At the same time, however, photo shoots can be hard work. You’re frequently striking poses and positions that are incredibly uncomfortable and awkward. (“Straighten your arm, okay, balance on your right elbow, now suck in that tummy, arch your neck…now look relaxed!!!”) I once did a photo shoot in the Pacific Ocean, wearing a mermaid costume; it might have been L.A., but the water temperature was in the mid-50s, and I was so cold and miserable that I’d whimper in between each click of the camera.
On Days, we can choose the clothes we wear, but both the wardrobe department and the actors do have to pay very close attention, and here’s why. When there’s an ongoing story line, I may have to wear the same dress every day for three weeks if that’s what the script and the scenes call for; if the story lines are being shot out of order, it can get pretty complicated. There’s also the small matter of trying to match the same hairstyle from one day’s shooting to the next to maintain story continuity. God bless our makeup staff and hair stylists, who always seem to pull off the impossible.
As if you couldn’t guess, I dress very differently than Sami in real life (it’s another instance in which Sami and I are very different). When I’m trying on clothes for Sami—to see which ones I’m comfortable wearing and that fit well—I’m judging them as Sami, not as Ali. Clearly, Sami has her own style of dress that’s much more revealing and sexier than my own. I’m much more often found in jeans or sweat pants, and Abercrombie & Fitch is one of my favorite clothing stores. But Sami’s much more into fashion than I am.
At the same time, whether or not you’re an actor, all of us want to look our best. Fashion fads come and go at supersonic speeds, and sometimes it seems that you can walk out of a mall with a shopping bag filled with new clothes, but by the time you get a chance to wear them, they could be painfully out of style. When I look back at the wardrobe I wore when I started on Days, I want to flinch and even laugh out loud. I wore a lot of preppy clothes—khaki pants, polo shirts, penny loafers. You get the picture. Even though the early 1990s weren’t that long ago, now the fashions that were so popular then look like they belong in the Smithsonian Institution. Internet message boards are filled with critiques of every outfit that an actress wears, and most of them aren’t particularly flattering.
What Are You Wearing?
As I’ve mentioned, in the stampede to be stylish, so many of today’s teenage girls and young women are hooked on eye-catching, seductive, and sexually driven designer clothes. The fashion industry and the pop celebrities of the moment are selling themselves with provocative clothing that certainly gets them noticed—and for better or worse, they are often the trendsetters for girls who may be too young to dress in these same titillating styles. In this grow-up-fast culture, the fashion industry is marketing sex appeal, and many girls (some as young as ten years old and occasionally even younger) act like their world would end if they couldn’t wear a Britney Spears look-alike outfit. But sometimes I ask myself, “What happened to their childhood?” I was wearing OshKosh B’Gosh clothing at age nine, and I certainly wasn’t concerned about being trendy or sexy. But today, I swear that Lolita has nothing on some of these kids!
I tell adolescent girls and young women that it’s silly to get sucked into a trend, particularly if it makes you cringe a little when you look in the mirror. We all have different body types, and what looks great on Christina Aguilera may be a bit embarrassing on most of us. Don’t let Christina or Britney be the sole influence on how you should look in order to fit in. There are ways to be trendy without degrading yourself, and you don’t have to reveal as much skin as some of today’s superstars do.
Kids often don’t realize that they’re already beautiful and don’t need to go overboard. As for the moms of these young girls, they sometimes tell me, “There’s nothing I can do about it—she just wants to wear those Britney-type outfits!” Maybe a preteenager does want to dress that way, but moms can wield more influence than they think, especially since they’re probably footing the bill for those overly revealing clothes!
From time to time, some girls actually write to complain that they just don’t feel comfortable in the fashions of the day. I remind them that when it comes to fashion trends, the pendulum will swing the other way before long. Back when Madonna was the rage, my friends and I wore bangs (sprayed and teased to the max), rubber bracelets up to our elbows, and so much blue mascara that we actually looked a little scary. Now, I make sure that the old photos of me in that attire are buried deeply in my closet where no one can locate them. Not even me!
If you’re a teenage girl, find a style that makes you look good and feel confident. Forget about what the current generation of Madonnas or other MTV icons are wearing at the moment, and choose clothes that are appropriate for your body type. It’s so easy to get swept up by peer pressure and the clothing craze of the hour, but stick to the fashions that make you feel comfortable. Find clothes that show you off—not the clothes! You might even ask your mom to help choose your clothing, providing another set of eyes for what looks best on you. (How’s that for sounding square!)
Let me make one other “fashion statement”: I know there are certain kinds of clothes from head to toe that I look good in, and there are others that don’t belong on or anywhere near my body! That even goes for shoes. Because I’m not particularly tall, I’m an ideal candidate to wear high heels. But I hate them! Sometimes I wish they didn’t exist! Yes, I wear them when I have to, but that’s not very often—I’m just not going to ruin my feet and my back just to fit the image of what someone else considers to be stylish.
