Tell Me Your Story

You knew her as the thirteen year old who drank, smoked and fucked – but now meet the twenty year old who’s about to hit mega fame as blood sucking and bitchy vampire in current phenomenon Twilight.

by Jen McNeely

While you were playing spin the bottle in the basement, worrying how to untangle braces from pimply face loser, Nikki Reed had already written a screenplay and starred in award winning indie film ‘Thirteen’.

Seven years later, this intelligent and sexy starlet has left her rebellious teen years behind her and now hits the screen as a vampire for the most anticipated film series since Harry Potter or Lord of The Rings. With advance box office sales reaching record numbers and hundreds of fan sites teeming with excitement, it’s possible that her debut as Rosalie Cullen in Twilight, will be the climax of her career. Daunting for a young woman? We caught up with Reed in the penthouse of the Soho hotel and she dished what it’s like being a blood sucking teenage icon.

When initially reading the screenplay, Reed had no knowledge of the book; which has incidentally sold over seventeen million copies worldwide, not to mention held the No. 1 spot on New York Times bestseller list for ninety one weeks.

“I read all of the books and read the script and people were like, ‘this is very exciting, the books are very popular’ but it wasn’t this big frenzy that it is now. I think that since the film was announced, the hype has been amplified. When Kristen (Kristen Stewart who plays starring role Bella Swan) and I were flying here from New York – literally everybody in our seating section were reading ‘Breaking Dawn’ and ‘New Moon, Eclipse.’ I was going ‘OMG, you got to be killing me!” It happened over the course of shooting …when we all started hearing crazy things like people are flying across the country to go to screening. I mean – that just doesn’t happen, I mean, I know I’m young but this is the first film I’ve seen in my generation with this young teenage girl craziness.

With everyone drooling over Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) the pale faced wolf-like seventeen year old vampire, I ask Reed:

“Do you find vampires sexy?”

“My idea of an aesthetically pleasing man is not the really pale, sick type.”

“So why are girls everywhere are having wet dreams over a guy who wants to tear into their neck suck back blood?”

“I suppose there is something really worldly about them (vampires), the fact that they’ve lived for hundreds or thousands of years. They’ve seen it all, they’ve been everywhere .You can compare it to an older man…younger girls who like dating older men; there is something very cultured about them. Goth girls who are into pale rocker dudes would really like a vampire.”

The hotel suite was a tizzy of excitement. There were at least four other people in the room with us. Kristen and Robert were being interviewed ten feet away and about a dozen media were waiting in queue downstairs in the open concept suite, while being shushed by publicists.

Although I could have chatted with Nikki all night, ideally getting sauced and asking the really tough questions, I was flagged with the one minute left gesture. F*CK!

I decided to return to the Nikki Reed character I know, the tongue studded teen terror that drank, smoked, fucked – and tumbled out of control while girls her age were still playing school with their Barbie’s.

“How have you changed since you were thirteen? How have you grown up?”

“Wow – that’s a loaded question. I moved out, after I shot that movie. I moved out when I was fourteen years old I lived by myself before I had a driver’s license, I dropped out of school because I couldn’t get to school. I mean….we all grow. I just turned twenty in May and it was the first time I felt like I was going to be held accountable…there were consequences. It’s been a really bizarre year for me because a lot of my motivation is through spontaneity. I travel a lot, I go wherever I want, whenever I want, I have really big authority issues. I feel like I can no longer call my Dad and say ‘Yeah Dad, I’m living in Russia right now, what are you going to do? I’m seventeen – let me live”

Looking at Reed I can’t help but wonder why she left home at fourteen? Why she has spent the last seven years rebelliously jet setting around the world? It is obvious that she is wise beyond her years and has lived seven lives before even turning twenty one. Like the vampire Rosalie, she appears almost tired from so much living.

“So what’s next in the cards?”

“I have two screenplays that are complete…but I really need to write a book.”

“What about acting?”

“I won’t be an actor forever…I’m not cut out for it. I’m not cut out for the criticism I’m sensitive. I’ve had a pretty controversial career umm – it’s been talked about, I would rather use other areas of my mind. I mean, I don’t want to focus on what you inevitably end up focusing on when you are a young actor in this business.”

