An exclusive interview Mel, owner of the late emmyrossumfan.com, got to have with Emmy in 2006. These questions were all sent in by fans at the Emmy Rossum Fan forum or emailed to her. I wasn't going to put this up before ERF closed (as a memorablia for her), but Mel talked me into doing so. All credit goes to Mel for this. Thank you, Mel.

Emmy, what kind of toothpaste do you use?
Biotene mint gel toothpaste

Emmy, you've stated in the past that you are a light lyric soprano. What do you think you will be once your voice has fully matured, and who are some of your favorite classically trained sopranos (I think you mentioned Denyce Graves in an interview once)?
I am a lyric soprano but as I'm getting older my voice is developing a strong middle and surprisingly dark lower voice which is exciting because it's enables me to be naturally more expressive. It's hard to say where my voice will eventually settle but it seems that my range is increasing as I get stronger and older. Some of the favorite classically trained sopranos are Kiri te Kanawa and Sylvia McNair. Honestly, I think Renee Flemming takes the prize for me. I've seen her sing and she makes it seem so effortless! I really admire her! I've actually met her, and it was one of the only times I've been star struck, I was so nervous! But she wrote a lovely inscription to me inside her book and I was so happy! (P.S. If anybody's interested, her autobiography is as good as the best singing lesson! The way she describes placement of the voice and how to correctly make, harness and send the sound is remarkable and one of the easiest to understand explanations I've ever heard!)

There's something about your way of speaking, or your words in general, that is so eloquent. I wonder: have you ever thought of penning a book of some sort?
Wow, that never really occurred to me. I have been doing more writing recently, lyrics and journal writing that I turn into lyrics that will reflect my inner thoughts. So you will get to hear more of that with my songs.

What are your favorite books and movies?
Two of my favorite books are Of Mice and Men, Five Quarters of the Orange Some of my favorite movies are L.A. Confidential, The Insider, Say Anything, Notting Hill and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Are you ever going to record an album?? If so, please tell us about it!
I am currently recording a pop album for Geffen Records. I am writing most of the lyrics, which I am really excited about! I feel like when I turn on the radio, I don't hear any kind of emotional truth anymore. That's one of the reasons I don't feel moved or affected by many current songs. I would like to be able to bring some of that back into contemporary music, which is why it's important for me to write honestly. Some of my influences are David Gray, Seal, Sarah McLachlan, Frou Frou and Whitney Houston. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of me in the studio soon!

Which actors and actresses inspired or motivated you in some way?
I have been so lucky to work with some great actors who have directly motivated me. From Gena Rowlands, I learned to be unafraid to improvise and let it rip. Sean Penn demonstrates intense commitment to character and reality and that was a privilege to watch. I am always impressed by Russell Crowe, who brings just real emotion and intensity to his roles.

Who are your favorite actors?
Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Tim Robbins

Will you come to these boards? Gosh, I think it would be hard for me to read what people were saying about it all the time. Whether it's good or bad, it's funny to think people are writing about you. Feedback is important, especially from you guys, so I think it's better to get in this question and answer format.

Whats your favorite food?
Everything sweet, fruit, papaya, mango, berries, sorbet, cr�me brulee!! Chocolate mousse. I have a terrible sweet tooth!

Emmy, Would you ever want to guest star on other TV shows besides Law and Order?
Absolutely, I love a lot of the shows on HBO, I think they are really well made and I would love to go on and play a fun character for a few episodes. I wouldn't rule out any medium of creativity if I think it would be fun and challenging.

Do you know how to get a girl who has been acting for a long time become a true actor like in movies?
It's a really tough business, and, like any business, it's competitive and hard to be successful. I find it really creatively fulfilling and fun! If I were to give advice, I would say to study acting, do theatre or anything you can find to get experience and try to get an agent that way.

How was your talent discovered?
I have always loved music, ever since I was little. Even though no one in my family is very musical at all, a lot of music was played around my house, classical music especially, and everyone noticed that I loved singing. My mom sent me to music school when I was 2, probably because I wouldn't stop tapping beats on the dinner table, and I was hooked. In first or second grade, when I was in the chorus in school, my music teacher told me that I had perfect intonation and that I should go over to the Met to audition. After waiting a year to get an audition, I tried out and they took me. After that I was trained pretty rigorously but all in the spirit of fun for about 6 months before I went on the stage for the first time when I was 7.

What is the highest note you can sing?
High F

Emmy, I LOVE the fact that you live such a clean lifestlye for a young hollywood celebrity, you don't drink, smoke, or do drugs. And you have NO idea how much I respect you for that, seriously, you are my inspiration!! lol Anywhos, my question...How do you not give into peer pressure, how do you survive it all? (Believe me, I know it's hard, all my friends drink but me.) And, what made you decide to do this? p.s. you ROCK! Lol
I suppose I just don't enjoy hard partying that much. The few times that I have had a drink in the past, I just get really sleepy!! Some of my friends drink, but I always agree to be the designated driver. Gosh, I know that sounds dorky but it's a good thing!?

If you were going to be in an opera, what would your dream role be?
I would be most excited to play Musetta in Carmen. I have loved the aria Quando Men Vo since I was 7 at the Met. It was one of the first operas I was part of. Musetta is a very flirty, feisty, sexy young woman. In the aria Quando Men Vo, Musetta is addressing her ex-boyfriend, who she sees out at a busy caf�. She is taunting him and saying that he must kicking himself for breaking up with her because she is so beautiful and sexy and everyone on the street can't take their eyes off her. She is creating quite a scene in this caf� with her new boyfriend, and strutting up and down the street in front of her ex. In the Met's Zefferelli production, Musetta is wearing a gorgeous pink dress and is so flirty and cute, lifting her skirt above her head to reveal her petticoats. The moment is so iconic on stage because she is only thing moving and colorful on stage, the entire chorus and rest stage "freezes" and doesn't move for the entire aria and it's one of the most beautiful things to watch, her pink silouette moving across and stage with such life and feistiness. The aria is so beautiful and I just remember thinking that Musetta was (and is) the complete opposite of me, but that it would so much fun to play her.

Disregarding Phantom obviously, if you were to be in a stage musical what would it be?
That's a tough one, I would want it be totally different from Phantom, maybe a comedy with singing and dancing??

What's it like having a forum dedicated to you with about 1350 users and over 86180 posted articles?
It's amazing! Really encouraging and supportive. A little bizarre?

Would you consider working more with your voice, bettering it?
Absolutely! I still work with a vocal teacher, as I think that it's always good to have someone to help you and to bounce things off of. Also I love learning and as my voice develops as I get older, it gets darker and more rich. It's great to have someone who I've worked with for years who knows me so well and can correct any little thing I'm doing wrong very easily. You have a common language and can fix little things very quickly.

Please share a recent embarrassing moment - one that hasn't been shared in an interview already. You mean besides saying Carmen when I meant La Boheme? (refers to an earlier question)
Ok, so I'm a new driver (just got my license. Yay!) and I'm not used to parking garages. I was shopping at a mall last weekend and when I went to get my car out of the garage I realized I only had $2.00 in cash left in my wallet when the amount due was $5.00. When I went to use my ATM card, it had been demagnetized by being next to my credit card. I felt like such a dope! I needed cash in order to get my car out of the garage so I went over to the movie theatre and I saw two girls standing on line for tickets. I told them the story and asked if I could pay for their tickets on my credit card would they give me the cash back? They were a little dubious but finally agreed and I got my car back! So embarrassing!

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