Date of publishing: 12th
February 2007
Model, singer and actress, Holly Valance was born
in May of 1983 in Melbourne, Australia. At the age
of twelve she became a model, and three years later
the crew of Australian soap "Neighbours"
approached her to play the part of loveable Felicity
'Flick" Scully. Her parents encouraged her to
take the role despite Holly's initial reluctance.
It turned out to be an excellent move. Holly Valance
quickly became one of Australia's most loved actresses
and a household name. Holly left Neighbours at the
age of 19 to concentrate on her music career. In April
2002 she stormed to the no.1 slot worldwide with summer
smash "Kiss Kiss." She later released two
additional singles, "Down Boy" and 'Naughty
Girl", along with her debut album "Footprints".
In 2005 she won the lead role in the cinema adaptation
of the popular video game "Dead Or Alive",
playing Christie Allen. Shortly after, she landed
in the hit TV show Prison Break, playing Nika Volek,
a Russian stripper and wife of Michael Scoffield.
Check her online blog at: www.hollyvalance.com
Gilles Nuytens: You
are a multifaceted artist, modeling, and singing and
acting, can you tell us what you like the most about
each of these professions?
Holly Valance: When I was young and
modeling it was a great experience and introduction
into the entertainment industry. I made way more money
than any 13yr old should and I liked working hard
and achieving things for myself.
Acting was something early on in life I was stimulated
by but I never thought of it as a realistic job for
myself. It seemed so far away from my normal upbringing
but once I was given the opportunity to audition for
Neighbours my senses told me this was something I
had to give a go.
I’m from a very musical background with my family
so it’s only natural for me to have a creative
instinct and interest in music, it’s an extremely
hard industry and I was putting in more than what
I got out so I’m put it on the back burner for
a while. And I missed acting too much.
Gilles
Nuytens: If you
had to choose between one of the 3 professions, which
one would you focus on and why?
Holly Valance: Oh modeling doesn’t
even come into the equation. I have a mind that’s
constantly ticking and needing to be worked hard and
stimulated so that’s out of the question. I
love writing music and making it, but not necessarily
doing all the crazy publicity that comes with it,
so for now I’d say I’m most content acting.
Gilles Nuytens: You
have accomplished a lot of great things during your
career, what are you the most proud of?
Holly Valance: I love entertaining
people, making them feel good, laugh or dance. Whether
they’ve loved a character of mine or one of
my songs is something that they rock out too that’s
when I know I did my job right. But I’m most
proud when I can help my family or friends out and
share everything I’ve worked hard for because
if there’s no one to share it with what’s
the point in having it???
Gilles Nuytens: You
have a leading role in the movie Dead Or Alive, a
video game based movie, and did you know about the
video game prior to getting the job?
Holly Valance: Yes I did, although
I hadn’t played it before I was given the role.
Gilles Nuytens: Have
you played the game? If yes, do you like it and this
kind of game?
Holly Valance: I have played this
game for hours and hours and hours. Basically all
the down time we had on set in China, the girls and
I played. And this is one of my favorites cos I actually
got good at it for a while and knew which characters
had the coolest moves and who I wanted to be.
Gilles Nuytens: You
had an intensive Wu Shu training during 4 months before
starting to shoot the movie; can you speak about this
experience?
Holly Valance: Well the first month
of training I thought I was just going to die. Eventually
I got fitter and more flexible and the pain went away...
for the most part. I was extremely proud of myself
and the girls for all the progress we made in 4 months;
we can kick some serious ass for real!!!
Gilles
Nuytens: You also
do kickboxing, What are the main differences between
Wu Shu and kickboxing?
Holly Valance: Lord where do I begin?
I had to relearn a basic roundhouse and punch because
it was a Muay Thai kick not Wu Shu. That was hardest,
changing my instinctual fighting ways. It would have
been easier to start from scratch having no training
before!! But I slowly learnt new things and it’s
a very beautiful form that I’d love to continue
working on. That’s why it’s in so many
movies; it’s so fluid and graceful and looks
incredible.
Gilles Nuytens: You
said in your blog that shooting in rural China was
difficult, can you describe a bit your life there,
and what was the most difficult experience?
Holly Valance: I think the even Chinese
crew found it hard in rural China. They were as sick
as us and they were from a few hours plane ride away
but the same country. I really wish I’d written
a daily journal of all the funny things that happened
cos no one would believe it, but the hardest part
was being violently ill with food poisoning everyday
for 4 months, as were the others.
