Posted by Lookout & Tractorpull on 4/12/2012, 3:36 pm
Tess enters the Hilton right on time and head towards the front desk. She is stopped by a Hilton security man
Security: “Are you Tess Valmore?”
Tess: Yes I am
Security: “Miss Hilton is expecting you. Follow me please”
The security man goes to an elevator and inserts a key and asks Tess to step in.. The elevator swiftly rises to the top floor and the door opens. The security man motions Tess out and knocks on the door of a large suite. He opens the door and announces Tess. Tess walks in an sees Miss Hilton, Missy Peregrym and Yvonne Strahovski sitting on a large sofa. They rise as she walks in and shake hands. They engage in the usual small talk that precedes an interview.
Paris: Let’s move over to the table for the interview. Missy and Yvonne will sit with me on one side. Tess, I understand you video record all your interviews, so you can sit on the other side. Missy, you sit on my left and Yvonne, you take the right.
Tess opens her Mac and turns it to the towards the three “Are you ready”
Paris: “Yes we are. Let’s get the interview started”
Tess: “Lets start off with a question for both of you, You two are about the same age and similar entertainment careers. What was the attraction of the FCBA and what made you decide to give it a try. Missy you go first”
Missy: ” First of all, thanks for the interview. Second, to this day, I don't know what exactly drew me to the FCBA. I remember hearing first hearing about it on the set of “Heroes” with Hayden Panettiere back in the day. I kept hearing about it from other celebrities and in Hollywood, competition is just wired into the fabric of all your interactions, you know?”
Yvonne:”Same here. If I remember right, I heard about it from Kristin Kreuk, who was guesting on “Chuck.” But, from there, I kept hearing about it and getting more intrigued the more I heard. Missy's right though. Hollywood is all about competition here, from your auditions, to interviews to talk show appearances, to movie roles, to television. That movie “Mean Girls” wasn't too far off honestly. Which our very own Lindsay Lohan starred in, along with She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named in Elisha's presence right now”.
Yvonne (laughs): “It's a very fun movie, I'll say that. Nothing about Lishy right now, but as far as what drew me, was just kind of an extension of the competition that we experience every day. Even though somebody may beat you out for a particular role that you wanted, you can beat them in the ring. At the end of the day, that can mean a lot.”
Missy: “Absolutely. I don't think I could say it better myself.”
Tess; “You both signed with Lookout. Did you approach Lookout or did Lookout recruit you?”
Yvonne: ‘Lookout! approached me. Like I said, I'd heard about the FCBA and was looking at few stables. But, one day, before I could even contact them, I received a call from Lookout! Boxing to discuss a roster spot with them. Apparently, they were huge fans of the show “Chuck”, which just finished its final season this year. (Yvonne wipes away a mock tear).’
Missy (reaching over and pats Yvonne on the back): ‘There, there. It'll be okay. (the two of them share a laugh) At least you got a few years. I just got a few episodes on “Heroes”, and like two seasons of Reaper. I'm doing fine now though, but my story is similar to Yvonne's. I don't think I'd gotten as far as Yvonne, looking at stables or anything, but one day, I got a call from Lookout! Boxing management. They were very impressed, starting up a new stable and wanted me right away. It was all very whirlwind, but looking back, it's obvious I made the right decision’.
Yvonne: ‘For the record, I loved Reaper and they made the wrong decision to cancel that. But, Lookout! Boxing was definitely the right decision.’
Tess: ‘Missy you entered the FCBA as a bantam and you set the division on fire. You were the dominate bantam and promised to be the dominate bantam for a long time. Suddenly you gave it up and moved to lightweight. Lookout already had a champion lightweight. Why did you decide to move up?”
Missy: “Well, when it comes to Hollywood and being competitive, you always want to push yourself. The bantam division has so many great fighters who definitely made me better, but when you can take down the best and Evangeline Lilly is still one of the best I've ever faced, then it's time to step it up. You have to push yourself all the time and it hasn't been a perfect transition to lightweight, but I've held the straps and will again, so I don't regret it for one second. It's all about making sure I never get too comfortable and always working to make myself better.”
