MAXIM INTERVIEW
(My highlights - July 2000)
Did you know anything about the
X-Men comic book phenomenon before you made the movie?
Vaguely. I had sort of heard the name, but I had no idea how big the
following was or how long the comic book had been around. It has been a real
education.
What’s your favorite meteorological condition?
I like rain. Because in Los Angeles it’s almost always sunshiny, so when
it rains it feels kind of special. That’s when I like to stay in bed, watch a
movie, whatever.
Your costume is mostly tight black leather. Did you ever take it home for a
little private fun?
We weren’t allowed to take pictures of the outfits, much less wear them
off the set. My fiancé wanted me to bring home the white wig to play around
with. But I resisted.
What would sex with Storm be like?
Stormy, that’s for sure. And, let’s put it this way—very wet.
Is it true that you’re named after a department store?
Yeah, Halle Brothers. It was a well-known department store in Cleveland. It
wasn’t a very common children’s name, though.
You danced in a strip club to research your role in The Last Boy Scout. Did
you have a good audience?
I had a great audience. I didn’t want any friends there, though, because I
was scared to death about the whole thing. See, I knew I was going to have to
shoot this scene in the movie and that there would be 40 to 50 people around
anyway. And I knew I was going to be so nervous that I might not be able to come
out of my trailer, so I figured I’d better go somewhere and work out my kinks.
I just asked the manager of the club if I could do it, and he said sure. It was
a Friday night and there were lots of people there. It was such a fantasy to be
able to do that under the guise of work. I didn’t get paid, but I think I made
about $350 in tips, which isn’t bad.
What’s the worst thing a guy can do on a date with you?
Kiss me on a first date. I really hate that. I don’t want a guy getting
anywhere near my lips on a first date. Maybe on the second, because that means
there’s something developing there, but not on the first one. And even if you
like someone right off the bat, it’s so much sexier to hold off a little. You
don’t want to blow your wad on the first shot, right?
Um, no…I guess not. So in addition to the ability to resist incredible
temptation, what kind of superpower in a guy would turn you on?
Intelligence turns me on, but you don’t need a superpower for that.
Actually, Mystique’s power would be pretty interesting: a guy who can
instantly transform into whatever he wants to be. That way I could have a
different lover every night. [Laughs]
Your name keeps popping up in rap songs, like the Notorious B.I.G.’s
“I’m Just Playin’,” as the love object. What’s up with that?
I don’t really know, but it’s fun! I’m totally flattered. I’m always
flattered. I really respect hip-hop music, and I know they only mean it in a
positive way.
So when are you going to record your own rap album?
No way! People keep trying to get me into a studio, but I couldn’t rap any
more than I could eat my own toes! I’m just going to stick to acting, thank
you.