NBC Live:
Welcome,Traci, to the NBC Live Studio at Yahoo! Chat. Thank you for
joining us this evening!
Traci Lords:
Hello everyone. I'm really pleased to be here to answer some of
your questions. So let's begin!
NBC Live:
What attracted you to "Profiler"?
Traci Lords:
I think that "Profiler" is the best one-hour drama on television.
The writing is really remarkable, and it has a strong solid cast of actors.
CyberFan_5:
Describe how your character Jill and the serial killer Jack will
work together. Are they going to be romantically involved?
Traci Lords:
The strange thing about doing television, unlike film, is that in
a film, you have a beginning, middle and an end. So you know where your
character will eventually end up. In television, you never know what exactly
will happen next, which keeps it exciting. But you never really know where
you're going to go. I think Jack and Jill will have a really intimate
relationship, but whether or not it will be sexual...I don't know yet.
Kelly_S_LA:
Traci, can you give us any hints about the second season of
"Profiler" and any exciting news?
Traci Lords:
I can tell you that within the next three episodes, a series
regular will die at the hands of Jack and Jill.
bizz101:
Do you have any advice for up and coming actors and actresses?
Traci Lords:
I think the best advice I can give anyone that is up and coming,
is that to make sure that this is really what you want to do. Because, this
can be a really long and painful process.
Paul_Heusen:
Just how "bad" is your character going to be?
Traci Lords:
Define 'bad.' I don't think that Sharon is per se 'bad.' I think
that she's a product of her environment, and somewhere deep inside, she's
actually a very fragile, sweet soul. But she is led very far astray, and she
does become a monster, yes.
Schnick345:
Hi Traci, what's the most challenging part of acting, in your
opinion?
Traci Lords:
I think to put yourself into places where you don't necessarily
want to go, and to look at things that you personally are against, without
judgment.
Crystaline2000:
I was wondering what is the most interesting show you've done?
Traci Lords:
"Profiler" is the most interesting show to date that I've
done,because the character is so layered and complex. She goes from being
absolutely sweet and lost, to absolutely vicious in a blink of an eye.
Sopi102:
How do you research your character?
Traci Lords:
With Sharon, I certainly didn't go out and commit any murders. :-)
To me, the key to Sharon was vulnerability. A key word is 'confinement,'
because she's been in prison for so long. She hates cells, prisons and small
confined spaces. I find that sitting in a closet helps. Other than that, I
really just focused on what could drive a person to do the hideous things that
she does.
Sacramentoraider:
What happened to your band you were in?
Traci Lords:
I have my second album about halfway way finished now, and it's on
Radioactive Records. The first single will be released in March, the album to
follow in May.
Kwazy4u:
Do you have a preference of television or movies in the future?
Traci Lords:
My preference is for well-written material in whatever media that
lies.
S_Ritchie:
Can you tell us something about your character in BLADE?
Traci Lords:
In BLADE, I am the Ice Princess Vampire, who really digs
techno-music. That about sums her up.
Scratchy1:
What's the favorite actor you have ever worked with and why?
Traci Lords:
Hmmmm.... I really liked working with Johnny Depp, because it was
the first feature film after his series, "21 Jump Street." And I was
fascinated with his determination and ability to change his image as a person
and an actor.
Callisto_rose:
Traci, did you enjoy working on the "Roseanne" set?
Traci Lords:
I loved it! I think that Roseanne and John Goodman are right up
there with Johnny Depp, as far as I feel with working with them. I feel that
they are masters of their craft - probably the most talented cast as a whole
that I've worked with.
Brother_earth:
Where is "Profiler" filmed?
Traci Lords:
In Los Angeles towards the Valley - in the studio, and on location
around Los Angeles.
Jmacabee:
Given a choice, would you rather act, direct, write or produce?
Traci Lords:
It's kind of like comparing apples and oranges. I would opt for
the fruit salad...that way you could do it all!
Traci Lords:
I think that producing is something I would end up doing more of,
because in that position, you have so much more control of the final outcome
than in acting, or even writing, or even directing.
Jefffincher:
Do you ever get to go to a coffee shop and NOT be recognized?
Traci Lords:
Yes. I am a master of disguises :-)
Ditaparlo:
I'm a gay teen, and I saw you perform at a Pride festival a couple
years ago. You were great! Do you have any messages for teens like me trying
to survive high school life?
Traci Lords:
Well, sexuality is a huge issue, whether you're gay or
straight...especially when growing up. Probably the best advice I could give,
is to be as responsible with your body as you possibly can, and let it all
unfold. When you are a
teenager, you really don't know who you are yet. So give yourself the time to
discover that.
Downliner:
Is that song from the Mortal Kombat soundtrack really yours? Do you
have plans on doing some more music? By the way, I think that song really
rocked!!
