My Interview with Missy Higgins!

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My Suicidegirls.com Interview with *Out* Rock Goddess Otep Shamaya

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Lola Ray - My 2nd Interview on Suicidegirls.com!!

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Girl In a Coma - My 1st Suicidegirls.com Interview!

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"Loving Annabelle"'s Erin Kelly answers YOUR questions!

oh Erin Kelly. how do you do that voodoo...you do...so...well, you know.

if you have seen the biggest lezzy film of 2006 "Loving Annabelle," then you already know why last night when i was talking to my wife (Katharine Mcphee) in bed, i asked her if we could add Erin Kelly to our "celeb to-do list." and you'll also know why Mcphee said (sang really) "yes!" without hesitation.

if you have NOT seen the movie, check out this trailer, then immediately go to the movie's myspace page and purchase it or rent it from there!


...and i mean like, watch it tonight. you dig? oh and invite me over to watch it with you cause its lonely here in Houston. you bring the chocolate covered strawberries. i'll bring the chardonnay and *cheese*.

alrighty! thanks to Erin for being my second interview on this blog (my first was Daniela Sea, which you can read here)!

it is my pleasure to say:

this is Erin Kelly's lesbian moment...

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Priscilla Jaris, 16, ontario
myspace.com/sillythegreat

Q: i'd just like to say i adored your movie and i think youre an amazing actress. did you find the whole student/teacher scenario difficult to tackle? why or why not?

"Hello Priscilla, Thank you for your support. I think one of the main points the movie stresses is you can not judge a situation unless you are directly in it. In watching the movie, almost everyone wants Annabelle and Simone to end up together, but that is after seeing the inside of their life's. If one was looking at it from the outside, almost everyone would be troubled by it, and think it inappropriate. Its interesting because I have a totally different outlook on the whole teacher/student thing now then I did during the shoot. About 6 months ago I started teaching a high school class and in that time I saw Annabelle at a film festival, in watching it all I kept thinking was, 'this is so wrong'. "
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jenni, 16, england
myspace.com/jogma

Q: did you learn anything about yourself developing loving annabelle and/or through playing the annabelle character?

"Hi Jenni! I learned how powerful I am as a sexual women. I think this is something all women have, society has just tamed us, to not use it. And when I say 'sexual women' I am not talking about the part of your brain that represents the teenage boy in us all that desperately wants to seduce our sexy boss, even though they are married. I am talking about the part of us that we all hide, I think you all know what I am talking about. We would freaking take over the world if we would stop being smaller then we actually are. Stop apologizing for ourselves and just be the strong, sexy, kick ass women that we are!"
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mo, 17, seattle

Q:have you ever experienced forbidden love in your life?

"I think everyone does this. Let me clarify, how many of you are in, or have ever been in a relationship that you think you shouldn't be in? In love with someone, that is not worthy of your love? Yes I have done this."
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cheyla, 21, bay area, ca
myspace.com/xxalyehcxx

Q: what are you going to be working on next?

"Hello Cheyla. There are a few things coming up. The one I am most excited about is working with Kat again on Waking Madison."

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tiffany, 31, grandview
myspace.com/dragonluver1

Q: in the movie you have a tattoo on your left wrist. was it real? also, on the bonus feature section, the director had the same tattoo. are the matching?

"Hi Tiffany, My tattoo was not real, Katherine's is and yes they were matching."

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britney, 17, ohio
myspace.com/britneyann1989

Q: have you ever had a real life crush on a teacher?

"Not that I remember."

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serena, 24, blythe, uk


Q: what is like being you?

"Hello Blythe from the UK. On most days I think its pretty cool to be me. I have a wonderfully supportive family. A fabulous group of friends. I live in Southern California. I do have days, like everyone, where Im not sure if I will be able to live up to the standards I set for myself. But somehow those days pass, just like any other, and I find that I become stronger for them."

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ashley, 18, IL
myspace.com/fuckinguglywhore

Q: would you say acting in love with a woman is different than with a man?

"Hi Ashley. This question is hard to answer without going into a heady discussion about acting and the techniques that work for me. Acting, for me, is the reality of doing. My job is to tell the truth, as best I can, in my imaginary circumstances. I, Annabelle, told the truth about being in love with Simone. Whether that'd be different then with a man? Well, it would be as different as the way you loved your first love verse the person you are with now. No one loves two people the same. Be them male of female."

