Celebrity Role Mommy
5 Questions for Andie MacDowell
Actress, model and Extraordinary Role Mommy Andie MacDowell chats about her latest feature film, "Monte Carlo," her favorite books, motherhood and more in an exclusive blogger chat...
Recently, Andie Macdowell, who stars in the new film "Monte Carlo," featuring teen sensations Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester, took time out of her busy schedule to chat about the movie, her incredible career, life as a southern mom and even her guilty pleasures. Take a look...
Question: How do you balance work and motherhood?
Andie MacDowell: It's always a challenge for any working mother. And there were moments that I would say to my kids, I can't do this any more, I don't want to work any more. My girls in particular would say no, we're so proud of you.
And as it turns out, I think my kids will be working moms. That's going to be their choice of what they want to do with their lives. The generation that I came from was sometimes harsher on women making that choice. I think times have changed.
I think being a stay-at-home-mom is a lovely choice. But, having the option to be able to have a career and feel good about yourself as an individual and still be a great mother is definitely a possibility. It takes teamwork. My kids learned to be independent. We had rules and regulations, and everybody had to work together.
Question: I recently watched an interview with you about Monte Carlo where you shared how you were really impressed with the teens in the movie. Can you share that story?
Andie MacDowell: I was very impressed with Selena. I have my 16 year old that has watched her on television for years, so she was in our living room. And you never know with kids that grow up working in the business what they're going to be like. But, her mother did a beautiful job with her. She is just such a lovely young lady, very kind and professional. And it was fun. I went to dinner with all of them, and just watched their energy.
I could remember what it was like to be that age and to have the world before you and to be working on a movie that was huge. I think they all realized that they had scored big time by getting these jobs in Monte Carlo. They were very excited and happy. There was a lot of joy on the set because they know that they were working on something really special.
Question: Do you have any advice to parents who are sending their kids off maybe to summer camp for a couple weeks or to see the country or to see the world without them?
Andie MacDowell: It took me a moment to realize that I could do things that I had never allowed myself to do. It was interesting because right before I got pregnant with my son, I had planned this bicycle trip to Peru. And then, I had to put that on the backburner, and I never did anything like that. Plus, I didn't take vacations without my kids because I had to travel for work. And it dawned on me, it took me a while to realize I was free to take a vacation or to do something that I had postponed for myself. I did a yoga retreat. I did something just for myself.
And I think you can set that up in your home some way. You don't have to really go off somewhere. But, it can give you a chance and an opportunity to do something for yourself because I think mothers are always so busy doing for others, taking care of others that they forget to take care of themselves. If you realize it and seize the opportunity, you can do something that you've needed to do to take care of yourself.
Question: Are there any books that you're reading, your favorite summer books, or have you had time to unwind to do that?
Andie MacDowell: I belong to two book clubs. One of them, I haven't been great about showing up. One of them is a yoga book club. I'm reading something called Exquisite Love, and it's written by a teacher that teaches at Davidson [William K. Mahony].
I am overloaded with books. And that's one of my problems is I get too many books going at the same time. But, I did finish Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. My gosh, I think it's 900 pages. It takes place in India. It's fabulous.
Ipad or Old School?
Andie MacDowell: I have an iPad, but I kind of like books. And I also have a book on Lucia Chase, which is Bravura!: Lucia Chase and The American Ballet Theatre, because my daughter is at ABT [American Ballet Theatre] this summer. But, my problem is I start reading too many books at once.
Question: Can you share how living in the south has had an impact on your kids? Why did you choose to stay close to home instead of moving to Hollywood?
Andie MacDowell: I wanted my kids to know my family. I mean, I grew up knowing my cousins, and I wanted my kids to have that experience. And it really turned out great. My youngest daughter and my sister's daughter are the same age, and they went to school together from the age of four until she left. They have this really beautiful relationship. And I wanted them to know what my roots were like. I really admire a lot of things about the culture here as far as manners and we have some old fashioned things here that I really enjoy.
At the same time, I wanted their lives not to be about my career. I wanted it to be about whatever was happening in their lives and for the focus to be on normal things and not to be about my job. And it was interesting because they really did turn out well. My work was never the focus of what we were doing. It was always whatever was happening in their lives.
About "Monte Carlo"
A perfect mother/daughter film, "Monte Carlo" stars Selena Gomez as an ordinary girl who becomes an accidental princess when a family summer trip to Paris turns into the fantasy of a lifetime. Living like royalty, Grace, along with her two best friends, discovers who she really is - by assuming another person's identity. The film is currently open in theaters nationwide. Check out the trailer below and visit the Monte Carlo Facebook page or follow along on Twitter.
Posted in: Blog, Celebrity Role Mommy, Extraordinary Rolemommy, Role Mommy Recommends on 07/02/2011
Tweens will Flip for "Flipped"
If you're looking for great family films this Labor Day Weekend, then check out "Flipped." Get the inside scoop on the film from director Rob Reiner and actress Penelope Ann Miller.
Well, the clock is ticking and we are days away from the summer being officially over. But that doesn't mean you still can't have fun with your family. Sure your bags are finally unpacked and the kids are either back in school or pestering you to pick up supplies (I would be the latter), but before you dive into homework, projects and pressure, check out "Flipped," a coming of age film set in the 1950's that is told from the perspective of a boy and girl. Think "Stand By Me" meets "My Girl" and listen in to Rob and Penelope share why Flipped is the perfect film for families with tweens and teens.
