Lindsay Lohan Interview

IGNFF's Jeff Otto talks one on one with Freaky Friday star Lindsay Lohan.

August 06, 2003 - After drawing excellent reviews for playing the dual role of twin daughters in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan took a few years to let her fame settle down and deal with that normal teenage girl world of high school. In the meantime she acted in a few Disney Channel movies and focused on her singing career.

When she was offered the role of Anna in the Disney remake of Freaky Friday, she jumped at the chance. Besides playing opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, she'd get to sing and learn to play guitar. What teenage girl could pass up the chance to play a mother? For Lohan, this was a great opportunity.

Lohan looks like a normal teen. She doesn't appear changed by her fame and, unlike many of the girls who were in my high school class, she's easy to talk to and very nice. Of course, ten years ago I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to talk to her either. I got a chance to meet Lindsay and talk about her role in Freaky Friday, working with Jamie Lee and her future as an actress and singer.

IGN FILMFORCE: Why has it been so long since you've acted in a feature film?

LINDSAY LOHAN: When I did Parent Trap, I was ten. I was thrown off by the whole fame thing. It came all at once and Parent Trap was an amazing movie. ...How do you do something that can top that? I wanted to go to school and be a normal kid... I went to high school and I did two Disney Channel things which were fun, just to keep up. And then, Freaky Friday came along and it was just like, 'Wow, this is a great script and it would be perfect for me to come back with this.'

IGNFF: Did you watch the original Freaky Friday?

LOHAN: I saw the original Freaky Friday but I don't really want to go based on that. ...This is very different from the original. It's the same structure: the mother-daughter switching places... but my character is punk rock which is kind of tom-boyish, but it has more of an edge rather than being a tom boy. I didn't really go based on that and also it's Jodie Foster... I didn't want to try to be like Jodie Foster and do a terrible job and be really embarrassed.

IGNFF: Did you draw on the inspiration of your own mother at all in this role?

LOHAN: Sometimes. My mom stands a certain way and she has really good posture. So I took that from her. And whenever I slouch she goes over and she puts my back up straight. She'll probably notice that. ...My mom is a really cool mom. Jamie's character in the movie is very square and my mom is not very square. My mom is more like Jamie in real life.

IGNFF: Were you familiar with Jamie Lee's other work, or more specifically the horror movies?

LOHAN: Yeah, I'd seen all her Halloween stuff. They were so scary but I forced myself to see them with my brother and his friend and I loved them. And I saw True Lies. Her husband is an amazing actor also, Chris Guest. I'd seen a bunch of Jamie's movies and I think she's so great. She just has this thing about her when she's on screen you just can't stop looking. She has this thing about her. She's just really fun and outgoing. She's really cool. She's a great person.

IGNFF: Mark Waters (Director of Freaky Friday) said that he shot video footage of you and Jamie Lee to help you prepare for the roles. Can you tell me more about this?

LOHAN: I think that was a great idea on Mark Waters' part. We sat in a room, Jamie and I, and she read the whole script as she would have read it, as if there was no changing. It was really great to watch it back. I didn't watch it all back because we got the gist of each other. When we spent more time with each other as the characters, I kinda became my character throughout the movie, Anna. So then when I was Jamie, it was completely different. And the wardrobe helps a lot. I mean, when you see a mother in fishnets and a mini schoolgirl type outfit and a guitar...it's gonna help.

IGNFF: You have a song on the Freaky Friday soundtrack, "Ultimate." Is a singing career something you plan to pursue?

LOHAN: I've always been interested in singing and I've always been singing and dancing since I was little. It's hard right now, because there are a lot of other girls coming out. ...I don't want to just be one in the pack. I want to separate myself. I think who's doing a great job of that right now is Liz Phair... She's a really cool sound and she's just different...

IGNFF: Is there a particular style you will be going for in your own music?

LOHAN: I go through phases where I need to hear some pop and some N' Sync. I don't know exactly what I'm gonna do yet. I don't want to stay away from anything yet, because I don't really know. I probably won't be singing country, I know that. Because that's not all of my fan base and I want to do things that my sister's gonna like...Once I sign with a label, when I start meeting with people, then I think I'll be able to find where I should be at. To give you an answer, kind of rock hip-hop, if you could imagine that. Hip-Hop beats with a guitar. I want to be edgy because I'm 17...

IGNFF: Do you get to sing and dance in your next movie, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen?