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Emma, 28, London UK
myspace.com/tragicfarinelli

Q: Erin, I loved the film by the way- your role was especially
effective as a positive role for it's viewers.

"Thank you."

What attracted you to the role?

"The first time I read it, I was reminded of myself as a teenager, the role excited me."

Also, I feel that the film felt a little inconclusive and unfinished....Did you feel that the ending, or lack thereof, detracted at all from what was essentially a beautifully shot, acted and wonderfully crafted peice of cinema. I don't think the vast majority of people expected that the ending should have been smelling of roses - I for one would not have entirely welcomed a neat
and happy ending, but I do feel that there were some things left unsaid.
Aesthetically speaking, how pleased were you with the denouement and resolution?

"To be honest I haven't actually thought that much about it. Many people have this feeling about the ending. I however like it. If Simone had been a male teacher, or Annabelle had been a male student, that is exactly what would have happened, and no one would have cared. Life is not sugar coated whereas so much of what Hollywood produces is, (which I am not saying is a bad thing, I love to watch feel good movies). I can't speak for her, but I think Katherine wanted to make something that wasn't sugar coated based solely on the fact that it was a gay relationship. Im not sure that I answered your question..."

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arlan's questions:

By far, the most commonly asked question by the people who read my blog was: “are you a lesbian in real life?” if you want to answer this question once and for all, please feel free to! But I’d also like to know, since you get asked that question quite a bit, do you think about how it would affect dvd sales, and the overall appeal of the movie if you were to answer in one way or the other. What are your thoughts on that in general?

"To set the record straight, I am not a lesbian in real life. I was so blessed to be able to play Annabelle, I loved every second of it, but in real life, I am straight."

(editor's note: cue *sound of broken hearts* around the world and in my living room ;-) )


You filmed a few episodes of a t.v. show about surfing. Is this a sport youre very good at and do you have any other talents Loving Annabelle fans wouldn’t know about?

"I do surf, although I am not very good. I actually grew up on a sail boat so I am very at home in and on the water. Other talents that LA fans would want to know about.... Well I think I do have a few of these, but a lady never tells her secrets. I can tell you other sporty things I do, I wake boarding, snowboarding, and like to play soft ball."

On many occasions (like screenings) you and Katherine Brooks have said that you would be starring in her new movie “Waking Madison.” Now she’s actively searching for a new lead. Are you still in the movie as a supporting character or did the two of you decide against you playing her lead again.

"I was never going to play Madison, however, yes I am in it. I have sworn myself to Katherine, if (God forbid) I ever stop acting, she has said she will not do a movie without me, so as long as Katherine is making movies you all are stuck with me. I will be playing Alexis, Madison's little sister."

Have you been recognized on the street/store/other yet by fans of the movie? If so, how does that feel?

"I did have this happen the other day, but not in the way I would have expected. When I have time i work for this charity event called Bullrun, its my 'fun' job. I was speaking with a client (who I have never met) on the phone and he asked, 'is this The Erin Kelly?' I asked what he meant and he said, 'The Erin Kelly, like the actress'. I told him yes and he said, 'oh that is so cool, I recognized your voice from an interview I saw'. I was floored. "


Do you want to perform your own music at gigs and/or join a band?

"In my imagination I do this all the time!"


Some actresses from the L Word said they watched lots of lesbian movies to prepare themselves for certain love scenes or highly emotional scenes in their first season. Did you do this for Loving Annabelle, and if so, which ones did you watch? describe it very slowly;-)

"Well there is this great lesbian porn called.... just kidding. No I did not do this. Wait, Katherine did have me watch Mulholland Drive once, but that was about 2 years before we started shooting. Other then that, no. Katherine did sometimes put music on for emotional scenes, or we would talk about stuff in our own life that was similar to what was going on in the script.

I have a story about that: During the making of Finding Kate (a short that Kat and I did together before LA) there is a scene in it where I wake up and the woman I am in love with has left, leaving only a note. I am supposed to be devastated. Katherine says, 'we are just going to shoot it, without preparing, Erin, there is something for you in the note, just go for it.' Now Katherine, knowing that I just went through a devastating breakup, had written in the note as if it was from X. So, we start rolling and I open the note to read it, and for those of you that have seen it, I did cry, a lot. As soon as she yelled cut Kat jumped on the bed apologizing profusely, but also saying the reaction was exactly what she wanted."

