Jessica Alba

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by Roxanna Bina

IFQ sits down with Jessica Alba as she promotes her latest film Into the Blue.

Jessica Alba enters the room and we all stop breathing. In tight, but classy pants and a black lace top, she graces the air with her petite frame. She drinks her coffee, as we fasten our seatbelts. May the interview begin.

IFQ: You shot Into the Blue in the ocean, how did you survive?

Jessica Alba: With lots of seasick pills that kept my stomach together! But I’ve always loved the ocean; I grew up in California, so water is my element. Actually, when I was a kid I loved to pretend I was a mermaid. You know, we all pretend we are superheroes when we are kids, but for me it was all about mermaids.

IFQ: Apparently, some of the cast cried when they had to dive in the middle of sharks and interact with them, what about you?

JA: Well, I got very scared! I couldn’t wait to get out of the water! But I didn’t cry. Still, I really hated being surrounded by sharks. You have to understand that these are not CGI, computer graphic designed sharks; these are the real beasts. Actually sharks, in general, don’t attack, at least the kind of sharks we dealt with. But really, it was some kind of adrenaline rush. It was terrifying and awful. I wanted to get out of the water all the time.

IFQ: The film is about people looking for a treasure to change their lives. What would you do if you found treasure, or if you won the lottery?

JA: Well, I would keep acting because I love acting and I’m not doing that for the money, really. I think that if I had money, I would start financing my own movies. Not only movies I act in, but also the ones I can produce, the ones [with certain issues] that can open the eyes of people. I don’t want to be preachy and I still want to entertain, but there are things you can show people, about life, about injustice or causes. Documentaries are great to use in order to show your vision. I wouldn’t be political and take a certain side or another, but I would want to do films that have a purpose, a meaning, and an impact. Hopefully with the money I generate, I could bring more awareness to causes I believe in.

IFQ: Do you have causes that you fight for?

JA: Yes, I have a few causes and charities that I’m involved with. One of them is a place called “The Peace Garden,” where orphans go. Once a week these kids are given a piece of land and they can grow whatever they want on it. Also, it’s a youth center. Kids, who are orphans from all horizons, come to this place to meet and interact with each other. Also, I’m starting a baby clothing line because lately, with all my friends and my brother about to have babies, I’m inspired by all the stories and the achievements of parents trying to raise their kids. I realize how hard it is to have kids and to make them grow in peace and harmony. And of course, a good portion of the money I’ll make from that clothing line will go to charities dealing with kids and peace for kids. It’s all about inspiring life and empowering kids to be all they can be, even when they are young.

IFQ: Does this inspire you to have kids of your own?

JA: For sure, I have always wanted to become a mother. But it’s all about the right timing and taking the time off to be able to focus on the kids. So for now, I’m just happy to spend time with my friends’ kids, but I’ll be ready. I have been ready ever since I have taken care of kids since age four or five. Now I know how to be a mother. It’s inspiring for me to look at how parents are surviving and trying to figure out what is good or bad for their kids, and if it’s good to give them Mc Donald’s or not or to give them such and such. Also, since there are economical tensions and war, it’s amazing for me to see people being able to devote themselves to kids, who are so pure, so innocent. Also it’s impressive to find out that people totally sacrifice themselves to raise kids. Because in America, you have no maternity paid leave of absence at all. This means that a mother has no time to raise kids and be paid her salary. She has to go back to work immediately. This is insane and that’s very inspiring to me, that level of dedication.

IFQ: Lately, you were a superhero in Fantastic Four. How do you explain that these superheroes are so popular and in demand for more and more movies?

JA: Superhero stories have always existed from Greek mythology to today. They are here to save us in a way. People want to be extraordinary. They don’t want to blend in and be part of a machine. People want to know why they are on this planet and find a purpose in their lives. These superheroes are popular for these reasons because we can identify with them or want to identify with them and this way we can escape our daily routine and existence.

IFQ: Do you think that there is some type of superhero in all of us, but society doesn’t always let us be that super guy or girl?

JA: For sure, we are all unique and we all have some type of talent, something unique about us. It’s true that sometimes in society it’s hard to find our way and our meaning to life. It’s all about “escapism” from the reality of life.

IFQ: Did you dream about having superpowers as a kid?

JA: Yes, I have always dreamed about having some superpowers. At times, I wish I could have stopped time, and some other moments I wanted to fly! Also, I wish sometimes I could have traveled through time.

IFQ: Today, what do you think is your superpower, the power nobody knows about?

JA: Hmmm…Cooking! For sure, I love cooking and I think I’m pretty good at it!

IFQ: What type of cooking?

JA: I can follow any type of recipe because of all of the different cultures in my blood [Alba’s father is Mexican and her mother is French and Danish]. I love to follow a typical Mexican or French recipe and then improvise and make it my own. Also, I love to make my own version of Chinese food or BBQ.

IFQ: It seems like you enjoy doing so many different roles. Is it done on purpose?

JA: Yes, I don’t want to do films that are alike. I’m not a character actor. I like to show the range of acting that I can, from comedy to drama to romance. I think that for my career it’s a good thing to be in different types of movies and not be able to be put in a box, with a specific label. I totally do it on purpose. I want every movie and every experience to be different.

IFQ: What do you think about other actresses who are your age being on the cover of the tabloids and giving the impression that their lives are all about the media sensation of their being rather than the expression of their acting?

JA: I think that people get excited about being in the media’s eye. But for me, it has never been the case. I can care less about being popular and famous. I have never been popular anyway, in my youth. I just want to act; I love to act and dive into a character. I love to be vulnerable and be put in a situation that I could never be in. I love to see what the other actors are going to give me and how this affects me. I love what I do for a living. It’s such an organic, cool thing. I don’t do this to be seen or to be in a group. I always have been a hard worker and I have no time to be the center of the attention. I just want to do a serious job, a good job, be good at what I’m doing and what I’m being paid for.

