March 2000

The Next Best Thing

By Barry Mann

Michael Vartan played Drew Barrymore's sweet teacher in Never Been Kissed, but he tapped into his nasty side as Madonna's boyfriend in the Next Best Thing. "I play a jackass," says Michael. "I'm mean to her."

The 31-year-old says he tried not to be overawed by his co-star. "But it does hit you that this person is the most famous woman on earth, and I'm going to be kissing her. That was kind of scary."

Despite being one of Hollywood's hottest new finds, Michael lives a quiet life in LA. "Now I'm supposed to be part of 'Young Hollyood', I'd like to know where everyone's doing all this partying and having sex with 15 women," he laughs. "All I'm doing is staying at home watching Jerry Springer."

And although Michael has now seen himself in a few magazines", he insists no one's knocking down his door. "Well, that's if you're not counting my grandmother's friend," he laughs. "She's 85 and refers to me as her 'toy boy'!"

Thanks to Patrizia from Australia and vartanetc.!

© New Weekly Magazine 2000

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