Title: Girl Interrupted: Rachel Skarsten Talks to Teen People
Publisher: Teen People
Publishing Release Date: February 1st, 2003 (March 2003 issue)
Byline: Rachel Skarsten as told to Lisa Chudnofsky
Related Link: http://www.birdsofpreyonline.com/news.php?article=412
See the scans taken from Teen People by clicking here and here. A special thanks goes out to Apollo!

Birds of Prey star Rachel Skarsten longs for the regular teen life she left behind in Toronto.

Sometimes it seems like there are no teenagers in L.A. Mostly I meet older actors or other people in the entertainment business, and they’re great, but I’m used to hanging out with normal 17-year-olds. Don’t get me wrong - starring as a psychic runaway in Birds of Prey is a pretty fun job. I just wish I could have seen a little more into my future before I took this giant leap of faith and moved to Hollywood to be on the show.

Up until August 2002, I was living in Toronto, I was living in Toronto with my mom and 12-year-old brother, Jon. I went to high school and played ice hockey. From time to time, I would audition for parts in commercials, but acting was really just a hobby. In fact I probably would have never even gotten into it if my dad hadn't died of colon cancer when I was nine years old. You know that Gwyneth Paltrow movie Sliding Doors, where she misses the subway and her life takes a totally different direction? I often wonder what my life would have been like if my dad hadn't died. Where would I be now?

My father was a psychologist who did consulting for a Christian organization called Crossroads. The group has its own TV show, 100 Huntley Street, and when my dad passed away the producers asked me to sing during a special show honoring him. Later I got a call from a talent agent who had seen me and was convinced I had star potential. I was busy with ballet at the time and hesitant to go to an acting audition, but the agent said if I went just one time, she’d never bother me again. The next thing I knew, I was the girl in the Honeycomb cereal commercial.

I liked my life in Toronto. By the age of 12, I was an honor-roll student, my hockey teammates and I were like sisters and I had an active dating life. So when the producers of Birds of Prey contacted me and said that wanted to fly me out to Los Angeles to audition for the role of Dinah, I told them “No.” I never dreamed I’d get a response after sending the casting director a makeshift video of me; and then an executive producer of the show, Brian Robbins, urged me to give it a chance. My brother finally convinced me. “It’s a free trip!” he said.

When I got the audition, I still didn’t know if I wanted to be there. But there were all these other girls trying out for the same part, and I’m very competitive, so I figured I’d give it my all. I could always pass on the role later. But the thing is, I can’t say I ever felt like I had a conscious moment to reject or accept the offer. Right after the audition, the producers congratulated me on landing the role. “Welcome to the WB!” they said. It was so overwhelming, but I didn’t feel bad, that’s for sure.

Leaving Toronto to come to Hollywood was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. My mom and brother were here for the first week to help me find an apartment and get settled. Then they left, and that was a low, low day. I didn’t know anyone, didn’t have a car and didn’t have much to fill up my apartment. I’m a big people person, but here I was now, surrounded by silence. So I started reading more and doing things just for me, like taking hot baths. I also joined a church, and I attended services every Sunday. I know it sounds corny, but you need to reach out when you’re vulnerable. Religion has always played a big role in my life.

I go home to Toronto whenever I have a break from work. In Toronto my acting is a nonissue. But then there are those times when my friends will open up a magazine, and there I am on one of the pages. Or just recently, I was talking on the phone to Milo Ventimiglia (Jess on Gilmore Girls), and my friend, who has a huge crush on him, freaked out and snatched the phone right out of my hand! It’s like I’m living in two separate worlds, and feel like I have to maintain both, but I don’t want to merge them because I worry I’ll lose parts of each.

I may get lonely, but there are also a lot of good times. Otherwise, I don't think I’d still be here. My Birds of Prey costars, Dina [Meyer] and Ashley [Scott] are really supportive. It is easy, however, to get caught up in the glamour of Hollywood. When I’m at a party with other celebrities and press, it’s as if I have to act there too. You have to put on a smile and this whole different persona. No one tells you about this side of fame. But that’s why I have my friends and family. When I call them and say that I think I need to lose 10 pounds because everyone here is either a size 2 or a 0, they’re the ones who tell me I’m crazy. And they’re right.

I learned recently that the WB will not be picking up Birds of Prey for another season. I know it’s difficult for the cast and crew because we worked hard on the show - but for me, it’s a relief. I’ve already started packing up my apartment, and I’ll be heading back to Toronto. That doesn’t mean I want to give up acting. I’ve begun to get more offers, which was an exciting first for my career, but I’ll probably never do another TV series. It’s just so much work - you have no time for your friends, or a life for that matter. For now I’m just happy to get betting back to the life I left behind, picking up where I left off and getting a chance to be the real me again.


Quotes:

“My phone bills are horrendous!” says Rachel. “But staying in touch is key.” Costars Ashley Scott and Dina Meyer “helped me through the homesickness,” she says.


Ask Rachel:


“Do you find your faith challenged in Hollywood?”
--Tracie Chan, 18, Columbus Ohio

“All the time. In my faith [Baptist], there’s a certain amount of respect you have for your body, conduct and morals. But because the body is a business in Hollywood, you see a lot more people abusing their bodies. I almost fell prey to it by thinking I needed to lose weight, but luckily I kept my head screwed on straight.”


“Do have anything you keep to remember your father by?”
--Vanessa Esparza, 18, Edinburg, Texas

“I have this picture that I take everywhere. We’re both wearing red, and we’re in our backyard. It was taken when I was really little.”


“When you want to escape loneliness what music do you listen to?”
--Gidget Hersh, 13, Bronxville, N.Y.

“Destiny’s Child’s 'Survivor.' It’s my anthem. I also love Coldplay when I want to get a good cry out.”