Christina Applegate: The Girl Upstairs

Christina Applegate has been a small-screen sensation for almost a decade, playing trashy teen vixen Kelly Bundy on "Married... With Children." When she dipped a toe into big-screen Hollywood with Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, she got an icy reception. But now with two new films, Wild Bill and Nowhere, maybe those waters will warm up.

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DENNIS HENSLEY: Jeff Bridges plays Wild Bill and Ellen Barkin plays Calamity Jane in Wild Bill. Who do you play?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I play an upstairs girl, which is basically a whore.

Q: What does she charge?

A: I don't know, it was the 1800s, A dollar a lay, maybe.

Q: What's this other movie that's on your resume, Vibrations?

A: A love story I did a couple of years ago. I thought it was coming out theatrically, then a friend of mine said she saw it in a video store. It doesn't bother me that I've done things that went straight to video.

Q: What was your worst audition?

A: Every single one that I've been on. I'd rather have a coffee enema than go on an audition.

Q: Tell me about Nowhere.

A: I play a high school student named Dingbat and I wear braces.

Q: Do you have a boyfriend?

A: I wouldn't say the B word--that's a bad word, I don't think anyone under 30 should commit themselves to anybody because we're not developed enough mentally to give that part of our life over.

Q: Do you ever date actors?

A: No. [Pause] Actually, that's such a big lie. Yes, I date actors, just not working actors.

Q: You were 15 when you started "Married.., With Children." That was a pretty hot body for your age--

A: And I was a mental wreck because of it. I had to fit into a size three every week, so I wasn't eating. The problem with what I did is exactly what I find wrong with this business, and that's how much onus is placed on looks. It fucked me up really bad with my body image. Now I'm OK.

Q: Are you into Young Hollywood?

A: I don't know what that is. I just live my life. I'm 24 so I'm not going to pretend to be some sophisticated adult. I'm going to get crazy once in a while, but I refuse to let my life fall apart.

Q: What actor would you like to play your love interest in a movie?

A: Christopher Walken. I think he's the sexiest man alive.

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Dennis Hensley