Title: Rachel Skarsten: Pretty Birdie
Publisher: Teen Hollywood
Publishing Release Date: August 26th, 2002
Byline: Unknown
Related Link: http://www.birdsofpreyonline.com/news.php?article=50

If you are a fan of the comic book series Birds of Prey you might already know about the new TV series premiering on the WB this Fall. I saw the pilot and was very impressed. Batgirl and Huntress, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman, team up with Dinah, a hot psychic visionary to fight crime in Gotham. That "visionary" is played by 17-year-old Canadian Rachel Skarsten. The tall blonde is an accomplished ballerina, cellist and…hockey goalie! Rachel was discovered by a talent agent who saw a tape of her singing at an event honoring her father. We caught up with her in Pasadena, California, at a WB event.

TeenHollywood: You played Bess in a production of "Little Men" on TV. How old were you?

Rachel: I was 14. I was the sort of bouffant one. This is really my first big acting thing. It’s exciting. I like to dress up and wear pretty clothes and, at the same time, I like to be physical. It’s just exploring different parts of myself I guess.

TeenHollywood: You lost your dad when you were nine. Were things tough after that? It’s been said that you didn’t have enough money for a portfolio.

Rachel: Well, when my dad first died, yeah. It’s not like we were living on the streets but we didn’t have enough money for something frivolous like a portfolio when I didn’t even want to do acting at that point really.

TeenHollywood: So if acting wasn’t it, what was the plan?

Rachel: My whole plan, and I’m hoping to still stay somewhere close to it, is to graduate from high school and go to university. I’d like to go into something to do with psychology, maybe get my Masters, become a teacher. I wanted to have the mini-van, the dog and the two kids. So, that was the plan but this [acting] is a surprise.

TeenHollywood: So are you in "normal" high school?

Rachel: Well, I’m cheating a little. I’m in an arts school but it’s not for actors. It’s just a normal arts school but I don’t do drama. I’m a visual artist and I minor in the cello. It’s my senior year next year and I’ll be commuting back and forth from L.A. to Canada to go to school. Let’s see how that jetlag works.

TeenHollywood: In the show are you the more cerebral of the "Birds" or will you be butt kicking too?

Rachel: Apparently, I’m supposed to be the Robin to Huntress’s Batman so I think I’m going to have some sidekick fun. But a lot of it will be exploring the inner parts of people which is exciting.

TeenHollywood: Did your sports background help with the physical part of the show?

Rachel: You bet it does. Being goalie, I don’t have to do a lot of the butt kicking because my team looks after me so well, but it’s going to be fun. It’s a girls team but I train with boys so I’m not just girlie at it. Actually, you’d be surprised how hard it gets out there.

TeenHollywood: You play the piano and cello and then…hockey. Are you a tomboy?

Rachel: I was very into ballet and when my mom first heard I was going to be into hockey she thought I was going to turn into this like man-child or something but It’s funny. When I go into a hockey paraphernalia store I’m always saying, "oh, I love the pads, they’d match my uniform" so no, I’m still very much a girlie girl.

TeenHollywood: Who do you play for?

Rachel: The Leaside Wildcats and last year we were the Toronto City Champions so it was very exciting. It’s an all girls league throughout Canada. It’s very much like boys hockey. There are different sections for the provinces and then there are provincials and nationals.

TeenHollywood: Are you able to play hockey down here?

Rachel: I heard a celebrity hockey team was looking for a goalie so I’m hoping I can get in there a little.

TeenHollywood: Aren’t you worried about getting injured?

Rachel: My mum bought me a painted mask for my birthday. I’m so protected. I look like I weigh 300 pounds when I have my equipment on. I could fall out of a building and still survive.

TeenHollywood: You must have been excited about the Canadian Olympic hockey victory.

Rachel: Are you kidding? They wanted me to fly down to do the Birds of Prey pilot on Sunday which was the day the Gold Metal game was, and as much as I love the women, I’m partial to the guys, sorry girls. I was, "you’ve got to be kidding me! You are so American that you’re asking me to do this. Come on here." My brother and I barricaded ourselves in the living room with pots and pans and every time we scored we’d run outside beating the pans, "they scored!" We’d go crazy. And I wore my Canada touque and sweater even though it was sooo hot.

TeenHollywood: By ballet standards you are very tall.

Rachel: I’m 5’10" and in ballet that was never a good thing but in hockey, it’s a great thing. I love being big in hockey.

TeenHollywood: What is your natural high in life?

Rachel: Just being with my family. I know that sounds corny but there’s nothing that I like better than hanging out by the pool playing water football with my little brother and my two dogs.

TeenHollywood: How old is your bro?

Rachel: My brother John is eleven going on twenty. He’s 5’6" already so I’m just able to beat him in water football. I think those days are soon coming to an end. He’s very into sports and wants nothing to do with acting except for the free stuff.

TeenHollywood: You sound like you have a close-knit family.

Rachel: My mum, Mary, is my hero. She was so strong after my dad died and I really credit me being together to her. She was a high school English and drama teacher but that’s not really the reason I got into acting. Now she’s a stay at home mum and does some work for the government. My dad was a psychologist. He died of colon cancer. It was really quick. After they found it, he lived two months. My dad was into family and marital counseling. I’d like to explore the different possibilities of our mind. I think it’s so untapped and that really fascinates me, things like criminal’s minds which is weird since I’m on this show.

TeenHollywood: What kinds of guys do you like to go out with?

Rachel: I like shy guys which is sort of funny. I don’t believe in having a boyfriend right now. I have a lot of guy friends and most of them I met through hockey and people say, "you must have so many guys being in hockey" but actually, guys are sort of intimidated by that. "She plays hockey." Ok. I definitely go for the shy, tall guys because otherwise I can’t wear my high heels.

TeenHollywood: Could you kick a guy’s butt if you had to?

Rachel: You bet. I don’t take any flack.

TeenHollywood: What about the training, working out for this role?

Rachel: Hockey is wonderful for keeping in shape and for other body image reasons. I think keeping in shape for the show, you do jogging and Ashley [Scott who plays Huntress] is doing Tae Kwon Do. I’m going to take it as it comes. Right now my character isn’t so much the butt kicker. You walk into a room and all the clothes are size 2. I’m like "I’m sorry, I’ve got muscular thighs, you’re just going to have to deal with that." They’re not ready for me, guys.

But we are, Rachel!