Sci-Fi
Universe #27 -September 1997
Women
To Watch
by Desiree Gonzalez
1.
Reneé O'Connor
"How can you have a show about two strong women with practically an
all male executive group and have the women be so intellegent?" asks
Reneé O'Connor, who plays Gabrielle on the fantasy television series
Xena: Warrior Princess. "I have a lot of respect for the men
in our show, and it's very capable for us!" She laughs, "Oh, I'm sure
there's the 'babe factor' there, but yet, they're intelligent women.
They actually protect the heroes!" O'Connor believes that as women
take more active roles in the real world, the television audience
demands stronger women on-screen. "There have to be plot lines and
multidimensional characters to satisfy the public."
But, ultimately, television is about entertainment, and O'Connor loves
creating something in which viewers can immerse themselves and suspend
disbelief. "They can have a good time - laugh, cry, cheer along. That's
the key to me. I'm always astounded by the sense of trying to create
an illusion that's not really there. That's probably why I have an
attraction to getting behind the camera." "People are wondering if
I might direct a Xena," she continues modestly, "but I don't
feel qualified. I need to develop my skills first. I want to make
sure that I have the respect of the crew."
In addition to playing the plucky and adventurous Gabrielle on TV,
O'Connor leads a pretty adventurous life offscreen as well. "My mom
and I spent six weeks in Africa," says O'Connor. "We went to Egypt
and cruised down the Nile. We also went to Kenya and Tanzania. I loved
Egypt! I really want to go back. There is so much there, so much history.
I want to do the whole thing over again!"
Lately, Reneé has picked up a lot of physical hobbies, including indoor
rock climbing and boxing. While most boxers are there for the tension
release, she says her motivation is different. "I learn to use my
hand-eye coordination so I don't hurt anyone on set. That's the draw
for me."
The active actress's life isn't always nonstop, though. Sometimes
all she wants to do is curl up with a good book while her cat suns
herself. She has two cats in Los Angeles being cat-sat by a friend
until her return and one with her in New Zealand. O'Connor's mother
found the cat during her sight-seeing in New Zealand and promptly
named it Kia Ora, which is the Mauri word for welcome or good health.
"The neighbours think I'm crazy," she laughs, "because I'll go outside
yelling, 'Kia Ora! Kia Ora!'"
Laughter comes easily to O'Connor, especially when she shares some
of her less successful attempts at the culinary arts. Being the daughter
of successful restauranteurs, cooking skills are almost a requirement.
"I've got a picture of a chicken I tried to smoke out here in New
Zealand. It ended up being half the size and burnt to a crisp. It
was hilarious! I have to confess that I'm not following in the footsteps
of the family very well."
When she can find the time, the co-star of the mythical Xena
enjoys travelling the equally mythical world of the internet. "I browse
quite a bit." O'Connor says that she finds the whole thing facinating,
especially the fan fiction she's come across. "I've seen some wonderfully
creative work. I like to browse the chat rooms the most and see what
they are saying. It's an incredible device because you can be anonymous
and get fan input." Sometimes she'll find out that fans love certain
aspects of the character that she was considering dropping. "That
is probably the closest to live theater that you can get! That instant
response."
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