1. How did you get into acting?
I was very young when I decided I wanted to start acting. Really, it was because of novellas (Spanish soap operas). I’ve watched novellas since I was a little girl and I’m still obsessed with them to this day. I remember watching them when I was little and telling my mom “I want to do that.” I would always mimic what they were doing on the shows.
2. Of all the characters you’ve played so far; is there a particular character you can relate to or have enjoyed playing the most?
I had a lot of fun with my character in “Bring It On- All or Nothing” because I got to be a totally different person than how I really am. The character I am playing in “Cutting Edge 3” is fun – because she is just like me – it is like they wrote the part loosely based on my life!
3. You’re currently shooting Cutting Edge III in Canada. Can you tell us a little bit about the film?
“Cutting Edge 3” is very similar to the first one, which is a classic, although now the roles are reversed. Zach [the male lead] is a figure skater looking for a new partner. That is where I come in. I play Alex Delgado, a hockey player who really dislikes Zach. We end up partnering up-- and that’s all I am going to tell you because you have to see the film!
4. Have you been involved in competitive ice skating yourself?
Yes, actually, I have. I started young and I quit when I was eleven because I was involved in so many other time-consuming activities like traveling and school. I did win first place trophies though, well- and one fourth place trophy. I won’t lie; I was devastated at the time.
5. What would be your dream role?
My dream role would be the lead in an action film; I want to fight the bad guys! I can see myself as the next Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, or a superhero. I wish I could have done Catwoman, but unfortunately, Halle Berry beat me to it!
6. Along with a variety of different dancing abilities, you also box and practice karate. Have you had the opportunity to use any of these skills with your acting?
Not yet… I would love to do a film where I can use my martial arts training. Again, I’d love an action flick.
7. I hear you also dance with poi balls. I recently learned a few dances myself. How did you get into it?
I started dancing when I was around three years old, and I went to a studio that taught all kinds of dance styles, Polynesian was one of them. I miss taking Polynesian classes! That’s where I learned to dance with poi balls – I also learned tap, ballet, lyrical, and hip-hop there.
8. What has been your best career related experience so far?
Honestly, my whole experience being here in Canada and shooting “Cutting Edge 3” has been amazing. I can’t believe how much fun I am having, and I can’t believe this is what I do for work! I am blessed.
9. Do you have a favorite co-star?
I have really loved everyone I have worked with so far, so I can’t pick just one.
10. If you weren’t pursuing a career in acting, what other careers could you see yourself in?
It is so hard to imagine doing anything else except for acting, but if I had to choose I would go back to school and take psychology classes, and study to be a child psychologist.
11. Portrait Magazine is an online magazine. What are some of your favorite websites?
Well I don’t really go online as often as I should– but I do like reading what the AOL news of the day is, and I do the whole MySpace thing and talk to my friends. And, of course Portrait Magazine is on my top list!
12. What are the best and worst things about working in the entertainment industry in your opinion?
The best thing is that I am not stuck in one job, I get to move around, take on different challenges, meet new people everyday, and play tons of different characters. It is nice when you love going to work. Another thing that makes it great is my fans – when they come up to me and tell me that I have made a difference in their life, or that I am their role model. It makes everything I do worthwhile. The worst thing about the business is that your personal life is involved with your career. People criticize everything you do; I am just now starting to feel the affects of that. It is like high school all over again! You just have to learn to ignore it.
13. What are your hopes, both professionally and personally, for the rest of 2007 and 2008?
Francia Raisa
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Professionally, I hope that I am able to pursue all the wonderful opportunities that are being presented to me – and that I can reach all my goals. I just want to be successful in my career. Personally, I want to buy a house, be able to help support my family, and live happily with my boyfriend.
14. Describe yourself in three words.
Silly, Energetic, Sensitive
15. Your father is one of the top DJ’s on Los Angeles radio. Did you ever consider a career in radio?
I actually worked with my dad a little bit in radio when I was younger. I went to work with him every Saturday and I hated it. It is not for me. Seven hours of improvisation on the radio is tough! Plus he works so early in the morning, I don’t know how people in radio do it – but I definitely admire them!
16. If you could do anything for one day, what would it be?
This is a hard one! There are so many things I would want to do. When “Cutting Edge 3” is released, I want to have a carne asada at my parent’s house and have my whole family, friends, and boyfriend there to watch it with me. Just hanging out with all of them for one day and watching the film would be amazing.
17. What would be your most memorable moment on set so far?
All of them are bloopers. In the competition scene I have an accident, and my partner comes to help me up. He slides over to me, and he couldn’t stop so he completely ran me over. So not only was I lying cold on the ice, but I was getting hurt! That is one of the challenges making a movie on ice. It is a lot of fun, but very physical, and lots of bloopers.
18. What are your passions and concerns for the world?
I am very concerned and passionate about kids and teenagers growing up in our society. They see things in the media, and they learn from it. There are a lot of bad things that are very accessible to them, drugs, alcohol, partying, and sex, just to name a few. They need to be more educated and have self-respect. I want to be a positive role model for the young adults in the United States, and hopefully throughout the world. I want to do whatever I can to help – kids need more positive role models these days. I am not even going to give you examples of the bad ones – I am sure you read the papers!
19. Do you have a MySpace or an official website?
I do have a MySpace – I just got it and I am still trying to figure it out! You can see it at www.myspace.com/theofficialfranciaraisa - everyone check it out and add me as a friend, I would love to hear from you all.