Tess: “Yvonne: You were the only lightweight at Lookout, what was your reaction when you heard that Missy was moving up to lightweight.?”
Yvonne: “Personally, I was excited for Missy. We've sparred quite a bit at Lookout! Boxing and I knew she definitely had what it took. You're always worried when one of your stable members makes a switch to a different weight class, because she is one of the smaller lightweights, but she hits so hard to make up for it. Missy was the champ last year and she deserved it. Good thing Biel beat her for the straps or I would've once I was done filming “Chuck.” (Yvonne laughs and some good natured shoving ensues)”
Tess: “Missy; You are one of the smaller lightweights, but other than that, what do you find is the difference between fighting at bantam and lightweight?”
Missy: (laughs) “First Yvonne mentions it and now you. Way to pile on there. I'm not as big as some of the lightweights. Some of them should probably be up at welterweight, but anyway, there's not a whole of difference between the two. Obviously, some of the girls are taller, so you have to watch out for their length, but that's true at bantam too. Honestly, it's just a matter of hitting hard and preparing for each match. Some of my matches at bantamweight have been every bit as hard as lightweight, but I just have to work and train even harder.”
Tess: “Yvonne: You are as big as Charlize Theron and quite a bit younger. i suspect you walk around close to 130. She has just won the welter title. Lookout does not have a welterweight. Would you move up to welter if asked to do so?”
Yvonne: “I saw that not only is Charlize fighting at welter right now, but that she just won the title. For what it's worth, congratulations Charlize. Thanks Missy for mentioning that some lightweights should move up to welter. (laughs) I've not really considered a move up to welterweight, but of course if management asked me to, we'd definitely discuss it. They've been great about working with us. There are just so many great lightweight fighters I still want to take on, but then again, I beat Charlize earlier this year, so I might be able to do it again at welterweight. Who knows? Right now, I'm just loving the lightweight divison.”
Tess: “Yvonne, I have noted that you never engage in post fight humiliations. Is that because you have strong feelings against it or it’s a Lookout rule?”
Yvonne: “It's pretty rare that I engage in post fight humiliations. I think I punished Biel once after a match, but that's the only one I can remember right off the top of my head. Lookout! has definitely never told us not to do it.”
Missy: “I can't remember any ones that I've done right now, but if and when I beat Biel, I think I might have to considering our last match. But, Lookout! has never told us not to. Look at Tisdale tummying up on Portman or Nessa taking Hayden for a Walk of Shame when they won. I think post-fight humiliations should be saved for the really intense rivalries where a little extra exclamation point is needed after a win”.
Yvonne: “Exactly! Most of the time, you've just proved to somebody that you're tougher and better than them by outlasting them or knocking them out in the ring. Post-fight humiliation is usually not necessary, but sometimes, you just need to give them a little further display of who is in charge. I just haven't found anybody right now that I dislike enough to teach that lesson. Maybe one or two, but we'll see if and when those matches happen, what kind of mood I'm in after the match”.
Missy: “There are definitely a few that I can think of, but I try to respect somebody. Now, if they disrespect me, then I'll disrespect them right back. In this industry, you can't have anybody think of you as soft, weak or somebody they can take advantage of.”
Yvonne: “Nobody would make that mistake with you, Missy and they definitely wouldn't make it twice. (the two of them exchange high fives).”
Tess: “Missy, One of the biggest challenges in the FCBA is the best of seven series. It’s great for the winner, and sometimes a career ender for the loser. Some say that neither Garner or Theron are the same since their best of seven. Would you like to engage in the best of seven and if with whom?”
