Articles

Do you watch much TV?

Yeah I watch a little bit of TV. Talk shows I watch. I actually watch E! Entertainment channel quite a lot. It's like the perfect kind of magazine for my job.

What kind of music do you like?

I like all sorts but mostly I like house music.

I understand you released a single yourself back when you worked on Shortland Street.

[laughs] What happened was that it was written into the storyline that Minnie and Lulu, I played Lulu and Katrina Devine played Minnie, we entered a school talent contest. We basically did a remake of a very popular New Zealand song from years ago called I Love You Timothy which was done by two girls way back in...I can't remember. I don't want to insult anyone...the sixties? [laughs] So, it was all scripted. I mean, I've had no formal singing lessons and I was absolutely terrified at the prospect of a lot of people listening to me sing. So we got singing lessons and recorded the show, and then from the show the producers decided to release the single. We actually had no choice in the matter because, if we did, I don't think I would have done it! [laughs] The last thing I wanted to do was be some sort of soap star turned songstress, to be honest with you. But yeah, it was what it was. It was a lark.

Did it go over well?

I'm not sure that it made it to the top 10 or anything. [laughs] In fact I'm certain that it didn't. Obviously it was just another merchandising thing which the show did.

Who is your favorite performer? Is there someone you look to for inspiration in your own work?

I like Kate Winslet, and I follow her because she's in my age group. But at the same time, I think Susan Sarandon is one of the sexiest women on the screen ever. So I like her because if I'm going to be that good and still be doing that, and look amazing, when you're...how old is she? Mid-forties? She's fantastic.

Do you have a favorite author? What kind of books do you like?

I don't follow an author as such. I read a lot of spiritual books to be honest. I read the Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness.

part 3