Where does the Hollywood rule-book say: to be a young, glam, singing tween icon is a one-way ticket to a tawdry downward spiral?
Nowhere in Hilary’s world–as the enterprising yet grounded Texan talent continues to show us what she’s made of: tough Duff stuff!
Counter to the real-life Hilary Duff, her party-girl character in John Cusack‘s co-written/produced political satire War, Inc.–Central Asian pop star Yonica Babyyeah–is a fashion-flabbergasting, off-tune ‘songstress’ at the center of a planned PR blitz…and loving every minute in the spotlight.
Hilary Duff, however, does understand that the spotlight is a rotating phenom–not to get too caught up in…and especially not to let it prevent her from taking-on risky, unexpected, ironic work that may blur her image.
With Disney Channel in her rear-view mirror and an open road ahead, the glowing ingénue who’s already wise enough not to pass up indie gems–with co-stars like Marisa Tomei, Ben Kingsley and Joan Cusack–tells Hollywood.com she won’t let a little scorpion-down-her-pants action stop her in her tracks.
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Hollywood.com: With War, Inc., would you describe your role–really the whole film–as being unconventional? Risky?
Hilary Duff: My character [Yonica Babyyeah] is obviously very different from who I am in my every day life–and from any character that I’ve every played before. It was nice to get to challenge myself. It was so unexpected and a lot of people didn’t think I could do it [portray her]–or that I’d even want to do it.
Flashing a knowing smile, she shakes her head with quiet glee.
HD: The whole movie, the theme of it, is so crazy and out there that I don’t think anyone would [logically] think, “Oh, Hilary Duff is going to be in this film.” Most people wouldn’t think I would choose that [role], but it’s all I really wanted at the time.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: Are you a big fan of John Cusack’s earlier movies?
HD: I’ve seen all of them–he’s a really, really big talent. Obviously people know him from those movies. Just watching him on set is incredible. He is so natural and it’s so effortless for him. [PAGEBREAK]
HW: Elements of your sexed-up Yonica character sort of poke fun at other oversexualized pop stars, now dominating the media. How have you avoided coming across that way in your own life?
HD: Eventually everything is going to come out [in the press]. You can try and keep something secret for a long time–it’s not like I have this deep, dark side of me that nobody’s found out [about] yet; and I’ve just maneuvered my way into, like, having no one find out who I really am. I mean honestly I’m not, I guess, what you think a pop star would be [the trashy stereotype]–even though I sing pop music, that’s not who I am. I don’t think there’s a certain step-by-step guide to do it the way I did it. It’s just that everybody’s different. It was fun to play a character who is the complete opposite of who I am, and how people view me. You know?[PAGEBREAK]
HW: There are numerous international pop superstars who are virtually unknown in the U.S.–for researching your character, did you draw upon any of those musicians?
HD: I had about a week to prepare for this [role], and I was concerned more about the accent. When I got there, we went out a couple times because John [Cusack] wanted me to see how the clubs are there–how the people dance, the music people listen to … I forget what it’s [the music is] called?? But, it’s totally bizarre. There wasn’t a particular artist that I emulated, but seeing the fashions at the club [incredulous chuckle] … for some reason they’re all exotic looking and they can pull it off.
Hilary, still composed, leans forward as if to share a secret.
HD: They [the Bulgarians] did this really bizarre thing in the club: when a song came on that everybody loved–they would throw napkins up in the air!! [Miming gesture]. Like, people would come around with trays of napkins as if it was champagne! The whole place was filled with napkins–it was crazy!! [Wide-eyed and smiling] Everything that was bizarre in the movie really happens over there.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: When choosing to work on War, Inc., did you think this edgy role might change your image?
HD: I didn’t necessarily go in thinking, “This is the role that’s going to change my image!” The thought was more like, “I really want to work with John Cusack. I really want to do this movie.” When I read the script it impacted me largely. So, I think when I got there I was like, “Uh-oh. This could be good–or this could be bad.” I talked to him on the phone the same day I read the script and he was like, “We really want you to come down here and do this.” He just really convinced me. [PAGEBREAK]
HW: What’s the pressure like having so much media attention and being a role model to so many young fans?
HD: It’s a really big compliment. It’s kind of daunting when I think about it. All of the attention on you is bigger than it ever was. [Incredulously] And the way people look at celebrities? To some extent, I wouldn’t have any of this [opportunity] if it weren’t for all of that attention. It attracts so many fans–but, it’s hard to ignore a lot of the [bad] things that are said and [just] live your life the way you want to live your life. It is an exciting time and I get to work hard and do the things I love and travel around and have people look up to me–and hopefully do positive things for people and set a good example. There’s so much that tries to get in the way of that, that it’s hard to keep a sane head sometimes! [PAGEBREAK]
HW: Marisa Tomei is such a curious talented dynamo, what’s it like working on set with her?
