Talking With Larisa Oleynik
By Jessica Weiner and Jessica Fredricks
We interviewed actress Larisa Oleynik, who stars as the girl with superpowers on Nickelodeon's "The Secret Life of Alex Mack," in Manhattan recently. You may also remember her as Dawn in "The Baby-sitters Club" movie. A native of California, she began acting when she was 8.
Q. How did you get started in show business?
A. The first thing I ever did was a musical called "Les Miserables" in San Francisco. My aunt saw an ad in the newspaper for the audition, so I went and got the part. After that I got an agent and started auditioning for other roles.
Q. When you walk down the street do you secretly wish people would notice you?
A. In the beginning of my show maybe I did. Most of the time people don't recognize me unless I'm at an amusement park or the mall.
Q. Do you enjoy working on a TV show?
A. Yes, except I have to get up at 5 every morning. That really is the only hard part; but the rest of it is a lot of fun because I'm friends with the cast.
Q. Are you like your character?
A. I've sort of put a little bit of myself into Alex, but I really don't think we're really that much alike. Of course, I was nervous my first day of junior high. And any of the things she goes through that any kid goes through with school and dances, I do too. But I don't think I'm as much an outcast as she is.
Q. How are the special effects done?
A. It's all done with computers. I've never seen them do the whole computer process, but it's pretty cool.
Q. Did you ever have an embarrassing moment while filming your TV show?
A. Sometimes I forget my lines. And sometimes the crew guys write messages and we try to clip them on people with these clothespin clips. One time I did a whole scene and I had a clip on my shoulder and nobody noticed.
Q. Do your friends treat you any different now that you're a star on a hit TV show?
A. No. I started when I was 8; I've had a bunch of small parts and have eased into it. They're all really proud of me and supportive, but they don't treat me differently.
Q. Do you watch yourself on TV?
A. Most of the time I do, and we tape all the episodes. Some people can't stand to watch themselves, but I like watching myself because I can see what I like and don't like, and learn for the next time. It's a cool feeling watching yourself on TV and in the movies, but it is a little weird.
Q. Did you enjoy starring in the movie "The Baby-sitters Club"?
A. That was a lot of fun because there were so many other kids my age, and I became good friends with all the girls. I read the books when I was younger.
Q. Do you have a favorite movie?
A. "A River Runs Through It" and "Fried Green Tomatoes." I really like those sentimental tearjerkers.
Q. Do you like sports?
A. I really like soccer and volleyball, but I'm not too good at them. I was on both those teams this year.
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. I hang out with my friends, go shopping, go to the movies, and I like to read.
Q. What kind of music do you like?
A. I'll listen to anything basically except country - that's the only thing I don't like. I really like alternative rock music.
Q. Do you have a favorite actress?
A. Claire Danes from "My So-Called Life." She's an incredible actress and she seems like a nice person, so I really admire her.
Q. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A. Nope, I'm an only child, which is nice.
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. I have a striped cat named Tigger.
Q. Do you have a favorite food?
A. I like pasta, rock candy and lemons.
Q. What do you want to do in the future?
A. I want to go to college. I want to keep acting now, but after college, I'll see. I think I might want to continue acting.
Q. Do you have a boyfriend?
A. Not right now.
Q. Do you ever wish you weren't an actress?
A. No. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with school, but I really enjoy acting and hope to do more.
Newsday, 26 November 26 1995, pp 01.
From www.larisa.com
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