Below is an abbreviated summary of my interview with “Twilight” actor, Michael Welch. The 22-year-old actor played Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) friend in the popular movie series. Since 1998, Michael has also appeared in several other movies and television shows.
This Q&A format will give readers a sense of some of the topics we're trying to cover in the book and show what kind of issues we're trying to get some inside perspective on.
How do you handle all the attention you get after acting in such a big movie?
It’s an understatement to say this is unlike anything I’ve ever been in. I’ve just tried to keep a healthy perspective on the whole thing because otherwise it would just be so easy for this stuff to go to your head.
How do you handle the fan craziness?
The fan interaction has been overwhelmingly amazing and that’s something I don’t think I would ever get sick of because it’s sort of a direct validation of either the work you do or the things you’re a part of … I did choose to become an actor from a very early age so there is something inside me that likes attention for sure.
What’s it like to see your co-stars—Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner— all over the tabloids?
It’s so weird. You just pick them up and I just see story after story after story about Rob that were all just totally skewed, totally false, and I just think, man, you know, this is my buddy.’ It’s kind of upsetting.
What’s your attitude toward tabloids?
That part of it is something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. Just the flat out lying about people just for the sake of selling a paper. It’s kind of gross in a lot of ways.
Have you ever seen anything untrue written about you?
The thing that has been weirdest for me is when people pretend to be me on social networking sites, which in a lot of ways is flattering, but at the same time this is some person that I’ve never met saying things that I would never say. So that part of it just strikes me as a little creepy.
I would love to get some feedback on this interview. What kinds of questions do you have after reading this? What are the most interesting parts of Michael’s responses?
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Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Celebrities and Charities
One of the topics we plan to cover in “7 Secrets of Celebrity Success” is young celebrities’ participation in charitable organizations. We’ve spoken to several actors and singers in the spotlight who say using their celebrity to set a positive example of volunteerism is important to them.
Recently, I interviewed Michael Welch, who plays Mike, Bella’s friend, in the “Twilight” movies.
Michael chatted with me about his work with Kids With a Cause, a Los Angeles-based charity benefiting children in places like orphanages, hospitals and homeless shelters. Volunteers visit these children and provide food and other supplies. But for Michael, the most important thing he and others provided was love and attention.
He explained many orphanages, for example, have more than 100 children and only a few adults running it.
“Although all of the basic necessities of survival are taken care of—food, shelter clothing—a lot of that physical contact and love is not,” he said “So … usually you have five or six kids running up to you and want you to pick them up and just get that sort of that closeness, that physical kind of contact.”
Chad Michael Murray, best known for his role as ‘Luke’ in the TV show “One Tree Hill,” spends some of his free time working for Habitat for Humanity.
In 2005 he traveled the country with Habitat for Humanity with a couple of his buddies. For him, his motive to volunteer doesn’t come from being in the public eye and wanting good publicity, it’s about having a good time. Chad says everyone should donate some of their time to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
“One of the most important things to me so far is to show the people around me – the viewers – how easy it is to go out and how much fun you can have if you go out and help a little bit,” he said. “If everybody just did a little bit, it would be a much better place.”
Other entertainers, like Hunter Gomez, best known for his role in the movie “National Treasure,” donate a certain percentage of each paycheck to charity.
We plan to talk with more young actors who devote their time and money to charities and find out why it’s important to them that they do so.
Another post about my full interview with Michael Welch will appear in two weeks, check back then!
Recently, I interviewed Michael Welch, who plays Mike, Bella’s friend, in the “Twilight” movies.
Michael chatted with me about his work with Kids With a Cause, a Los Angeles-based charity benefiting children in places like orphanages, hospitals and homeless shelters. Volunteers visit these children and provide food and other supplies. But for Michael, the most important thing he and others provided was love and attention.
He explained many orphanages, for example, have more than 100 children and only a few adults running it.
“Although all of the basic necessities of survival are taken care of—food, shelter clothing—a lot of that physical contact and love is not,” he said “So … usually you have five or six kids running up to you and want you to pick them up and just get that sort of that closeness, that physical kind of contact.”
Chad Michael Murray, best known for his role as ‘Luke’ in the TV show “One Tree Hill,” spends some of his free time working for Habitat for Humanity.
In 2005 he traveled the country with Habitat for Humanity with a couple of his buddies. For him, his motive to volunteer doesn’t come from being in the public eye and wanting good publicity, it’s about having a good time. Chad says everyone should donate some of their time to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
“One of the most important things to me so far is to show the people around me – the viewers – how easy it is to go out and how much fun you can have if you go out and help a little bit,” he said. “If everybody just did a little bit, it would be a much better place.”
