True Blood’s Kristin Bauer van Straten, who throws out the best oneliners in True Blood, was recently interviewed by improper.com where she talked about art, cast-member crushes and people she’d bite if she were a vampire. Below is part of that interview.
JONATHAN SOROFF: Do you believe vampires exist?
KRISTIN BAUER: In Hollywood? Energy vampires, certainly. Are you kidding me?
WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU—PAINTING OR ACTING?
Well, one puts food on the table, and I’m very practical. The other one kinda helps me repair the chaos inflicted by the other. But of course, I’d have to pick eating and a roof over my head for the moment.
WOULD YOU RATHER BE REMEMBERED FOR PAINTING OR ACTING?
Interesting question. Painting was sort of my secret. Nobody knew that I did it, and it was sort of my secret sanctuary. I finally decided to tell people that I did this other thing, and I built my website. I still have a foot and a half in the acting world, so I’ll still say acting. But my painting is all me.
IS IT ANNOYING TO BE REMEMBERED AS “MAN HANDS” FROM SEINFELD?
[Laughs] Hmm…Man Hands or a great painter? I think you’d have to go with Man Hands, don’t you think?
WHO’D WIN IN A WRESTLING CONTEST: YOU OR RUTINA WESLEY [WHO PLAYS TARA THORNTON]?
Oh my God. After watching her last year, I’ve gotta go with Rutina.
IS IT A STRETCH FOR YOU TO PLAY SUCH A BITCH?
No! Not at all! Interestingly, amazingly, those shoes are really easy to step into.
WEIRDEST FAN ENCOUNTER?
She was wearing a cape, and she gave me a journal that she’d been keeping. It took me, a few friends and some cocktails to figure out what she was trying to say, and I think it had something to do with her being my maker as a vampire. She also grabbed my ass. [Laughs.] Pretty memorable.
DO YOU REALLY GET TO SEE ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD NAKED?
Yes! It’s a nice perk.
WHO’S THE SEXIEST MAN ON TRUE BLOOD?
It’s almost impossible for me to say at this point, because I’m so close to all these people. We’re in year five of our relationships. But I do have to say that one of the set crushes for a lot of the girls is Chris Bauer [who plays Andy Bellefleur]. This is the sexiest cast. Whatever your type, he’s there. But Chris Bauer is sort of the on-set heartthrob. Cute, sweet, cool. He’s the guy you’d marry.
DID YOU THINK THE SHOW WAS GOING TO BE SO HUGE?
I didn’t. As an actor, you can only hope that you’ll end up on a show like this. Watching it grow, and the fans, and the numbers, it’s just amazing. I don’t feel like we’ve reached the limit yet.
ANY THOUGHTS ON TWILIGHT?
I took my nieces to see it. They’re 15, 16, and they’re not allowed to watch True Blood yet. I thought, “Oh, perfect!” And it was.
THINK THIS WHOLE VAMPIRE TREND IS GOING TO RUN ITS COURSE ANYTIME SOON?
I thought it ran its course with Anne Rice. Then I thought it ran its course five years ago. And I keep seeing yet another vampire show every time I turn around. It seems to be a classic story line and archetype we keep coming back to.
IF YOU COULD, WOULD YOU BECOME A VAMPIRE?
I’ve thought about that. It’s a bit like that game “Would You Rather…” I tell myself that I’d be spiritually evolved enough to have faith in the system as it is—bodies are supposed to die. You’re a spiritual being. You’re not this vessel you’re in. But… would I be able to turn down perpetual youth? And they’re always wealthy and they always dress well. If you caught me on the wrong day, I’d say, “Oh, yeah.”
To read the rests of this interview with Kristin, go to: improper.com