Take a look at some of the clips on my blog of chicks kissing. Does it do anything for ya? ;-)

"Youre funny! And although I am not gay I do find some women incredibly sexy."

(editor's note: you dont have to be coy, erin kelly. i know "some women" = arlan.)

Does it feel strange to be a new lesbian-icon?

"I couldn't have hand picked a better fan base. "

Have you walked into a gay club in l.a. or anywhere else since the movie was released? if so, what was the experience like? if not, you should go to HERE Lounge (in west hollywood)...and you should let me document what happens:-)

"I have not done this. But when I do I will let you know how it goes. "

Do you think my wife (american idol runner-up Katharine Mcphee) and I should have our family portraits taken at Glamour Shots or a passport photo booth at the mall?

"Hah!!! Yes I do."


add Erin and the movie on myspace and get more info @ www.myspace.com/weloveannabelle, the official myspace page for "Loving Annabelle"!

Daniela Sea answers YOUR questions!

(add daniela on myspace by clicking here!)

i first met daniela in november of 2004 while she was touring and doing merch for her girlfriend, singer/activist bitch. i was on tour with my buddy terra and she and bitch had a show together in austin the night Bush was re-elected (ew). this was before the L Word. i was on the phone in the small venue talking to my mother, and this chick walked past me as she was loading in gear. i swear i hung up on my mother right then and there, stared blankly for a bit, and as Daniela walked back towards me, i said "i know this is weird for me to say, but you're beautiful. wow."

uh huh. suave, i know;-) but seriously, she is SO stunning in person that you sort of lose your way. you lose your senses. and she was so humble about it that i wasnt even slightly embarrassed. i wasnt trying to hit on her. it was beyond that. there was something very special about this merch girl. and as i watched her shyly sell cds, and dance in the back of the place while Bitch rocked it on stage, i knew i'd see her again.

and boy, did i:-) (on the show!)

daniela answered some of the questions you guys submitted and provided a couple of pics. it should be noted that we did all of this without a publicist because she reads the blog and is as cool as hell about setting things up. thanks to daniela for being my first interview on the site (i miss doing these for my magazine) and i hope to do more in the near future!

and now...i love saying this:

this is Daniela Sea's lesbian moment...

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Lynn P
25
Sunny Florida Baby!
www.myspace.com/brvnczy692002

Q: Even though it is only acting, how does your girlfriend cope with you and your co-workers getting naked and all steamy on screen?

"Bitch is a trained actor and has been performing all her life, so for
her, it's not an issue what I do when I'm acting and making my art. She's very supportive."

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Maria Alejadra
17
New Jersey,U.S
www.myspace.com/twiztedtornheart15

Q: Hi, I gotta say i totally love the L word, to me it's the best show on earth. My question for you is; How hard was it for you to be gay when you were growing up, and how different do you think it's now? Were your parents supportive?

"For me, I see being different as a great asset. Being queer is one of the best things in my life. Having the kind of community we have is invaluable and makes my life so full and rich. It wasn't easy growing up queer. Mostly because of how it felt
in school. I was different, that's for sure. I expressed that difference and was raised to do so by my artist parents. So I don't know what marked me as an outsider first, my queerness, my tomboyness, or my artist and rebel sensibilities. We have to be strong and proud to live a fulfilled life, and I definitely got some early and sometimes painful lessons on the subject of being myself. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

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Cheyla
21
Martinez, Ca

Q: Did you watch The L Word before you were a character on the show?

"I watched 1/2 of an episode once. I'm not much of a TV person. But a lot of my friends were big fans and were psyched when I got the job."

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Rei
17
Nebraska
www.myspace.com/dykedrama

Q: I know you've lived as a man before in India, do you feel that helped you fill the roll of Max? If so, how?

"For actors, our life experience is our palet to paint from. Living as a guy in India was definitely one of the colors in the mix of Max."

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Julia
Age 28
San Diego, CA
http://www.myspace.com/dreadpiratejulia

Q: If you could change any one thing about your character and how he's portrayed on the show, would you? What would you change?