Straight up, no bull shit, no PR filter – Reed speaks the truth with confidence; a rare trait for a young adult in show biz, but this is exactly why we love her.

“You can take the girl out of Canada...”

by Jennifer Charlebois

It is a warm and sunny afternoon when I meet Montreal native Rachelle Lefevre in the courtyard garden of Old Montreal hotel Le Saint-Sulpice amidst a bevy of well-dressed patrons who crane their necks to get a glimpse of this fiery-haired mystery woman.

Chatty, warm, and full of contagious enthusiasm, Lefevre is so self-deprecating and down-to-earth; it’s easy to forget exactly why we are here. She laughs when we notice the hushed whispers and curious glances from our fellow diners. It’s clear that Lefevre still enjoys her relative anonymity. “They’re like, ‘Who is that?’, and then they can’t figure it out....its kind of funny, but I really kind of like it” she says as her blue eyes light up excitedly.

However, Lefevre is not necessarily new to the scene. Named in 2004 as one of Playback Magazine’s 10 to Watch - a profile on “Canada's hottest up-and-coming directors, actors and writers”- Lefevre’s official acting career began with a breakthrough role on Big Wolf on Campus, and her successes have escalated from there. She has a diverse list of television and film credits to her name, including roles on CSI:NY, How I Met Your Mother, What About Brian?, Boston Legal and Bones, to name a few. In addition, Lefevre most recently appeared in the big-screen adaptation of Fugitive Pieces, as well as in indie Canadian hits such as Prom Wars and Hatley High.

How did she get here? It was always a long-term goal for Lefevre who, from a young age, was involved in children’s theatre, and enjoyed attending performances at Montreal’s Place des Arts. In addition, she pursued a theatre program in high school, and attended several acting workshops with her mentor Jacqueline McClintock. The story, as it goes, is that while studying creative arts at Dawson College, she picked up a waitressing position at Montreal sushi restaurant Kaizen. One night Lefevre was approached by a client who overheard her discussing her career aspirations with a co-worker. “I remember where I was standing when someone came up to me and said ‘I heard you wanted to be an actress, I know a casting director, I think maybe I could help you’” she recalls, “and that moment changed my life”

Lefevre managed to juggle her burgeoning acting career while finishing her literature and education degree at McGill and finally made the decision to move to Los Angeles in 2004. “It was a huge shift, and actually for the first year I cried everyday” she says, remembering “I was so isolated”. Coming from Montreal, she explains, while trying to get to know the city, “…my mistake was that I was looking for ‘a’ vibe”, but in reality, LA was such vast expanse Lefevre soon learned that each neighbourhood was like a city in itself. “The best way I heard Los Angeles described is, ‘it’s not a city, it’s a lifestyle’” she explains, “Once I had a notion of that, then it just opened up”.

So how does she manage stay so grounded and unaffected amidst the LA scenesters? Lefevre maintains a group of loyal and supportive friends that she has had since they days of elementary and high school. “They’re pretty good at saying things to me like, ‘Oh Rach, I loved the magazine, it looked really great! And, you’re still a loser just so you know’” she says jokingly. On a more serious note she asserts, “I definitely have to work as hard as possible to hold onto them my whole life”.

The atmosphere is so relaxed on this lazy summer afternoon, I feel as though I could order a round of drinks and spend all day sipping cosmos and chatting with Lefevre. However, we have much to talk about, including her newest project – highly anticipated feature film Twilight – adapted from Stephanie Meyer’s best selling young adult vampire novel of the same name.

Twilight tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan - the new kid in school - and her mysterious, pale-skinned classmate Edward Cullen. Edward, we soon learn, is a 90-year-old trapped in the un-dead body of a 17-year-old, however his story is unique to the vampires we are familiar with. Although he still feels the urge to feast on human blood, he and his family have made an alternative lifestyle choice to exist on the blood of animals only.