Missy: “I've watched a few best of seven series, but I honestly don't think they're a great idea. Like you said, great for the winner and career derailing for the loser. They are so draining, physically and mentally. Just exhausting. Tired just thinking about one (laughs) But, I do think it's a great concept. It's probably better to engage in a best of seven over the years. Like Ali Larter has beaten me twice now and I'd like to even that record out with her, but as far as who else? (Missy takes a moment to think) There are just so many good lightweights that would be fun to take on. Alyson Michalka, Blake Lively, Adrianne Palicki, Laura Vandervoort, Taylor Cole. Of course, Jessica Biel and heck, even Vonnie here would be fun.”
Yvonne: “Thanks for thinking of me! (sticking out her tongue) I'd definitely take Missy on in a best of seven, along with a few of the other girls on that list.”
Tess: “Yvonne: The same question. You already have a 2-2 record with Winstead and Durance and have a start on rivalries with Helfer. You willing to do a best of seven with them?”
Yvonne: “Of course all three of those girls would definitely be on my list of girls that I'd love to have rivalries with. All of the ones that Missy mentioned too, but, also going off of what Missy says, a best of seven is usually not a very good idea. Personally, it should be reserved for the most intense of rivalries and personally, the benefits don't always outweigh the cost. It doesn't make much sense most of the time, but am I willing to do one with a girl? Yes. Likely to? No. I'll definitely take a girl on seven times though, but in a row like that? That just sounds crazy to me.”
Tess: “Yvonne: We all like to talk about our wins but what loss was the most traumatic for you?”
Yvonne: “That's a tough one. Really for me, there are two that stick out for me and both are to Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The first would be my second match in the FCBA. I'd just won my debut match and went to take down MEW as a follow-up. I was winning and then, as Mary does so often, catches you off guard and takes you down. I'll never, ever forget that Walk of Shame afterwards. Ever. But, even worse was that was probably a few years later, when I had the lightweight title. I'd just taken down one of the best lightweights, Ali Larter, and felt I was ready to own the division and finally defeat Mary. I trained so freaking hard and then, I still can't explain it to this day, she blew the doors off of me and knocked me out in the second round. But, next time I won the title, I did it again and managed to beat her. Didn't knock her out though. In fact (looking over at Paris) call Foxfire. I need to cross that off my to-do-list. (laughs). Mary and I get along most of the time, but when it comes to the ring, I can't stand her.”
Missy: “I guess we've got the answer on who you plan on suffering some post-fight humiliation soon enough”.
Tess: “Missy: Same guestion”
Missy: “For me, it's a pretty easy one. I've had some rough losses here and there, for example, like Ali Larter “welcoming” me to the lightweight division. But, none of them even come close to losing the belts to Jessica Biel. Before the match, we exchanged so many texts, calls, e-mails and I still think I'm better than her, but I need to prove it if I'm going to be mentioned in the pound for pound category with her. I just couldn't believe it and I've watched the tape of how she beat me and what she did after the match, posing over me, like a million times. But, like Vonnie said, I'll never forget that feeling after you lose and how absolutely embarrassed you feel. You definitely need to take that anger that I've felt watching the tape and remembering how I felt to make it as fuel for the next match.”
Yvonne:” Hopefully that answers that question in regards to you too, Missy. (winks).”
Tess: “ I keep my ear to the ground but there have been no rumors about any problems between you two. That’s not true of lightweights in a couple of stables. How do you two handle it Yvonne first.”
Yvonne: “I don't know honestly. We're both ultra competitive, proud and very confident. I don't know how we haven't gone after each other yet.”
Missy: “I mean, we trash talk back and forth quite a bit. All the time honestly, but it's never been vindictive or spiteful or anything like that. Just us being pretty confident in what we do.”
Yvonne: “I think a lot of it boils down to personality. Neither of us are really mean by nature. But, I know we both have the potential to be. I know that you wouldn't want to make me mad or Missy, for that matter.”
Missy: “You wouldn't like when I'm angry.” (laughs) But, a lot of it just comes down to us getting along and doing things on our terms. Plus, Paris and Lookout! Management can tell the potential of us being hard on each other and know just when to separate us or push us in another direction towards another fighter to keep things from getting crazy.”
