Teenceleb
Charisma....
by Stephen Lenz
Apparently kicking some major vampire but isn't enough to keep Buffy The Vampires Slayer's 28-year old Charisma Carpenter busy. Teen Celebrity caught up with the actress, who plays the less-than-cordial Cordelia on the hit WB bloodfest, at a New York City seminar where she was invited to speak about young girls becoming strong women. She should know.
Besides ridding the world of evil bloodsuckers, what makes a young woman
strong and indipendent?
Charisma Carpenter:
It's all about self-esteem. If you don't feel good about yourself, it's
difficult to feel good about anything
at all.
You're no shrinking violet. Where do you get all
your strength from?
Charisma Carpenter:
Courage.
Do you think it's tough being a young woman in
Hollywood?
Charisma Carpenter:
No way. I never think about it being tougher for a woman. If there's an
opportunity out there, I grab it. It's silly to think there's anyone out there
who's against me.
Not even vampires?
Charisma Carpenter:
"Vampire" is such a harsh word.
Have you ever written a fan letter?
Charisma Carpenter:
Oh my God! Of course I have!
To whom?
Charisma Carpenter:
The Wallflowers.
When was that?
Charisma Carpenter:
Last year! [Giggles]
Are you more charismatic than you are a
carpenter?
Charisma Carpenter:
That's a good one! No one's ever asked me that before. I'm definitely more
charismatic -- I hope.
What would you do if you weren't an actress?
Charisma Carpenter:
That's easy. I'd be an English teacher.
What wouldn't you do if you weren't an
actress?
Charisma Carpenter:
That's even easier
-- a waitress. Can you tell I've done that before?
What makes Cordelia such a popular character?
Charisma Carpenter:
People love to hate her. She's Buffy's nemesis. I wouldn't say that Buffy hates
Cordelia, thought. It's more about competition.
Are the actors on the show competitive?
Charisma Carpenter:
No way! We have a lot of fun. There's a real sense of family, and I think that's
obvious when you watch the show.
Do you think it's all the strong female
characters that make Buffy The Vampire Slayer such a hit?
Charisma Carpenter:
That may be part of it. But when you boil it all down, it's the special effects
that bring 'em in.
Do I look like a vampire to you?
Charisma Carpenter:
No. Should you?