Like a pair of star-crossed lovers, mortal and immortal, Bella and Edward fall deeply and madly in love.

This modern fantasy is reincarnated on the big screen by director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown), someone Lefevre says was on her “wish list of directors”. The novel has already received critical acclaim, and Meyer’s Twilight Saga has been #1 on the New York Times best seller list for young adults for 49 weeks - and counting. Meyer’s series has become a cultural phenomenon, and contemplation and discussion about Hardwicke’s film adaptation has caused near hysteria in the online world

Lefevre plays the role of Victoria, the hungry female member of a vengeful blood-sucking vampire trio. Victoria, I discerned, represents one person’s idea of what might happen if we were totally ruled by our ID. She is “menacing chaos”, completely ruled by instinct, impulse and raw urges. Lefevre describes Victoria as a manifestation of what Lord Action was referring to when he said “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” and the notion that with no set of moral consequences “there is a chance for humanity to disappear, and for something really, really ugly to take over – and it was REALLY, really fun to access” Lefevre says with a mischievous smile.

To prepare for the role, she practiced catlike behaviours in the comfort of her own apartment, “I’m not even joking, I went straight to YouTube and I watched lion attacks” she says somewhat sheepishly, “Lion attacks and cat...movements”

What’s next for Lefevre? She is happy to announce her role as the Prime Minister’s daughter on CBC’s The Summit, a television series due out this fall. But in the meantime, she is catching up on a bit of reading this summer, namely Susanna Sonnenberg’s heavy memoir Her Last Death and discovering the poetry of A.E. Housman. In addition, “I’m obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance” she says “That’s my summer guilty pleasure”. How about right here in Montreal? On Lefevre’s to-do list is grabbing a coffee and taking a casual stroll up and down St. Denis and St. Laurent to check out her favourite boutiques, as well as enjoying a meal at Vieux Montreal hotspot Garde Manger, “The food is incredible! Plus they have deep-fried Mars bars, and I am a sugar junky.”

As we wrap up the interview, I ask Lefevre if she has any career or life advice to offer. Her answer? Good things come to those who wait. “I think any career should be approached with the same general approach that you apply to happiness and life, whatever works for you. Mine is, don’t wish for it to happen too fast” she explains, reflecting on the tendency in modern society towards instant gratification, and to wanting “to achieve it all”. “I think” she posits, “that if you slow down and you appreciate things as they are happening to you, then you get a lot more out of it....so, careful not to wish for it to happen too fast.”

Sound advice.

Finally, I can’t help but ask about the small but prominent tattoo on the inside of her left wrist. Invictus, it says. Invictus – the title of her favourite poem, a well-known verse by William Ernest Henly about taking responsibility for one’s own destiny. “It is Latin for ‘unconquerable’” she explains, “The entire poem just really inspired me. The final two lines - I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul”. When going through a rough patch Lefevre says she “stuck it on like a note to self”.

It’s clear that this well spoken, thoughtful, intelligent actress is destined for great things. Although she may be living a jet-set LA lifestyle, Rachelle Lefevre still flawlessly maintains a level of polite, modest, normalcy that we’ve come to hope for with our fellow Canucks in the entertainment biz.

With one foot poised modestly on the cusp of a Hollywood career, and the other firmly planted back in Canada, back in Montreal, deeply rooted in a strong value system, a loyal set of friends and a supportive family, its clear Lefevre has a handle on the balance she needs to achieve great success.

Unconquerable indeed.

by Jen McNeely
I sat down with Amanda Crew, star of the new dirty teen flick SEX DRIVE, and over lattes at the Intercontinental Hotel in Yorkville discussed themes of confidence, cock and sagging ball sacs. Just like that favourite scene in American Pie (ahem -getting caught with your pants down in some deep and delicious stove top goodness) Sex Drive is likewise a film that is perfectly perverse for those frustrated teen years when boys wake up in icky white puddles of cum stained sheets and dry humping for horny girls is wetter than it will ever be.