My alternative: As I write these words, I’m wearing a particular pair of sneakers that have been my shoes-of-choice for months. Sneakers all winter, flip-flops all summer—that’s my official dress code. You almost have to force me to try something different. But I’ve learned through hard-earned self-acceptance that even with those well-worn and tattered sneakers, I can still look pretty good, feel comfortable with myself, and spare my feet the unnecessary agony.
When push comes to shove, I’d choose to dress casually seven days a week if I could. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of gal, and if you spot me in a restaurant or at a mall, that’s probably what I’ll be wearing!
Chapter 16
Show business has been my life seemingly forever. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s so fulfilling. It’s so much fun. I truly believe that acting is what I was meant to do, and I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to be part of the Days of Our Lives cast for so many years.
I remember telling a reporter not long ago that I find myself in something of a funny position. In some ways, I feel like a veteran on the show, and just in terms of the length of time I’ve been on Days, I am one of the “old guard.” On the other hand, I’m still only 26 years old (as these words are written). At times, as younger and younger cast members have been added, I’ve thought, “I’m not the teenager, I’m not the new kid on the block anymore.” It’s been almost like going through a midlife crisis at the age of 26! Yet as each actor joins the show, I’ve often been able to help them learn the ropes when necessary, just the way Deidre Hall and some of the others did when I started playing Sami. As I’ve already acknowledged, Deidre taught me so much, sometimes just by letting me watch her be the true professional she always is, but also by generously giving me instruction when I needed it about some of the basics—camera angles, lighting, hitting your marks, and saying your lines with confidence. I guess at some point, these younger actors will be there to help the next generation of Days stars.
Is Show Business in Your Future?
You’ve heard it before: When selecting a career, you couldn’t choose one any tougher than show business. Yet as I mentioned in Chapter 3, parents often ask me whether this is a business that makes sense for their children, and young men and women ask whether they should chase their dreams of an acting career.
I know that I’ve been more fortunate than most actors—and I’m so grateful for
the success that I’ve had. So many of my peers have had their dreams shattered and their spirits crushed by an industry that often seems to treat its talent like yesterday’s newspaper. It’s not fair, but that’s the way it works. Of course, many people are drawn to Hollywood, attracted by the glamour, the celebrity, and the major paychecks they read about. But no matter how successful an actor has been, he or she is always aware that there are a hundred fresh new faces waiting in the wings, eagerly hoping to take the place of those already there. It can be a ruthless business, and even when careers get off the ground, they are often extinguished long before the actor is ready for it to end.
Jack Lemmon once described his career as “a one-in-a-million shot that worked.” Sometimes, the odds seem as imposing as Lemmon suggested. Even so, there are a great many exciting and rewarding aspects to this life. I can’t imagine being happier doing anything else. Even if I were still struggling to get my first acting jobs, I don’t think I’d have any regrets. Actors have to act. I knew as a child that I wanted to tell stories on the stage or in front of the cameras. So I followed that passion, as so many others do—even when the jobs seem scarce and even when our spirits and morale are challenged.
Are you thinking of giving acting a shot? If you believe in yourself and believe in your talent, and if you feel you have what it takes to make it in this business, I encourage you to go for it. Whether you’re seeking your first acting job or already have a growing list of credits, work at developing your craft at every opportunity. That’s what I do. Even though I’ve been a working actress most of my life, there’s still so much I want to learn. There are so many good acting teachers and college drama programs that there’s no excuse for actors to be untrained. There’s no justification for coming to the set or the stage unprepared. There is no reason to do your scenes on the fly, particularly if you want to have longevity in this career. Remember, this is a business, and you need to be ready when opportunities present themselves.
Sharpening Your Skills
Even though I’m able to refine my acting talents five days a week on Days of Our Lives, I still take acting lessons whenever I can squeeze them into my schedule. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid, when my brothers (Sten and Ryan) and I took just about every type of class or private lesson imaginable at one time or another. In my case, there were acting and commercial classes, not to mention piano, voice, ballet, tap, jazz, tennis, gymnastics, and trampoline lessons. I studied the violin for eight years and practiced hours every day. (That’s a serious commitment!) I still have so much appreciation for classical music—I remember doing homework to Mozart during much of my childhood—although I did eventually give up music lessons when there weren’t enough hours in the day to do it justice.
I’m a firm believer that acting classes are not only a chance to practice and nurture your craft, but it’s also valuable to have a skilled acting teacher or coach observing and guiding you. When you’re like me—acting consistently, day after day—it would be very easy to get into bad habits. Nothing can take the place of someone with expertise watching what you do, offering constructive criticism, and guiding you on improving your performance. For me, one of the most exciting parts of acting is learning something new, developing my art, and gaining insights into the character I’m playing. And a good acting coach—one with an excellent track record—can analyze my performance, tell me what he or she sees, and help me take my acting to the next level so I’m not just “phoning it in,” day after day.
