INTERVIEWS

CosmoGIRL!
April 2001

Paul Walker started his career in show biz in the buff. Okay get your mind out of the gutter- he modeled pampers diapers at the age of 2 (yes, he was cute even as a mere babe)! This month, you can see the 28-year-old actor, best known for roles in Varsity Blues, The Skulls, and Squelch, stripped down to his skivvies on the big screen. He stars in The Fast and The Furious as a top cop who tries to bring down a rag racing gang but falls in love with one of the bad guys, er girls, Jordana Brewster!

How'd your first love scene go?
I was so nervous. You know, I tried to laugh about it as much as possible. It was kinda nervous laughter, I think. How could you not be nervous with all those people watching? I think she was nervous too, and that kind of loosens you up. It was like, okay, cool, let's just be nervous together. It wasn't that bad. It was fun.

Okay, back to the land of the fully dressed. You're on your perfect date. What's she wearing?
I love girls in sheer sundresses and Birkenstocks, or cropped tops and maybe a little belly chain. I really like the natural, earthy kind of chick. I love spirally hair- red, brown, I don't care. I'm not prejudiced! No make-up. Low-maintenance. Easygoing. Smart as hell. And she's gotta love music.

What kind of music do you like?
Sting, Sade. I love Beck. I went to his acoustic show recently. A girl has to be really, really fun to go to shows with. She's gotta dance the whole time. You know, if you're gonna go to a show, please don't just sit there. Otherwise don't go- stay home and watch MTV!

When you go out, do people recognize you?
Not too much. But I have seen some crazy stuff. I've had everything from a kiss on the cheek to panties being handed to me. Like, girls will expose themselves! But for the most part, people are pretty cool.

Down, girls! Anyway, we heard you have a puppy.
Yeah, her name is Zero, a little Labrador. She was born January 1,2000, so I figured Zero was a good name. I love her to pieces, but she's just not a very good dog yet. She's too hyper and her attention span is too short. Hopefully when she gets a little older she'll mellow out!

Have you mellowed with age? Is there anything you wish you'd known when you were younger?
I was really frazzled in college because I found out there were too many things I was interested in. So I didn't even finish. Now I just want to go back and register in things I wish I had taken, like photography and ceramics.

Ceramics? That's an interesting choice
I don't know. It's just fun making your own stuff. I love to make my own matching sets of china, vases, doodad holders. I lover Bauer plates and bowls. I love collecting those pre-World War II Japanese figurines carved out of ivory. I can't remember what they're called, but they're really pretty.

If you weren't acting or firing up the kiln for a living, what would you do?
I love kids so much more than big people, so I'd probably be an elementary school teacher. My favorite time would be recess because I'm Michael Jordan at the playground. I might not be that good, but to them- since I'm 6'3"- I'm awesome! Another dream I have is conquering Central America. I'd go with just my guitar and my surfboard. I'd open up a free school in Costa Rica and teach the local kids math, reading, writing, and English. That way I could teach, and I could surf- it would be the bomb.