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YM Magazine Interview - 1998 Love Special

Why were your characters [Cordelia and Xander] attracted to each other?
We're proof opposites attract.

What was the first kiss like?
It's hard kissing someone you're not in love with. I love Nicky. He's my buddy. But kissing's intimate.

Okay, it's Saturday night. There's a dance. Where's Xander? Where's Cordelia?
Actually, he's probably on the dance floor with Buffy while Cordelia talks to Willow at some table in the corner. That's usually what happens.

And what do you think about that?
I know this sounds crazy, but I get jealous for Cordelia. Like, "Why are they dancing together? Aren't we a couple?" It's funny.

Do you think it's possible to love two people at the same time?
Xander does. [Actually] I think he lusts for Cordelia, and he loves Buffy. I personally don't think it's possible to really love two people at the same time.

Lets start with real life - when was your first kiss?
Third grade, behind a chair in class during a movie, when the lights were off. I was boy crazy. I loved the idea of a kiss and being in love. We were talking, then we looked at each other and we just kissed. I didn't run away. I liked it.

What's the smartest thing you've ever done for love?
The smartest thing I've ever done for love is to let go when I wasn't really in it.

Who first broke your heart?
I had a broken heart many times. My first love was a boy named Danny. I was 11 years old. He loved me, but he was 13 and his hormones were racing. [He dumped me for] a girl named Brandy who had a hot body. He dated her for eight months and that broke my heart.

Have you ever dated someone way cooler than you were?
I've dated the cool type. It was always short lived, and I always wound up with a broken heart. You can't put people on pedestals. Nobody likes to have to live up to [huge] expectations. With that kind of pressure, the relationship doesn't work.

What's the nuttiest pick-up line you've ever used on someone?
On a dare. I kissed somebody I totally didn't know. And I had to have been at least 21, because it happened in a bar. That sounds awful. A bunch of girlfriends and I saw somebody really cute, and I was like, "Omigosh, that guy is Adonis over there." My girlfriends agreed, and they said, "I dare you to kiss him." So I walked over, and I just laid one on him. He was pretty impressed. He wanted my phone number, but I didn't want to go that far, you know?

What's the stupidest thing you've ever done for love?
I think I've been too generous. Making a picnic or something like that for someone is much more thoughtful than overwhelming him with gifts.

Have friends ever tried to keep you from dating someone?
I wasn't popular in school, but I was a cheerleader and people knew who I was. My high school sweetheart was not popular; he kept to himself, and he had that brooding smart thing going on. My friends didn't give me a hard time, but I think they were surprised by my choice.