Latin Style Interview-2000
Source: Ashley
Things have progressed well with you, tell us about the movie you just finished.
It's Sally Fields directorial debut. It should be coming out in September. Minnie Driver, Kathleen Turner, and pretty much an all woman cast. It was a great experience, we had a great time. It was like a bit slumber party everyday.
Tell us about the role you played.
I play a Miss America. I'm giving up my title. It was interesting because I was a Miss USA, so I drew from that a little bit, except this girl really took her job seriously and really thought she was going to change the world. The movie is a drama although it has a lot of comedy in it but it attacks some serious issues.
Can you give us an example?
Minnie Driver's character always wanted to participate in these competitions and become the pageant winner. So she finally makes it and she had a child. She tried to keep it a secret so she could compete. Her friend that was taking care of her child started having some problems. She would hide her child by saying things like it was her little cousin or her niece. So it leaks out she has a child.
When is Beautiful due to come out?
In September.
Who are some of your influences?
Well Sally Fields.. My Gosh first of all she's an amazing actress. As a director she gives you a lot of insight and she knows where the actor is coming from. It was so wonderful to work with her. She's a very nice lady as well as all of the other girls. It was a nice experience.
Everyone wants to know what the next Doritos trick will be, what can we expect?
(Laughs) That was the biggest surprise of everything. When I came to Los Angeles, I wanted to get into Television hosting. The acting thing happened first and I really wanted to pursue it. When the Doritos audition came along I'd never been on an audition for a commercial. I ended up going and there were so many girls from New York and LA. The first time they called me for the audition I didn't want to go. So I skipped the first one. So they called me again to tell me they hadn't chose anyone for the commercial. So I went and of course there were 50 or so really beautiful girls. So they tell us they want us to dance around to this James Bond-ish music and pretend that we're popping chips in our mouth...At this point I'm thinking do I really want to do this today. But I thought about it since I was dancing since I was 3 years old and I thought what cool little things I could do that might be different from the rest. So I did a few little flips, they called me back, I got the commercial but still at that point I had no idea how much of a big deal it would be if the commercial ran during the Superbowl, so I didn't tell very man people. So I was in San Diego watching the Superbowl ini a bar and the commercial came on!
What kind of reaction did you get from the crowd around you?
With your background in Dance and Jazz how far do you want to take your career?
Right now, I just love my work, hosting is fun and easy, meeting people is great. I'm so grateful to Doritos doing commercials, and the acting is what I'm concentrating on right now and balancing all three things is kind of tough because I don't want to be labeled as a hostess or just the Doritos girl. I just finished two more commercials for the UK.
What's a typical day for you?
My day is usually jam packed. I'm not very good at dealing with stress though but I just bought my first house. I'm very much a homebody. I put a little gym in my house, hired a trainer, we work out for about an hour or so, then it's off for the day. Right now it's in the middle of pilot season so getting out on auditions and things are pretty crazy. They just launched my internet site Bouffant Club. I have been working on that and I'm so computer illiterate it's not even funny. But I see the potential and I love business and the creation of something so I really want to get involved with that and learn all about it. I'm also doing FarmClub.com on the USA Network is the best job in the world. It's different because it deals with the music industry which is something that I've never been involved with before but it's a great show.
Who were you most excited to interview to date?
I was most excited to interview Enrique Iglesias, among others Macy Grey. Right after the Grammys during our break we memorized her whole cd. As a result of the show I also gained a new appreciation to rap and their artists.
Being born in Louisiana did you always dream of moving to L.A and becoming an actress?
Are you family orientated?
Yes. I'd like to have my family live out here with me. Family is the most important thing. I couldn't imagine having children without my family here with me. I love my work but not having someone to share it with is not worth it. I'm really anxious to get my family out here and of course to settle down and have a family of my own.
Are you single now?
I'm dating Mario! (Lopez)
Is this something you guys are cautious about publicizing?
I think the Latin mark is a little more welcoming. But right now we love going out and having a great time. We've been dating for about a year and a half now.
A lot of people don't realize you are a Latina.
My background is Spanish and French. Both my parents spoke French before they spoke English. My ancestors settled in Louisana. I'm just learning how to speak Spanish now. I tell Mario to speak to me in Spanish. When I have kids I want them to speak Spanish as well. As far as French goes, I could understand it and pretty much read it but I really want to learn French and Spanish above all because that's my culture. I want my children to know these languages because when I was growing up unfortunately the mindset was they need to speak English.
Everybody was really weird to see everybody's reaction, at this point I'm kind of hiding my head under the table and then a few people would say "oh my gosh it's you!" Then the next day the phones starting ringing, and I guess that was a really good example of how Hollywood works.
I had done some modeling during college. I decided that modeling wasn't my thing, so I went back to school and I thought I really wanted to do something in front of the camera like acting or hosting. I figured if I could compete in the Miss Louisiana Beauty Pageant and win, then I could meet some great people and land a good job. My parents were like oh...Ali don't do it. Fortunately I won Miss USA and that brought me to L.A. The hardest thing was being away from my family. I have 18 sets of aunts and uncles, and they all live within 30 miles of me. Out of all my friends, I'd rather hang out with my parents cause they're so cool. I have a sister that's graduating and moving out over here. I have a brother as well but I think it'll be too hard to get him out of Louisiana.