She's played a singin' and dancin' rich bitch in "The American Mall," a hottie neurotic on a Barton-free "O.C."—and she's even posed for a couple of men's magazines. Now she's starring in the CW's new series "Valentine," in which she plays a goddess well-versed in the ways of love. How could we not interview Autumn Reeser?
Are you in LA right now?
I’m actually sitting in the makeup chair for “Valentine.” We’re in the beginning of our third week [of shooting].
What is it like being on a show now where you’re starting at the beginning, compared with your mid-series role on "The O.C."?
It’s wonderful to be starting from the very beginning and being involved in developing the tone of the show. I’ve never had the opportunity before and I’m completely loving it. It's a little more intimidating to come onto a show that’s already been as successful as “The O.C.” and has been running for two years.
How would you describe “Valentine”?
I think it's “Heroes” meets “Miss Guided.” My character is really quirky and sweet. She’s experiencing the world in a different way because she’s not a mortal and she sees the world differently. She’s just fierce, and she’s a psychic.
Do you have any psychic powers yourself? Hold on—I’m thinking of a number between one and ten...
Seven.
Hey, that’s right!
Because that’s the one most people commonly pick.
“Valentine” is based around the concept of having a soul mate. Is that something you believe yourself or do you think that’s just a fantasy to help people get through the day?
If there was only a perfect person for you in the entire world, that would be very scary in real life, because what if you don’t find them?
It’s a lot of pressure.
That would be a lot pressure. I prefer to think that there’s a lot of people who could be right and for me relationships, is what’s so wonderful about them is that you build them and you grow together and that’s what makes someone your soul mate. I think that’s something you work towards.
Would you consider doing a reality show or competition like “Dancing With the Stars”?
I don’t think so. I get very nervous when I have to just be myself on camera. I’m not nervous at all playing a character on camera when I’m acting, but I think I would be incredibly nervous and intimidated to have cameras just following me around my everyday life.
So you'd rather be a character and hiding behind a mask?
The funny thing is, I don’t actually feel like I’m hiding when I play a character. I think I would feel self-conscious about the ordinariness of my life. I would feel like, “I’m just sitting here—why are you filming me?!”
There’s the title of your reality show: “I’m Just Sitting Here—Why Are You Filming Me?!”
(Laughs.) That would totally be the title of my reality series!
As a person who will probably never be asked to pose semi-nude, can you describe the experience of posing for a men’s magazine?
I had a great time both shoots that I’ve done. I don’t know if it’s because I watch “America’s Next Top Model” and it’s a way to live out my modeling dreams.
So you can hear Tyra telling you to be fierce?
Yeah, I totally hear Tyra. “Fierce! Fierce! Smile with your eyes.” There was a whole episode where she talked about posing for men’s magazines versus posing for women’s magazines and the way you stand.
Do you feel like you’re playing a character when you’re posing?
I do. Because the outfit informs the character. Like the shoot I just did—in a lot of the shots I wore black pants and leather and red lipstick, and that tells you a little about your character right there.
You seem to have a really intimate relationship with your clothes.
Clothes are very, very important to developing a character for me. Especially the shoes. I feel that the type of shoe you’re wearing informs the way your character walks, the way your character moves, the way your character has a connection with themselves. Some characters like ["The O.C."'s] Taylor Townsend always wore stilettos. Stilettos have a little bit of power to them, and they make you walk a certain way. And Madison in "American Mall," I couldn’t play her in flats. They were her little power tool. Phoebe is a flower child, and she’s very in touch with the earth, so she’s in flat sandals most of the time. I like the soles to feel flexible so I can feel the earth.
I know how to get to your heart now—buy you a pair of shoes, right?
Well, for my characters it’s shoes. The real way into my heart in real life? Organizational tools. A gift certificate to The Container Store, and you’re in my heart forever.
"Valentine" premieres Sunday, October 5, at 8pm/7c on the CW.
