Blake Lively, 17, plays the role of Bridget in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She is a senior this year at Burbank High School in Los Angeles. This is her first big acting job. KYW Extra spoke with Blake on the set.
KYW Extra: How did you get into acting?
Blake Lively: My whole family is in show business. My dad is an actor. He and my mom coach other actors. I grew up watching my parents coach other kids. I never wanted to pursue acting. I kind of fell into it.
Tell us about the character you play.
Blake: Bridget is an athlete and bursting with energy. She is always the life of the party, but her morn committed suicide, and she doesn't really get along with her dad. She tries to shut out all the bad stuff and pretend it never happened.
Are you anything like your character?
Blake: Yes and no. I am so energetic. I always have to be going, going and making things fun. Plus, I enjoy playing sports. I feel Bridget and I are the same in that way. But it's different in that Bridget doesn't have any family at all, and I have a huge family that always supports me.
Did you spend time with other cast members?
Blake: Before we began filming, the director had us e-mail each other to get to know each other. When we were together on the set, we spent every second of every day together. I've made three really, really great friends.
Had you read the book before being cast?
Blake: No, I read it after getting the part. I enjoyed the book so much. I can understand how people are so in love with this book.
Why is the story important to tell?
Blake: In real life, I hang out mostly with guys because some females are just into all the drama as teenagers. I don't really care for that. Movies like Mean Girls make females out to be horrible people. This movie shows that girls really aren't that bad. They can form special bonds.
