BeatBoxBetty Interviews Mena Suvari

-Written By: BeatBoxBetty
- July 2000

With her career in full swing, the untainted and still humble MENA SUVARI really has nothing to worry about. Except another "American" movie.

There was "American Pie", "American Beauty" and now, due to her fame, they're releasing a movie she did years ago called "American Virgin". What's next? "American American"?

Thankfully, Mena's latest role is that of a quirky coed opposite Jason Biggs in the romantic comedy "Loser" - directed by "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Clueless" director Amy Heckerling.

But what is Mena Suvari really after? Just a little respect, some decent shopping and a bitchin' BeDazzler. Huh? Read on...

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Copyright 2000

Betty: Since you've made quite a living playing a teenager, I was wondering, what were you like in high school?
Mena: For me, I guess it was a just little different. I moved around a lot in my life. And usually you tend to form the relationships in middle school and high school - and I didn't really have that. I moved out to L.A. when I was 15 from South Carolina, so I had my freshman and sophomore year at one high school and I graduated from another. So, there again I split it up, and it was just about academics for me and really just graduating and making it through.

You know, one example, when we had the earthquake out here [in Los Angeles] I was teased. People would say, "Did your chickens get loose?" 'cause I lived in South Carolina. You know, just things like that.

Betty: You were teased by kids here in California?
Mena: Yes! "Did your chickens get loose in the uuuurthquake?" Oh, no, no. I had the word "South" associated with Carolina. It's just the way that kids are. And so I didn't have that many friends. No. I had like one or two friends and didn't go to the prom. Like I said, it was very much about graduating.

Betty: What do all those people that were teasing you about your chickens say now?
Mena: Who knows. I don't know...I mean, I haven't seen anybody from high school.

Betty: They're probably all freakin' out right about now. In "Loser" your character sort of reinvents Jason Biggs' character. In your own life, have you ever gone through a really big transition, or transformed your look for better or worse?
Mena: I don't know, but I change all the time.

Betty: Do you like to change all the time?
Mena: Yeah, you know, I like … fashion! No. I like anything fashion oriented. But I don't think I really had any drastic change.

Betty: What kind of fashion are you into? Are you into the funky thrift store stuff?
Mena: Um, not so much, I use to be. Now I'm very much about … haute couture. Ha! No.

Betty: Do you do anything to keep yourself looking beautiful? Are you in training?
Mena: You really want to ask me these questions? You're so bad. I drink a milk shake! That's my training. I don't know. I like sports. I like to keep active. I like hiking and things like that, and horse back riding. But shopping … that's my exercise. Open the door, carry the bags... I'm really bad.

Betty: You're not selling your own clothes yet?
Mena: No, um, no.

Betty: Your "Loser" director, Amy Heckerling, said I should get a bracelet from you.
Mena: Oh yeah. I make all kinds of stuff. I got my fingers in everything. I just bought a BeDazzler - do you know what that is? I'm all about BeDazzling. If you can make something for ten bucks, why should you spend money for this? One of my best friends is in retail. All we do is like shop.

Photo by Christina Radish
"I drink a milkshake. That's my training!"

Related Links:
EBay Auctions for BeDazzlers
Official "Loser" Website

Betty: What's a BeDazzler?
Mena: It's like this tool where, you know, rhinestones, it's just a metal backing that puts it on, so you can wash it.. I mean I make shirts. Things are too expensive in this town. I'd like to maybe design my own pants 'cause I have this really weird figure. And it's like everything I try on, doesn't fit. I have to take it in anyway, so, I just make my own stuff.

Betty: And they're selling T-shirts that were BeDazzled …
Mena: Yeah, for fifty bucks! It's a joke. I go downtown to the fashion district with my friend and get stuff. It's unbelievable, and if you go on Melrose... they just rape you of your money, man, it's unbelievable. Anyway … back to the movie!! I'm in a fashion conference now.

Betty: I understand you did the movie "Live Virgin" which probably wouldn't have come out, but now with your recent fame...
Mena: I don't know anything about that; it's really weird. I did that years ago. But now I heard they changed it to "American Virgin". Is this true? I'm so upset. I'm gonna kill myself tonight.

Betty: How about "American Loser"?
Mena: God! I can't believe it.

Betty: Does that bother you?
Mena: What, American?

Betty: No, that a movie you did years ago …
Mena: No, because I had a lot of fun on that and it was an independent film, a French production, and I was like the live virgin. And it was a chance to play the lead. And Robert Loggia played my father, and Bob Hoskins was in it and Sally Kellerman. It was a lot of fun. It's really not as raunchy as you might think.

Jason Biggs and Mena Suvari
on the set of "Loser".
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures.

Betty: You co-starred with Jason Biggs in "American pie". What was it like working with him again?
Mena: Well, it was pretty much like the first time I worked with him because I had been involved with him in "American Pie" but I never really worked with him or got to know him. He probably said "Hi", or something like that. So it was just the best. I think he is such a wonderful actor. He's such a wonderful guy all the way around - so down to earth. I would work with him in a second.

Betty: It's nice to see you do some fun stuff. Is your next film ("Sugar and Spice") also a comedy?
Mena: Yeah. It's complete comedy at the core. We're like six girls - a squad of cheerleaders - and our captain, played by Marlie Sheldon, gets pregnant. So we devise this heist; we rob this bank to help her out. It's really uppity, fast paced and cutesy. My name is Kansas, I'm like the tough girl. It's really funny.

Betty: Oh, hey...congratulations. What's it like being a married woman?
Mena: It's great. I'm the happiest I could ever be. I never thought that I would even be married, it's amazing, it happened to me.

Betty: Do you get along with the family?
Mena: Oh yeah. Well, they live in Germany. They don't speak too much English, but they love me. He's like my best friend - he's like my other half. I couldn't see anything without him.

Betty: What keeps you grounded with all the craziness that goes on around you?
Mena: Wow. Well, I try not to think too much about the craziness so I don't have to get grounded, you know what I mean? I try to get out of there, because of all the magazines or the press and the fans. I just don't feel like who I'm suppose to be, so I don't think about that too much. All of it is just really nice and I hope they go see the movie, but I can't speak about that too much, I just hope the press just leads to roles that I'm happy with. It's not really about, "oh I'm a celebrity". All that has just kind of happened.

Betty: It must be really bizarre.
Mena: It totally is. Because like I said, I don't feel like the person that I should be, like I'm Mena, you know? I can't take it too seriously - I just have fun with it.

Betty: As well you should. I think that kind of attitude will get you far in this business.
Mena: Thanks!