Other entertainers, like Hunter Gomez, best known for his role in the movie “National Treasure,” donate a certain percentage of each paycheck to charity.
We plan to talk with more young actors who devote their time and money to charities and find out why it’s important to them that they do so.
Another post about my full interview with Michael Welch will appear in two weeks, check back then!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Actress/Dancer on Entertainment Biz Part II
The following article is Part II of last week’s post about actress/dancer Heather Morris’ visit.
One of the chapters we plan include in ‘7 Secrets’ explains the importance of volunteering. Some celebs like Chad Michael Murray work with Habitat for Humanity. Others, like Brad Pitt and Robert Pattinson donated their time answering phones to encourage contributions to “Hope for Haiti.”
Many charitable organizations use popular celebrities from the entertainment industry to advocate their cause. Often people will donate more money or remember the organization if they see it associated with an actor or singer they like.
One thing we’ve learned from young entertainers is that donating time and money can be rewarding and provide a quick break from Hollywood. The same proved true for Heather Morris.
Volunteer
When Heather came to Buffalo she and Tim O’Shei teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, through which she met 12-year-old Briana Hansen. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of Niagara University, had just refinished the Hansen’s basement and transformed it into a dance and gymnastics studio, complete with matted floors, wall mirrors and a dressing room.
Briana, an avid dancer and gymnast, has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that in her case causes mucus to build up in her lungs. Briana needs lots of exercise to stay healthy and the dance studio allows her to practice tap, jazz and acro (a mix of gymnastics and dance) at home with 10-year-old sister Olivia.
So, as an extension of Briana’s wish, Heather Morris came and visited the Hansens Dec. 30. Briana gave Heather a tour of the house and dance studio. Heather even tried on Briana’s special vibrating medical vest, which Briana uses twice a day to loosen up the mucus in her lungs.
Both Briana and Heather had a great time and the two still keep in touch. Heather says she’s sure she got as much out of the visit as Briana did.
“To experience such a humble, fantastic young girl that is living with this everyday of her life? What an inspiration to see it first-hand because she is so strong and so happy that she gets an excuse to dance all day everyday to keep her healthy! Explaining it still doesn't give its meaning justice,” Heather said.
Heather is now back in Los Angeles filming “Glee.”
Check back soon for a link to the online version of the article that ran about Heather and Briana’s meeting in the Lockport Union Sun & Journal.
For more about Heather’s Buffalo visit, check out http://www.livestarringyou.com/.
One of the chapters we plan include in ‘7 Secrets’ explains the importance of volunteering. Some celebs like Chad Michael Murray work with Habitat for Humanity. Others, like Brad Pitt and Robert Pattinson donated their time answering phones to encourage contributions to “Hope for Haiti.”
Many charitable organizations use popular celebrities from the entertainment industry to advocate their cause. Often people will donate more money or remember the organization if they see it associated with an actor or singer they like.
One thing we’ve learned from young entertainers is that donating time and money can be rewarding and provide a quick break from Hollywood. The same proved true for Heather Morris.
Volunteer
When Heather came to Buffalo she and Tim O’Shei teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, through which she met 12-year-old Briana Hansen. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of Niagara University, had just refinished the Hansen’s basement and transformed it into a dance and gymnastics studio, complete with matted floors, wall mirrors and a dressing room.
Briana, an avid dancer and gymnast, has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that in her case causes mucus to build up in her lungs. Briana needs lots of exercise to stay healthy and the dance studio allows her to practice tap, jazz and acro (a mix of gymnastics and dance) at home with 10-year-old sister Olivia.
So, as an extension of Briana’s wish, Heather Morris came and visited the Hansens Dec. 30. Briana gave Heather a tour of the house and dance studio. Heather even tried on Briana’s special vibrating medical vest, which Briana uses twice a day to loosen up the mucus in her lungs.
Both Briana and Heather had a great time and the two still keep in touch. Heather says she’s sure she got as much out of the visit as Briana did.
“To experience such a humble, fantastic young girl that is living with this everyday of her life? What an inspiration to see it first-hand because she is so strong and so happy that she gets an excuse to dance all day everyday to keep her healthy! Explaining it still doesn't give its meaning justice,” Heather said.
Heather is now back in Los Angeles filming “Glee.”
Check back soon for a link to the online version of the article that ran about Heather and Briana’s meeting in the Lockport Union Sun & Journal.