LOHAN: I do sing in it, but it's different singing. It's not like I'm going to go singing in every movie I do. I just want to say that now, because then people are going to be like, 'Well, does she need to sing in every movie to make the movie work?' It just so happened that there was singing in the script. The singing in this is more pop/hip-hop and there's dancing in it, which I really wanted to show people that I can dance as well so that I can show people two different sides. So when I do come out with my singing then people can accept me as either/or, whichever I decide to go...We're just having so much fun making this. We have a great director. She's a genius. Her name's Sarah Sugarman... My character, she's really out there, she's really eccentric...

IGNFF: You have a website now, www.llrocks.com. How much involvement do you have in that?

LOHAN: I'm involved in, like, everything. If I had the time to do it myself [I would], but I wouldn't want to do a website for myself because that would just seem weird. I want to interact with my fans and I want to let people know what I'm doing and stuff like that because I'd want to know. I think that's a really cool thing. So I'm pretty involved in it.

IGNFF: Is there a particular actor that has taught you or helped you the most in your career?

LOHAN: When I worked with Dennis Quaid [on The Parent Trap] he would give me a lot of good things to keep with me for my career and stuff. Alec Baldwin has been a really good friend of mine for a while. He's a really good person and he's given me some great advice. ...Jamie's taught me a lot.

IGNFF: Who would you switch roles with for a day?

LOHAN: Madonna. I would switch roles with Madonna for a day. Or if Audrey Hepburn was still alive, Audrey Hepburn. I love Audrey Hepburn. She's one of my idols also.

-- Jeff Otto

Lindsay Morgan Lohan (1986 - ) In New York, NY, on 02 July 1986, Lindsay Lohan became the first child of a proud couple: Dina (a one-time Radio City "Rockette" and Wall Street analyst who now manages her daughter's career) and Michael Lohan (a long-time Wall Street trader who developed, then sold, his family's multi-million-dollar pasta business to fund and develop major studios and independent Hollywood productions). Three siblings (Michael, Aliana and Dakota) would follow in the years to come.

Lindsay started modeling (she was the first redheaded child ever signed by the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency) and acting at the tender age of 3. People in the business quickly recognized her talent, and she was hired to shoot more than 60 commercials; including spots for Pizza Hut, Wendy's and Jell-O (with Bill Cosby). A plum role soon followed on the television series Another World as the third actress (in late 1996 and early 1997) to play Alexandra "Alli" Fowler.

Around this time, USA Today says Lindsay also would become one of several New York-area children to appear in a Halloween skit on David Letterman, dressed as garbage (!).

It was not until 05 January 1997 that she knew she would be cast in a major motion picture. The director of The Parent Trap, Nancy Meyers, called Lindsay that day and told her that she had the part — or is that parts — of the twins. As you no doubt have seen (after all, you're here), Lindsay proved that she is an actress of considerable skill, deftly handling two different personalities in one single movie.

Lindsay was officially recognized for her talent as well; earning a Young Artist Award for Leading Actress (which she shared with Stepmom's Jena Malone), and nominations for a YoungStar Award and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award.

Early in 1999, Lindsay filmed another movie. Life-Size — originally a Wonderful World of Disney production later released on home video — allowed Lindsay to act with Tyra Banks.

In 2000, Lindsay won the role of "Rose" in Bette Midler's television sitcom, Bette. After shooting the pilot episode, the show's producers decided it would be easier on the crew — most of whom lived near Los Angeles — if filming moved to California. Lindsay gave up the role to stay in New York, and Los Angeles-area actress Marina Malota was pegged to take over the role of Midler's teen-aged daughter. The series was canceled only a few months later, due to sagging ratings and the strain on the show's stars (ironically, Midler had to fly cross-country from her New York home to film her own show).

In June, 2001, Lindsay completed filming the role of "Lexy Gold" in Get a Clue, the Disney Channel Original Movie of the Month for January, 2002 — later rescheduled for telecast in June, 2002.

Walt Disney Pictures announced on 31 July 2002 that Lindsay had signed on to play Anna Coleman in the theatrical remake of Freaky Friday. Updating yet another film from its vaults, Disney signed Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis (A Fish Called Wanda) as the mother-and-daughter team who wake up one day in each other's bodies. Lohan — who already proved she could fill Hayley Mills' shoes and then some — took on a role that helped propel a young Jodie Foster to stardom.

In September, 2002, Lindsay appeared poised to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a singer when one of the biggest names in music, Emilio Estefan, Jr., took Lindsay under his professional wing. Estefan Enterprises announced a five-album production deal and the promise of an aggressive effort to "sell" her pop style "with a rock edge" to a major record label.

