People
Online Chat -September 22 1997
Reneé
O'Connor
Host: Hi everyone! I'm Patrizia DiLucchio, this is PEOPLE
Online on Pathfinder & we're very glad that you could join us tonight;
because our guest this evening is actress Reneé O'Connor who plays
Gabrielle, Xena's spunky traveling companion on the wildly popular
series, Xena: Warrior Princess. So - how did a nice a nice
girl from Houston wind up rubbing shoulders with the, glitterati of
Mount Olympus in Sam Raimi's wildly popular send-off of ancient Greece?
I guess we'll find out tonight! Hi there, Reneé! I know you've done
a lot of these cyberchats before. I've heard your mom runs your AOL
site (great job, Mom!) Why do you suppose Xena is so amazingly
popular on the Internet?
Reneé: Yes. I think the internet provides a community of interest.
Having people meet Xena friends and their like around the world
owes alot to the Internet. The internet gives voice to a community
of fans.
Host: You obviously KNOW how to ask questions; -so let's boogie!
Guys --I've got to tell you that the MORE questions you submit, the
slower the server will be and the more problems that Reneé will have
typing....
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #586 from Ruggratt:
Question: Will there be any more episodes like A Day in the
Life? That was my favorite.
Reneé: Mine too! They're discussing one now for the 3rd season. It
gives lucy and I a chance to play off our comedic silliness.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #592 from J_dale:
Question: Reneé, my name is J'Dale and I have been talking with
your mum for a while now, and she seems very nice! I would like to
know what has your mum contributed to your career?
Reneé: Hello there! My mom has always been very supportive following
my interests. It's been acting since I was a wee thing. Acting lessons,
dance lessons, etc. I always try to encourage new mothers that I meet
to do the same.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #598 from Mickim:
Question: Why does your hair color keep changing?
Reneé: (laughing) I never know what color it is day to day. I've been
told I'm a red haired person. I thought I was a blonde! That's my
natural color!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #612 from Kublakhan:
Question: Hello Reneé, and thank you for chatting with us tonight.
I wanted to know, are there any wardrobe changes planned for you this
season?
Reneé: It takes a keen eye to see the changes this season. They're
not cosmetic so much as functional! More arm movement and my skirt
is pinned to my underwear.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #619 from Sparky600:
Question: Reneé, Hi!! What percentage of the stunts do you do and
how many bruises and sore muscles do you end up with?
Reneé: I ALWAYS end up with bruises, but I never know where they come
from even now. I always do the choreography; but must admit I can't
polevault! Did you know that the big leap over the logs in The Prodigal
was a man?
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #621 from Zefff:
Question: Hi Reneé, I'm an Aussie but I'm curious as to how much
time you spend in New Zealand and whether you make it to the shores
of Australia for
some free time ever.
Reneé: Actually, I went to Australia my first week of winter break
to Fort Douglas! To visit the Barrier Reef for some snorkeling. I
learned that every color on our planet is on some fish or coral!
Host: One from our Message Boards: Hey Reneé, I really enjoy
you on Xena. I just came from hearing Lucy in New York. My
question is: Are the Xena Scrolls or the X.R.S.(Xena Restoration Society)
real at all, or are they something the producers came up with? And
one last thing, will you ever be on The Rosie O' Donnell Show?
Reneé: I have no knowledge of a Rosie booking, but I will be
on Vibe on the 25th. You're lucky to have seen Lucy! The Xena
Scrolls come from Robert Malette who has researched the subject and
formed the Society...and the scrolls exist!
Pdil-people presents the speaker with question #637 from Sir_mulder:
Question: What are your thoughts on the Joxer character? There
seems to be much negative fan reaction to him.
Reneé: Hmmm...I think the fans believe that Gabrielle and Xena dislike
Joxer. He actually provides great comic relief. He can do slapstick!
Teddy is a fantastic person and deserves much credit for Joxer!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #640 from Magspw:
Question: You've said in the past that you'd like to direct. Can
we expect to see a Xena episode directed by you anytime soon?
(hopes!)
Reneé: I don't feel capable of directing Xena. I watched the
frustration and it's more than I can handle now... I'd like to try
another venue first. Maybe work in short film.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #663 from Minaccia:
Question: Xena's looking for redemption. What's Gabrielle looking
for?
Reneé: She's reaching for unity and harmony - a world where every
one gets along.
Host: A question from the message boards: I totally love the
show!! I think you're fabulous in it. Just wondering if you actually
do all the fight scenes yourself and you know how to use a stick as
a weapon? Also, are you and Lucy good friends off camera? One more
thing. Are you creative and enjoy storytelling/writing?
Reneé: Where shall I start?
Host: At the beginning??
Reneé: I do fight with a staff. I use a soft stick. Lucy is fantastic.
She's my best friend on-set. I miss her right now! I used to be a
storyteller when I was young, Ghost stories at slumber parties!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #688 from Xenaman:
Question: Is there any truth to the rumor that you're having a
baby this season???
Reneé: If I told you I'd have to kill you...and I know your address!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #690 from Rocolli:
Question: Hi Reneé! I am here from Austria...Is it true that you
said one day that you can speak a little bit German?
Reneé: Hello from far away...I think you mean Lucy! She speaks German.