Yvonne: “And they've definitely come close in the past, but we've made it through, right?”
Missy: “One way or another, as always!! (the two of them exchange high fives).”
Tess: “For both of you. You have both been lightweight champions. You both are in the top ten. One of these days, one of you may be champion and the other #1 contender or one may be #1 and the other #2 and you will have to fight each other. The fans will demand it and Paris may not have much choice. How are you going to handle that?”
Yvonne: “First of all, (laughs) Don't ever tell Paris she doesn't have a choice”.
Missy (laughs): “That won't go over well. But, Yvonne and I have definitely talked about it. We know we're two of the best at our respective divisions. It's going to happen.”
Yvonne: “It's only a matter of time. We're going to meet in the ring. I'd be shocked if it doesn't happen this year or next, honestly.”
Missy: “We talk about it quite a bit, we spar hard and train hard with each other to prepare for how that'll happen. We're both great and it's going to be one of the hardest hitting matches you'll ever see when we do.”
Yvonne: “No question about that.”
Tess: “One final question: If that happens, one of you is going to win and one is going to lose. How do you picture going into Lookout the next day?”
Yvonne: “ As they say, that would definitely be a hard day at the office. (laughs). But, I mean, look at like when Elisha and Minka fought earlier this year. In fact, they'll probably fight again again this year.”
Missy: “In the ring, you mean?”
Yvonne (laughs): “Yes, officially fight. But, they both came in pretty upset and couldn't be around each other. To an extent, they still can't be around each other.”
Missy: “Though, personally, I think Yvonne and I have a totally different dynamic. Lishy and Minka have never gotten along, from the moment we brought Minka on. We definitely do get along. We train together, work out together, hang out. I know it'd be tough if I lost to Yvonne and I'm sure vice versa for her. We're both extremely proud fighters.”
Yvonne: “I won't lie. I'd be totally crushed if I lost to Missy here, but I know she'd be devastated if I beat her butt. We're very proud and I think, at that point, we'd definitely take a week or two off from training, just to give it some space. Maybe a month, who knows? (shrugs) But, I'd just train that much harder for the rematch if I lost. I think the hardest thing would be where they talk about who is the best in the stable and those whispers are insanely hard to ignore.”
Missy: “That's true. It's hard to be considered the best in your division when you're not even the best in the stable, but honestly, it's not like losing to Yvonne or Vonnie losing to me would really hurt either of us. We're too strong for that. We're too close to let something like that tear us apart.”
Yvonne: “That's how we'd handle it, because we're strong. So, is our stable. When any of us lose, especially to each other, like for example, Minka and Lishy.”
Missy: “ Or Miley and Lindsay. Now, THERE was a bad day at the office. They still can't talk to each other hardly.”
Yvonne: “But, we do tend to come together as not just a stable, but almost like a family, you know? And like any family, you do have family feuds. But, you don't let those tear you apart. You stick together, no matter how hard it is and while beating Missy would be hard, I'd deal with it (laughs).”
Missy (rolls her eyes and laughs): “Whatever. I'd gladly take on the responsibility of knocking Vonnie out. But seriously, it's true what Yvonne said. I remember on the show “Lost”, one of the characters stated, “You either live together or die alone.” That's true. Families or teams don't always get along, but the best teams always make it work when it counts. And I genuinely believe Lookout! Boxing is the best.”
Yvonne: “On those topics, we definitely agree on. I definitely need to go watch Lost again and Lookout! Boxing is the best stable in the FCBA. No question”.
Tess closes her laptop and starts to get up
Paris: “The chef here is brilliant. I have taken the liberty of ordering lunch for the four of us. I hope you can join us. I understand you are a big eater. I ordered extra for you.”
Tess: “Why I would be honored to join you. I am kind of hungry. I had a two hour workout this morning. I work out every morning except Sunday, Just had time to take a shower and head over here.”
Paris: “I’m glad you will join us. Give us a chance to know each other better”
Tess: “That would be great. Thanks”
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