Milla Jovovich: Milla Meter

Q: What was Spike Lee like?

A: Spike is so honest. He's got an attitude and he's got this way of talking and acting that's really offhand, but that's what makes him the way he is, and who am I to judge? He's an artist. He's good at what he does and he doesn't hurt anybody.

Q: Did the two of you ever argue?

A: We had a big fight because my character doesn't take drugs and he showed me these "videos on hookers and without exception every one of them took drugs. So I called him up and I said, "Spike, can you just tell me why she doesn't take drugs?" and he got all, like, "What, you think every hooker takes drugs?" I said, "Just give me one example. Do you know one that doesn't who I could talk to?" He said, "I don't know any hookers and, anyway, it's your job. You're the actress, you figure it out." I just got so freaked out and so insecure and I'm like [mock sobbing], "He doesn't care about me or my part." Great directors know how to get out of their actors what they want, and maybe that was his way of pushing me. Even though I felt not protected by him, I think it gave me the edge to be this girl who doesn't get any nurturing from anybody in her life until she meets Denzel's character.

Q: Do you have any other movies lined up?

A: There's nothing confirmed yet. It's not that often that I get the parts I want. People are scared to take risks with me. New directors want to work with me, but I don't know what they've done before and I don't want to take the chance. I'd rather be unsatisfied with a great director than scared shitless with some new guy I don't trust.

Q: Do you live in L.A. now?

A: I live in L.A., but I also live in New York and France. I'm pretty much tri-coastal. If there was ever a time to travel, it's now when people want me. People might change their minds so I'm taking advantage of it now.

Q: You've been traveling a lot since your parents defected from Russia when you were five. Do you remember much about the journey?

A: I can remember going where they took me and being nervous because I couldn't understand anything. But it took me just a few months to learn how to speak English.

Q: You started modeling soon after and landed your first magazine cover at age 11. Was it weird to be so big at such a young age?

A: I remember thinking, "Wow, that's me," but it was like a different person. It freaked me out because nobody had ever really liked me in school. Now everybody wanted me for jobs, but it wasn't really me, it was this girl. I never took it personally, like, "Oh, I'm really great." It was more like, "OK, if that's what they want. That's pretty easy, I guess." It was a lot easier to model than to go to acting or dance or piano classes, so it wasn't something that I ever respected about myself. I didn't have anything to do with it. It was the makeup people, it was the hair people, and it was me imitating my mom.

Q: Did you ever throw a star tantrum?

A: Any tantrums I threw were before the age of 16. People probably thought I was a real brat, but at the same time, who wouldn't be? They created me.

Q: What was the first thing that made you feel like you had value as a person?

A: Probably the books I read. I could spend eight hours after school reading, then I would write and draw. If somebody loved those things about me, that made me feel really good.

Q: What was your first acting job?

A: Playing Sherilyn Fenn's little sister in Two-Moon Junction.

Q: A classic in the field of carny erotica.

A: It was definitely fun but I couldn't relate to it.

Q: What do you remember about making Return to the Blue Lagoon?

A: It was amazing being 13 and on a desert island for four months. I got a chance to read and run around barefoot and get away from the Industry and become close with people.

Q: Did you get into much trouble as a teenager?

A: Just stupid things where my parents would have to pick me up bawling from the police station because I got caught writing on walls with my wannabe gangster friends. Past 15, I never got into trouble. After I went to Europe for the first time, I came back a little more mature. All my old friends were doing the same things and I wasn't interested anymore.

Q: How old were you when you went through your club phase?

A: About 14 or 15.

Q: Didn't you have trouble getting in?

A: No. We were going to underground clubs that were illegal in the first place. I stopped going when I was 16. I had a great time and I did the club thing to the fullest, but I don't need it anymore. It could never have gotten better than I had it.

Q: Were you ever recognized?

A: Sometimes. Once I was recognized in the toilet at a club. The lock was broken and this girl opened the door and goes [nasally], "Oh my God, aren't you that model?" I'm squatting, not wanting to sit because it's dirty, and saying, "Uh-huh, nice to meet you."

Q: What's your idea of a good time now?

A: Putting on some fabulous outfit at home, making dinner for a few friends, then passing the mirror once in a while and noticing how fabulous I look. [Laughs]

Q: Shoes too?

A: Of course.

Q: What do your guests make of your fashion statement?

A: Well, they know it's me and they know I like to dress up for my man.

Q: What turns you on in a guy fashion-wise?

A: Well, Luc never leaves his jeans and T-shirts. I've actually bought him his first suits, because I was like, "Dude, we have to dress you up if you're going to Cannes." He would look ridiculous trying to be trendy or cool. He's a real man and he dresses like a man. I've dated some guys that take more time to get ready than I do and I can't deal with that shit.

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