24 Maj 2000

Host: Good evening and welcome to today's chat. Our guest today is Tangi Miller, who plays Elena Tyler on TV's Felicity. Don't miss the season finale, it airs tonight! Welcome, Tangi! JrReed: What got you interested in becoming an actress? Tangi Miller: I've been interested in acting since Junior High. I didn't realize I wanted to do it for a living until college. I love to play around, pretend I was in a house ... something crazy. It's just been a part of my personality. And thanks to everyone for logging on and watching the show and watching tonight. irnmdn: How do you stay in such great shape? Tangi Miller: My mother and father - good genes! I don't work out much. I guess I do work out some because I like to do things that I enjoy. I'm not a gym person, but I do like dance, I take dance classes, I hike, I walk. I try to make exercise part of my life. When it feels like work I don't do it. Daffy: How long did it take you to get your hair braided like that? How often do you have to do it? Tangi Miller: I wear extensions, my hair isn't down to my hips! I've had long, long hair. And shorter too. I get it braided every other month, it takes 6-8 hours, depending how long the braids are. It's something I've always done, in the summers, at school. It was just an easier style. Sternchen: I read that you have a Master of Fine Arts degree. What inspired you to go into Arts and Theater as well? Tangi Miller: My undergrad degree is in marketing and PR, and when I realized that I wanted to be an actor I was already a junior in college. I didn't want to change my major, but I wanted to study acting. I had been doing it for fun and when I decided to make it a career. I really wanted to know how to do it. That's when I decided to go work on my masters. NeoNion: How have you dealt with being in the public eye? Tangi Miller: It's been fun, our schedule is busy. We work five days a week, 12-14 hours a day. For 8-9 months during the year. A lot of my time out is still work-oriented, premieres and parties. It's easy. I don't know what it's like to be out at parties and with friends until summer. It's been fun. It's not difficult to deal with. Sometimes people call me by my first name. I like that. It's fun and exciting. felicityfanatic: Felicity made it for the WB fall line up, what are your thoughts on that? Tangi Miller: I'm very happy about it, it was a little scary because we didn't know until the last minute. No one knew for sure. I'm excited that we get to be juniors this season, hopefully we'll get to be seniors and graduate. Host: Do you have any thoughts on the upcoming season? Tangi Miller: As for next season, I'd have to say that the writers are pretty incredible. I don't know how they come up with all the material for all us actors. For my character, I asked for something to throw her off. I got a boyfriend, which is fun, because she doesn't know how to deal with him. For next season, I would like something more serious. Maybe something to do with her father. For Felicity, I would like her to find someone and stick with him. She's been flitting about this season. bee: Tangi, how do you feel about the Tracy virginity storyline? Tangi Miller: It's so funny! It's really, really fun. First of all, he's not a virgin in real life. I actually dated a guy in college who was a virgin. I wasn't too interested in dating him too seriously. It's really fun to deal with that. When I was a virgin ... I've heard of stories the other way around, that the girl is virgin and the guy's not. melody: Do you think we will ever hear any repercussions from Elena's relationship with her Prof.? Tangi Miller: I hope so. I really do. That's a really good question. I also feel like we didn't deal with that enough. I'd like her to talk more about it with her friends and to deal with that as a person. And to understand what she did and why she did it. melody: Do you have any input on your wardrobe? Awesome choices, whoever it may be. Tangi Miller: We have to give it up to Glenda and Annie in our wardrobe department. I do have a little bit of say - yes or no. If it fits and I really don't like it, I don't have to wear it. For the most part, they are the creators of the style. melody: Do you borrow any of Elena's attire in real life? Just for fun. Tangi Miller: I did take home my last outfit! But I'll bring it back. :) melody: What are your future projects? Tangi Miller: There is a play that I may do - we start back to work in July which isn't much time, and I want to visit family and do work around the house. But I am in a TV movie called Playing With Fire and it airs June 7 and 10. I play a villainess. She's a little older and she's just ... mean. Borderline evil. She was a lot of fun to play. Host: When does the play start? Tangi Miller: The play, in New York, is called Cafe Millennium. For me, it would start in June. The play itself already started, I'll begin in June. teach: What aspect of your character do you like the most? Tangi Miller: There's a lot I like about her. She's diligent. She's driven. She really wants to do well in school, she's passionate about being a doctor and will do anything she has to do. Stay up all night ... bee: Do you feel the show does a good enough job of featuring actors of all