“I had my whole life set up in London and I knew it would just be me continuing to dance and I would eventually become professional, win world championships, and then I would be a teacher or I would tour around Europe and Asia and do shows and get titles. I knew all this and it’s not what I wanted. I wanted to act, but living with my dance coaches made dance my only option.” sion for a 15 year old girl to make, but I needed to do something for me. You finished high school in Utah where you had been raised in the LDS church. Do you still consider yourself Mormon? I was raised Mormon and then went to London where it wasn’t part of my life at all and then came back and was super Mormon again and then came to L.A. where I wasn’t around it. Now I’m older and I almost appreciate it more. I hold onto the everyday teachings, but as far as the religious teachings there might be parts I disagree with here and there. I’ve modified it to fit my lifestyle but it taught me great morals and principals. It gave me a sense of what it means to be a nice person, to be humble, what it means to be grateful and a desire to service people. Does it bother you when it’s the subject of ridicule? There’s always somebody that’s going to say this is ridiculous and somebody else saying that’s ridiculous. I went and saw The Book of Mormon [2011 Tony winning Broadway musical] and it was absolutely outstanding. Very crude and disturbing and out there, but it was hilarious. There are things that are very true that they made fun of but in the end there’s a good message that no matter what you believe in, as long as it gives you hope and makes you a better person, then it’s worth fighting for.
You’ve been with Ryan Seacrest for two years. What made you fall in-love? You know, we gush and mush at each other all the time. At dinner we’ll always be sitting there explaining the reasons why we love each other. It’s corny and silly but it’s great. I love talking about Ryan. He’s so genuine and loyal. I didn’t realize…I had perceptions of who I thought he was. On our first date I thought, “This is so not what I expected.” He’s one of the most thoughtful--not just boyfriends or men--but people I’ve ever met. A lot of the romantic things he does for me are sometimes not even specifically for me. He’ll remember my Mom’s birthday or that it’s Mother’s Day and he’ll send something. I would so much rather him be like that with my family than have him do something for me. When Ryan talked with Tom Cruise on KISS fm during the filming of Rock of Ages, Cruise praised your talent. How scary initially was it to be surrounded by such entertainment giants? I was so scared for the table read that I just went in and said, “I’m fuckin’ nervous!”
Can’t blame you! Everyone was out of their element and nervous, so I just addressed the big white elephant in the room. Tom is so inspiring though. I always admire people that are focused and work hard. He made me feel like I could play and have fun instead of feeling JULIANNE HOUGH IN “ROCK OF AGES” restricted or so nervous that I couldn’t realGrowing up in the LDS church, what is the ly let go. Mary J [Blige] and I got really close biggest misconception? on the movie too. All of our conversations were motivating and That everybody has ten wives. At one point that was the case, uplifting. She told me, “I’m there for you no matter what. As but… your friend, your sister, your aunt, your Mom. I’ll be whatever you want me to be.” It’s not “Big Love?” [laughs] No. It is community based though. I think about You have such a solid support system and a confidence that when I have kids and how I want to raise them. I really love frankly seems unstoppable. Are there any insecurities lurking how their community is and how everyone looks out for each behind that cheerful exterior? other. There’s a sense of family and I want that for my kids. I could care less if tabloids say I look fat, but the thing I get the most insecure about is when I hear, “Oh, it must be nice dating Despite only being 23, do you feel you’re ready to tie the knot Ryan so you can do movies.” I’m like, “Yo! I’ve been doing this and do the family thing? a lot longer than I’ve been dating him.” I never want people I feel like I’m 43 - I’m so tired! But yes, I’m ready. This last film to think I’ve gotten somewhere or gotten something I haven’t I just did with Diablo Cody made me very clear with where I’m worked for. I’m here. at personally and professionally. I feel really grounded. - LECIA DOSS WWW.ZOOEYMAGAZINE.COM
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