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Steppin' out magazine (July 3rd, 2002) Quick links
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Interviews
Writting credits: Chauncé Hayden Born and raised in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Amy Jo Johnson, 31, always wanted to perform and be in the limelight. She got that chance while competing all over the world as a gymnast until the age of 17. Soon after Johnson decided to pursue acting and honed her skills in community theater and while studying at New York's American Musical Dramatic Academy. Two years later, she moved to California and hasn't looked back since. Johnson's first professional job was a perfect fit since, as one of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers", Johnson was able to combine both her athletic and acting talents. After 2 1/2 years on the phenomenal hit series and two major motion pictures, Johnson was ready to move on to prime time on the WB series, "Felicity". As Felicity's best friend Julie Emrick, Johnson quickly earned a strong following, not only for her acting but for her singing as well. In 1999, Johnson was cast as the lead in VH1's first original movie, "Sweetwater: A True Rock Story". These days Johnson is enjoying her music more than ever. She recently performed as Janis Joplin in the off Broadway play, "Love Janis" and as become a regular feature at The Bitter End with her band, The Amy Jo Johnson Band. Johnson's debut album "The Trans-American Treatment" is available on her Official website. Chauncé Hayden Have people told you that you look like Hilary Swank? Amy Jo Johnson I do! Especially here in Chelsea. I guess she lived around here or something. People are always asking me if I'm Hilary Swank. I wish I was, I love her! I also get Jennifer Garner on "Alias". Chauncé Hayden Even though the WB Network pulled the plug on "Felicity", this season the show had a nice run. However, you left a year early. Why? Amy Jo Johnson Well, I left the show a year ago, but I came back for the last two episodes. I just was sort of done. The first year was a great storyline for me. But the second season I didn't have that many storylines and I got a little bit bored. It was great to collect an amazing paycheck and hardly be working, but I'm not here for the money. So I decided it was time for me to move on. Chauncé Hayden It took guts to leave a show that was paying you a lot to do very little. You don't regret your decision? Amy Jo Johnson No! But it did take a lot of guts. I just move on instinct. I really wanted to pursue music and the show kept me from doing that. Chauncé Hayden What reaction did you get from your peers after you decided to leave? Amy Jo Johnson My friends on the show were very supportive. However, friends of mine who are actors couldn't believe it. They just sort of looked at me with a disapproving eye. Like how ungrateful I must be or something. But it's all about being happy as far as I'm concerned, and I just wasn't happy. Chauncé Hayden You must have a lot of confidence in your ability to get work. Amy Jo Johnson Well, my mom passed away of cancer three years ago. I think that gave me a different perspective on life. I just think people should do what makes them happy. Chauncé Hayden I read an interview with you where you said how strongly you are affected by your mom's spirit. Amy Jo Johnson Yes, she was my best friend. I talk to her every day. She's my guide. She's my angel. My mom got sick the same time I got "Felicity." It was really bizarre. It was the greatest thing that ever happened to me during the worst thing that ever happened to me. It really changed how I look at my good fortune. Chauncé Hayden Were you surprised they asked you to come back for the final two episodes? Amy Jo Johnson I was surprised. I was so happy to be able to be a part of the ending because I was a part of the beginning. Chauncé Hayden How did the cast feel about you leaving? Amy Jo Johnson (Laughs) I think there was a tiny bit of jealousy! I think that any show that has been around for three seasons has a few cast members that wish they could move on but still love it at the same time. So I'm sure there was a tiny bit of envy in some of them. Chauncé Hayden Do you agree it makes you look like a genius when you leave a show just before it's canceled? Amy Jo Johnson Stop it! The thing with "Felicity" was that it was never given a chance to find an audience. They would air four episodes and then air four episodes of something else. They never gave the audience a chance to go on a ride with the show. They did such funny scheduling things. I think they shot themselves in the foot. Chauncé Hayden Many television critics felt that when Keri Russell made the decision to cut off all her long, curly hair the show began to sink in the ratings. Do you think that infamous decision had anything to do with the show failing? Amy Jo Johnson Well, if you look at it, I guess it's true. Personally I thought she looked cute with short hair. But the writers asked her to cut her hair. They wrote it into the script and right after that a lot of people stopped watching the show. Chauncé Hayden Did you ever talk to Keri about it? Amy Jo Johnson We all sort of avoided the subject. It was a sore subject. The WB actually sent out a memo to all the actors on their network that before you cut your hair, you have to get permission from the WB Network. Also, the media made such a big deal about it that I'm sure it actually had an effect on the way the audience started to feel about the show. Chauncé Hayden Before "Felicity" you starred as a character on "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers". Are you concerned that you might be considered a teen star rather than a serious adult actress? Amy Jo