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Official
Miss May 2007 Interview
BrianX Magazine:
What
were you like as a kid?
Hayley Marie Norman: I grew up in the LA area, and I've never in my
entire life, thought about doing something else other than what I am doing. I was a bonafide member of the
Screen Actors Guild by the time I was 7. However, I was lucky in the sense that I was still able to have a
pretty normal childhood.
How did you get into modeling?
I was at a restaurant in Malibu with my parents called Gladstone's, when I was quite young, and Cindy
Crawford was there with one of her friends. They approached my parents, and told them they should get
me started with modeling. My parents had considered it before, and although I was young it was
definitely a desire I was very vocal about, but that experience at Gladstone's was
definitely a catalyst.
How did you get into acting?
I had been doing quite a bit of print work, and my agent called one day and asked if I was
interested
in going on a commercial audition. I was sooo excited! And I actually got a callback on my very first
audition, which is something to be proud of! I loved doing commercials as a child, because they always
involved really exciting things like riding pigs, and I even did one for
JC Penney where they strapped a harness on me from a huge ceiling and I went flying
thru the air. It was never work for me, just playing and having a good time!
Of course those experiences
led to my desire to act in television and movies as well. So, I studied it quite extensively. And when I
reached my teens, I actually left my agency and stopped auditioning for a while, just so that I could
really focus on fine tuning my craft, and focus on the artistic part, rather than the more business
oriented side. I even left my all girl Catholic High School to go to a Performing Arts Magnet School. And
then, instead of going to a traditional college, I studied at a theater conservatory for 2 years, where
auditioning was extremely prohibited. I graduated from
there just over 2 yrs ago.
What would you consider to be your "break through" role?
There's sooo much I plan on doing in my career, and I'm rather tough on myself as far as
accomplishments go. So, I can't even begin to think about that. I am, of course, very
grateful to Deal or No Deal. It has provided me with more opportunity
than I think most people could begin to imagine. But, there's a tremendous amount more that I plan on doing,
and am doing!
Tell us about a day on the Deal or No Deal set.
That's a good one! First of all, I should probably clear up a misconception. I get
a lot of messages from people on my myspace page and such thinking that the
episodes are aired live. In actuality they are taped months in advance. We tape anywhere from 2 to 3
episodes a day, and the shows take much longer to tape than I think most people are aware of. Anyway, all the
models arrive very early in the morning to start the hair and makeup process. We have to get 26 models,
plus a few alternates available. This takes hours. And every model's look is so specific, that
it's a very
detailed process. We then go into wardrobe. And then the day begins. Once
our number is called, we are usually doing an interview or something
backstage... there is always a lot going on! It's not just opening a case people!!!
What is it like to be on a soap?
It's awesome!! Everybody involved with The Young & The Restless is
wonderful! And, it's the number one show in its genre, so I'm proud to be a part of it!
Having
been on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, maybe you can give us some
inside insight. What do you think resulted in the show's downfall?
I don't know. I love Aaron Sorkin, and I love the show.
What has been the best experience?
I had a great time filming Norbit. I worked on it for longer than you'd probably think because we had to
do the scene so many times since Eddie played so many different characters. It was great to watch him work.
He never did 2 takes the same, and he was hilarious each time. And then, I got to work with Cuba, and he's
an Academy Award winner, so of course that was a dream! Studio 60 was also quite fun though because
everyone involved was just so amazing!
What has been the worst experience?
When I was a young child modeling, I worked with this photographer who made me cry. I forgot what he
did, but a picture from that shoot ended up on the cover of the magazine! It looked pretty good though,
if you didn't know I was about to burst into tears!
Is there any particular significance to your trademark afro?
Yes, there is. I've worn my hair natural my entire life. There were several times in school I was
ridiculed for it, and up until a couple years ago, I soo badly wanted to straighten my hair. But, thank
God, my mom wouldn't let me touch it! It has only been the past couple years that
I've truly embraced my hair. Believe it or not, I've had several work related
instances where people have asked me to straighten my hair because they believe it is sexier, or more
acceptable. I flat out refuse to work with people who have such small minds. A huge
men's magazine wanted to feature me, only if I wore my hair straight, and I
told them absolutely not. I want to let other people who are afraid of wearing their hair natural, know
that not only should they, but that it is damn hot! And, I hope I am changing the
stereotype, one straight hair at a time!
Have you been recognized in public?
I get recognized in public on almost a daily basis. Just recently a woman was so excited, she
started to cry. I get really sweet people asking to take pictures with me and who just want to talk.
Honestly, I find it quite fun!!!
What do you do in your
downtime?
I don't have any downtime. I'm trying to take over Hollywood, so that keeps me pretty busy.
Has anyone ever run up to you in public and brought you
flowers or have you had a similar experience?
I had this adorable girl in Canada named Carlie, send me 25 cards (because
I'm number 25 on Deal or No Deal) that she and her mother had handmaded for me.
They were all so touching and sweet, I cried. I'm still trying to think of something cute to send back to
her... hmm...
What’s the most common question that people ask you?
If we know what's in the case... the answer is NOOO!!! There are bodyguards and lawyers standing
right by the stage protecting those cases. Nobody knows what's in the case!!!
What 3 words best describe you?
So funny! My agent (who's a close friend of mine), and I were just playing that game earlier
today! She said that the word vivacious describes me. I would add enigmatic, and DETERMINED!
What do you think is your sexiest body part?
My legs.
Name anyone, alive or dead, who you would love
to hang out with.
Gena Rowlands and Pam Grier. They are both alive, so I pray that I do indeed get the
opportunity one day. Simply because they are amazing, and I would love
to be the perfect combination of the two some day. To have Gena Rowlands' acting prowess, and the strength
and sexiness of Pam Grier. John Cassavetes too, simply because he is amazing and I would have loved to
have been in one of his films.
Favorite upcoming projects?
I am so blessed right now. I have three back to back movies I am getting ready to film. We are still
completing the legal stuff on one of them, so I can't go into too much detail, but I will say that
it's
different from anything you'd ever expect from me, and I'm eager to show this raw, vulnerable part of myself.
Those are my favorite roles to play and I look forward to the opportunity. I am currently filming a movie
called Broken Windows, in which I play Bennie. I love the story! I had my first day yesterday, and it's such
a great cast and crew, that Im very eagerly anticipating the rest of the shoot. You can get more
info at brokenwindowsfilm.com.
Right after that, I start filming a horror film based on the Imperium
comic Trailer Park of Terror. I play Amber and I can't wait! I love everything about this movie! And the
coolest part is that we get to do all these crazy special effects, and we're working with Drac Studios
who did all the effects for Pirates of the Caribbean, A Beautiful Mind, Passion of Christ, Ali, the Mask
movies, and many more... I can't wait!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Living my dreams.
Where are you from/live now?
Hollywood..although I hope to be bicoastal and have a place in New York as well.
Miss
May 2007 Hayley Marie Norman
Thanks for reading this BrianX Diva of
the Month interview!
If
you were into Hayley Marie, check out these
BrianX Divas
Lauren
Jones
Ava Cowan
Kristen
Deluca
Lucy
Pinder
April Scott
Jennifer
Barretta
Aubrie Lemon
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list of Divas
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