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Jump magazine (1999) Quick links
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Writting credits: Zorianna Kitt "TrailBlazers!", Jump, 1999 Written By: Zorianna Kitt Although she graduated from her back-flipping days as a Power Ranger (she was the pink one), Amy Jo Johnson is still kicking butt on television as one of the stars of the hit show Felicity. If you think this girl's on the right path careerwise, just wait till you see her on the hiking trail! If Amy Jo Johnson had listen to her eighth grade English teacher's advice, she'd probably be at home right now, baking a mean batch of cookies. "When I told her that I wanted to be an actress, she said I probably wouldn't be anything more than a housewife", recalls Amy Jo. Of course, these days she is heating things up, only it's not in the kitchen but on television, as Julie on Felicity, the most talked about show since that one about those kids living by the creek. "I love playing Julie", says Amy Jo of her role as a struggling New York University freshman. "She's the kind of girl who has a lot in insecurities but tries to hide them from everyone. I think we all act like that at some stage". In real life, Amy Jo is far more levelheaded but still shares a few traits with her on-screen persona. Not only did she attend school in New York, but all that guitar-strumming Julie does on the show is actually inspired by Amy Jo. "At first they wanted Julie to do something like dance, but when they heard me sing and play one of my own songs, they were really impressed". Amy Jo has even taken the music thing seriously enough to form her own band. "We're called Valhalla, and our music is kind of like psychedelic folk. We don't have a recording contract yet, but we've been playing at a bunch of places around Los Angeles". Even though it sounds like Amy Jo is a natural for the part of Julie, she had to convince a lot of people that she was ready for such a meaty role. "I had to show them that I could be more than a back-flippin', butt-kickin' Power Ranger", says the Cape Cod native. "I had eight auditions, and finally one day I was driving back from the park with my dog, Lucy, when I got the call saying the part was mine. I burst into tears", she says. "It was such a huge emotional release for me, because I felt that I had worked hard to get this role". So, is being a regular on a top-rated show all it's cracked up to be? "It's the most amazing show", she raves. However, working with cool co-stars like Keri Russell and Scott Speedman might have something to do with it. "Even though we've only been together a short time, we're starting to develop all these great friendships", says Amy Jo. "Keri and I get into giggle fits on the set all the time". Sounds like Amy Jo is definitely having the last laugh, and this is only the beginning. In addition to her TV gigs, she just nabbed a starring role in the vampire thriller Cold Hearts, opposite Christian Campbell (brother of Party Of Five's Neve). And what about the band? "I wouldn't mind singing a song on a movie soundtrack or something, but I don't want to rush the music thing just yet". She can say that again. Even though her career's going a warp speed, this barely 5-foot-tall actress knows the benefits of slowing down. That's why you'll find her hiking in the Hollywood canyons with her dog in her free time. "When I'm walking in nature and breathing fresh air, I feel so much better and think so much more clearly. I've made some of my best decisions out there". Sounds like with or without the advice of that lame eighth grade teacher, Amy Jo is on the right track. |
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