For more about Heather’s Buffalo visit, check out http://www.livestarringyou.com/.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Actress/Dancer on Entertainment Biz - Part I
Heather Morris, an actress from FOX’s hit TV show “Glee” and former back-up dancer for Beyoncé , came to Buffalo to headline two “Live! Starring … You!” workshops last month. While in town, Heather also shared her insights on Hollywood and talked about the glamorous and the not-so –glamorous aspects of the entertainment industry.
During a two-day workshop, Heather taught 32 students Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” dance and several “Glee”- inspired dances. With lessons from Heather and voice coach Debbie Bello, the talented young dancers and singers all performed on stage at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, N.Y. at the end of the second day. (To check out the YouTube videos of the performance, click here).
At the second workshop, participants learned about the “6.5 Steps to the Stars,” a bonus section in “Live! Starring … You!” that will also be expanded into a new book. The kids got a chance to make presentations about each of the “steps” and interviewed Heather about her background and the path she took to become a television actress.
Much of what Heather talked about at these workshops plays right in to our book,”7 Secrets to Celebrity Success.”
Work Hard, Take Risks
Heather began touring with Beyoncé in 2007 at age 19, but after a year-and-a-half, she realized she didn’t want to dance for the rest of her life. So, she started taking acting classes. A friend and choreographer she had previously worked with asked her to come to the set of “Glee” and teach the cast the “Single Ladies” dance. He told her to come prepared because she would be auditioning for a role on the show too.
When Beyoncé’s team called Heather to return to the tour, Heather declined. She wrote a note to Beyoncé explaining her decision. She said she wanted to take her career in a different direction.
“Beyoncé was sad to see me leave, but she was very understanding,” Heather said.
So leaving behind a good job (a dream job for aspiring dancers) Heather took her chances with acting. She did the right thing. A few weeks later the creator of “Glee” decided to cast Heather as ‘Brittany,’ a high school cheerleader.
‘Brittany' now plays a much larger role in the show than originally planned. The often confused blonde has such funny, quirky one-liners that the New York Post has labeled Heather’s character “Glee’s secret weapon.”
Heather said she took a chance by refusing the job with Beyoncé, but explained if she wanted to succeed in acting, she needed to give 120 percent.
In order to “make it” in Hollywood, you must completely devote yourself to your goal. Something we’ve heard from several entertainers of all ages is that you must be truly passionate about your work in order to succeed in the entertainment business.
I’ll write more about Heather in next week’s post. For more information, stories and video on Heather’s visit, go to http://www.livestarringyou.com/. Also, check out our Facebook page for more updates at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Live-Starring-You/100414482359.
During a two-day workshop, Heather taught 32 students Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” dance and several “Glee”- inspired dances. With lessons from Heather and voice coach Debbie Bello, the talented young dancers and singers all performed on stage at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, N.Y. at the end of the second day. (To check out the YouTube videos of the performance, click here).
At the second workshop, participants learned about the “6.5 Steps to the Stars,” a bonus section in “Live! Starring … You!” that will also be expanded into a new book. The kids got a chance to make presentations about each of the “steps” and interviewed Heather about her background and the path she took to become a television actress.
Much of what Heather talked about at these workshops plays right in to our book,”7 Secrets to Celebrity Success.”
Work Hard, Take Risks
Heather began touring with Beyoncé in 2007 at age 19, but after a year-and-a-half, she realized she didn’t want to dance for the rest of her life. So, she started taking acting classes. A friend and choreographer she had previously worked with asked her to come to the set of “Glee” and teach the cast the “Single Ladies” dance. He told her to come prepared because she would be auditioning for a role on the show too.
When Beyoncé’s team called Heather to return to the tour, Heather declined. She wrote a note to Beyoncé explaining her decision. She said she wanted to take her career in a different direction.
“Beyoncé was sad to see me leave, but she was very understanding,” Heather said.
So leaving behind a good job (a dream job for aspiring dancers) Heather took her chances with acting. She did the right thing. A few weeks later the creator of “Glee” decided to cast Heather as ‘Brittany,’ a high school cheerleader.
‘Brittany' now plays a much larger role in the show than originally planned. The often confused blonde has such funny, quirky one-liners that the New York Post has labeled Heather’s character “Glee’s secret weapon.”
Heather said she took a chance by refusing the job with Beyoncé, but explained if she wanted to succeed in acting, she needed to give 120 percent.
In order to “make it” in Hollywood, you must completely devote yourself to your goal. Something we’ve heard from several entertainers of all ages is that you must be truly passionate about your work in order to succeed in the entertainment business.
I’ll write more about Heather in next week’s post. For more information, stories and video on Heather’s visit, go to http://www.livestarringyou.com/. Also, check out our Facebook page for more updates at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Live-Starring-You/100414482359.
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