I may need to learn Spanish so that I can gossip on set!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #697 from Lordvader:
Question: Reneé, do you look at the Websites dedicated to you?
Reneé: I haven't seen anything is the last few months. It's hard to
follow -there are so many! I mostly make sure the ROCWeb is accurate
and visit the netforum ocassionally.
Pdil-people presents the speaker with question #700 from Just_truly:
Question: Many of the scenes on the show take place out-of-doors.
Do you prefer the outside shoots or the indoor shoots?
Reneé: That depends on the weather! Thankfully we now have
winter coats! I prefer to be outside in the summer. I like heat, not
cold!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #724 from Spikus:
Question: Thank you for spending your time with us, Reneé. Are
you going to be able to see Lucy when you're on the East Coast?
Reneé: I'm going to see her to root her on! Hopefully we'll have some
time. The show is grueling. I'm enjoying time with friends and family
in NYC.
Pdil-people presents the speaker with question #730 from Moondancer:
Question: Not that we ever want Xena to end, but what type
of work would you like to pursue after X:WP - film, TV or would
you consider another weekly series?
Reneé: It's funny that I've thought about that recently...long term
plans....I'm very confused about that. I would like to get behind
the camera!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #738 from Fanboy:
Question: Reneé-there's so much controversy over the Princess Di
thing what's your take on it? Are you and Lucy in any kind of danger
now?
Host: I think fanboy's talking about paparazzi...
Reneé: None that I know of! For me the show is just starting to change
my life, and people have been very polite. I know there is a need
from the fans to get to know us.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #744 from Kenshin:
Question: Do you think that the Romans will be a menace as the
Borg
or Dominion on ST?
Reneé: Yes...we do battle the Romans this season...but I don't think
the theme is recurring.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #747 from Suszie:
Question: Do you find the dialogue for Xena any more or
less difficult to learn and execute than what you've worked with in
other projects? Also, what is your training; -are you a classically
or stage-trained actor, or were you lucky enough to break directly
into TV/film?
Reneé: I think the dialogue in Xena is easy...very contemporary.
The only theater experiece I've had was in college. My strength is
television acting. Difficult? Sometimes it's hard to break through
the wall of privacy I build up!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #752 from Rachel2:
Question: What does she think of the large amount of fans that
think Gabrielle and Xena share more than a campfire at night?
Reneé: I think one of the best things the show does is give rise to
everybody's imagination...a fantasy land!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #767 from Mickim:
Question: What is your favorite type of music? BTW, thanks for
doing this chat!
Reneé: I usually love solo vocalists...Tina Turner...Sting//Elton
John. Right now I'm listing to musicals...RENT! And I like Webber's
shows!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #784 from Sebroc:
Question: Greetings from the Great White North, Reneé!
We all know your favorite type of food is Mexican, but is there
a dish in particular you love above all else?
Reneé: I'd have to say green enchilladas...because I can cook them
myself...but I cook for 20 at a time, a lesson I learned from my mother!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #775 from Suszie:
Question: Which characteristics do you bring from your own personality
to the role of Gabrielle, and vice-versa?
Reneé: Hmmm...Ummm...I think we're both sympathetic. I like to see
the best of everyone. We are both good listeners!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #789 from Jenny28:
Question: Hello Reneé is there any special person in your life?
Reneé: There is...a wonderful man in New Zealand.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #797 from Micksun:
Question: Reneé, do people recognize you when you walk down the
street?
Reneé: People have just started to do that on this trip to the States.
They call me Gabrielle. It's very strange...when I'm running, sweaty
with my hair tied back!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #807 from Iolobuzz:
Question: Ms. Reneé O'Connor, what advice would you have for someone
who is addicted to acting as a hobby? Should I attempt and/or continue
this?
Reneé: ...If you have a passion for it beyond all else...if it means
you compete...by all means follow it. We can all do anything! ...cliche,
but true.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #812 from Spikus:
Question: Would you please tell us what book you're presently reading?
Reneé: Sounds strange...but I'm reading The Tibetan Book Of Living
and Dying. I find it incredibly inspiring!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #822 from Ruthr:
Question: What's a day on the set of X:WP like for you?
Reneé: It's basically a job...one that I love to do. It does start
too early...5AM. We film for 12 hours. Much of the day is spent waiting.
The set is like a family.
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #835 from Amandas:
Question: Being a fellow Texan I wonder, what do you miss most
about Texas?
Reneé: I miss the large cars! I'd love to have a big truck! And I
miss the armadillo roadkill!
Pdil-people presents the speakers with question #854 from Marte:
Question: Renee, What do you enjoy most about working on Xena?
Reneé: Hmmm...enjoy most...there are too many elements to pin that
down! The crew...NZ...the writers...and of course the very classy
Lucy!
Host: Reneé - THANK YOU so much for coming online with us tonight
- & thanks to all Xena fans who came too.
We had over 400 questions submitted - Reneé would have to quit the
show and spend a WEEK in a dark room to answer them all.
Reneé: Good night everybody!
Host: Thanks again, Reneé!!! We really really REALLY appreciate
this. And thanks for such a wonderful audience. This is Patrizia DiLucchio
for PEOPLE Online wishing you good night!
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