WW: Hello! How are you?
AH: I am doing great...very busy...but great.
WW: Please tell us a little about yourself.
AH: My life is life a fairytale. It sounds corny, but I am the
luckiest person in the world. After American Idol, I had to leave
my high school to film the O.C. It was hard to leave all of my
friends but they were very supportive. I am currently
graduated from high school and am attending a local college. On
the side, I model and work at a doctor's office. I drive up to
Los Angeles from "the O.C." just about everyday. So I spend a
lot of time in the car as you can imagine. My phone is always
ringing and I have become quite good at multitasking. In the
car I prepare for auditions, answer phone calls, apply my
mascara and write down future appointments. I know...that
isn't being a good driver. I am sure it will catch up to me.
So, as you can see, my life is busy but I have no complaints.
WW: How was your American Idol Experience?
AH: American Idol, season II was what started my career. To get that far in the competition was so exciting. It was a very stressful time, though. The schedules were grueling...the call times were early...and by the time I was back in my hotel room, I was too tired to even look at the material I had to learn for the next days' audition. I remember waking up at 2:00am to get ready for a 4:00am call time. By
the time you take a shower and get your hair and makeup done, it is 3:30am and time to head to the studio to do Good Day LA or whatever else you were scheduled to do. When I was done, (it lasted about 3 months) I must have slept for days.
WW: Is Simon really that mean?
AH: In real life, Simon is harmless. It is all staged. I am sure some of his comments are truthful. But any negative comments that he gave to the top 32 were staged. Everyone was incredibly talented in their own way.
WW: Have you always wanted to be singer?
AH: I have always wanted to be a singer. I know everyone says that, but it's true. Nothing made me realize it was my passion. I just always knew.
WW: Did music always influence you?
AH: I grew up listening to Sade, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Enya....the list goes on and on. I have a very diverse taste in music.
WW: You were in a series of OC episodes, one of the most popular teen shows on TV, tell us about it.
AH: The fact that the O.C was the hottest new TV show was surreal. I had never been on a set let alone know what a pilot was. I remember my first day I started saying my lines when they said "role sound." The producer told me to wait until he said action. I have
never been more embarrassed in my entire life. I laugh about it now. When the O.C. had success, I remember thinking that I was the luckiest girl in the world. Here I am...I don't even know what a pilot is or what sides are and I land a role on the #1 show. I have become good friends with the cast and they have taught me a lot about acting and that whole world. I look up to them so much. The cast is really great!!
WW: Who was character and what was she like?
AH: Holly is the opposite of me. She is the mean, slutty girl on the show that throws the best parties and gets all the guys (even if they are already taken). It is a great role to play, though. It is fun to bitchy sometimes. Especially when I would be too scared to in real life. I like to avoid confrontation at all cost.
WW: You just posted for a Maxim photoshoot (January 2004).
AH: Posing for Maxim was so much fun!! Really. I was so nervous and apprehensive. But it was so liberating. I think Maxim is a very classy Magazine. I would never pose in playboy or anything like that!!! It was an experience I will never forget. They picked me up in a limo in front of my house and drove me to this beautiful hotel. I felt like I was famous!
WW: So what is next for you?
AH: I am currently recording a demo that I will be shopping to different labels. I just signed a production deal with Leah Andreone at Warner/Chappell and we have already gotten great responses. I am really excited to be working with such a great artist.
WW: Good luck to you in the future!
AH: Thank you so much. I enjoyed the interview.
