachel’s needs to be told—no matter how long ago it happened. Rachel’s life is such a powerful reminder to us of how to truly love others the way Jesus did, and what it means to pick up our cross and follow Him, no matter what the cost. We don’t know if we will have tomorrow, but we do have whatever time we have been given to live with purpose, and Rachel’s story reminds us of that.

What do you like to do off the set?

I love to go for runs and listen to music, read, have movie nights, play my guitar, play games, sing in the car, and hang out with the people I love!

What’s the biggest reason that teen girls should see this movie?

It will remind you of your true purpose. It’s so easy to get caught up in with the things of the world—the drama, gossip, popularity, boys, “competition,” and the temptations that we all experience. Satan uses those things to lure us away from living out our true purpose, and we don’t even realize he’s doing it most of the time. I hope that after seeing this movie, you are encouraged by Rachel’s life and that you set in your heart to live boldly for an audience of one—the only one who is worth following and living unashamedly living for.