IFQ: Are paparazzi after you?

JA: Well, sure some of them do see and follow me, but I don’t act foolish. They don’t really get any pictures of me that are intriguing and worth anything. I don’t yell or curse at them or fight with them because I know this would trigger something, and they would get the pictures they want. I don’t pose like some girls do. I really don’t care about them; they mean nothing to me. It doesn’t make a good picture when you just see me with jeans, a t-shirt and my baseball cap down.

IFQ: You seem to be, indeed, very busy and hardworking?

JA: I have been living at my house only two months for the last year or so. I didn’t have time to do my favorite hobby, which is scuba diving! Between six months on the Fantastic Four and four months and a half in the Bahamas shooting Into the Blue and a few weeks in Austin to appear in Sin City, this was a real busy year for me. So I want to go home and take my dogs for a walk, and cook and just hang out.

IFQ: Do you take your dogs everywhere?

JA: Pretty much and actually, my two pugs have the worst habit dogs can get, which is to run after anything with wheels. They were chasing cars with wild dogs when we were shooting in the Bahamas. Now they chase anything that has wheels, even wheels chairs! It’s so embarrassing. Also they chase roller blades and skateboards. I tried to train them, but they are bad and don’t listen at all. They just listen if they have food in front of them. On top of that, one trainer taught my dog, whose name is Sid, commands in French and Spanish. Because “Sid” is too close to “Sit,” I had to learn some French and Spanish words and now I’m totally confused and my dogs are even more [confused]. The only way to command them is to show them food and then they do whatever!

IFQ: Also, the movie Into the Blue is about violence in our society and how we see people more and more relying on guns. Do you have a gun and what do you think about people in America having guns?

JA: Well, I don’t have a gun. I know people who do, but they live in areas of L.A where you need a gun to feel secure. This doesn’t mean it’s smart to have a gun, but they feel they need one. They feel safer because everyone has a gun and so they would be at a disadvantage if they didn’t have a gun. This is for sure a bizarre vicious circle. The weird thing is that being me, I need to have security as I tour and do all of the promotions and it’s interesting for me to find out that most of my bodyguards don’t have or need a gun. Actually, they say that you need a huge amount of time to take a gun, aim and shoot. The best thing is either to act physically by kicking back or to run; run very fast from whoever seems to be a threat. I don’t think we need guns. I think that in life defense is the best offense. Just run for your life and don’t get into a conflict.

IFQ: Do you like action in films and are you an adrenaline junkie?

JA: I do love action when it’s about acting. And even when you’re sweaty and you feel like hell and all you want to do is take a shower, still, it’s a nice adrenaline rush. Having said that, I’m not at all in search of the ultimate rush. I can care less about sky-diving and feel the adrenaline pumping. I think I take enough risks just jumping on the freeway and braving the traffic. That’s plenty of risks for me.

IFQ: What was the most adrenaline rush you felt while shooting your films?

JA: Well in this film, for sure, it was swimming among sharks! That’s pretty intense. But also, driving fast on a motorcycle on my TV show Dark Angel was quite a rush and a fright. Some sequences were terrifying. I think I’m done with feeling adrenaline. I just want a family and I just want to enjoy life and not worry about anything.

IFQ: What do you look for in a man? When you meet somebody, is it all about his income?

JA: No, I don’t mind if a guy is poor. Really. Well, to me it’s all about the size of your brain and how smart you are. That is number one. Also you have to be classy; it’s about having a sense of how you respect yourself and other people, and you don’t need money for that. And of course, you need a sense of humor. Humor is important for a woman, I think.

IFQ: Any part of a man’s anatomy that turns you on more than another?

JA: I’m in love with every part of my boyfriend’s body. I don’t have something specific I can’t isolate. I can’t find anything I don’t like about him. The weird thing is that when I looked at him for the first time, he felt like family. I felt immediately secure and comfortable. I feel at home with him. I’m not sure what I mean, but I feel like I’ve known him my whole life.

IFQ: Do you speak different languages since you have all these different cultures in your background?

JA: Well, I’m trying. I should speak Spanish by now and I’m taking some Berlitz classes. But my grandfather, who was from Mexico, changed his name from Jose to Joe when he came here. In the 60’s, it was hard to be from Mexico and he didn’t want to be treated differently and have his kids treated differently. He never taught my dad Spanish and therefore my dad never taught the language to me either. But I’m trying to learn Spanish and I’m proud of my roots and my cultural heritage. My grandma always speaks Spanish to me and I barely can understand her. But I’m never home and so it’s a slow process. I’d love to work in Europe. You know, my boyfriend speaks French, and I’d love to work with European directors. Maybe next year will be my language year. Also I need to become more famous and then I can pick up more what I really want to do.

IFQ: What do you think about the society we live in and how difficult it is to have a family?

JA: It’s crazy in America because we don’t work to live but we live to work! It’s all about work, work, work…and then you die. It’s totally different from the rest of the world. I’m so glad to find out about other parts of the world where they enjoy not working. They enjoy having everything closed on Sundays to preserve this quality life that is so family oriented. I don’t need to work, work, work.

IFQ: Into the Blue is about living the dream and about finding paradise. What is your idea of paradise?

JA: Well, I hate the cold, so I would have to say that my idea of paradise is like in the movie, finding an island where I can kick back and do not much, or do a lot but at my own pace and be in harmony with my friends, my family and myself. Paradise is all about finding your inner peace. It’s simple.

IFQ: Finally, the movie Into the Blue is about diving in the beautiful waters of the Bahamas. But really, what would you like to dive into if you could?

JA: Whip Cream! I’d love to dive into whip cream. It sounds like a lot of fun!