sizes, shapes and colors? Tangi Miller: Everyone is pretty slim on the show. :) We could work harder at putting different-size people in the show ... I think we do well - Javier! We do have him. He's just one person who's overweight. It's hard to say, because we are following one character mostly and we follow her life from her perspective. And her friends, so it's not like we've got a view of the university situation from a broad perspective. We bring in a lot of guest characters - Tracy, and an Asian character who ran for president, and Javier. We do a fair job, we could always do better. Host: I think they do a very good job! Will we see Tracy next season? Tangi Miller: I hope we'll see Tracy next season! He's my boyfriend right now! I hope he's still my boyfriend for some time. Host: Did the two of you enjoy working together? Tangi Miller: We do enjoy working together. He's a pleasure to work with. Donald Faison is his name. felicityfanatic: How did you land the role on Felicity? Tangi Miller: I went on an audition, got a series of callbacks, then the final callback. Then to the producers and the network and they make a decision. And I was the one they decided on. I still get nervous at auditions. There are times when I don't get nervous, but it's rare. If I knew how NOT to get nervous, I'd write a book for all my fellow actors. The bottom line is that you're putting yourself out there every time. NeoNion: What do you do when you get a day off? Tangi Miller: When I get a day off from the show I try to work on my house. I got a house at the end of last year and it's a fixer, which I like, because I can create it to be what I want it to be. It's a lot of work. And I put a lot of energy into that. BigKe: Where did you grow up? Tangi Miller: Miami. Miami, Florida. I moved out to LA about four years ago and went to school at UC Irvine. I was in grad school there ... I'm going into my fifth year here. My third year in Los Angeles ... two years in Irvine before that. Host: Did you come out to LA to become an actress? Tangi Miller: I came out here to go to school at Irvine, an hour south of LA, and from that I moved to Los Angeles. felicityfanatic: What happened to the voice of Sally on the show? Those monologues were so meaningful. Tangi Miller: I don't think it's over, I think we, toward the end of the season and bringing in new characters - I hope we're not done with Sally. I love Sally! I'm mixed about whether I want to ever see her or just hearing from her. She's still there, but the focus has been on other characters. Host: Is there anything you can tell us about tonight's finale? Tangi Miller: Tonight's season finale ... there's going to be a wedding. It's funny. You have to watch it to see. It's not quite a cliffhanger like last year, but it involves other characters. I can't tell you anything! Host: We'll just have to watch! Jonathon: Do you prefer doing theater or the screen? Tangi Miller: That's a difficult question because I like both. Theater is a completely different thing than TV. Theater work you get to use your body a lot more. You feel it physically, emotionally, and mentally. It's probably a bigger high for an actor. TV and film lasts forever, and you can record it and that's great. I love stage and screen both. bee: What's your favorite Felicity scene and/or episode? Tangi Miller: My favorite this year is ... for myself ... it might have been the last episode, when Tracy and I are about to have sex and we're in bed and I asked him if there was anything on his mind. It's so funny to me! We had fun doing that scene. He's a virgin because he believes in God. It was fun. We just cracked up the whole time doing it. We all come together for Thanksgiving also. When we all come together it's fun. The funniest time I had was doing that bedroom scene with Tracy. melody: Can you explain Elena's method of study with the Skittles and stopwatch? Tangi Miller: First of all, it's M&Ms ... she has cue cards - questions on the front and answers on the back. She'll go through with her stopwatch and answer the questions. Every time she answers a question right, she gets an M&M. Then she goes back and if she beats her time, she has another one. mrwonka: Did Keri Russel really want to cut her hair, or was it just in the storyline for the show? Tangi Miller: It was part of the storyline and I think she also wanted to try it. She told me that she'd never cut her hair, but I think part of her wanted to do it, to try it. I think it's good, to take a chance at doing something. teach: What is the atmosphere on the set like? Tangi Miller: It's fun, I also feel like I'm a student. I've been in school forever and I feel like I'm still there. It's very relaxed and laid back. There's a lot of food and people are always cracking jokes. We kid around. It's real easy and easy-going. mensimah: Do you plan to do more big screen movie stuff? What are your long-term ambitions? Tangi Miller: Yes, I hope to do film work. But it's really important that I don't just do a movie to do a movie. I want to do stuff I can be proud about and to take roles that challenge me. Long term, I'd like to do more work and really be able to choose what I get to do and to do some theater. bigA: How do you like living in LA? Tangi Miller: I like