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Interview With Amber Benson http://www.steppinoutmagazine.com/
As Tara, girlfriend to Willow on UPN's recently acquired supernatural phenomenon "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Amber Benson, 23, has amassed a cult following. In addition to acting the role, she is also co-writing it via a Dark Horse comic book based on the two characters.
Not one to be pigeon-holed in a cult status, Benson has also developed an extensive and eclectic feature film resume. During her summer hiatus from Buffy, she was on location in Romania with co-star Nick Stahl filming the thriller "Taboo." Benson also wrote, financed, directed and starred in the film, "Chance."
Additional feature credits include "The Prime gig" with Vince Vaughn and Ed Harris which recently premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, "Don's Plum" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, "Imaginary Crimes" with Harvey Keitel," "Bye, Bye Love," "S.F.W." with Reese Witherspoon, "The Crush," and her film debut, Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed "King of the Hill."
Chaunc� Hayden: Rumor has it there's going to be a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" musical episode.
Amber Benson: (Laughs) Oh yeah!
So the whole cast will be singing?
Everybody! Whether you can sing or not, you're singing!
Can you sing?
I can ... sort of!
I don't know how I feel about that. Is anybody worried that a Buffy musical could totally backfire?
It's insane over there! It's always been insane. There's no reality to what they do. We're all totally insane. It's just nuts!
The series is extremely popular all over the world. Yet it's never won an Emmy. Why is that?
I think anytime you deal with science fiction or something that is a little tongue-in-cheek, and then you add comedy to it, people who make those decisions won't be able to deal with it. They won't take you seriously. They would rather see somebody be beaten up on "NYPD Blue" for the fifty-thousandth time. Comedy is one of the hardest things you can do, and people who do it well are rarely recognized for their talents. If you can cry on cue or if you can play a retarded person, they want to give you an Academy Award. But if you pull off an amazing comic performance, they don't want to give you anything. They don't respect it. It takes a heck of a lot more talent to be funny than it does to cry on cue.
Has the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon affected the mood of the cast?
We actually ended up raising a lot of money. Sarah Michelle Gellar is a whirlwind! She's been amazing! She's gotten so many people to donate money. She's raised so much money for those victims.
Many people seem to be looking at celebrities to see who's doing what to raise money. Is that fair?
My feeling is, if you don't use your celebrity status to do something, then it's bullshit. I don't really give a shit what people think of me. But, I can use what I have in life to help people. And if I can help people, then that's wonderful! If you don't use what you have to better this world, then it's a big mistake. I mean, we're not doing brain surgery on Buffy, but if people can watch us and laugh and not think about the horrible things that have been happening for a couple of hours, then we've done a good thing.
Do you worry about germ warfare and what may lie ahead?
Well there's really not much you can do about it, but I will tell you that I was the first one on the CDC Web site looking up Anthrax! (Laughs) I was checking all that stuff out!
After you get past the threat of world destruction, can you appreciate how much your success on Buffy has changed your life?
Well now I have people actually following me to the grocery store! I was actually in the grocery store a couple of weeks ago and this young couple started following me around! They finally came up to me and said how much they love Buffy. People are just really, really into the show.
Do you get a lot of fan mail? I get letters from every country that you can imagine.
Is that overwhelming?
Oh my gosh, yeah! It was really overwhelming at first. But now it's kind of become a part of life. I've gotten used to it. But at first I thought, I can't do this! I can't be an actor because what I do makes an impact all over the world!
Be careful what you wish for.
I knew what I was getting into. It's not like I want people to leave me alone or like I need my privacy. Any actor who says "Oh, my life is horrible because everyone is following me around and I have no privacy!" is full of crap! You knew what you were getting into! You knew! If you make it, this is what happens! If you're Brad Pitt, people are going to chase you around! If you're Madonna, people are going to show up at your house!
The character you play on Buffy [Tara] is a lesbian. Do you get the same type of attention from the lesbian community as Lucy Lawless does for Xena?
(Laughs) I get the most amazing letters from young women. Many women write me and tell me that they feel it's okay to be gay just from watching my character on television. A lot of women like that Tara is shy and that she stutters and she's not the skinniest person in the world, and yet she can still find somebody. So maybe they can find somebody. Those are the best letters.
