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Nous Deux
August 2, 2005
Michael Vartan: Hollywood's Sweetheart
Michael Vartan: "I am still single!"
by Lynley White
Scans and translation thanks to Nathalie!
Thanks to Murmeli for providing the mag. Scans by Lugia.
With Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan found success in Alias and love in his private life. Since then, Jennifer got married to Ben Affleck, and Michael has become completely free. At 36, Sylvie Vartan’s nephew has conquered America. He is now inviting us to get to know him better…
ND: Alias is very popular. Is the adventure still going on?
MV: We are now at season 5 and we are so used to working together that we don’t really pay attention to the success of the show. We are all under contract. Mine is a 6-year one and Jennifer Garner has a 7-year one. The producers are clever; they won’t tell us if this is the last year or not. When the time comes, we will renegotiate our contracts…
ND: Is it not too hard to continue acting together although you split?
MV: Not at all. That’s very personal and I don’t want to talk about it. What few people know is that we are great friends. It was the case before we started dating and it is still the case today. There’s never been any animosity between us. Nothing can destroy our friendship…
ND: You have always wanted to have an acting career?
MV: No, I started when I was 18; at that time I did not know what I would do for a living. I grew up in Normandy, in a small farm, with my father. I was in a completely different world than the one of show business. My mom was living in the USA and I used to come and visit her during the summer holidays. I realized the French social situation was tough, and that, even with a diploma, I was not sure to get a job. So I called my mom and I told her: “Mom, I quite like palm trees and the beach.” But I had no idea of what I was going to do over there…
ND: And how did you get the acting fever?
MV: It was a friend of my mom who told her: “Your son has an interesting look.” She asked me if I wanted to become an actor and I said no. I did not want to take acting classes. But she insisted by telling me that I would meet pretty girls, about which I did not give a damn. She then added: “I’ll pay for your classes” and I said yes!
When did you discover that you could be gifted as an actor?
MV: I find it very hard and I never find myself good at acting. That is the reason why I continue, because I try to get better on and on. Some people find it easy to be in front of a camera; I don’t. To me, it does not come naturally.
What do you say to children who watch Alias?
MV: When 7-year old kids come and tell me they love the series, I tell them: “What are you doing watching TV instead of being in bed?” And then I also ask them why their parents let them watch a show where people are getting killed. Alias is talking about violence, paranoia and lies and it is a model series to children; I don’t get it!
What is your dearest wish in life?
MV: As anybody: peace of mind, happiness and a bit of money in my bank account.
Aren’t you tempted by family life?
MV: First I have to find a girlfriend. Apart from that, I already got the dog. That’s a good start, isn’t it? (Laugh)
What were your best holidays?
MV: At 14, in the south of France. I went to a tennis summer camp where I got drunk for the first time; I had my first spliff and my first naked sunbathing! (Laugh)
Should Alias have to stop tomorrow, what would you do?
MV: I don’t think about it. I have other interests in life like painting, even if I could never earn my living with it. Still, it is difficult to find a job that pays as well as being an actor!
© Info Presse 2005
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