Many people, especially teenagers, aspire to be actors, singers, models or any other profession in the entertainment industry. There are plenty of teens who have made the “big time”.
Unfortunately, a lot of these teenagers that have achieved fame and fortune in show business have let it go straight to their heads. They go out partying and, quite frankly, make fools of themselves out in public.
That certainly isn’t the case for Scarlett Pomers, who has appeared in many movies and television shows. Right now, she plays the role of Kyra Hart on the hit TV series Reba. Even though Scarlett is internationally famous, she is still a very down-to-Earth teenager who likes to have fun, loves her family, and still has other dreams besides acting that she wants to follow.
I was fortunate enough to interview Scarlett, and find out all about her life on and off set.
Me: Where did you grow up? Scarlett: I was born in Riverside, CA, moved to Orange County when I was a baby and then moved to LA when I was seven.
Me: How old are you? When’s your birthday? Scarlett: I turned 18 on November 28, 2006, which means I can vote! I can’t wait, and I hope all young people will see that it is privilege and our duty.
Me: Where did you go to school? Scarlett: I’ve been schooled mostly on set, but I started attending a prep school in high school. I’m excited to graduate this June!
Me: What do you like to do in your spare time? Scarlett: I love horseback riding, archery, writing poetry and songs, and I’ve been taking bellydance lessons for almost 5 five years.
Me: When did you realize you wanted to be an actor? Scarlett: I started when I was three with commercials and a music video. When I was nine, I got an incredible part on Star Trek Voyager. That’s when I really fell in love with acting and I told my mom that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Me: What was your first professional job? Scarlett: I played a little girl in Belfast Ireland in Michael Jackson’s video Heal the World. The video showed scenes of children in war-torn nations. It was a beautiful song.
Me: What are you most proud of professionally? Scarlett: The songs I’ve written. I love it when people tell me they can relate to my lyrics, because music is something that has really helped me through rough times in my life.
Me: Who are your biggest inspirations in your personal life? Scarlett: My family. They’re all unique and I know I can count on them no matter what.
Me: Who are your biggest inspirations professionally? Scarlett: Musically? Stevie Nicks Her songwriting is amazing, Acting? Jonny Depp. I think he could play any role. And for overall entertainer, it would have to be Reba. She conquers everything she tries.
Me: If you could work with any actor, who would it be? Scarlett: No question, it would be Jonny Depp. Oh yeah, I’d marry him too, if he’d just hurry up and ask me!
Me: What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered thus far? Scarlett: That would have to be my struggle with anorexia. It was a nightmare I never want to live through again, although I believe everything happens for a reason. A lot of people hide an eating disorder, but I believe it is an illness, and the stigma and shame surrounding it has to stop. I saw a lot of people who couldn’t afford treatment or their insurance wouldn’t cover them long enough to get well, so I felt compelled to start my charity Arch-Angels under the National Eating Disorders Association. We are trying to raise awareness of this deadly illness and fighting to push legislation that will require insurance companies to pay for treatment.
Me: How much of yourself goes into the characters you play? Scarlett: I think you put a piece of yourself in every role. It’s fun to become someone else, but your experiences in life inevitably help shape your perception of a character.
Me: What are the perks of being an actor? Scarlett: Traveling! I’ve been to many different states and even worked in New Zealand and Australia. My dream is to finish my album and tour the world.
Me: How do you keep grounded? Scarlett: My family takes care of that, especially my big brother. He teases me and calls me goofy nicknames. He still lives in the OC, but he drives to LA on weekends just to hang out with me. I love him a lot. He’s eleven years older than I am, so maybe that’s why we never fight.
Me: Do you have any upcoming projects we should look out for? Scarlett: The most exciting one to me would be the release of my album. I’m also considering several book offers, and I recently received an offer to star in a horror film. I love scary movies!
Me: What do you hope to accomplish in the future? Scarlett: I’d like to continue acting, but I also love to write and I’d like to have a book of my poems published. After that, how about a Grammy?!
