By Sean Doorly
Anne Hathaway shot to stardom with her role as the geek-turned-princess in the movie, "The Princess Diaries." In her new movie, "Enchanted Ella" Hathaway again plays a feisty female, but this time in a magical world of ogres, giants and wicked stepsisters. She plays Ella who at her birth was bestowed the gift-- and curse-- of obedience by her fairy Godmother.
Check out our photo gallery and find out what's her favorite fairy tale, the best and worst part about her job, why she likes playing strong women and more.
ChannelOne.com: Do you have a favorite fairy tale?
Anne Hathaway:
My parents got me a huge volume of "Grimm Fairy Tales" when
I was growing up. I read them because they were all so fabulously violent,
and I used to freak myself out. I read them at night with my flashlight.
It was great. My favorite story was the "Fisherman and His Wife."
I don't particularly know why, but I loved the idea of having an enchanted
fish being able to dispense wishes to kind people. It was also a good
lesson to learn gratitude, and to stay away from greed.
Q: In your new movie "Ella Enchanted," you play another
strong woman? Is that what attracts you to these roles?
A: There are
many different reasons to be attracted to a role. It's very difficult
to shy away from a strong woman. They are very difficult, but very attractive
to play
Q: Since you like to play strong women-- who are your heroines?
A: Many women
who I'm related to have gone through a lot -- my mom and a lot of my aunts.
I respect women out there who are trying to do their own thing and be
happy and honest.
Q: If you could go back five years, and give yourself some advice--
what would it be?
A: [Laughs] Relax. Everything will be fine. I would tell my self to worry less and have more fun.
Q: If you weren't an actress, what do you think you do for a career?
A: I would
be graduating from college right now. I would probably be doing whatever
my major led me too-- and freaking out about not having any career options
before me. I would probably try to get into psychoanalysis-- I've always
been interested in therapy.
Q: Is that what you're studying now?
A: No, I was
an English major with a minor in International Politics. If I wasn't interested
in acting, then I might have pursued therapy. It's something that's always
fascinated me-- the human mind.
Q: What's the greatest part about your job and the worst?
A: The greatest is just the fact that you get to do it. Being a working actress is not something everyone gets to do. Sometimes if you have the drive to work, you don't always get the opportunity. So it really is its own reward. Knowing there are characters waiting for you to play, and that there are people waiting to cast you. It's an extraordinary feeling.
The worst is the insecurity that comes with it. Also once you do have a certain level of success it does cut into your time and your personal life. Not being able to spend time with your loved ones and friends is really hard.
Q: What's the greatest part about your job and the worst?
A: The greatest is just the fact that you get to do it. Being a working actress is not something everyone gets to do. Sometimes if you have the drive to work, you don't always get the opportunity. So it really is its own reward. Knowing there are characters waiting for you to play, and that there are people waiting to cast you. It's an extraordinary feeling. The worst is the insecurity that comes with it. Also once you do have a certain level of success it does cut into your time and your personal life. Not being able to spend time with your loved ones and friends is really hard.