Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader is back and better than ever!
Premiering new episodes all week, Nickelodeon has given the iconic family game show a complete makeover. Following the original premise, adult contestants will put their knowledge to the test by answering questions taken directly from elementary school curriculum. What’s different this time around is that the kids play a bigger role in this series — they help contestants prove that they are smarter than a 5th grader along with new host (and executive producer) John Cena!
Celeb Secrets spoke to the show’s newest set of kids — Jamir Vega, Patrick D’Amica, Quinne Daniel and Saya Watkins — to talk about the reboot of the show, working with John Cena, their favorite grade school subjects and more.
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader airs weekdays at 7PM ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
Celeb Secrets: For those who aren’t familiar with “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” talk to us about it?
Patrick D’Amica: “The show is a reboot, but for those who don’t know the show features 5 kids and an adult contestant, and we go against the contestant in different elementary school subjects. Every time you answer a question right, you earn money and it can add up to the grand prize which is $100,000 dollars.”
Celeb Secrets: What made you be a part of “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?”
Jamir Vega: “When the other show was on, I remember being really young, around 6 or 7, and I wanted to be on the show because that was my mom’s favorite show when I was little. She would play around with it and never missed a show. When I found out I could be on it, I auditioned for it and got the part.”
Quinne Daniel: “When I found out I was auditioning for it, I was very excited because my mom told me about 4-years-ago, my sister auditioned to be on the first one and she didn’t get it. So all I wanted to do it beat my sister and when I did, I was so happy.”
Saya Watkins: “I got involved this season of “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” because my mom’s friend saw me acting and she thought I’d be awesome on Nickelodeon. I then auditioned, got the part and everyone was so proud of me.”
Celeb Secrets: Obviously “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” was around awhile ago and now it’s back. Is there any differences or new twists to this new reboot?
Patrick D’Amica: “This time around, there are more differences. In the round for 5th grade, there are 5 questions that you have to answer in 60 seconds. It’s really fast, very suspenseful, and you don’t know if you get it right until all the questions are answered.”
Quinne Daniel: “There’s also a peak and a copy. The peak, you get to look at the other kids for answers and there the copy, where you go with the answer another kid has and it doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong.”
Jamir Vega: “You also have to lock in your answer before you want to say you want to use either the copy or peak.”
Celeb Secrets: How is it having John Cena as the host?
Quinne Daniel: “He’s really, really nice on and off camera. Whenever we would go on break or commercials, he [John] would go in the audience to talk to people, give them high-fives, and take pictures with them. He also would make sure everyone was having a good time no matter what.”
Celeb Secrets: Now I know you guys filmed a few episodes already, how the atmosphere on set? Any cool, funny stories thus far?
Jamir Vega: “My classmate Quinne was funny all the times. She would find anything to do and make all of us laugh. You can tell everyone really liked Quinne.”
Patrick D’Amica: “The atmosphere was really relaxed and not so uptight. It was very energetic and very fun. I think that helped with all of us because, in the beginning, we were all very nervous and then we all became like a big family.”
Celeb Secrets: Do you have any subjects that are your favorite and you enjoy answering on “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?”
Jamir Vega: “My favorite subject is reading and ELA [English Language Arts]. It’s easy, fun and I can read all day.”
Patrick D’Amica: “My favorite subject is definitely math. I find it really cool that math is so universal and everywhere in the world, it’s the same. It’s simple, straight forward and fun.”
Quinne Daniel: “I really like Language Arts and anything to do with words because you can explain things so perfectly with just words.”
Saya Watkins: “My favorite subject is definitely Math and History/Social Studies. I love learning what happened before us and I also enjoy how Math connects with every single thing.”
Celeb Secrets: And if you could describe “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” in 3 words, what would it be?
Jamir Vega: “I think it would be fun, challenging, and interesting.”
Patrick D’Amica: “I think the 3 words that best describe “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” are interesting, smart, and fun because it all incorporates the show.”
Quinne Daniel: “I would have to say fun, smart, and exciting.”
Saya Watkins: “I would have to take this word for everyone because it’s definitely fun. It’s also intelligence and unique.”