Gilles Nuytens: What
was the best gig or funny experience during the shooting
of DOA?
Holly Valance: There was a very humorous
evening when a Wu gong (a giant centipede, and poisonous)
was in my room and the staff came to catch it with
chopsticks. I think they were more frightened of than
me.
Gilles Nuytens: Did
you already watch the movie? What do you think of
it?
Holly Valance: I have seen the movie
3 times now I really like it. I’m my worst critic
but I think it’s a lot of fun, full of laughs
and the fighting is sick! Boys love it cos there’s
hot chicks and fighting. Girls love it cos we get
to be the hero’s, gamers love it because it
stays true to the game and martial artists love it
cos the fighting is fantastic.
Gilles Nuytens: What
do you think of video games being adapted to the big
screen in general?
Holly Valance: I think as long as
the movie is entertaining to people who aren’t
familiar with the game its great. You reach a massive
audience that way. There’s a huge market for
them.
Gilles
Nuytens: You are
also in the cast of the hit TV show Prison Break,
how did you land on the show?
Holly Valance: Like everyone else.
I auditioned. I didn’t think I had a chance
though because the girls I was up against really had
Slavic accents so I thought I was screwed, turns out
my Serbian roots kicked in and I was able to pull
it off.
Gilles Nuytens: How
was your experience there?
Holly Valance: It’s a total
boys club but that’s fine with me. We had a
great laugh and I enjoyed it immensely! I was very
excited because I’d been a fan of the show already
and couldn’t believe I was now a part of it!
Gilles Nuytens: What
can you share with us about your experience working
with Wentworth Miller?
Holly Valance: He’s very professional,
quiet and a nice guy. Things ran very smoothly so
I have no juicy gossip I’m afraid!
Gilles Nuytens: Do
you have anything in common with your character Nika?
Holly Valance: Yes, we’re both
money-grabbing strippers from the Czech Republic on
mail order in the USA. Just kidding!!! No I would
say our minds work very differently, although perhaps
some of her feisty strength is in me.
Gilles Nuytens: You
play a character that has been brought to USA to fall
in the world of prostitution, how did you prepare
for this role, did you meet some of those girls to
help you prepare for this role?
Holly Valance: Well stripping is
pretty different from prostitution so I didn’t
fortunately have to delve into the world of that.
But I’ve visited a couple of exotic establishments
in my time and known a couple so I have a vague idea
of what goes on. It wasn’t so necessary for
her though because it was something she was doing
out of survival. She was illegal and couldn’t
get a proper 9-5. I’m sure if she had a green
card she’s be teaching 2nd graders. Hahahahaha!
Gilles Nuytens: What
would you like to say to all those girls that are
victims of this business?
Holly Valance: I don’t think
anything I could say would matter particularly. Some
are not victims and truly love exotic dancing and
view it as a career. Others are enticed by a boyfriend,
some need money for drug habits, and everyone’s
situations are different. But until I’ve walked
a mile in someone else’s shoes I’ll never
know what the real down falls are.
Gilles
Nuytens: The last
time we saw you on Prison break, the story arc with
Nika seemed finished, are there any plans for Nika
to come back?
Holly Valance: Yes she will appear
in season 2 with some very juicy storylines!!
Gilles Nuytens: You
have modeled alongside Naomi Campbell at a Melbourne
Fashion Show, is it true what they say "the fashion
world without pity"? Have you had any bad experiences?
Holly Valance: That was 10 years
ago but I would say if you’re of strong character
you can get through many hardships, including earning
$300 an hour and standing around for hours posing.
Ha!
My bad experiences consisted of long hours at work
and the occasional pimple. It’s not so bad.
If you have a predisposition to eating disorders or
peer pressure maybe you will fall into the dark side
but generally all the girls I know who model are very
healthy happy women who want to milk while they can.
Gilles Nuytens: What
are your current projects and is there anything coming
down the pipe for future projects?
Holly Valance: I’m working
on the new Luc Besson feature called “Taken”
starring Liam Neeson in Paris in March. I’m
very much looking forward to that because I’m
a fan of both those men. I’m shooting a British
independent in Serbia in the summer about the Balkan
conflict and an Australian drama later on in the year
in OZ. There’s a couple other things in the
pipeline but they’re all too early to get excited
about! I’ll let ya know!
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