LA a lot, I have to say yes. I'm from Miami and it's hot and the beach is there and it reminds me of home in a way. The people are different. The vegetation and the community and the outdoors is the same. It's nice, because I can work in this environment. New York, for me, is a place I can go for fun and to visit, but it'd be hard to work there. bee: Is it frustrating that the show is such a critical favorite and yet hasn't done so well in the ratings? Tangi Miller: I think a lot of things play into that. We're on the WB, which is a nice network, but it doesn't have all the outlets as ABC or NBC so our ratings aren't as big. And we were switched on Sundays, and I think people couldn't watch it because it was on earlier. I hope the ratings next year will reflect the show's quality. melody: Which do you prefer? The tear jerker moments or the fun and funny moments of the show? Tangi Miller: I like both. Someone asked me what my favorite scene was. Last season, it's when I caught my boyfriend cheating on me and I began to cry. And this year it was with my friends on the show. I just like it to be real. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes tear-jerking. bay: Tangi do you have any brothers or sisters? Tangi Miller: I do. I have two sisters and three brothers. It was a crowded house growing up! But I wouldn't change it for the world. It's nice to be able to call my brothers and sisters and talk to them. We're best friends. Even though we had to share a lot and it wasn't always fun, it's worth it. Host: Are any of them in movies or TV? Tangi Miller: I have a brother who sings and has a wonderful voice ... my whole family is a bunch of actors, but none of them are pursuing it! I'd like to get my brother singing, because he's got a wonderful voice. But he's in school studying computers. bigA: What kind of music do you like? Tangi Miller: That's a tough question, I like all music. It depends on what mood I'm in. Jazz, Reggae, African music, R&B, D'Angelo, a rap artist called Medusa. She's like a poetess like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. I just like music. That's hard to pinpoint. Host: What do you think of the music on Felicity? Tangi Miller: I love the music on Felicity. It really supports the storylines. I love that Santana song where Felicity got all dressed up for Ben and she came out in the red dress. I think they do a great job with the soundtrack. Gozarian: What is the most difficult thing about your work with Felicity? Tangi Miller: Working on the show is real easy for me, I learn my lines very fast. I'm very fortunate! I go to work, I get all made up. I guess the long hours. But even that. (We get paid a decent amount of money to be there! ) What's difficult about it is the hours and having to come back and be fresh and not tired the next day. But I don't think I'd say that's difficult. What's difficult is auditioning. If you have to read a script and audition, you don't have time to prepare and that can be hard. The work for an actor is getting the job, and the job is a vacation. Once you have the job, you're secure. chica: Did you always get along with everyone on the cast, for example when you began the show? Tangi Miller: I don't think anyone ever ALWAYS gets along, but everyone on the show is pretty honest about how they feel and if you have a problem, you make it clear and that's it. And we say okay. We've never had any problems. When I first started the show, it was a little intimidating. I was the new kid on the block, but people accepted me and that was cool. Host: Are there any cast members that you are particularly close to? Tangi Miller: I think Scott Foley ... he's so easy to talk to and I made friends with him first. He's so warm and accepting and I found myself talking to him. But everyone is so open and nice. bee: Does the cast realize just how much they and the show are loved? Especially on the Internet, there is just so much love for your show. Tangi Miller: I think yes and no. We're always surprised to see people, like when we had the girl from Fanatic come onto the set. She was so into the show and our work. We're always surprised how much people like the show. And we appreciate it and it's nice. Gozarian: Does the show plan to air any episodes showing serious issues facing today's young people? Tangi Miller: I hope so. I think I said earlier that I'd like to see my character deal with some serious issues next season. I think we do, but it'd be nice to see some more. But it's hard, because then people think we're too serious and they want us to lighten up. It's hard to please everyone. I like what we're doing and we throw in serious issues in the midst of having fun. bigA: Who do you admire or look up to in show business? Tangi Miller: I really look up to Oprah and Diana Ross ... I love Anthony Hopkins, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep - a flawless actress - and Angela Bassett. Gozarian: Do they provide good food on the Felicity set? :) Tangi Miller: Of course! We're all fighting to get away from the table. We get such good eats! There are so many good desserts, and chocolate is a weakness of mine. They feed us well ... I don't know if that's a good thing, though! annie: Can you describe each of your cast