HD: It was awesome because we were both dressed crazy–and not really in shooting gun attire or kicking ass attire, but we were both these powerful girls. In real life I feel like she’s an empowered female too. It’s cool to watch her on set and get to learn from her.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: Tell us–what was it like dropping the scorpion down your trousers?!
HD: [Laughs then pauses] It was scary! It was a real scorpion. I think it was one of those things that I was like, “I’ve already done this in the movie…I’ve already done that…I can’t back out now…I just have to go for it.”
HW: How challenging was the accent–speaking and singing with it?
HD: Singing with it was SO much fun. I can’t even tell you. [Beaming] It was SO fun to get to sing. We wanted it to be funny, because if you listen to these songs they’re very flat. If you listen to [real] songs on the radio you want them to sound perfect. But, she’s not really a huge talent so she sings really flat and off key.
HW: You’re so naturally melodic, is it hard to sing ‘off-key’?
HD: NO!! It was kind of fun. It can be quite easy actually…with the accent it’s really easy because I’m thinking about rolling my R’s, and doing the accent. Actually talking was quite challenging because I wanted it to be interesting.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: How are you able to juggle so many things: acting, music, starting your own fashion line?
HD: I’ve had a lot of help from people, including my family and the team that I’ve kept close around me…since I was younger. So, obviously I haven’t done this alone. It’s been a joint effort and those people have helped me balance my life. I think having all those people around me has helped keep me sane, and knowing I can’t do it all myself and thinking I have all the answers.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: As one-half of a talented sibling duo–collaborating ‘in the biz’ with your sister Haylie–what was your impression of working on set with the dynamic brother-sister duo, John and Joan?
HD: They’re both so hugely talented. I love that they work together all the time. Seeing them together is great. Your face might fall off… [I say so] because I laughed so hard!! It’s hard to be ‘quiet’ with Joan on set. You can just tell that they’re very close.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: With Lizzie McGuire, you blazed the trail for Hannah Montana, aka Miley Cyrus, and she’s obviously going through a hard time right now following her Vanity Fair spread. What would you say to her in regards to keeping a sane head as you put it?
HD: [Pensively] I don’t know? I don’t know, it’s hard. Who am I to say? I feel like everyone goes through and takes their own path and stuff. Those are decisions that she [Miley] made and now she says she’s sorry for them. It’s not an easy position to be in…people were pressuring her to do something–and if she wanted to do it, then that’s a different story. I don’t feel like I’m [meant] to comment on it. If [you’d say] it’s a weird thing to be in, it’s not what I’d choose to do; but if she did it, then that’s fine. I just don’t know how her fans would feel about it–but maybe that’s fine?[PAGEBREAK]
HW: We know you’re super busy, but what do you like to watch in your ‘free-time’?
HD: I am obsessed with Dexter! That’s, like, my life obsession right now. [Smiling] I am obsessed with the Food Network, but I don’t know how to cook…barely anything. I also love Hell’s Kitchen –to die for! … [Thoughtfully winces] I haven’t seen a lot of movies lately.[PAGEBREAK]
HW: With this satire, do you think people can see the funny side of war?
HD: [Pauses] I hope so? I know there have been so many families who have been devastated by what’s going on overseas–and the choices that our country has made. [Pauses again] Yeah, I hope so?? I don’t think we’re trying to send a ‘bad message’…we’re just trying to create awareness with it. It is funny, and it is bizarre, and it is a little disturbing. It’s all of those things. But really, at the end of the day it’s like, “Look what we’re doing [damage-wise, fighting in the Middle East]?! And, it’s not right.” I think that’s the message of the movie and people will get that, if they’re open to it?[PAGEBREAK]
HW: You fired a major gun in this film–what was that like?!
HD: It was totally weird and I felt so weird doing it. First of all, I’m in the worst white wedding dress I’ve ever seen–and I kind of look like a hooker? The shortest, tackiest, craziest dress–and [sproting] purple hair?! It was out of control, but John Cusack was just like, “Go for it! Go for it!” Shooting that gun was insane!! I’ve shot a gun before…I’m from Texas…c’mon! [Slyly chuckling] But, not a machine gun–and not like that.
HW: Do you think this film will influence your choice in roles going forward?
HD: I hope so. I didn’t do movies for a long time because nobody really wanted to take a chance on me. I think I got typecast…for two and half years I was singing and making records and touring–thank god I could do that! But, when this role came along I was SO excited. Since then there have been two independent movies that I’ve done … and they’re both darker comedies and more mature. They’re not going to be huge blockbuster movies, but it’s nice to do something different and play around.