So you feel like a role model to young lesbian women?
Yeah, I do. And I was worried about it. I talked to a lot of my gay friends and they told me not to worry about it. Just be a real person. Your sexual preference doesn't change who you are.
Do you find that there's a perception from your fans that you may be gay just because you play a gay character?
I get a lot of letters that say "If you decide you like girls, I think you're wonderful!" But they know that I'm straight. I'm not going to lie. If you ask me what my preference is, I'm going to tell you I like guys.
Would you be open to experimenting?
If I met a woman who was amazing, that's a different thing entirely. You never know! I'm open to whatever comes. But right now I like guys.
Just stay away from Melissa Etheridge.
(Laughs) Yeah, she seems to have a way of turning you to the other side!
Do you get any negative letters from conservative groups who aren't thrilled with the whole lesbian thing?
I've only gotten a few. But I look at it this way: people don't want me to go to hell, so they're trying to be helpful and bring me back to the flock. I can't look at it any other way or I get upset.
Is it true you don't have a driver's license?
Yes.
How do you get around?
Very well, actually! Thank you for asking. I've actually made appointments to go get my license, but Buffy keeps hindering me. They keep promising me a day off, then they take it away from me! Actually, I'm really lucky because I live with my mother and she's a saint. She's my best friend and she drops me off and picks me up!
You still live with your mom? You're starring on a hit TV show. Shouldn't you be living in a big mansion somewhere in Beverly Hills?
I'm okay, but nobody makes a lot of money on Buffy. We all do it for free, actually. It's a labor of love. Did someone tell you we get paid? Sarah, especially! She pays them to be there!
I heard that when Buffy switched over from the WB Network to UPN that the people at UPN bought the whole cast lavish gifts. True or false?
Well I chose not to be a series regular, so I don't get the gifts or the big salary. But I also have the ability to go out and do movies in the middle of the season, which is really nice. If you give your heart and soul to Buffy, then you give your heart and soul to Buffy. But I didn't want to be in that place because my real love is film.
So you're not really into television?
No, in fact I wouldn't have done television except that Buffy is such a cool show. You have to decide what you want in this life and I'm glad to be a part of Buffy, but I also have to be able to do other things. Life is short and I'd rather be sitting in the poor house and doing what I love doing then making a lot of money and being miserable. Life is very short.
You've done the Buffy convention circuit. What is that like?
(Laughs) Yeah, that's interesting. I've done a few of them, but I'm taking a break from the conventions. I really burned myself out doing a whirlwind tour of England and Scotland when I was there this summer. It was very intense. It was way too much. I overdid it. It was just insane!
Not to change the subject, but have you dated any Hollywood stars lately?
There's just so much more to life, and that's so not important to me. I don't really care about some hot Hollywood guy harassing me at some stupid party. It used to be so exciting. I would go to party and some famous guy would hit on me and it would be so big a deal. It used to mean something. But now I just want to do good work. And going out and getting drunk every night totally inhibits you from doing anything because you have a hangover the next day! And I'm no good when I have a hangover!
Aren't you friends with Leonardo DiCaprio?
I worked with Leo and Tobey [Maguire] and that group. But with them, it's very much a boy's club. If you're a girl, you don't really hang out with them. They're fine, they're what they are. They're the guys and they like to do guy things and they like to date models. That's the extent of their social life.
Stay away from actors.
Oh yeah, I've learned. Been there, done that!
Is it true you have trouble kissing on camera?
It's not that I'm uncomfortable. I just start laughing! I can't help it! I'm fine on my own with some guy. But put me in front of 50 staring people and someone starts barking orders, I just start laughing. They just harass the crap out of me! But it's fun and the crew loves it.
How important is it for an actress to get a layout in either Stuff, Maxim, or FHM magazines?
(Laughs) I'm doing a photo layout for Stuff on Saturday! Hey, I'm a big prude and I don't want to wear anything really revealing, but you really do need to do it and that's sad. It's really sad that young actresses have to feel like you need to wear no clothes to get noticed. And what's sicker is that Hollywood encourages it. "Oh, she was on the cover of Maxim! So that means she's hot! And so if she's in my movie, people will come see it!"