Plus, Rob Reiner reminisces about his first love and if you'd like to share your first love story, upload a video to the Flipped Movie page on YouTube!
Posted in: Celebrity Role Mommy, Events, Role Mommy TV & Film News, TV on 09/04/2010
Star Studded Pregnancy Awareness Month Event
May's Pregnancy Awareness Month kicked off at TreePeople yesterday, Sunday, May 2nd with a celeb-studded lifestyle event celebrating expectant moms and new parents. Hosted by Pregnancy Awareness Month co-founders Anna Getty and Alisa Donner, the open-to-the-public event brought out celebrity guests as well as local LA families for a day of free fun filled with eco & family-friendly activities.
The event (and the month-long educational campaign) was designed to celebrate pregnancy and offer a platform to empower women with information and healthy choices during their pregnancies. Over 500 guests enjoyed celebrity book signings, panel discussions with renowned pediatricians and experts, musical performance by Scott Stapp of Creed, a maternity fashion show, pampering facials and massages in the Mommy Lounge and Spa from Arcona skincare, nature hikes, seed plantings, and numerous eco-friendly mommy vendors.
Take a look at all the fabulous looking celebrity moms and dads in attendance!
Posted in: Celebrity Role Mommy on 05/03/2010
Jennifer Garner & Frigidaire Encourage Kids to Snack Smart
It's not every day that you get to meet an amazing celebrity Role Mommy and bring your daughter and son along to meet her too, but that's what we got to do recently when the team at Frigidaire invited us to a special smart snacking event featuring movie star and mom of two, Jennifer Garner.
As soon as we arrived at Chelsea Market (which incidentally has some of the most amazing baked goods known to mankind), the kids enjoyed a healthy lunch that included pizza, veggies, fruit and smoothies. Next, after the kids finished coloring, they participated in a magic show and had a limbo contest - actually, my son was the magician's sidekick while my tween daughter chose to hang out with some of my favorite blogging moms, Colleen, Audrey, Amy and Whitney. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the Frigidaire test kitchen where we got the chance to roll up our sleeves and prepare a few healthy snacks our whole family can enjoy.
Once we walked inside, I was blinded by the gorgeous stainless steel appliances - including Frigidaire's brand new Professional French Door refrigerator which features a bottom freezer and double doors with plenty of room for storage. At that very moment, my mind wandered off into a dreamy place where I had a fridge that wasn't stuffed to the rafters and an oven that could pre-heat in less than six minutes. While I contemplated where I would place my double door fridge, my son nudged me to snap out of it so that I could catch Frigidaire GM Marty O'Gorman introduce the beautiful and incredibly down to earth Jennifer Garner. Jennifer was joined by Executive Food Director of Martha Stewart Living Lucinda Scala Quinn, author of the new cookbook Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys
and Save the Children's Mark Shriver. Take a look...(and please excuse the shaky camera work).
Garner is teaming up with Frigidaire to launch "Make Time for Snack Time," a virtual campaign to get kids snacking smart. Starting now, for everyone who visits Frigidaire.com and stops the clock for snack time, Frigidaire will donate $1 to support Save the Children's work to help children in need in the U.S. as part of their $250,000 commitment to this worthy cause. (Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children's U.S. Program each day you stop the snack time clock, with a minimum of $40,000 and a maximum of $50,000). Save the Children's Mark Shriver was also on hand to praise the campaign. "Thanks to the support of Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner, we're making a difference, one smart snack at a time," he said.
Incidentally, if you register on the site, you will instantly be entered to win that incredible refrigerator - now what are you waiting for anyway? I've already tried to enter like five times! (just kidding - could only enter once...bummer!)
Lucinda then showed us some great ways to give our kids healthy snacks - from making Yogurt parfaits, to sandwiches shaped like hippos to ricotta and cucumber pita treats. And then, Jennifer walked over to all the moms and dads and their kids where she chatted with us and posed for pictures. And best of all, when my artistic daughter showed her the parfait and elephant inspired ricotta sandwich, she got high praise from Jennifer and Lucinda, who said she was well on her way to becoming a food stylist! And did I mention that Becca made it into InStyle Magazine???? Good thing she has a publicist who works cheap.
Before we all headed home, we were invited back to the kitchen to take a quick photo with Jennifer Garner. And the moment we stepped inside, it was as if we had just welcomed a brand new blogging mom into our brood. Jennifer thought it was really cool that we were all friends with one another even though many of us lived in different states...especially since we are busy moms with a million things on our plates. After we each got the chance to pose with her (I am not including my photo since I look like a deer in headlights), we also took this wonderful group photo and then left the event with the biggest smiles on our faces! Nothing like Jennifer Garner, a fun afternoon with your kids and great snacks to make your day a whole lot brighter.
To find out how you can help make a difference in the lives of kids who need it the most, visit www.Frigidaire.com and join the Make Time for Snack Time campaign, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children's U.S. Programs.
Posted in: Blog, Celebrity Role Mommy, Extraordinary Rolemommy, Role Mommy Recommends on 05/03/2010
