Charli D’Amelio Is Blocking Out Critics by Leaning on 'Love and Support' from “& Juliet” Costars Ahead of Broadway Debut (Exclusive)

The influencer, 20, is set to break onto the stage in an ensemble role on Tuesday, Oct. 29

Charli D'Amelio has a full cast of supporters cheering her on as she makes her Broadway debut in & Juliet.

Ahead of her opening night performance on Tuesday, Oct. 29, the TikTok star, 20, spoke to PEOPLE about how she's handling online negativity regarding her big career move to the stage. While some critics prattle on in the comments with doubts, D'Amelio has stayed present throughout rehearsals and leaned on her costars — many of whom are also new to Broadway — to keep her concentration.

"We are all getting to go through these nerves together and so many firsts together," the social media sensation explains. "We don't have time to focus on the negativity and instead get to focus on how amazing it is that we're all here doing this together."

It helps that & Juliet's behind-the-scenes environment is a safe space for those less familiar with theater and the inner workings of Broadway.

Related: Charli D’Amelio Will Make Her Broadway Debut in & Juliet: 'It's a Dream I’ve Had Since I Was a Little Girl'

"Within these rooms, rehearsal rooms, whatever it is, there's so much love and support. If you're confused or have a question, it's never responded to in a way that makes you feel anything besides supported," says D'Amelio, who will play the role of Charmian in the production.

"Everyone wants to help each other because we all want a great show for everyone that's coming to watch," she adds. "I think that there's something really powerful about that."

Once she's finally made her debut, D'Amelio doesn't expect to be any more wrapped up in reviews and criticism about the first performance.

"I'm more interested to see what the creatives have to say and the notes that the team have to give to us. That's something that is very important to me, whether it's our team dance or the creative for the show and how that works," The D'Amelio Show star tells PEOPLE.

Related: The D’Amelio Show Is Not Moving Forward at Hulu After 3 Seasons

But the longtime dancer already has plenty to be proud of between the friendships she's forged with costars and the exposure to new artistic mediums. In her ensemble role, D'Amelio had to hone her singing skills, a process that she found to be "very difficult" at times.

"Luckily the team at & Juliet was amazing," she recalls. "They put in some extra lessons and rehearsals that really did make the difference to making me feel comfortable to be able to go on stage and feel like I am confident in what I'm doing and able to perform to the best of my ability."

Prior to nabbing a spot on Broadway, D'Amelio's career had already blossomed beyond her start on TikTok, where she's gained a whopping following of over 155.7 million since she started posting in 2019. She appeared on all three seasons of her family's Hulu reality show and in 2022, D'Amelio competed on season 31 of Dancing with the Stars and ultimately won alongside her pro partner, Mark Ballas.

Related: Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas 'Shell-Shocked' After Winning 'DWTS' Season 31: 'It Happened So Fast!'

Looking back on how far she's come, D'Amelio says she is "so grateful" for the whirlwind success that she found after shining on TikTok.

"I think everyone was [on] social media for their own reasons ... and people connect with them in their own ways," she says.

Thinking of some of her fellow creators who have expanded their careers beyond TikTok, she adds, "I'm just a viewer as much as I am a part of the community, so I'm very grateful and happy for everyone and anything that they decide to do with their talent and their art."

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Read the original article on People.