Hailing from the small town of Langley BC, twenty-three year old Amanda Crew had a culture shock moving to LA, for instance she confused throngs of orthodox Jews for downtown Amish and wondered where their horses were.(??!!) That said, her naivete did not expand to the subject of sex. She confirms she’s very comfortable talking about dick – giddy up. This is important – as one would have to be at ease with this topic to play the role of Felicia in Sex Drive; girl next door dealing with a series of penis related surprises like old men watching TV with their balls hanging out and coming to the rescue of an enormous donut with a giant dildo stuck to his frosting. You know; the usual.
Moving away from cock n’ balls, I asked a more serious question, “What do you think the toughest thing is about being a teen?” INTENSE.

”Oh God, everything. I hated my teens, I really did. I feel bad for people in high school. It’s rough.”

This then turned to a focus on my spectacles. “You know, those glasses are really cool, they have personality and style. If you wore those in the tenth grade, everyone would make fun of you.”

I had a brief flashback to being in grade ten. What was cool back then anyway? Oh yeah…getting drunk in a park and barfing on my own clothes. Hard core. Yes, the glasses would not have been nearly hip enough for my rage fueled angst, but puke stained converse certainly were. Teens are fucked and Sex Drive does a good job at conveying the half cooked brain of hormone bubbling randy youth.

That said, it comes as no surprise that Director, Sean Anders, took several cues from legendary eighties teen film master John Hughes (Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink) to help depict this somewhat tormented stage in life. As a result the characters in Sex Drive feel more real than blockbuster hits Clueless or Mean Girls, whose bitchy stereotypes are over the top. Although infectious, the roles are not really identifiable – unless you really are a dumb two-dimensional cheerleading bitch…it happens but not as often as the pimply, anxiety wracked masturbating addict.

I quite enjoyed the over confident, and overweight, nympho character Lance, played by Clark Duke – a mix of Corey Feldman and Jack Black, and appreciated the awkwardness of shy guy Ian, Josh Zuckerman, willing to do just about anything to lose it. Amanda’s character, Felicia, reminded me of a time when chasing the ‘bad boy’ was top priority and I was in perpetual flux over whether to play the part of tom boy buddy or hot-to-trot girlfriend. However, echoing Jessi’s sentiments from The Hills After Show, I was riled by the character of Rex, older brother to Ian who is – well, quite simply a homosexual hating bigot. Although, truth be told attending the 10AM press screening prompted me to cough, not scoff, up my coffee in raucous laughter.

Amanda Crew was a pleasure to chat with. I was dazzled by her good looks and enjoyed bantering about the filthy hanging testes of older men. Suck on that Tara Reid! You and your disturbing fake tits have been replaced by a new teen idol, she’s a down to earth Canadian, who although admits to being incredibly self conscious in high school – will now ramble on about whatever is on her mind now with ease, confidently injecting uncensored and ridiculous impure thoughts. Off-the-cuff, down home and dirty - just the way we like it.

Bruce Mcdonald can be credited for discovering Ellen Page pre-Juno by casting her in The Tracey Fragments. So who’s the new girl he’s selected as his muse?

She’s short, Canadian, and has brown hair - are we seeing a parallel here? Will Georgina Reilly be our next Ellen Page? It’s the obvious question on everyone’s mind, but Reilly doesn’t like to think that way. “It’s flattering, [but] the movie is not really an Ellen Page movie. I love Ellen Page, and if I got to go in the direction she’s gone, it would be amazing.”

Reilly’s newest project is a psychological horror flick titled Pontypool, which is due to make its international debut at TIFF. Reilly plays Laurel Ann, a fairly nondescript small town girl working in a radio station who’s suddenly forced to deal with some insanely intense situations, more specifically a gory language virus. Huh? Like a highly sophisticated zombie board game of sorts, the virus is contaminated through the English language, certain words carry devastating outcomes and radio employees have to rid themselves of the virus by chewing each others faces off.

Although horror fans are in high anticipation for a symphony of blood and guts, Reilly describes the film as more of a dark comedy. “I think it’s pretty funny. Psychological thriller – not really horror horror.”

