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In this Sunday’s PARADE, actress Jessica Alba recounts her determined rise to Hollywood success
and vents her frustrations with the darker side of fame. Below, in an exclusive interview with
Parade.com, Alba reveals her love of Scotch, golf and board games. Also, photographer Robert
Ascroft takes you behind the scenes of his PARADE cover shoot with Alba.
Catch Jessica Alba June 15 in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
On playing the role of Sue Storm…
“People in the business made me feel that it was going to be a problem that I was playing Sue Storm, a blue-eyed blonde, but I didn't see any problem with it myself. Cate Blanchett dyes her hair any color that she needs to for her roles, and nobody cares. People transform themselves for roles everyday—it's called being an actor. It's no big deal—we play dress up for a living. We pretend—we tell stories for entertainment purposes. The only thing I did do was wear contacts to make my eyes blue. And as for most women in Hollywood? They're not real blondes, anyway!”
The wild party girl…
“Sometimes I like to go out, but usually after work I just go home, take a bath, watch movies. Instead of going out, I’d rather have my friends over and play games at my house—stupid games like charades or Pictionary or Monopoly. Or maybe Between the Sheets—it’s an easy way to win your money back when you’ve lost it all in poker.”
On the Beverly Hills Hotel (one of her favorite retreats)…
“I like it here because it reminds me of the old Hollywood. It’s nice and it’s comfortable, and it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to be the new, hip spot. It’s steady and good and classic, and while there are always families in here, there’s definitely an older crowd, too.”
On her golf game…
“I like to play golf. Is that real dorky? When I’m chilled out and relaxed, my long game is better. I can drive the ball two hundred yards, and that’s not bad. It’s just a game for now, but when I’m on the senior tour, then we’ll have to talk again.”
The Scotch connoisseur…
Robert Masello, who interviewed Alba for PARADE, says: “Our waiter at the Polo Lounge, a very friendly fellow named Jeremy, knew Jessica from her previous visits, and he also knew what she liked. He instantly brought her the house list of single malt Scotches, and together they had quite a lengthy chat about the various brands, and their relative smoky or peaty flavors. I was intrigued to hear these two experts going at it—especially when one of them happened to be the lovely young Ms. Alba. I always thought it was crusty old men who drank these expensive Scotches. Now I know better."
A not-so-surprising revelation from writer Robert Masello…
“I've been interviewing celebrities, off and on, for many years, but once I told my male friends I was interviewing Jessica Alba, I had more offers than ever before to (a) carry my tape recorder, (b) drive me to the appointment, (c) give me money. My professional ethics, of course, forbade me from accepting any of their offers, but I've got to say, this public response was overwhelming and unprecedented. There is indeed something about Ms. Alba that has captured the imagination of at least half of the population. That, or I've suddenly become way more popular.”
Behind the scenes at PARADE's photo shoot with Jessica Alba
Photographer Robert Ascroft reveals the fun details behind his shoot with actress Jessica
Alba.
Where did the shoot take place?
At Pier 59 West in Santa Monica, Calif.
What time was the shoot scheduled to start?
3:30pm. Alba was on another shoot in the morning and she showed up right on time and ready to get down to business.
How long did the shoot last?
About four hours, including touch-ups on hair and makeup, and wardrobe.
What was served for lunch?
We had roasted chicken and sparkling mineral water.
What music was playing during the shoot?
Alba had the good sense to bring a mix CD containing some of her favorite music. It was all great stuff that no one on the set of the shoot had heard before...or since!
Who accompanied Alba to the shoot?
Her hair and makeup team as well as her publicist, Brad Cafarelli.
Photographer Robert Ascroft’s take on Jessica…
“My assistants and I were really taken aback at how cool and down to earth Jessica was. I have worked with numerous celebrities with half the fame and good looks as Jessica, and ten times the ego. She was the kind of girl you can hang out with all afternoon, which is a testimony to her success, I am sure.”
Catch Jessica Alba June 15 in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
On playing the role of Sue Storm…
“People in the business made me feel that it was going to be a problem that I was playing Sue Storm, a blue-eyed blonde, but I didn't see any problem with it myself. Cate Blanchett dyes her hair any color that she needs to for her roles, and nobody cares. People transform themselves for roles everyday—it's called being an actor. It's no big deal—we play dress up for a living. We pretend—we tell stories for entertainment purposes. The only thing I did do was wear contacts to make my eyes blue. And as for most women in Hollywood? They're not real blondes, anyway!”
The wild party girl…
“Sometimes I like to go out, but usually after work I just go home, take a bath, watch movies. Instead of going out, I’d rather have my friends over and play games at my house—stupid games like charades or Pictionary or Monopoly. Or maybe Between the Sheets—it’s an easy way to win your money back when you’ve lost it all in poker.”
On the Beverly Hills Hotel (one of her favorite retreats)…
“I like it here because it reminds me of the old Hollywood. It’s nice and it’s comfortable, and it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to be the new, hip spot. It’s steady and good and classic, and while there are always families in here, there’s definitely an older crowd, too.”
On her golf game…
“I like to play golf. Is that real dorky? When I’m chilled out and relaxed, my long game is better. I can drive the ball two hundred yards, and that’s not bad. It’s just a game for now, but when I’m on the senior tour, then we’ll have to talk again.”
The Scotch connoisseur…
Robert Masello, who interviewed Alba for PARADE, says: “Our waiter at the Polo Lounge, a very friendly fellow named Jeremy, knew Jessica from her previous visits, and he also knew what she liked. He instantly brought her the house list of single malt Scotches, and together they had quite a lengthy chat about the various brands, and their relative smoky or peaty flavors. I was intrigued to hear these two experts going at it—especially when one of them happened to be the lovely young Ms. Alba. I always thought it was crusty old men who drank these expensive Scotches. Now I know better."
A not-so-surprising revelation from writer Robert Masello…
“I've been interviewing celebrities, off and on, for many years, but once I told my male friends I was interviewing Jessica Alba, I had more offers than ever before to (a) carry my tape recorder, (b) drive me to the appointment, (c) give me money. My professional ethics, of course, forbade me from accepting any of their offers, but I've got to say, this public response was overwhelming and unprecedented. There is indeed something about Ms. Alba that has captured the imagination of at least half of the population. That, or I've suddenly become way more popular.”
Behind the scenes at PARADE's photo shoot with Jessica Alba
Photographer Robert Ascroft reveals the fun details behind his shoot with actress Jessica
Alba.
Where did the shoot take place?
At Pier 59 West in Santa Monica, Calif.
What time was the shoot scheduled to start?
3:30pm. Alba was on another shoot in the morning and she showed up right on time and ready to get down to business.
How long did the shoot last?
About four hours, including touch-ups on hair and makeup, and wardrobe.
What was served for lunch?
We had roasted chicken and sparkling mineral water.
What music was playing during the shoot?
Alba had the good sense to bring a mix CD containing some of her favorite music. It was all great stuff that no one on the set of the shoot had heard before...or since!
Who accompanied Alba to the shoot?
Her hair and makeup team as well as her publicist, Brad Cafarelli.
Photographer Robert Ascroft’s take on Jessica…
“My assistants and I were really taken aback at how cool and down to earth Jessica was. I have worked with numerous celebrities with half the fame and good looks as Jessica, and ten times the ego. She was the kind of girl you can hang out with all afternoon, which is a testimony to her success, I am sure.”