I’ve always heard that “acting is reacting,” and with that in mind, you need to develop the skill to really listen to what the other characters on the stage are saying, even though you’re familiar with the script from top to bottom. Yes, you know their next line and you certainly know yours—but once the cameras are rolling, you have to make it look as though you’ve never heard it before. With the help of an acting coach, I’ve become much better at staying in the moment with my character, keeping her fresh, and avoiding the trap of unconsciously becoming lazy and overrelying on what I’ve done in the past. There’s nothing worse than an actor who resorts to shortcuts or puts the performance on autopilot. If you’re not careful, your character can become stale, and audiences sure notice.
My favorite classes are improvisational classes. Improv is such a fun technique—think Whose Line Is It Anyway? and you have an idea of how we spend a three-hour class. Whether you want to write, direct, or just become more comfortable speaking in public, improv is a great way to refine your skills and talents. I was even a member of the Los Angeles Theatresports Troupe for a few years, and I still keep in touch with them, still hoping to be able to perform from time to time. If you ever want to be highly entertained some night, go see an improv group—there are tons of sites that can guide you to local theaters. Enjoy!
To stay razor-sharp, I’ve enrolled in other classes—for example, one-on-one acting classes, group classes, and auditioning classes. I even still take dance classes now and then. OK, without a doubt, I know I’m never going to dance professionally, but I feel I can improve and get better at just about anything if I set my mind to it—and there are actually some acting benefits from my pursuit of dance. Let me tell you, I’ve made progress in every dance class, and as that has happened, I now have more control over my body and I’m more aware than ever of my posture, where my hands are, where I carry tension, and how my body movements project on camera. That has translated into improvement in my overall acting. There’s always something to learn, and I’m always up for a challenge.
If you’re an actor—whether you’re just starting out or are already enjoying success—search for the learning environment that’s best for you. It might be private coaching, or it could involve joining a group class. Whatever you choose, it can be an invaluable learning experience, and one that makes you a better actor. Do what it takes to move ahead—and stay optimistic.
If you don’t already have an agent, you’ll need one, so ask your actor friends for recommendations. A personal referral will help protect you from the Hollywood sharks—you know, the ones whose scams seem to be featured regularly on 20/20. Be careful—con artists exist by the hundreds, preying on young people who are naïve about the business and don’t really know what to expect and who to trust. About the only thing these pseudoagents are good at is taking your money and making it all sound reasonable. Be careful!
Once you start going on auditions, remember that your mission is to sell yourself. So be positive. Be enthusiastic. Become the actor they want to hire.
At the same time, acknowledge that some disappointments are almost inevitable. You might get rejected a dozen (or maybe a hundred) times for every acting job you get. Be prepared. Develop some thick skin. Become as resilient as possible if you’re going to be in this business to stay.
If the Disappointments Mount…
I sometimes advise young actors that it’s a good idea to have a fallback position. Listen, you should pursue your acting career with all the enthusiasm and positive energy you can muster, but sad to say, the bolt of lightning spelled F-A-M-E and S-U-C-C-E-S-S doesn’t strike everyone. I encourage young people who want to be actors to go to college so they’ll have the option to pursue another career if the acting life proves elusive. College is not only a great place to take acting classes, but it presents wonderful opportunities to meet other students and professors you can network with for the rest of your life. There’s plenty to learn in college, and a lot of connections you can make during your four years on campus.
As I described in Chapter 4, I had planned to attend college and visited a number of campuses while I was in high school, trying to decide which university would be the best fit. But the opportunity to continue working on Days of Our Lives was just too good to pass up, and I decided to put my college dreams on hold. It was a very difficult decision—one of the hardest of my life—particularly because my family (especially my father) is so strongly committed to the value of an education. My dad was also co
ncerned about how I would support myself if my acting career hit a tripwire or two. He felt that an education is something you can always fall back on (not to mention recognizing the importance of acquiring knowledge and challenging yourself each and every day). I love studying and reading about many topics, so someday I know I’ll find the time to put in my four years at a university! Stay tuned…
My dad was certainly right about one thing—actually, he’s been right about most things! (Thanks, Papa! ) He knew that the majority of actors don’t have those Jack Lemmon-like careers that span a lifetime. When you think about it, so many actors have been on hit TV shows, but once the show has run its course, they’re never heard from again. Success in one TV series or one motion picture doesn’t guarantee that another acting job is right around the corner. Actresses in particular seem to be swimming upstream in a profession where youth is a huge asset. As I wrote in Chapter 10, there is a window of opportunity for most actresses, and if you don’t catch the wave in your “prime” (before the Attack of the Gray Hair and Wrinkles!), your time as an actress might just pass you by. It’s almost like being a competitive swimmer—age can be an enemy, and if you haven’t won your share of ribbons by your midteens, the people who count may no longer take you seriously. (So unfair!)
A Little Diversification!
As I’ve suggested, I’m always up for a challenge! Sure, acting is my first love, but I also enjoy a little variety and have never been one to back away from a show-business dare. If someone tells me I can’t do something—well, those are fightin’ words! In fact, I’ve tried some things on television that I once couldn’t have imagined myself doing. Here’s an example or two: How about eating worms on national TV? Or balancing on a narrow ledge on the 36th floor of a Los Angeles office building?
All The Days Of My Life (so Far) Page 20