The Duff, a movie that focuses on social class in high school, opens in theaters on Fri. Feb. 20.  It stars Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne, and Robbie Amell.

Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as ‘The DUFF’ (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) , a label given to her by her prettier, more popular friends (Skyler Samuels & Bianca Santos).

She quests to battle the very concept of stereotypes without losing herself in the process. In this she is alternatively helped and hindered by Wesley (Robbie Amell)  and Madison (Bella Thorne), two popular kids who benefit from her DUFF status. Based off the novel of the same name, The Duff has is widely anticipated by teen audiences nationwide.

The stars open up about their views of high school and their roles in the upcoming movie.

Bella Thorne:I just had to remember high school, and how painful it was.  I think for me just had to channel, I had a, like I was bullied in school and so I just kind of had to go back to that unpleasant memory of how tough high school can be.

Mae Whitman:[My inspiration for this role was] my life. I used my own high school experience and it was a tough one, my own high school experience.  So I just kind of went back there and relive those sad memories.

Robbie Amell:I grew up in Toronto where everybody is polite and apologizes for everything.  So I had a very tame high school experience but you know I always would have you know I stood up and would stand up for anybody that was getting bullied or that I saw get bullied just because it’s such a silly and stupid thing to do

Mae Whitman:  But I wanted to try to provide a perspective that none of that stuff is real and you don’t have to participate in anything that doesn’t feel like it makes you the best version of who you are, and that people that try to drag you down or put you in a box it’s usually because  they’re insecure and threatened by you.