Johnson I don't worry about those kind of things. I worry about a lot, but not that kind of stuff. Chauncé Hayden Why? Amy Jo Johnson I believe in fate. I just trust it. Chauncé Hayden So whatever will happen will happen? Amy Jo Johnson No, I believe you can make the wrong choices. But I have faith in my instincts and that I can do anything I want to do. It was my instincts that told me to come here to live in New York. Chauncé Hayden And? Amy Jo Johnson Well, I just got burglarized last week. Some man crawled through my window and stole my computer while I was in bed sleeping. I woke up and there was a man standing above my bed. Chauncé Hayden What did you do? Amy Jo Johnson I got up, got out, and ran down the street barefoot! And after that, I still feel safer in New York than I do in Los Angeles. Chauncé Hayden Why? Amy Jo Johnson Because in New York there are people everywhere. That crime that happened to me was a random thing. He just picked my window by accident. In L.A. it's more desolate. There's more hatred there. I just feel safer in New York. Chauncé Hayden Were you worried the robber was going to attack you sexually? Amy Jo Johnson He was just coming in to rob me. I ran right by him and out the door. I turned around and he was yanking at my computer. He didn't seem concerned with me. Chauncé Hayden Amazing. Amy Jo Johnson I know! And it happened the night before opening night of "Love Janis". Chauncé Hayden Speaking of "Love Janis", you came to New York to star in the popular off-Broadway play, and after only a handful of performances you were removed. What happened? Amy Jo Johnson Basically ... (Long pause) Chauncé Hayden The play is about the music of Janis Joplin. But when I look at you, Janis Joplin is the last person I'm thinking of. Amy Jo Johnson I'm nothing like Janis Joplin, and neither is my voice. I mean, I did it for a month, but it was just too much on my voice. My voice is nothing like hers. So we all decided it was time to move on. Chauncé Hayden This may sound like a dumb question, but why did you agree to do it? Amy Jo Johnson (Yells) They offered it to me! I didn't go chasing it down! (Laughs) They just handed it to me! I thought, "Damn, what is the worst that can happen?" And my answer to myself was, "You'll make an ass out of yourself and I'll get over it". So in two weeks, I packed up my whole life and moved to New York to do this play. But we all just decided it was in everybody's best interest to call it quits. Hey, I got two standing ovations! Chauncé Hayden What's the lesson learned? Amy Jo Johnson You don't cast someone without first auditioning them! Chauncé Hayden Even though you're not signed by a record label, you recently put out an album, "The Trans-American Treatment". Are you more interested in pursing music or acting these days? Amy Jo Johnson I feel really lucky to have both. So many times actors are waiting for that next job to come around and have nothing to do that's creative. Chauncé Hayden Are you seeking a record deal, or is music just for fun? Amy Jo Johnson I'm just enjoying it. I'm not really looking for a record deal. I took a whole year off to go and record an album and sell it over my Web site. Do I want a lot of people to hear it? Sure. So if a major record deal came along, I would consider taking it. But I have so many friends who have been beaten up and bruised and hate their music now because of the music industry, and I don't that to happen to me. Chauncé Hayden Any casting couch stories? Amy Jo Johnson I had one experience. I won't say his name, but a producer came on to me and I wasn't even 21 years old. But I'm grateful for that experience because I learned who I was as a person and what I would do in that situation. Chauncé Hayden What would you do? Amy Jo Johnson I just went "Hell no!" and walked away. Chauncé Hayden Who turns you on more, actors or musicians? Amy Jo Johnson I have a thing for musicians. Although I was engaged to be married to an electrician once. I also used to live with a guy who was a grip on "Power Rangers". But I'm on to musicians now! Chauncé Hayden Are you dating a musician now? Amy Jo Johnson No, I'm a free lady and I've never been happier in my life! Chauncé Hayden Could you fall in love with Marilyn Manson? Amy Jo Johnson I just saw him interviewed on television ... no. Chauncé Hayden Could you fall in love with Bruce Springsteen? Amy Jo Johnson I probably could. This is fun, give me more! Chauncé Hayden Could you fall in love with Melissa Etheridge? Amy Jo Johnson Um ... (pause) no. But I hesitated! I don't know if I could fall in love with a woman. I've never had a female lover, but I wouldn't rule it out of the picture. Chauncé Hayden Look what a lesbian affair did for Anne Heche's career. Amy Jo Johnson I know! What can I do? What can I do? Chauncé Hayden How about a love triangle between Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton? Amy Jo Johnson I wouldn't mind that! I find her so sexy! She's such a sexy lady. Chauncé Hayden Do you think Billy Bob is sexy? Amy Jo Johnson (Laughs) No! I don't want to talk about this anymore! Chauncé Hayden Name an actor you find sexy. Amy Jo Johnson I'm such a dork. I love romantic comedies. So I'm going to say John Cusack and Hugh Grant. I also think Richard Gere is really sexy! He's so hot! Chauncé Hayden When will we see you on the cover of Stuff? Amy Jo Johnson Never! I cringe when I see those magazines! Chauncé Hayden So I guess Playboy is out of the question. Amy Jo Johnson See, I would do Playboy before I would do Stuff. Chauncé Hayden Really? Amy Jo Johnson Of course! That's just what my instincts tell me. |
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Interviews Amy Jo Johnson: New Kid on the Squad |
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