So what is it like working with Canada’s most eccentric director? “He’s really cool…really chill. Even when it’s down to the wire…you always feel relaxed.” Reilly also enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside Canadian actors like Stephen McHattie. "...Working with Steven – his level of commitment is rewarding to watch.”

This project seemed made for Reilly in more ways than one. “I’ve worked with Bruce before, got a call from him, auditioned and that was it.” Not only was Reilly familiar with the film's iconic director, she was in the neighbourhood. The film was shot at a small church in The Junction, the West end hood that Reilly calls home. Living one hundred feet away from set Reilly admits “If I hadn’t landed the part, it would have been really awkward.”

The film was shot in an unbelievable three weeks. Small space, small shooting schedule, and on top of that, McDonald chose to shoot the film chronologically. What was it like working in such a unique, trail-blazing environment?

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Reilly made the best of McDonald’s non-conventional shooting style. “It was really fast. The chronological thing was awesome, never worrying about where you are with your character…it really helped increase the drama – being freaked up.”

With Reilly’s solid commitment to her craft and wealth of experience, it's surprising to learn that she’s only 22 years old. Even more unexpected, is that Reilly grew up in England, moved to Toronto when she was 16, and attended Havergal College. Although the uptown private school never commends opting out of University, Reilly stuck to her gut and pursued her acting career with gusto.

Reilly's favourite activities paint her as a truly down-to-earth Toronto girl, a favourite Saturday would consist of a trip to High Park, with a basket in hand brimming with French delights like baguette and brie. When she’s not catching Shakespeare in the park she’s playing Rock Band with her roommates.

As our interview comes to an end, I ask Reilly for some advice on behalf of all the struggling actors out there. So here are some words of wisdom from the young ingénue: “People get bogged down with trying to get the character right but you need to do it the way you want it – it’s an art, it’s an interpretation. The difference in the acting between TV versus really good scripts – you got to bring your own thing into it.”

While Reilly waits to see where her next acting gig will take her, she has an exciting premiere, a highly anticipated film, and all of TIFF, to keep her busy.

Celebrating the life of Jackie Kirsh 

by Jen McNeely

If Jackie Kirsh was alive today, she would be forty years old, probably running a successful publicity company based out of 401 Richmond, still living in the Annex, and jamming in a girl punk band on the weekends. Tragically, Jackie passed away shortly after her thirtieth birthday, after battling out breast cancer for three years. 

Shedoesthecity is a site that is fun and entertaining. Second to that it’s a resource for adventure around Toronto, but in every vein it is a tool for young women. I think it’s very important to recognize that cancer is not reserved for women post fifty years old, and we all need to be very conscientious and aware that it can affect us, our family members and friends. 

After learning about Jackie’s life, I quickly connected with her personality and spirit and immediately recognized that she embodied the qualities of most of our readers; tenacious, adventurous, hard working with an incredible zest for life.  

2008 marks the ten year anniversary of her passing, and beyond promoting the fundraiser that her sister Stefani Kirsh-Rotstein is holding at the Old Wellington Nightclub, to raise money towards the End to Breast Cancer Walk; I felt compelled to tell you Jackie’s story.  

As a child, she was a huge fan of Snoopy and got irritated when her shrine to the playful pup was tampered with. She was a petite little girl who ragged on her little sister and enjoyed living like a little princess. Her creative talents prompted her to write imaginative short stories that were far beyond her years in both humour and sophistication.  

Jackie attended AY Jackson high school, and although for most of her teen years she would have been considered a bubbly prom queen type, this quickly changed when she met a guy who embodied the look and rock star attitude of Adrien Vandenberg of metal band White Snake. As most transforming teens, Jackie switched gears and became heavily into the hardcore rock scene.  

While fulfilling her undergraduate BA degree at York University she discovered two passions; journalism and playing bass. Thus she took action and continued her education in the Journalism School at Ryerson and formed a girl punk band.  

She found her home in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, where she ate Kraft Dinner and dwelled with her cat Casey. At night she stormed the stages at Lee’s Palace, Big Bop, Bovine Sex Club and El Mocambo – blasting out angsty punk tunes alongside Peaches, (before she was Peaches). Her band was called Mental Casey, perhaps a tribute to her furry friend? 

