Your character falls in love with Ron Burgundy, an arrogant, hairy, obnoxious guy. Could you fall for a man like that?
Definitely. He’s endearing. He’s sweet, he’s ambitious, and he’s this lovable, gentle teddy bear. That sweetness is a turn-on. It shows you that he’s not a bad person, even when he says ridiculous things.
Have you dated any real-life Ron Burgundys?
No, because I’m that person. [Laughs.] Often times, when I try to make a joke, I don’t know what I’m talking about and people look at me all confused. I was homeschooled, and I remember thinking when I was around 19 that New England was a country. No joke, I asked somebody, “What is that country that you can get to by train from New York?” [Laughs.] I’d seen New England in Valley of the Dolls and didn’t realize it wasn’t a country.
That’s not something you’d ever want to share on a first date.
You never know. I appreciate it when people are authentic. There’s a difference between having wisdom and having knowledge. I have a lot of wisdom, having grown up in this industry, but I’ve had to work on the knowledge part. So it never bothers me when I meet another person who doesn’t have a whole lot of knowledge, as long as they have wisdom. I’m more attracted to someone’s wisdom than their book smarts.
Earlier in your career, your sexuality was a big selling point, from 50 Cent’s “21 Questions” video to playing the sexy love interest in various movies. How do you feel about that time in your life?
When I got into my 20s, I was fighting for people to see that the little girl from Friday and Eve’s Bayou wasn’t a little girl anymore. That’s why my career took the “sexy” turn. By my mid-20s, it had backfired. I was always playing the sexy roles. It was hard for me to be taken seriously as a good actress. I had to fight my way out of that box that people put me in.
Playing the female lead in an Anchorman sequel must feel like a huge accomplishment.
It does. I’m just now getting into my 30s, and this is the best I’ve ever felt inside and the best I’ve ever looked. I’m so ready. It’s like reliving your 20s but so much better, with a stronger sense of who you are and who you’re not. Because of that, I’ve never felt sexier. It’s a whole new kind of “sexy” turn for me.
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