But yet you're doing Stuff?
Listen, I'm on a TV show. I'm not a sexpot or a model. So whatever publicity I can get is pretty much what I do these days. But if they want me to do something I'm not comfortable with, then I'm going to say "Screw you and f-k off!" I'm not a size 0. I'm a size 6 or even an 8 on a bad day. (Laughs) You don't want to see me in a thong!
I take it you're not happy with your body?
I'm happy to have boobs and hips and be a normal size person. I've seen way too many people that I know go to the hospital because they can't eat. They feel they have to be this skinny thing! I'm very happy with my body. I'm not fat. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it's hard when you're in this industry and you're expected to look like a string bean. "You would have gotten that part if you were 20 pounds less." What do you want me to do, cut my head off? It's just not healthy. I like to eat and I'm not going to stop eating because some jerk says I need to in order to get a part. There's always going to be somebody out there who doesn't like you. That's just how it is.
Okay, last question. What advice would you give to someone who gets their brains sucked out?
Um ... eat a lot of apple sauce, preferably fed to you by attractive young lesbians.
Chattranscript: Amber Benson 8-03-2001

barrman34: Hey Amber what�s it like being on Buffy?
Amber: It�s fantastic. Where do you get to work and get to have lunch with demons and vampires. And with amazing people.
IgnatiousPReilly: Hi Amber! I love your work in Buffy. Rumor has is that you�ve very ticklish�so who would last linger in a tickle fight, you Sarah Michelle or Allison?
Amber: I would definitely lose first. --missing question I have gotten amazing supportive letters about being in the first long term lesbian relationship on tv. Saying that it has helped them come out and that is ok to be gay.
kibarika: How do you feel about Joss Whedon?
Amber: He�s god �love him to pieces.
Rogueslayer5*5: If you could play any other character on the show who would you wanna play?
Amber: Probably Glory because she has great outfits.
A_princess_named_amber: How does it feel to work with Sarah Michelle Gellar?
Amber: She has been super cool to me. Very cool �very supportive.
honey_crash: Did you always know you wanted to be an actress?
Amber: Since I was 5 I knew I wanted to be an actor. I�m kind of a ham.
Queenb0224: How did you get started?
Amber: I started out as a dancer as a young kid. When I realised I liked being on stage not necessarily the dancing part of being on stage.
Honey_crase: What has been your favourite episode?
Amber: Tie between Restless and Hush.
dhand999: What has been your favourite scene in Buffy so far?
Amber: Um?
Kissing Allyson Hannigan
I_belong_to_gav: Who is your role model and why?
Amber: My mom. She keeps me together and totally grounded. Amazing woman.
Part17_btvs: BTW, �Bye, Bye Love� is a fav. movie of mine. J Did you get to work with Eliza again this season?
Amber: I hope so. I love working with Eliza. She so much fun so sweet.
Mahlee33: How does it feel to be one of the newest members of the Scooby gang?
Amber: It�s cool. I get to kick vampire butt.
Witchylovin: We�re all looking forward to the various projects you�ve written: comics, movies, etc. Is there any chance we�ll ever see an Amber- authored Buffy episode?
Amber: We have fantastic writers and I don�t know if I could do as good a job as they do already.
Spuckie2000: What has been your primary influence that drives your life philosophy?
Amber: We have to go out there and live our lives and treat each other with respect and passion. Life too short miss doing what you are passionate about.
Garryessendine: Hello Amber �this is such a privilege �first of all, me and I�m sure everyone else in the UK would like to wish you the very best of success with �Chance��it couldn�t happen to a nicer person. Do you have any advice for us aspiring actors / screenwriters out here?
Amber: you just have to go and do it�do what ever it takes. Just don�t hurt anyone in the process. Thank you for the compliment I really appreciate it.
Jsreisfeld: Amber can you give us a synopsis of your movie?
