Nicknames: Depending on who's calling: 81, Ady, adge, dren, nana, etc...
Birthday: September 1st, 1977
Hometown: originally Memphis, Missouri. I would now consider my hometown Springfield, Missouri.
Currently living: Hollywood, California
Marital Status / Significant Others / Pets: Single, and unfortunately no pets at the moment.
Height: 5' 5"
Eye color: blue
Hair color: naturally brown. For different roles, I've been blonde, a red head and raven haired.
Shoe size: 6 1/2
Family / siblings: I have a wonderful family - and it's pretty big - a blessing for me. In my immediate family I have two younger sisters (Tracey 20 and Aimee 12) and a younger brother (Daniel 11). Both of my parents are re-married, and most of my family lives in Missouri - with another cluster in Arizona. I'm lucky - I get to go home at least once a year, and we have a family event (reunion, wedding, etc...) at least once a year as well.
Future plans : Like everyone else I have no idea what the future has in store for me, but I have very big asperations. There are tons of parts that I am very eager to play. Aside from the roles that I would like to attempt, I would love to direct and I think I would enjoy writing, too. So within the course of my career maybe I will get to try all of them.
Favorite books: I read constantly. I read about one novel a week. If I have time, I read more. So- I read just almost anything recommended to me. Mystery, suspense, classics, love stuff, finance stuff, biographies, historical novels - you name- I'll try it. I have a new favorite book about every couple of months - it just depends on what type of style I am into at the moment. I love to read series of books. I just finished a great series by Andrew M. Greeley. I love all the series from Anne Rice. Last year I read all of the Patricia Cornwell novels and started the Robert Ludlum and Harrold Robbins series, and in between I like to read individual books, and I enjoy retruning to the classics as well. Pope Joan is a historical novel based on actual events that I read a couple of years ago - that I think fans of Xena would enjoy -it was written by Donn Woolfolk Cross.
Favorite music: What music don't I enjoy? I was brought up in a very diverse musical environment, and that gave me a lot of influences. Show tunes and movie musicals were a big part of my life growing up. I love classical music. I grew up where country music was very prevalent, so much of it is close to my heart and reminds me of home. I jam to pop, rock, r & b, blues, big band, swing music, alternative and house music. It just depends on the mood I'm in. I have a very random cd collection - something for nearly any occasion.
Favorite movies: I have so many. Umm, they would include, but certainly aren't limited to: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Amadeus, Singing in the Rain, Braveheart, Pulp Fiction, The Wizard of Oz, Bringing up Baby, Sunset Boulevard, My Fair Lady, Silence of the Lambs, Rebel without a Cause, and All about Eve...that's only a start. There are many more that I love.
Favorite actors, actresses & inspirations: Amongst others, I adore John Malchovich, Jeremy Irons, Sean Penn, Audrey Hepburn, Natalie Portman, Angelina Jolie. There are so many incredibly talented actors/actresses that I enjoy watching and learning frorm. Those were just a few off the top of my head.
Favorite colors: I love vibrant colors- deep purples, blues and greens- things that give me energy- colors that are full of life.
Favorite animals: My mom loves animals. As I grew up we had pets ranging from cats and dogs, to foxes and a raccoon. I am traveling too much right now to be able to have any pets which is very disappointing, but perhaps soon I can. I would love a big dog- an akita or a doberman perhaps- something that is majestic and strong, but just a teddy-bear at heart, and very, very loyal.
Hobbies: Everyone knows I love dancing- aside from that I love reading, hiking, exploring, etc... I get bored with the same environment all the time, so I am constantly redecorating and adding spice to my home.
Last vaction: Even though I was working and had little time to explore. I consider New Zealand to be the best and most recent vacation I've had. It is certainly the farthest I've traveled. Most of the vacation time I am able to take leads me right back home to visit family. I usually go a couple of times a year. I'm hoping to go t Puerto Vallarta this summer for a weekend, but that isn't official yet.
Favorite charities: One of the wonderful things about doing Xena is that now I am in a position to be able to do publicity for and have associations with charities. I have had relationships with a few different local charities and organizations that I have worked with in the past, and I am now in the process of setting up some specific charities that I intend to work very heavily with and perhaps I will be able to be a spokesperson. All of the information, once it is finalized will be available on the fan sight.
Did you do high school theater? Yes, I did theater while I was in high school- but no, it was not my high school's theater. There were a couple of local players groups that I was able to work with- especially a theater in Branson that I worked 5-6 nights a week for most of my senior year.
How did you get started? Acting as profession started when I was 16. There were a couple of films being made in the town where I lived (Branson) and I happened to meet the casting professionals that were there from Los Angeles. It was truly one of those small events that has a huge impact on your life. I had originally gone to this studio to have my senior portraits made, and while I was there I was introduced to and able to talk with the casting director. I then took a workshop on "woking in the business." As much as I loved acting, it wasn't until this point that I had ever considered moving to LA to persue it as a career. I had scholarships to college and I was planning to major in international business, and once I really sat down and tried to figure out what would make me happiest - the choice was easy. It was much harder to convince the rest of my family of my decision. I'm sure they thought I was temporarily insane - but regardless of what they thought- I was supported all the way. It was about 2 days after I graduated from high school that I ventured across the country to LA.
How many more episodes of Xena are you filming? I did the final three episodes of season 5, and I am returning for the first three episodes of season 6. After that it is up to the writers and producers- I truly have no idea what they might have hidden up their sleeves- all I know is that Eve is sure to be full of unexpected surprises.
How would you feel about doing a Xena spin-off of Eve and her adventures? Having no idea what the writers have planned I don't want to get too excited about that possibility. Of course I would love that opportunity. Xena seems like it would be nearly impossible to live up to, but I would love to be the one to try. It would definitely be amazing, but I won't worry about that until the fans have had the chance to be introduced to Eve and they express their feedback. Who knows what could happen? Between that possibility and the wonderful things happening to the music group, this coming year will be quite beyond my wildest expectations.