She was a huge fan of Sonic Youth, Hole, Motor Dolls from Detroit and Tori Amos. Jackie had respect for female musicians that didn’t hold back.  

When not relaxing in the chilled out Bloor and Bathurst ‘hood, Jackie prowled Queen Street sussing out all the latest fashion, and was particularly fond of the vivacious, and still incredibly hot boutique, Fashion Crimes. Sassy skirts would be complimented by chunky boots, her peroxide blonde pixie cut, bass guitar slung on the shoulder and a biting baby tee. She was your quintessential Queen Street girl who relished the artistic spirit, gritty street pulse and cutting edge fashion that this strip has always been synonymous with.  

From a young age, Jackie knew where she wanted to land in life. She had her heart set on two destinations; starting her music publicity company and holding court in an office at 401 Richmond Street and eventually moving to Manhattan when success allowed.  

By 1996, Jackie’s ambitious nature achieved her dream number one, and she began her own company, STRENGTH, a music publicity company out of suite 395 at 401 Richmond.  

Shortly thereafter, Jackie’s boyfriend found a lump on her breast while the happy couple was showering together.  

Jackie acted quickly and took all the immediate steps that one does in this situation. At the very young age of twenty seven it was soon discovered that she did in fact have cancer.  

The chemotherapy and radiation treatments were physically excruciating, yet Jackie maintained a positive attitude and throughout it all continued to play in her band, as a way to raise money for her treatment. She had lost her hair but met crowds in smokey bars with a long pink wig.  

Shocked that she was able to continue, Stefani relays that it was a means to raise money:

“Steph you don’t understand how hard it is, but I have to go out and make money. If I don’t do this, who's going to raise this money?” 
”Let people know, open up and they will help.”

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, I want them to look at it like they are doing something for this disease.’ 

Only a couple of people knew that this young girl, who rocked the stage while they drank their beer, was battling such a powerful bout of cancer. 

A year went by and Jackie regained her health, switched gears to a more healthy lifestyle that included a lot of naturopathic and ayurvedic treatments. As well, she found spiritual support through practicing Buddhism. She quickly became known as a ‘Jew-Bu’.  

Keeping up with her check ups, it was just two years later when the Cancer began to spread, and this time to an inoperable degree, as it had moved into her lymph nodes.  

Like many Cancer patients, this time Jackie opted for a more natural treatment but when things began to appear out of control, she moved south of the border to NYC for top treatment, as at the time she was unable to receive what she needed in Toronto.  

Even on her last days, smoking marijuana to curb the pain and taking baths, Jackie still maintained a sense of humour.  

After spending a week at her sister’s bedside, Stefani returned home to Toronto to request more time off work, knowing that her sister’s state of health was critical. She recalls the night she arrived home, drinking wine in The Beaches with a friend, sending love out across the water to her brave older sister.  

At six am the following day, she received a phone call. Jackie had passed away.  

Knowing her sisters wishes, Stefani scattered Jackie’s ashes in Central Park, the epicenter of beauty in the city she had yearned to make her mark in.  

Having a sister, I can’t possibly imagine how devastating this is. Stefani relays that she often wonders, “Why her? Why wasn’t it me?” Despite hereditary genes, life will undoubtedly throw a set of cards at you, and you just have to push through it. Jackie pushed hard and like every woman who battles cancer – it’s important to honour their life and celebrate who they were; Jackie was a vibrant light. “She was just the coolest chick ever. I was cool by association.” Stef remarks with a laugh and a smile.  

So come celebrate the life of this cool chick with us Thursday, July 24 at one of Toronto’s best kept secrets, The Old Wellington Night Club. Stefani will be doing the 60K walk come September, and we want to help raise as much money as possible; sisters helping sisters through and through.  

Join us: 

424 Wellington Street, just West of Spadina
7:30 PM – 2:00 AM
Door - $20

Raffle prizes, great music and a lot of fun people honouring a life well lived.  

www.endcancer.ca