The Daily Quarterly: What made you want to be in show business?
Samantha Stewart: I love the spotlight, and being the center of attention, so it was an easy choice for me! In high school I was voted “Most Talented” and “Least Likely to Work in a Cubicle”. There was just never a doubt in anyone’s mind that I was gonna leave TN asap and go be in show business. I was definitely THAT kid.
TDQ: Who was your favorite actress growing up?
SS: Reese Witherspoon was definitely someone I looked up to. She went to school right down the road from me, and I remember being obsessed with movies like “Cruel Intentions,” “Man in the Moon,” and “Freeway.” Then when “Walk the Line” came out, I basically worshipped her. I thought I would grow up and be her. But instead I turned out to be me, which is different, but no less awesome. :)
TDQ: What was your favorite movie growing up?
SS: “Newsies” and “Requiem for a Dream.” Haha! Two polar opposite movies, right? That’s definitely my taste, I love musicals and cute boys dancing, and then I love just really gritty dramas that make you wanna kill yourself :P I was a weird kid!
TDQ: Who are your influences?
SS: My Dad for sure. He is driven by a logical brain, a Type A personality, and a penchant for sticking your foot in your mouth. That’s me for sure, which is interesting ’cause most artists are that creative type, which has never really been me. I’m my own kind of artist. I’m also influenced by some of my favorite singers, like James Taylor and Barbra Streisand and George Michael. I love reading biographies on celebrities I look up to, and figure out how they did it. People’s true crazy lives have always been a source of fascination for me. Oh, and Oprah. She’s the best.
TDQ: What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
SS: Ru Paul’s catch phrase “Don’t F— it Up.” I think that just about covers all the bases.
TDQ: What is the worst advice you have ever gotten?
SS: To wait till I was married to have sex. Thank God I didn’t listen to that one :)
TDQ: Tell us about your latest movie, “VooDoo”SS: I did “Voodoo” over 3 years ago, so it’s crazy it only recently came out! It’s this really effed up portrayal of how bad things can happen to you, even when it’s not your fault haha. My character spends half the movie getting the complete s— beaten out of her, and as an actress in the film, I had a very similar experience. I hope it comes across like a realistic portrayal, ’cause most of the time I wasn’t acting. I was genuinely tired, sick, cold, beaten up, and miserable. All in the name of THE CRAFT. And it was awesome. Gotta love this job!
TDQ: Besides films, you’ve also appeared in soap operas like “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless” What’s the biggest difference between working on soaps and working on films?
SS: I talk about this in every interview, but I’ll keep saying it. Soaps are way tougher than anyone gives them credit for. You get one take to nail your lines. They are shooting so quickly, there’s no time to for second chances. And I love that about them. It really helped me learn how to give the best performance I could the first time. It’s an amazing help for auditions too. Films are different, cause you can just always ask for another take if you mess up, or want to try something different. Don’t get me wrong, that’s also equally great, and I’m very grateful when I get opportunities to play around and have fun with a role. That’s harder to do on a soap.
TDQ: What project are you working on next?
SS: Not sure what will be next, that’s the great thing about the job, is that the opportunities come last minute, and you never know what might be in store for you. I could get an audition tomorrow, and be on a plane for South America next week. But definitely keep an eye out during the commercial breaks for me. I’ve been doing a ton of commercials, and should be all over your TV. :)
TDQ: Where do you see yourself in five years?
SS: Pregnant!!! No seriously, I want babies, like, now. I’m turning 30 this year, time to start cranking them out!! ;) My dream life is to have babies with a man I’m obsessed with, who never wants to stop having sex with me, own a bunch of property that keeps the money coming in, travel around the world, and get offers to star in dream projects that win me Oscars, but I still never get recognized on the street so I can continue to go to Chipotle with sweat pants and no make up….. *sigh* That’s the life…..
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