Article 5

Teen Machine

"Teen Machine: First of all, how would you personally define "teen idol"?

Stephen: Someone who is in their teens, someone who people look up to, hopefully for what they do well as an actor, or some people may just like their looks. Some people might like their whole persona. You know, I hope when people say "He's a teen idol", they mean he is a teen and look at all he has achieved. That he is really happening, you know? He is doing what he wants and he is doing good work.

TM: Going by your definition, is "teen idol" something that you want to be considered?

Stephen: Yeah, if I am going to be considered a teen idol, I'd like to be considered one because of what I have accomplished, and what I'm good at- the craft of acting.

TM: Do you think there are people who think teen idol has nothing to do with being a good actor?

Stephen: Yeah, especially for the younger crowd. A teen idol to them might be just some cute sixteen year old who's famous. That's something I obviously can't change. It's always going to be like that.

TM: How about the Hollywood establishment- and I'm talking in terms of producers and casting directors who might have a prejudice against an actor who would be considered a teen idol- in terms of offering them a role?

Stephen: Um, I think that you know, being an actor, and being a teen, when you are in a teen magazine and stuff, you're hot. You're definetly called a teen idol. Some producers take that in favor- he's hot, he will bring in an audience, get this kid! I think it tends to help you. I have run into a couple of producers that are not into that, they want a new face, not a teen idol, not someone who will draw those popcorn kids. You know, they want someone who is maybe a little more intense, you know? I am in the teen magazines but I like to keep, uh, I don't want that to be my whole life.

TM: Right.

Stephen: I don't want to be plastered so much, that it's like I have a hard transition. It happens so many times. I want to make it as an older actor. I don't think that it can hurt your career, unless you get too overdone and you are not even worrying about your career as an actor and you are into being a star with you face on everything. Then it can hurt you. Producers will not respect you as an actor.

TM: What do you think fans have in mind when they call an actor their idol?

Stephen: They are looking for someone who dresses like them or acts in the same way. I also think it's important for a teen idol, knowing that he has people thinking of him as a teen idol, not to do stupid things. It's important not to have dumb habits, bad things that are illegal and stuff. If kids look up to you, [and you do that] they will be confused. You have a great responsibility when you're a so-called teen idol. People look up to you, you have to keep a very good profile, not screw up.

TM:Is acting your whole life? Will you go to college?

Stephen: I don't like to have my whole life in this field, but right now I am working so hard. I really want to go to college, 'cause I think if I say I'll wait like a lot of people do, I'll never go. If I go to college, I want to go to NYU and experience living in New York and the city, and do theater. It's always been a dream of mine. I might go for a semester and take a semester off and do a movie. I don't want to give up acting for four years.

TM: We would miss you too much. Thanks for the interview!"