Amber: It�s sort of my take on trying to find the one in LA. And how difficult it is. You kind of have to weave through all the strange people out there to find someone you really connect with.
blonde_chick172000: How does it feel when millions of teens look up to you? I know I do!
Amber: Thank you. It�s hard because I�m only human. But I try to live my life in a positive way �and I try not eat too many animals.
dhand999: If you weren�t in the entertainment business, what would you be doing?
Amber: I�d start a reggae band and live in Tahiti.
kibarika: Amber, what is the best thing a fan has ever done for you?
Amber: Just enjoying what I do. And being supportive of the choices that I make. Lot�s of plays and short stories.
Beth_dragonuk: I know you must be incredibly busy but do you ever get any time to read any of the Willow/Tara fanfic that�s online?
Amber: I haven�t seen as of yet�but now my interest is piqued. No.
stopmymediocraty: Do you have any tattoos?
Amber: No. Pierced ears that�s it. -- missing question
Amber: Definitely have a shy side. But I�ve learned how to put on a happy face and go out there.
I_belong_to_gav: ummm what do you think of all the school shootings? Do you think the music and entertainment industry has an impact in the kids� decisions?
Amber: They use commercials to sell products and definitely what�s on tv has an impact on humanity so violence on tv probably does have an effect.
Coax18: Amber, enjoyed meeting you at the MegoCon (I�m the one who gave you the beets). If Chance does really well, do you see yourself moving more behind the lens than in front of it?
Amber: Thank you for the beets. Thank you for the beets. I definitely want to do both. I just want to make movies. The beets were yummy.
Marcanthony0315: Good evening � Ms Benson � are we going to see you in any movies this summer?
Amber: A movie called �The Prime Gig�. Vince Vaughn, Julia Ormand, and Ed Harris. Its about tele marketers. And I play a kind of psycho telemarketer.
Janeway31: I heard you are writing a book about the Willow/Tara relationship?
Amber: A comic book called �Wanna be blessed be�.
Donaldcharkeshat: Do you believe paganism is a valid religious choice? What is your normal religion?
Amber: Anything that doesn�t hurt other people is very valid and earth goddess religions are totally cool. I was raised�have Jewish and half Christian. Both�religious mutt I guess.
Puck92509: have you ever a real magical experience?
Amber: I have a lots of d�j� vu moments and it seems like anytime think about someone they call. Take it as you will.
Andremay20: Greetings Lady Amber �may I ask you what type of clothing�s you prefer daily life? Long dresses or tight jeans? You prefer High Heeled Boots?
Amber: Jeans, t-shirt, tennis shoe girl all around.
barman34: Hi amber do you have a website?
Amber: I have a site at celebrityblvd.com
Lurkinggirl2001: I hear you�re going to be making a movie soon. How is that experience different that working on tv?
Amber: Tv is a lot more structured where as doing an independent movie is pure insanity.
So_real_98: I think that anyone who is a fan of yours knows you�re a big Jeffy Buckley fan. What else do you listen to? What�s in your cd- player right now ?
Britannica_mc4: Have you ever met Henry K?
Amber: I love Radiohead and nick drake. So many. The beatles of course.
Nicki1340: What do you like best about being an actor?
Amber: Being able to emotionally touch the whole world.
amberbuffster: Hi Amber! Do you surf on the net often?? And do you visit sites that�s all dedicated to you??
Amber: Yes I�m a dork. I do look at websites dedicated to me. There is some fantastic stuff about there about me.
Natfan1: How do you and Nicholas Brendon get along?
Amber: I love Nick �he and his fiance Tressa are fantastic. Super funny.
Dsamualsuk: I�m dying to know ��how many takes did �the kiss� require? Amber: We must have kissed each other at least 50 times.
Ghostteg: What is your favourite tv show other than Buffy?
Amber: I don�t watch much tv. I�m a big movie freak.
Knightx_4000: Have you ever been turned down at an audition?
Amber: One hundred million times. Rejection sucks.
amberbuffster: Who�s your favourite character on Angel?
Amber: Probably a tie between Wesley and Gunn. Sleep.
AScoutSilverTL what do you do to sit back and relax?
Amber: Sleep and read. Lots of books. I have a fantastic stunt woman named Gloria Obrien. Who takes all the beating.