Traci Lords:
Yes! Yes, yes, yes! That song I wrote with Ben Watkins and it is
on my first album, "1000 Fires," on Radioactive Records. And it was my first
hit single. That soundtrack gave me my first double platinum record. And I'm
working on my second album presently, due out early next year.
RocketMan001:
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Traci Lords:
Hopefully in a really beautiful relationship with a couple of kids. Someplace
really, really green - outside of L.A. Writing, producing, directing my own
stuff. :-)
Jens_Aspman:
I've read somewhere that you just have produced a movie called
"Extramarital". When is it released?
Traci Lords:
It will be released, probably next summer. And it was the first
one (film) that I have produced. So as I said earlier, I'm moving in that
direction.
NBCLive:
Back to your next album...
Questing_Beast:
Is the second album going to be Techno/Dance oriented as well,
or are you changing things?
Traci Lords:
The second album is going to be different. It will still be
techno/dance oriented, but I'm recording with more live instruments and
gearing it for live performances. So that will be the biggest difference. I'm
strongly emphasizing vocals and lyrics that are more personal on the second
album.
Gmoth:
Is Traci Lords your real name?
Traci Lords:
No.
ORGYMEISTER69:
Have you ever wanted to make a horror movie like SCREAM or
NIGHTMARE on ELM STREET?
Traci Lords:
I never really have, because I'm scared of scary things. I think
that's one of the hardest parts of working on "Profiler," that I'm really a
chicken at heart. But it's reassuring to me that I'm living with a killer (on
the show), so hopefully I'm safer :-)
Jmacabee:
What animated cartoon show would you like to appear on?
Traci Lords:
"The Simpsons." I would love to see what I would look like in a
cartoon form... perhaps as a deranged Jessica Rabbit :-)
NBCLive:
More on "Profiler".....
Pokey7:
Hi Traci, are you going to be on every episode or just occationally
on "Profiler"?
Traci Lords:
I'm a series regular, so basically I'm on every episode. There
may be an episode here or there when I'm on the run. So maybe there will be
one show here or there (where I'm not on), but basically, I'm on every show.
Pmikey:
How do you stay in such great shape??
Traci Lords:
I kill myself in the gym, five times a week!
Country_type:
Hi there. If you could play a lead in a classic film remake, and
could choose the film and part, which film and part would you choose?
Traci Lords:
Veronica Lake in GULLIVER'S TRAVELS.
Napios: What, in your opinion, has been the hardest obstacle you've had to
overcome in the acting field?
Traci Lords:
My childhood porn days, because they came with a lot of judgments.
JCvanRAMme:
Hi Traci, I'm a long time fan-do you have a fan club? email,or
webpage address?
Traci Lords:
There is actually a whole website from Radioactive Records. I'm
not sure what the address is, but if you log on (the net) I'm sure you can
find it. Thank you for asking!
King_Koffee:
Traci - Will you be touring for this Dance/Techno stuff? Who
would you like to tour with most?
Traci Lords:
Yes, I will be touring for my second album. And my fantasy would
be to tour with The Cure, Portishead, fellow trippy artists!
Fakkel:
What is, in your own opinion, your greatest talent?
Traci Lords:
I think that my greatest talent is probably my personal intuition.
The only time I really mess up is when I don't listen to my gut.
KKrow:
Traci - do you have plans for music videos?
Traci Lords:
Absolutely! With my last album, I had two music videos, and with
this one, I plan to have at least that many. And you can check those last two
videos out on the Radioactive website, which I'm desperately trying to find
the address for.
BgsMELODY:
What musical artists do you like, and who influenced you musically?
Traci Lords:
I really like Portishead, I love The Cure, I love a French artist
named Milene Farmer. I think that Blondie influenced me tremendously, because
I think that Debby Harry is a wonderfully talented artist and singer. I am
really influenced by DJs in clubs, because I think that is an incredible art
on its own. The website for Radioactive records is http://radioactive.net/
Creekhouse:
You and I are about the same age... what do you expect to find at
your 20th highschool reunion?
Traci Lords:
Actually, I've got quite a ways to go! I don't foresee myself at
my 20th high school reunion. I took my GED when I was 16 years old, and
haven't looked back since. So I have no idea what that would be like!
King_Koffee:
Traci - Like most big-time Hollywood stars, have you adopted a
charity yet? If so, what is it please?
Traci Lords:
I've been working with my charity for almost 10 years now, and
it's called Children of the Night. And it's for runaway and abused children;
It's run out of Van Nuys, California.
NBCLive:
Traci, how did you get the part on "Profiler"?
Traci Lords:
While I was producing and starring in "Extramarital," the audition
for "Profiler" came in. I read the material and felt strongly attached to it.
