DJGENERAL INTERVIEWS CHARLOTTE ARNOLD

It’s finally here! It’s DJGENERAL’s interview with Charlotte Arnold.  She discusses Degrassi life, which other characters she auditioned for, why she refuses to join twitter and more.  Hide & Seek Part 2 air tonight at 9pm EST, as we learn what’s making Holly J sick as she chooses to self medicate.

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What has been your favorite Holly J storyline on the show so far?
Going into my fifth season, it’s tough to pick one! The New York movie was a blast to shoot, not only because I got to hang out in Manhattan with my friends but also in terms of the story. But looking back, there have been a lot of good ones. Getting to work at the Dot with Spinner felt very classically Degrassi. Getting kicked off the Power Squad, being bullied on Facerange, stripping in the school, pursuing Toby Isaacs, nearly being shot, running a babysitting business, campaigning for school presidency, Holly J has been busy. And it’s not over for her yet.

Now that Landon is gone from the show, will the fans get a wrap up with the Holly J/Declan storyline? Did Landon film anymore episodes before he left?
I’m in the same boat as you guys as far as knowing whether there will be a resolution between Holly J and Declan. Landon didn’t film any more episodes before he left, so as it stands, both characters have been accepted to Yale and well have to see what happens there. However the first read-through of season eleven is unbelievably soon, so I imagine we’ll be back at it, begging the writers for hints before we know it.

Almost the entire Degrassi cast (and even some of the crew!) has Twitter accounts now.  Do you plan on joining along with everyone else in the future?
I’ve taken somewhat of a stubborn anti-Twitter stance and I’m determined to hang onto it. I really think it’s excellent for spreading information and getting in touch with your fans, but I’m old-fashioned about it in two ways. First, I would much prefer representing myself face-to-face or at least in more than 180 characters. Too many people are communicating in too few words nowadays and there’s more to most things than a sound bite. And secondly I’d rather do something than tweet about doing it. Life’s too short, man!

Who is your favourite Degrassi character of all-time?
 I think that Manny was one of the funniest, Ellie one of the realest, and I’ve loved hanging out with Jane and Fiona…but mostly I just miss Kendra.

What are your plans after you are done on Degrassi?
Back to school at Ryerson University for my final year to wrap up a Bachelor of Journalism. Keep acting and working with Free the Children. Buy an apartment. Go on a big Eurotrip with my friends from high school in 2012. Beyond that I’m winging it, but it’s a good feeling.

What are some of your favourite artists to listen to right now?
Lately I’ve been listening to the Supremes and the Shangri-Las a lot, and still playing my Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy when I’m getting ready to go out. I’m always into Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Kid Cudi, Brody Dalle, and Supertramp. I’m also extremely excited for Lady Gaga’s new CD and I bought tickets to go see the Pixies in April — I can’t wait.

What are some of your favourite TV shows you enjoy watching?
I can’t miss the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, 30 Rock or Jersey Shore. I’m obsessed with TLC and A&E especially the greatest new show on television, Beyond Scared Straight. I want Dexter and True Blood to start up again. But my absolute favourite is and will always be the Kids in the Hall.

What do you typically do when you are not on set?
When I’m not on set I Iike just going out dancing with friends, reading, cooking, seeing a ton of movies. When it gets a little warmer I’ll be swimming in my pool because I love to swim. I also jump at any opportunity to travel and see someplace I’ve never seen, whether it’s a weekend at a friends university or two weeks overseas with Free The Children. Here’s a little Degrassi trivia—Annie and I recently figured out that we’ve taken fourteen flights together over the past year and a half…and the majority of those were between August and November.

You recently won a Gemini Award for your performance in the season 9 episode “Somebody”.  What was it like to win that award?
 It was a huge thrill and sort of terrifying. I was going to have to accept on Landon’s behalf had he won because the awards took place while he was in Australia, so I was nervously going over what I would say when they called my name and my mum screamed like it was the Oscars or the Nobel Peace Prize or something. I do feel really proud to have been nominated alongside Landon for those episodes, because it felt like acknowledgement that we had built a believable onscreen relationship, and that’s just nice. Winning was ultimately the cherry on top of a wonderful year at Degrassi.

Did you audition for any other characters on Degrassi before you got the role on Holly J?
Yup, Emma and Liberty in season one, and I again around season four for a character that I don’t think ever made it to TV. In season seven I auditioned for both Holly J and Anya.

How has Degrassi changed your life?
Degrassi has introduced me to a cast and crew of hundreds that I can call friends, and that’s what makes going to work the awesome, unpredictable day-to-day experience that it is. I’ve gotten some amazing opportunities to travel and check out fashion shows and premieres and parties, little worlds that I never would have been able to peek into without this job, and I know that I’ve been really lucky. Building a relationship with Free the Children has been another big change—when you find something that you really care about and can completely get behind, that’s a beautiful thing. The trips that we’ve taken have blown my mind and expanded my worldview and I’m thankful that I’ve been able to be a part of them.

What are five things you can’t live without?
GQ, my family, my glasses, my passport, Christmas

Who on set would you like to have a scene with that you have not already previously?
 The Three Tenors. Holly J has only interacted with Connor twice I think, but both times AJ and couldn’t stop laughing. I think she should hang out with those guys more often, why not.

@ashelizabethhh
Have you ever seen the website http://hollyjsays.tumblr.com/ ?

I have! Although I just clicked on the link and I don’t think it exists anymore. What a shame. At least we still have http://fionabitchface.tumblr.com/

@tweetertwitter
What is the weirdest fan encounter you’ve had?

Anytime someone screams or freaks out can be a little overwhelming or surreal because you’re just you and you sometimes don’t know what to say. I can’t say that I’ve ever had any particularly strange fan encounters that stand out off the top of my head but I have gotten fan mail from prison. I’m pretty proud of that.

@taylaa007
Did you watch Degrassi before you got the job?

Definitely. After I auditioned in the first season I was really curious along with everyone else to see what this new Degrassi reboot would be like. I was hooked like so many other kids my age and caught almost every episode. I could relate to the stories onscreen, although I wasn’t like a mega mega fan. I sure am now.