INTERVIEWS

TOUGH STUFF! 
TV Hits Magazine (Australia) August 2000 #144

New screen god Paul Walker has the muscles to make it big in Hollywood!

Hey Paul, how does it feel being labelled the next big thing?
It's like I've got to match up to living legends. C'mon, who wants that pressure? It's flattering being compared to Tom Cruise because he's at the top of his game, but at the same time, I hate it!

Do you spend time checking out Paul Walker websites?
I rarely go to those sites. It's too weird! Initially, people called me going, "Hey, check out what they're saying!" Some sites are pretty elaborate! One had these pictures which made me think, "Wow, where do they get this stuff from?"

Are the pics of your private life?
No, there's one from this dog food bad I was on years ago. I had a little Lassie dog next to me and my girlfriend at junior high, Amy, fed her dog at the same brand! One of Amy's friends told me this funny story! She said, "Paul, when i go over to Amy's she feeds her dog then kisses your picture on the bag!"

So you modelled before acting?
My mum was a model and I was a cute baby so everyone convinced my mum to get me into modelling. I was two when I started!

Have you lost roles by being too good looking?
I'm sure I've lost some roles! But don't ever say I'm pretty. My friends says we should take a razor blade to my fave. But that's too extreme!

Do you think your looks lost you the lead in The Skulls?
No, Josh is a good looking guy!

Are you a surfer beach babe?
I surfed before learning to swim! I was deathly afraid of the water when I was a kid but now I'm more comfortable in the water than on land! I got dumped by this wave when I was five. I ran up the beach coughing water and my mum laughed! It wasn't the reaction I wanted! These days, if there's no waves at the beach I'll go home!

Will you do a surf movie then?
Not just now! Often when I audition, I'm afraid all my surfer slang will come out. Before, every other word I said was 'awesome' or 'dude'!

Is it true you want to be a rock star?
(Laughs) I play guitar and I've fantasised about being in a band. I see myself as a lead singer. I should take voice lessons, but there's no time!

What films can we expect next?
I've just filming Squelch with Leelee Sobieski, who plays my girlfriend. In the film, my brother and I take a road trip to visit her, and there's trouble along the way.

Would you date an actress?
I've said no, but you never know!

Do you have a girlfriend?
Yeah, I do! But she's nobody you'd know!