In 2003, Lindsay accepted the lead role in Disney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (originally a New Line project written for Hilary Duff, who had to pass due to her full schedule). Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and in New York City, Queen is set for release early in 2004.

Later in 2003, leaving The Mouse behind (for now), Lindsay jumped over to Paramount Studios to re-team with Freaky director Mark S. Waters for Mean Girls. Principal photography ended in November, 2003. During filming, she began negotiations to star in Dramarama for Warner Bros.

Lindsay Lohan shares her birthday with the late US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the late civil rights activist Medgar Evers, the late King Olav V of Norway, former Philippine First Lady Imelda ("I have more shoes than you") Marcos, New Hampshire Congressman John Sununu, WWF wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart, retired NASCAR driver Richard "The King of Stock Car Racing" Petty, and the late Wendy's Restaurant founder Dave Thomas (really!). Fellow actors born on 02 July include Yancy Butler (Witchblade), James McNichol (General Hospital, brother of actress Kristy McNichol), Jerry Hall (Batman, ex-wife of Mick Jagger), Ron Silver (Billionaire Boys' Club), Brock Peters (Star Trek), Ken Curtis (Gunsmoke), and Polly Holliday (Flo on television, "Marva Kulp, Sr." in The Parent Trap)

Trivia:

Lindsay also has worked as a model for Abercrombie & Fitch Kids (A&F Kids) and Calvin Klein Kids.

Her family's last name is pronounced "low-han" but, when speaking quickly, they tend to say "lowen".

Lindsay was raised on Long Island, NY, where her family still maintains its home. She hasn't ruled out moving to California, however, following high school.

Her birthday is 02 July, not 11 October. That birthday was shared by Annie James and Hallie Parker, Lindsay's characters in The Parent Trap.

Lindsay earned the roles of the twins after a six-month casting search. Later, Life-Size and Get a Clue were offered by Disney as part of a three-picture deal signed after Trap was filmed.

Immediately after Trap, Disney offered Lindsay the lead female role in Inspector Gadget but, having just finished seven months' work on The Parent Trap, she declined. The role instead was accepted by Michelle Trachtenberg. Soon, a rumor began to circulate that Trachtenberg "gave" the Trap role to Lohan, who later "gave" the Gadget project to Trachtenberg. The rumor is not true. (On the other hand, did you know Michelle's "birthday is on October 11th??! How weird is that?")

Following a self-imposed hiatus, Lindsay auditioned for Freaky Friday.

The body-switch comedy opened on 06 August 2003, and immediately took its place as the top comedy at the box office, earning well over $100 million in US release. Lindsay's singing debut, Ultimate, helped propel the film's soundtrack album into Billboard Magazine's Top 20 in under three weeks.

Ultimate was written for Friday by songwriters Jeff Coplan and Robert Ellis Orrall.

Lindsay's Personal Stats

Eye Color: Green (yes, really!)

Hair: Auburn Red

Height: 5'4" (as of March, 2001)

Favorite Color: Pink

Foods: Chinese, Italian (pizza, pasta, penne alla vodka, chicken parmesan) Lots of junk foods!, Chips and dip, Popcorn, Pretzels, Soda (Pepsi), Cereal, Desserts, Chocolate mousse cake, Ice cream cake, Ice cream, (I have many favorites, but any food is good to me!)

Hobbies: Swimming, Basketball, Shopping, Singing, Reading, Writing, Gymnastics, Collecting Beanie Babies, Roller Blading

Stores (I LOVE to shop!): Abercrombie, Sweats Appeal (in NY), Steve Madden, Malls (love malls), Sneakers stores (I love Puma and Nike), Prada (bags),Solis, many more (too many to name hehe)

Favorite Subjects: Math and Science

Favorite Sports: Basketball
Soccer
Dancing
Acting (it's a sport for me hehe)
Singing

Favorite Animal:
Dog

Favorite Movies (I have soooooooo many favorites, but here are some):
Pretty Woman
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The Little Mermaid
All I Wanna Do
Bring it On
Heartbreakers (love it)

Favorite TV Shows (Many also):
Friends
Gilmore Girls
Ally McBeal
7th Heaven
Boy Meets World
Jack and Jill
Dawson's Creek

Favorite Actors/Actresses:
Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, (And lots more!)

Favorite Singers: Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Faith Hill, Lil Bow-wow, Sisqo, Lil' Kim, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart (I like R&B and hip-hop — many more favorite singers!!)

Interview Appearances: Rosie O'Donnell, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Kathie Lee, E! Entertainment, Entertainment Asylum, Howie Mandel, Good Morning America

Lindsay Lohan