20 Questions with Farah Fath
A few summers ago, a young Farah Fath (Mimi) was copying scripts in her Lexington, Kentucky agent's office. It wasn't long until Farah traded the three-hole punch paper for the opportunity to play spunky Mimi Lockhart on Days of our Lives. Not only is this talented actress one of Days most popular teens, she's also involved in a very important summer storyline. Recently, Days Online sat down with Farah for a one on one interview. Here's what she had to say:
DO: Did you always want to be an actress?
FF: Yes, for as long as I can remember. It's been my dream my whole life.
DO: You were an avid viewer of Days before you landed the role of Mimi. What has it been like acting on your favorite show?
FF: Well, Friends is actually my favorite show. Days is my second. It's like living a dream? sort of a phenomenon. It was really weird. Now I'm used to everything. I feel like Days is my second home. At first it was intimidating. You know, working with people I've watched my whole life. But now I'm used to it.
DO: How did your friends and family react when you won the part?
FF: I don't think it hit them until after a few months of actually being on the air. Recently I've been getting e-mails from friends. They're like? Wow. You're really on that show. At first there was disbelief and now everyone supports me.
DO: You're from Lexington, Kentucky. What's life in "La La Land" been like?
FF: A vacation. I love it out here. I think I'm meant to live here even though I love Lexington. Lexington is my new favorite vacation spot.
DO: Have you had an easy time making friends?
FF: Since I'm doing private studies, I couldn't make friends by going to school. I've made friends with the people on set and other teens in the business. Kirsten Storms (Belle) and I are best friends. We're the same age and we've been able to bond? we do things together. You know, hang out on weekends, shop and go to the movies. We even date two best friends (I hope she doesn't get mad at me for saying that). I've always been a person who has a close circle of friends. It's all worked out.
DO: Would you tell me a little bit about your infatuation with Hanson?
FF: (Laughs) (Laughs) Okay. Ever since I heard "MMMBop" on the radio in 97 (I was twelve years old then) I fell in love with their music. They write their own songs and they were focused at a very young age. They've gained my respect. I mean, I'm not necessarily a big teenybopper, you know posters on my wall and stuff. But I do relate to them? they went after a dream at a very young age and achieved their goal. Besides, they don't get enough credit (they're overshadowed by N Sync). They're not a boy band. They're a band! Besides, Taylor is my future husband. Taylor is middle one.
DO: Are they one hit wonders?
FF: Heck no. They've had a few hits. Their latest album is not doing too well but they're ranked #1 on MTV's Total Request Live. I'm looking forward to their tour or when they're on The Tonight Show in August. I want to chat with them again.
DO: You're a very popular young actress. You have several dedicated clubs in the Yahoo on line community. What do you think about all this attention?
FF: I'm very flattered. It's very weird to me that someone would start a club for me. It's cool. I try to stay involved with my official club as much as I can. I would like to thank everyone that's joined the official club.
DO: If you could play any other character on Days, who would it be and why?
FF: I like Nadia's character, Chloe. Chloe has depth and mystery. Not that my character of Mimi doesn't. In fact they have similar qualities. I think it would be cool to play Chloe because she totally flipped. You know from black to red. That's very cool. Besides, I love to wear black in real life.
DO: Do you own a "Marlena" doll?
FF: Oh goodness. No. But I would. I guess I haven't thought of it. I've seen it? it's very cool. Why isn't there a Mimi doll?
DO: You're a junior in high school. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
FF: Still acting. I hope to be on Days or prime time or maybe on film. I'd love to branch out? that is if the world is ready for me. But right now I'm focused on the present and Mimi.
DO: Some experts say, "Live and learn." Given Mimi's current situation, what do you think she has to say to the experts?
FF: Okay. Let's see. I think I would agree with them. Mimi's living proof. She's living, learning and trying to overcome the traumatic events in her life.
DO: Mimi is part of the "in" crowd at Salem High School. If Chloe were the one living in a cardboard box do you think Mimi would give her a hard time about it?
FF: I don't think she would because she hasn't had money her whole life. She would feel empathy? but Mimi wouldn't go out of her way to help her? especially if it meant helping Ghoul Girl.
DO: Mimi's attempted to sell drugs and steal but each time she hasn't been able to go through with it. Why?
FF: She wouldn't sink that low. Mimi's got a good head on her shoulders. She knows it's wrong? even if means harder times for her family.
DO: After you learned that Mimi would be homeless, did you do any research?
FF: No. I didn't. I'll tell you why. Mimi was homeless overnight. She never thought it would happen to her. So, I put myself in Mimi's shoes. I feel like she's been blindsided by this. I've tried to keep her experience honest and real.
DO: What does Mimi think of her nickname "Meems"?
FF: Mimi is a nickname. Mimi's real name is Miriam. She thinks "Meems" is cool but she doesn't like people who don't know her to call her that.
DO: Mimi seemed really relieved when Shawn asked her and Belle to attend the Last Blast Dance. Do think a girl Mimi's age minds sharing a date with a best friend?
FF: I would never do that. Especially if I could tell that the guy who was asking was interested in my friend. I guess Mimi is in denial. How could she not see how tight Belle and Shawn are?
DO: At the Last Blast, Mimi gave Chloe and Philip a strange look when they were dancing. Is this because Mimi hates Chloe or do you think Mimi might be interested in Philip?
FF: (Laughs) It's because Mimi hates Chloe and is jealous of her stealing the spotlight during the Last Blast. After everything Mimi's going through, she believes she deserves the night. Not Ghoul Girl.
DO: You and Kirsten Storms are best friends in real life. Do you think, deep down, Mimi's jealous of Belle's picture perfect life?
FF: Yes. She's even told Belle this. (Weren't you watching?) She's no dummy. She realizes the upside to her friendship with Belle is that she's so popular.
DO: How close is Mimi to Farah?
FF: I don't know. I think we're really different. People who watch the show and know me say I am Mimi. But I disagree. I'm not as insecure and as weird as she is, but I like her a lot. I do lend a lot of myself to Mimi but I don't think we're that much alike. I would never get on my knees and beg for someone to take me to the dance. I'd go solo and have a great time.