ONE
Interview - Kristin Kreuk

Invited to the Television Festival in Monte Carlo at the beginning of July, the beautiful Kristin Kreuk has charmed her fans and the press with her kindness and availability. She also took advantage of the opportunity to quiet some rumors. ONE has an appointment.

ONE: Recently, a French magazine reported that smoking is forbidden on the set of Smallville because of a demand you made to the producers. This is true?

KK: No. This is completely false! I have nothing to do with it. In Vancouver, where we film the show, smoking is forbidden in public places and work places. That's it.

ONE: Did you use a double in fight scenes in the episodes "Nicodemus" and "Visage" (Translator Note: Obviously they got one of the episode wrong since I don't recall her kicking ass in Nicodemus)

KK: No, it's me that's thrashing the boys in these episodes! (laughs) My mom had me following many sports during childhood. I have experience with dance and song. I also experimented with martial arts before "Smallville." Moreover, the person in charge of the stunts is fantastic. He is a big boxer with many championships and he has helped me very much. I like these scenes because it shows Lana in a new light. I would like these scenes to happen more often to show that she can go it alone.

ONE: You often say you want to preserve your anonymity. Nevertheless, you are an actress. Are the two things not incompatible?

KK: Yes, it doesn't make sense! (laughs) But, I manage that situation, because, the people in Vancouver are very respectful. And then, I'm not Julia Roberts. The majority of the time I lead a quiet life and don't worry about fan behavior. When I really want to be inconspicuous I hide under a hat and no one notices me. Since I have been in Monaco it has surprised me to note how popular the series is here. Many people recognize me and I don't have much practice with it. It's a little crazy but it is also very pleasant to see that people like the series.

ONE: You're on Smallville all while continuing to hold onto your role on Edgemont.

KK: The complete season of Edgemont is filmed during just two months in the autumn. So, I am not taken all year and, moreover, I work Edgemont only on Saturday. I work on Smallville Monday thru Friday and Edgemont on Saturday. You might think I work six days out of seven that is not the case. I'm not on screen as much as Tom on Smallville. Thus, it is seldom that I have five days of filming. Rest assured, I have weekends of rest! (laughs)

ONE: If you had a role other than Lana, which character on Smallville would you like to embody?

KK: Chloe, definitely! She is the most interesting character on the show. When I auditioned for the role of Lana I said that I would prefer to be considered for the role of Chloe. But, Allison is perfect and I can't imagine another actress in the role. She is fantastic.

ONE: Michael Rosenbaum is extroverted while you are discreet/reserved. What's your opinion of him?

KK: Michael is fantastic. He is friendly with everyone on set. But, lets be honest, he's completely crazy! (laughs) He is constantly clowning around and always ready to sing. Besides, he's great at relaxing the atmosphere. He is able fart and burp! In some ways, he's also very feminine. He is quite concerned with his appearance. He and Tom also like to launch into imitations of the actor Christopher Walken. They never stop.

ONE: What have you been doing on your vacation?

KK: I went to Portugal for a few weeks. Then I returned to Vancouver to take care of my house before taking off for Prague, Czech Republic. Now I'm here in Monaco. Tomorrow, I'm renting a car to explore Cote d'Azure (French Riviera near Cannes). My vacation is nearly over, it really went by too fast. I want to take advantage of the last two weeks of holiday.

ONE: You have Chinese origins and now the Asian community has a little representation in American television. Do you wish for changes to this situation?

KK: I consider myself Canadian above all else. It is only because I'm on television that I'm reminded I have Chinese heritage. I cannot represent the Asian community when I play Lana because she is a White American. In Edgemont, on the other hand, I play a girl that has Asian heritage, like me. Perhaps later I will have the opportunity to defend this community. But I think that the goal is to affect an understanding that your origins have no importance. What can I do that I am of Asian origin? That does not make a person interesting. We are all similar and people should not have to represent a community on screen or elsewhere. We represent only the human race and her diversity.