Ashley Tisdale isn’t afraid of a little manual labor. The High School Musical star spent a week in Missouri getting her hands dirty  with the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew. She helped the Extreme team build a brand new home for a deserving family. And then she got to be a part of the exciting and moving homecoming. Glam talked to Tisdale about the emotional experience. Catch Ashley Tisdale on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 8 PM.

How’d you become involved in this episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition? What made you want to be a part of it?
I’ve always been a big fan of the show. My family and I watch it every Sunday night. Every time I see the show I get very emotional. I was super-excited when they called me because the family’s little girl Hannah is a huge fan. My dad does construction too. So he got to be a part of it. We volunteered together and helped build the house, and the chicken coop. It was really great. I had the same reaction when they moved the bus as when I’m watching the show on television. It’s so emotional. They’re so overwhelmed. It’s such a good feeling

What surprised you most about the experience?
Everybody is just really cool. It surprised me that all these volunteers show up. They all really cared about this family – they’ve been through a lot. They took in these four kids. They lived in an 800 square foot home. There’s no room for anyone of them. They really deserve it – they’re such good people. The father has a rodeo and I met their friends. They’re all such super-sweet people.

What was your absolute highlight from the week?
Probably when I met the family… First of all, their reaction when they first saw their new house was amazing. And then I came out and Hannah saw me, she freaked out and ran and jumped in my arms. No hesitation. I almost fell over.  I was so moved by it. She was adorable. It was such a great feeling in the end.

What’s it like working and hanging with Ty Pennington at the Extreme crew?
They’re awesome. They’ve travelled so much. They do so many episodes and houses. It’s almost like a circus — they’re always on the road. To meet my dad and my band and be a part of it and bring us in … make them feel like I’m a part of something.  My dad has so much fun with Ty.

Obviously, kids look at you as a role model, so what would you say to kids who see you volunteering? How can they get involved too and make a difference?
I think just help out. If you see someone in need.  Help out your neighbors. It’s such a good feeling to help out. I do this thing around Christmas time every year.  I go to children’s hospitals to meet the kids. And it takes such little time to make someone feel so good.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition premiered just last Sunday and all of our favorite TV shows are back for the Fall … What TV shows are you obsessed with? What’s on your must-DVR list?
Well, Glee … I just got hooked on that. I Tivo that all the time. Also I’m a big fan Dexter and 90210 – I know a couple people on that show. I haven’t checked out Vampire Diaries. I hardly have time but I’m trying to get into the shows. Oh, True blood!

What’s your favorite thing about the Fall?
My favorite thing is that the weather gets colder. It’s so hot in the summer. I like to wear layers and when it gets toward the end of the season I’m always ready to jump into the next.

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