PRESS ARCHIVE
New Woman - December 2002
'I've discovered what's important to me'


It may be the end for Ally McBeal, but there are plenty more roles ahead for
Calista Flockhart- mum and wife for a start!

The final season of Ally McBeal is coming to a sad end as we speak and while
some actresses would be panicking about what their career had in store once
unemployment beckoned, for Calista Flockhart the timing is perfect. After all,
she now has adopted son Liam to take care of, she's about to marry Harrison Ford
and she's happier than she's ever been. Hey, who needs a job?
But even though, post-Ally, she has a lot to occupy her time with, Calista is
still aware there will be a gap in her life, and that she was a part of a legendary
TV show. 'I feel fortunate to have been a part of something so provocative and unique,'
she says. So does she plan to find a role to replace Ally, become a full-time mum or
simply see where life takes her? We caught up with her to find out...


What do you want to do now Ally is over?

My ambition has dwindled a bit because I've been working so intensely for so many years.
But once I have a much-needed break, the acting bug will nip at me again.


You seem pretty OK about it...

I'm hoping it all falls into place. I think it will. Life is usually like that - it all
figures itself out if you live for today.


How do you feel about the fame Ally brought?

It's very hard for me to define fame; it's so elusive. I've rolled this around in my
brain and tried to make sense of it. I never wanted to be famous. I don't think anybody
who knows what fame is would ever want to be famous. Being well known does, however,
afford me opportunities to work, and I love to work. In that sense it's been a very
positive thing because it's given me film projects and other exposure I wouldn't have
had before. But there is a downside. As far as recognition on the street and all the
negative (tabloid) stuff-I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.


You've been in the public eye a lot with the adoption of your son, Liam. How is that?

Motherhood is better than anything I've ever done - it's even better than starring on Ally.
I've wanted a baby for a long time, so it feels natural. It felt like it was the right
time and I couldn't be happier. I've had to pinch myself at times and say, 'I'm a mother,
I'm a mother'. But when he turned seven months, he started to feel so much a part of me.
He's been living on my hip for months now, so when I don't have him with me I feel like
somebody has cut off my arm. I haven't had that much time to think about it but motherhood
definitely put things in perspective for me -I really discovered what's important to me.


So do you have any advice for other celebrity mums, or even normal ones?

I don't have any advice about motherhood to help anyone out - I would never be so presumptuous.
I've been given tons of advice and some of it I've treasured and some of it I've had to throw
away. I just follow my instincts because he's a human being and you just know what to do. I
really can't explain it. I just know him so well already.


I guess now you've got to think of Liam when it comes to making decisions about work...
have you thought about that?

I will have to consider where I want Liam to go to school and these issues will end up making
choices for me. But I also have to make a living.


You took quite a bit of time off before the last series of Ally was filmed - that's unusual
because most actresses would make a movie in their time off...

It wasn't weird at all taking the summer off. And I was really tired. Not tired physically but
burnt out from acting. I didn't want to act anymore. There was no choice because I had a new
sense of purpose - all I wanted to do was be home and nurture Liam. Sometimes I feel like I
might not do anything ever again but be with my son. Spending time with him is such joy.


And also spending time with Harrison?

I don't mean to be rude, but I like to keep my private life as private as I can. But I will
say I'm very happy and excited right now.


Well, is it true you met when you spilt red wine on his Golden Globes Lifetime Achievement
award in January?

That's not true. Well, it's half true, but I don't want to talk about it. Sorry.


OK, speaking of lifetime achievement, tell us about your trip to Africa a few years ago.

We went to villages in Nairobi to talk to the people about female genital mutilation. I didn't
know how they were going to feel about me trying to participate in something I really didn't
know a lot about. I thought they would think I was presumptuous and arrogant, but that was my
personal baggage. They just wanted to hug me and talk to me. They taught me a lot about connecting
to other people.


Has the way you feel about it changed since having Liam?

It was always hard to hear stories about people who are abused, or children who are taken advantage
of, or mothers who drown their children. But now (after experiencing motherhood) I have a visceral
response to it. I email the people in Africa all the time.


Yes, we hear you're a whiz at email....

Yes. I just started emailing. I'm a technophobe. Everyone yells at me because I write five-page
letters on email and I've been informed that you're not supposed to do that! But! really like email
because it brings us back to writing letters.


What are some of your other favourite things to do at home?

I enjoy movies featuring my favourite actresses like Bette Davis and Carole Lombard, and I read books
all the time, often with a cup of camomile tea, especially before I go to sleep.


What are your favourite things in the world to do to let your hair down?

Dancing and playing with my terrier, Webster.


Are you a pampering kind of girl?

I like getting massaged. I like somebody to really dig into my neck and get all the tension and kinks out.


What is your personal definition of style?

My answer is somewhat clichéd, but that's because it's true. I think whatever you wear has to make
you feel good, and I don't think there should be any rules. I think it should be about originality
- I dress according to my mood.


What's your favourite look - you're quite a casual kind of girl, aren't you?

I'm very basic and simple with everything. I consider myself to be extremely low maintenance. I love
to go out in Gap jeans or khakis and wool sweaters. I have this thing for grey sweaters. I have this
gigantic sweater that was my grandfather's. When I wear it I feel like I'm getting a hug from him.
I also like to look good and have fun with clothes. But I have my old standbys that feel like pyjamas.
I roll out of bed and put them on and head to work - it's all about comfort.


What about when it comes to dressing up?

Sometimes I like Audrey Hepburn's look -very elegant and appealing - while on other occasions I want
something different. It's fun getting dressed up. I don't care who made the dress if it looks good.
My clothes actually change with my mood.


Did the show's stylists let you get involved in Ally's look?
Oh, yes. They were really open to suggestions and ideas. My intent with Ally was to keep things very
progressive, to take risks, to try something, and if it didn't work, so what? It was like cutting
off my fringe -I just said 'do it'. Because it's fun. But we had to remember we were playing Boston
lawyers so I didn't want to go too far. I had to stay within those confines.


What do you learn from stylists?

They teach me a lot of little things. I kind of leave them to their jobs because they are the
professionals with the expertise, but I quietly listen to what they have to say and tuck it away for the future.


Do you currently have a fitness routine?

It's really light. I go for a run or have a 30-minute workout with a personal trainer, and take
weekend bicycle rides and the occasional spin class. I also enjoy walking up and down the coast
and looking at the ocean. It's very relaxing. I keep it all very basic and simple because that's
the way I prefer my life to be.


What look makes you feel sexy?

I feel sexy all the time. Sexy isn't about clothes; it's about attitude.
Date of this item added :
2007-09-02