"I like Max the way he is, with all his strengths and weaknesses."

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Michelle :)
25
Victoria, BC (Canada)

Q: Hey Daniela, Was this season (4) more comfortable for you seeing as you'd already spent a season getting to know the cast and now there are whole bunch of new people?

"I had a good time this season. I loved the material. It was great to see the cast and crew again, and get a chance to tell some cool and different stories together, as a team. It takes so many people with all different kinds of skills to make a TV show or a film happen. And our crew is renowned as one of the best in the industry. I was really happy to get to know our new cast members each of whom is so awesome and talented and a joy to be around."

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Lyndsey
18
Asheville/Lexington, NC
http://www.myspace.com/lynniechu

Q: First off, did you know from the start you'd be playing a trans guy, or did the producers kind of... surprise you? How difficult was it to act as a convincing transgendered bio female?

"Acting is always a challenge, and should be scary if it's worth anything. I knew, once I was hired, that Moira would be questioning and would probably pursue a transition."

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Julia
24
Bonn, Germany

Q: It says on the website that you have tried living different ways of lives - there is an quite exotic example of living in India as a man. What would be another way of life that you haven't expierienced yet but would like to try, if you could be just about anybody, anywhere right now?

"I'd love to be an archaeologist studying nomadic life in places like Mongolia and
Kyrgyzstan. Even better would be to live that way."

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kirby
27
matapouri bay, New Zealand
http://www.myspace.com/triviam

Q: What is your number 1 all-time favourite song in the world that affects you more than no other?

"As a musician and more importantly a lover of music, it's impossible to pick
one all time favorite song. There is only one song that I've found that describes the profound evolution that true travelling can allow you. It is Joni Mitchell's Refuge of the Roads from the album Hejira."

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Sarah
23
Chicago
www.myspace.com/moe83025

Q: Would you ever consider going through with sexual reassignment
surgery like Max is on the L Word?

"I love the feeling of making new spaces in the world and inhabiting them with an open heart. In terms of gender there is and has always been way more than just the binary-male/female. To me, gender spans a spectrum. It's a fluid thing. I like to feel mobile and free within it. It's not always easy, but it's my nature."

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LL
26
Wisconsin
http://blog.myspace.com/pleeeeeh

Q: What do you want L Word fans to take away from/learn from the character of "Moira/Max" on the show?

"I want the audience to get to know Max and see life from his perspective."

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Arlan's questions:

Q: is there a contract rule or anything where you cant say negative things about the producers/writers or you'll be in trouble, or do you feel that generally it's a professional courtesy not to? (at the L2 convention in London, it seemed like other cast members were very candid about their opinions without completely crossing a line.)

"I have alot of respect for the writers and producers of the show. They are visionaries, women and radicals. I don't have anything negative to say about them, so it's not an issue. And there is nothing in the contract regarding that."

Q: where were you when you first saw yourself on television and what was that experience like?

"When I first saw myself on The L Word, I was in DC at a Human Rights Campaign benefit. It was exciting and slightly overwhelming. Luckily, there were a fair number of older women in the room who had lived through times of great repression whom had fought, putting their lives on the line, for the right to live and love as they pleased. Their dedication and great vision made it so that our generation could be live a more free and open life. It was quite moving to see myself on TV for the first time in their company."

Q: do you ever feel like running away again and being a gypsy?

"Yes. Definitely."

Q: what do you hope for yourself for the near future? another season, to pursue your own music, etc?

"I'm loving making all kinds of things and I'm excited to see what they become and
where they take me. Nothing's really changed, as far as that stuff goes. I've been writing a fair amount, and playing with my band, Bitch and The Exciting Conclusion, and acting on the show and in a couple of films. I'm in a film called Itty Bitty Titty Committee that's premiering at the Berlin Film Festival on February 10th and at South by Southwest in March. It's about a group of anarcho feminists and it's totally rad. Shortbus, the first film I acted in, is still in some theaters and is coming out on DVD soon."

Q: where should Katharine Mcphee and I go for our second honeymoon?

"I think you should take her to Belize. It's beautiful!"




...and Belize it is!

watch daniela as Max on the L Word every sunday! -arlan