mates in one word? Tangi Miller: Wow! That's difficult. I'd have to think about it. Ben - punk. Julie - sensitive. Tracy, I don't know what to say about my boyfriend! How would I describe him? The people closest to you are the hardest to describe. Funny. Javier ... Ian is nothing like the role! Mandy - crazy! (Amanda). Greg .... Sean ... what can I say about him? Inventive. There, that wasn't so hard! Limpbsct: What advice can you give to other young women who are trying to break into acting? Tangi Miller: I'd say to any actor, especially women, is to really study and to really understand how to break down a character and understand your craft. When you get your chance, you want to be prepared. Dolphins Dream: Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now? Tangi Miller: Hmm ... Vacationing! No ... I hope to have a career and to have done lots of movies and a lot of good plays and be in a place where I can choose and create my own work, optioning books and telling the stories I'd like to tell. Not just as an actress, but also as a producer and director. 2Tony: What do you have planned for the summer? Tangi Miller: I just went to Spain. We wrapped about two weeks ago and I went to Spain. That was my vacation. And I'm going to go home for a family reunion. Sternchen: Have you ever thought about singing? Tangi Miller: No, not really! :) I like to sing, but only in my own home! I don't think I'm too good at it. But I like to play characters who sing. Host: Have you heard Amanda sing? Tangi Miller: Amy Jo and Amanda are forming their own band. I haven't had the chance to hear Amy Jo sing, but I've heard Amanda sing and she's got a great voice. She performs locally, here in Los Angeles. bee: Do you feel that the show has been too sexually charged lately? Tangi Miller: No ... I was watching the last episode with my family and my aunt was surprised! But that's part of college, getting into guys and stuff. I don't think it's overly charged, though. bigA: Do you like to bowl or do you have any hobbies? Tangi Miller: My hobbies are dancing and cooking. I can bowl, but I don't know that I'd do it regularly. But when I get my groove on, I can do it. bay: How has your new life affected your family members? Tangi Miller: When I first got the job, during the first season, my family got all excited and they took pictures and stuff. But now they're used to it and it's back to the same old. Family is family, and they're happy for me, but they treat me just the same. Sternchen: If I remember this right you did study Shakespeare? Have you ever done Shakespeare in any theater play? Tangi Miller: Yes, I was Ariel in The Tempest, and I did Tanya in A Midsummer Night's Dream. And I've done Greek theater, Helen in Helen of Troy, and I was Electra in The Orestaia. I've done quite a bit of classical theater. Gozarian: Who does all the cast members' hair style? Tangi Miller: There are two people, Trish and Laura. They're the stylists on the show. They divide us up and go back and forth, styling our hair. My braids are done outside the show, by a woman named Judy from Cameroon, West Africa. Gozarian: Do you have a say in how the show should be written/planned? Tangi Miller: Not at all! :) We get to suggest things we'd like to see our characters do, but we don't ... the writers write the show. Our job is to make those words come alive through the characters. mrwonka: You and Donald aren't dating off the set are you? Tangi Miller: No! :) It's just a show! It's pretend! :) Small_B: Are you a Laker fan??? Tangi Miller: Sort of ... I like the World Cup, that's the sport I follow ... soccer. I'll watch a good basketball game, but I don't really follow it. I like to watch soccer, I like to see the countries go at it! Host: Did you see any of the Women's World Cup? Tangi Miller: I would love to see the Women's World Cup .... melody: Do people recognize you in public? Tangi Miller: Sometimes ... It's only strange when they call me by my first name and they don't really know me. If they say I love your show, I know that they're a fan of the show. If they just say 'Hi Tangi!' It makes me wonder where I know them from! Host: Does your name have any special meaning? Tangi Miller: My mother. Tangi Terrell, who sang with Marvin Gaye, knew my mother. annie: Was there a big celebration when the show was renewed? Tangi Miller: We had wrapped already. I got a phone call and I was insane! I think we're all excited about it and will celebrate when we get together. We called around, but we haven't gotten together yet. Host: Any final thoughts on this season? Or any hints? Tangi Miller: You will laugh a lot at the finale. I had fun this season. I liked the way the characters developed. You really see a group of friends. Amanda's character now is not just a roommate, but part of the group. Just like you do in college. Host: Thanks for joining us in the studio today, Tangi! And thank you to our guests for logging on ... hope you check out the season finale tonight! Thanks again, Tangi, best of luck, we'll see you next season! Thanks for joining us for tonight's Felicity chat! Don't miss our next chat and be sure to tune into Felicity on TV or check out the Web site at www.felicity.com.

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