I went in and met the producers, Kim Moses and Ian Sanders, and I
read for it and I ended up getting the role. So basically, like every
other actor, I auditioned and crossed my fingers!
Curleyyuk:
Who would your ideal leading man be?
Traci Lords:
WOW! There's a question...hmmm.... I would really like to work
with Tom Cruise. Maybe not for the reasons that are obvious - such as his
talent, or looks, or mega star status. But he seems like a really sweet
spirit and that fascinates me.
CaliGuy111:
Traci, What do you like to do for fun on all your time off from
everything and the work??
Traci Lords:
I like to work out at the gym a lot, I like to read, I love to
cook,
I love hanging out with my friends in coffee shops, unnoticed. And spending
time with my family. And every now and then, I love writing and singing.
Robocop9:
The show bio states that you're a parolee TURNED serial killer, what
are you on parole for?
Traci Lords:
In the first episode this past Saturday, I just got out of jail.
It never really says in the script what she did, but I had a conversation with
the producers, and I found out that it
was mainly petty offenses: stealing cars, fighting, stealing. My guess is that
she got into a fight in a bar with a girl and girl didn't walk
away, so she accidentally killed someone in the fight.
Traci Lords:
When she meets Jack, Jack convinces her that some people should
just die, and that killing is not a bad thing...and opens a whole different
reality to her. One that she becomes strangely fascinated with. But like a
child, I don't believe that Sharon realizes how 'final' death really is.
RocketMan001:
Would you consider doing an "Unplugged" concert on MTV?
Traci Lords:
Absolutely! I love the thought of doing an "Unplugged" concert. I
lovethe thought of doing "Saturday Night Live"! I love all those thoughts.
Wedmd:
Other than scripts, do you read much?
Traci Lords:
Constantly. I read anything that's lying around. I particularly
like Stephen King novels. Even though I'm afraid of scary things, I love
being scared by him. And I'm obsessed with children's books - particularly,
Dr. Seuss.
NBCLive:
Traci, what's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
Traci Lords: My favorite Dr. Seuss book is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I
love Dr. Seuss books because there are all these underlying messages in them.
Jmacabee:
What's the most fun you ever had on a shoot?
Traci Lords:
During the filming of CRY BABY, which John Waters directed and
Universal released. It was a lot of fun, because it was set in the 50's, so
we had all the 50's dancing and music. We had a wonderful cast with Johnny
Depp, Ricki Lake and even Iggy Pop. It was like the ultimate prom. LOL!
Downliner:
What's your all-time favorite movie and why?
Traci Lords:
I love THE JUNGLE BOOK, actually! Just because it's so colorful
and it's about survival. And I like THE LION KING. I like a lot of the old
Marilyn Monroe movies like THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH. I like a lot of older movies,
because that was when studios were
studios, stars were stars, and movies were so beautifully written. It's funny
because I jump from new things like THE JUNGLE BOOK and
THE LION KING to stuff from way in the past like THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH.
Bobchan:
Have you ever thought about writing an autobiography? I think it would
be a fascinating read.
Traci Lords:
I've been asked several times to write a book. My take on it, is
that the world knows enough about me, and I don't want to air my dirty laundry
in the form of a book. The thought of it absolutely horrifies me. Maybe
someday when I'm old and gray, and on a rocking horse porch, maybe I'll think
about one then.
But right now, no way.
Jmacabee:
Ever consider writing a children's book yourself, and if so what
would it be about?
Traci Lords:
YES!
Traci Lords:
I would love to write a children's book. I think it would be
interesting to write a children's book about religion, without it being
directly about religion. So maybe a spiritual children's book would be cool.
Jjwylie:
Would you consider acting in live dramatic theater?
Traci Lords:
Absolutely. It's one of my goals. But it would have to be a part
that I was completely dedicated to, and it would have to be in NY, not LA.
Foxdana1:
Traci, will this role show the physical side of the killer or will it
be more based on what is going on in the killers' mind?
Traci Lords:
Absolutely. You will see the 'why's' answered. My goal is to make
people see, why Sharon Lesher does the things she does. That's why the part
interested me in the first part, because it's a study of the human psyche.
How far you can push someone in a corner before they snap. So, I guess the
flat out answer is going to be both.
NBCLive:
Traci, here's our last question for the evening:
Cyberjnke:
As they say, 'You've come a long way'. Who do you credit your
perseverance to?
Traci Lords:
To myself, really. I've wanted to be a performer for a long time,
and I've had many obstacles placed in my path. I've always been very
relentless in pursuit of my dreams. I guess you could say that I've always
had faith.
NBCLive:
Traci, thank you, for joining us this evening!
Traci Lords:
Goodbye and thank you for your questions! And I hope that you
will check out my show, "Profiler," on NBC Saturday nights.
