[And his leading lady echoes that observation.] American men don't want to do comedy that makes them look silly or less masculine, ... But he has no fear. He throws himself into things. In fact, he threw himself out of a second-story window one day. He had the stunt me put down mats so everyone would laugh hysterically. |
[Even today, after a bit of mild prodding, Witherspoon can accurately demonstrate Carter Cash's signature ways of keeping time to the music - foot-stomping hillbilly clogging moves or an exaggerated, stiff-armed style of clapping. She analyzed Carter Cash's penchant for accentuating her tiny waist by wearing tight corsets and big, puffy skirts. One thing Witherspoon learned from studying the tapes is when her appearance softened.] Once she started performing with John, ... her hair came down, was longer, and she was wearing more flowing dresses. It was like he sparked the acknowledgment of her sexuality. She began using her femininity to express the songs. |
[Unlike Carter Cash, who was drafted into the family business at a young age, Ms. Witherspoon was a child model and actress by choice. Still, she knows how Carter Cash must have felt as a kid expected to comport herself like a pint-sized grown-up.] That becomes a big, weird part of a person's personality, ... You have to be very adult, businesslike, professional and then have a colorful and childlike personality when you're performing. It's definitely a formative experience. |
A lot of work. A lot of vocal coaching, a lot of instrument training. |
A Walk to Remember. |
And I liked all that debate and mock trial stuff in high school. It's important to know how to make your points. |
At that point, music was very organic. It wasn't about synthesizing sounds or creating a computer. It was about storytelling and interpretation and performance. There was a lot of that kind of coaching going on. |
awful... I was sure they were going to have LeAnn Rimes sing my part. |
battering and endangering a child to get a picture for their magazines is criminal and not business as usual. |
Being a Southern person and a blonde, it's not a good combination. Immediately, when people meet you, they think of you as not being smart. |
but I feel like it's a mistake! |
Creating a cultural icon out of someone who goes, 'I'm stupid, isn't it cute?' makes me want to throw daggers. I want to say to them, 'My grandma did not fight for what she fought for just so you can start telling women it's fun to be stupid. Saying that to young women, little girls, my daughter? It's not OK'. |
Everything I sang sounded awful. So I went outside and I screamed. Everyone pretty much agreed it was awful. |
He enjoys that style of music and understands how culturally and historically relevant it is, |
He is who he is. He's not posturing or trying to look pretty or have great hair. He's just a real man and he's funny. There are a lot of actors who don't think funny is cool. So it's nice to see someone of his caliber doing comedy. |