Alpha_Omega2001: when did you start in the tv business?
Amber: I�ve been acting professionaly for ten years and on Buffy for 2 years.
Dakota_prairie: have you had any bad responses from people for playing a gay character?
Amber: the only negative stuff I�ve gotthas come from trying to fill green�s shoes. He so beloved by Buffy fans.
Zephead64: Hi amber! I really like your character do you have any input as to how your character is written?
Amber: I trust Joss and Marty Implicity. -- missing question
Amber: And the love the direction they�ve gone with Tara
amberbuffster: What�s your favourite book??
Amber: Probably the idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Or journey to the ast by hermann hesse. Journey to the east sorry.
Tommo27_2000: Do you still like Harry Potter?
Amber: I love Harry Potter with an intense passion. Those books rock.
angelchick_05: Can you play any intruments?
Amber: I can pick and the guitar and the piano. Very good with the triangle.
Ange_skald: Amber, would you ever consider changing careers to sing like Jennifer Lopez?
Amber: Love sing. But movie and tv is where its at.
Dakota_prairie: Is it hard being in a business where people see your image and not necessarily you?
Amber: It�s frustrating because I feel like a big dork with glasses I was growing up. And not like a tv personality. Its very strange.
amberbuffster: How can you describe yourself in few words?? Amber: Trying to live by the golden rule.

Crybuffy: How long have you had your dog?
Amber: I�ve Penny for ten years.
Lillte_garden: If you could do a spell on anyone, what would it be and why?
Amber: Put a spell on myself to be happy all the time.
Xfreakie: Hi!! What do you enjoy the most: acting, writing..?
Amber: I love them both couldn�t decide.
Vampireslayer2: What�s Michelle Trachtenberg like? I think she�s a great addition to the show.
Amber: Me too she is so sweet and kind and a wonderful actress.
Dakota_prairie: What books would you recommend from what you have read recently?
Amber: I read a book called the wasp factory. And one called the secret history.
Janeway31: Amber, thank you for answering these questions and being interactive with your fabs. How do you feel about playing the good witch on tv?
Amber: It�s fun I have the best job in the world.
Wwmaul_2: Are you into witchcraft in real life?
Amber: I have always been interested by it, but Buffy keeps me too busy for anything but work.
barrman34: Amber what was it like being �The king of the hill�?
Amber: Stephen Soderbergh is an amazing director. I was very lucky to have it be my first film.
Barrmen34: Hey Amber what�s your favourite movie?
Amber: Loved �The celebration� and �Antonia�s line� And the �Secret of Roan Inish�.
Little_garden: Do you have an offical website for youself?
Amber: Yeah it�s at www.celebrityblvd.com/amberbenson
Seattlegurl_16: If someone really wanted to star at least try audition or a show like the on the WB, what is some good advice so it would help them get the part?
Amber: Be yourself�.don�t be nervous. My advice is to memorise the material before you go in.
Seatthegug16: What do you do to remorize the lines?
Amber: I have a pretty quick memory so I just read over them a few times.
So19mongouk: Amber, do you think BtVS will go into seventh season?
Amber: I hope so it�s a fantastic show.
Stephen_da_man_uk: What was it like to film along side James Marsters aka Spike?
Amber: James is a wonderful actor and very funny to work with. He does amazing macbeth.
Sashatastic: Has being a star changed your friends or those had think they are your friends?
Amber: I think that you meet people and connect with them regardless of where you are in work life.
captaingraybar: Hey Amber, who are some of you all time favourite performers in the film industry today?
Amber: Albet Finny Johnny Depp. Cate Blachett.
Princess: Do you like Eminem?
Amber: Love the peanut ones he he. Not into Eminem just the candy.
Bsbdancer2001: What is the worst rumor about you that you�ve heard?
Amber: I wish someone would start a rumor I need some spice in my life.
Rogeslayer5by5: If you were on �Who wants to be a millionaire� who would be your �phone a friend�.
Amber: Somebody with a set of encyclopaedias. Thank you guys for all the awesome questions. Let�s do this again sometime J

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