Singing, Dancing and Now Acting, Nothing Can Stop Alicia Josipovic

For actress Alicia Josipovic, days off can be few and far between. That's why we were ultra flattered when the Degrassi starlet agreed to come hang out at the WOMAN.ca headquarters this week.

Rather than offering her a penny, she took a Vitamin Water in exchange for her thoughts. Then, settling down outside on the patio, she spills about her new-found success, her best friend and biggest fan, Mom, and her hardcore crush on Jersey Shore's Pauly D. 

Overlooking Yorkville Avenue, the brown-haired, bright-smiled, homegrown talent kicks back, lets loose, and opens up about about her new life in the spotlight.

How did you first get into acting?
Originally I was a dancer, and I have always been very theatrical. I was singing and dancing from a very young age. And then in high school, I went to an art school - Etobicoke School of The Arts where I was dancing, but I also minored in drama. It was only then that I found out that I actually really, really loved acting. So, after high school I started taking acting classes all the time, and went out to every audition possible. And finally, I landed Degrassi.

Was Degrassi your first big acting roll?
Well, I did a couple short films before Degrassi, and I also worked on a show called Abracadabra, which was a Family Chanel show, and Camp Rock, but yeah I'd say Degrassi was my first big thing. It was the one roll that I really wanted to do.

How did you feel when you landed the part?
I was so happy. Like, I was jumping up and down, and we all went out to celebrate!

Do you remember where you were when you got the call?
Yeah! I was lying in my bed, and my agent called me. It was like 9:00 in the morning, and I was still sleeping. So, I answer the phone and she says, look, we're going to have to cancel your audition tomorrow,' and so I'm like, what? why?!' And she goes, because you're going to be busy doing other things...' My heart was just racing, and I was like, does this mean I got [the roll on] Degrassi?' And she said yes, and I was just sooo excited!

Degrassi has really served as a launching pad for a lot of people. Quite a few actors from the show have gone on to do other things. For example, Shenae Grimes went on to do 90210, or this rapper, I don't know if you've heard of him? They're calling him Drake? I think he started there too.
Hmm. Drake. Yeah, I think I've heard of him. (laughing)

Where do you see yourself going after you graduate from Degrassi, so to speak?
Well, the thing is that I definitely want to do at least one more season of Degrassi. I am really happy there, and I love the roll and am learning a lot. But I've also just started doing my music now, and I would like to continue to work on that, along with Degrassi. Later on though, maybe I'd go to L.A. and try and get on a show there, or do a feature film? I'd love to try something like that.

What kinds of things do you consider when you're taking on a roll?
Well, I play Bianca DeSousa on Degrassi (cast pictured at right), and she's really nothing like me. I like to play characters who aren't really like me because then it's a real challenge, and it's also fun to pretend to be someone that you're not. And, actually, I want to that even further, I want to get into some crazy roles after Degrassi. I'd love to play, like, a drug dealer, or a bank robber - something like that.

Sort of like what Blake Lively did with her role in The Town?
Oh, I want to see that! I haven't seen it yet, but yeah. I'd love to challenge myself like that. Or you know when Johnny Depp played that bank robber in Public Enemy? I'd love to do something like that! Really step out of my comfort zone.

Are there any actors who you really look up to?
Yes, Johnny Depp. He's my favourite actor of all time. He's so versatile. He can play any role, and any role that he gets, he does it so well. So, I really love him, and I hope I get to meet him one day.

If you got to meet him, what would you tell him?
... um, I love you?

Good answer. We'd probably say the same.
And, I'd also say "You're my idol. I want to do a movie with you one day." That's my ultimate dream... even though that's very far fetched right now.

And being that you also dabble in music, which artists to you look up to?
I'm going to be honest and say T.I. because I have loved him since I was in grade seven! (laughing) And I also love Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, The Petshop Boys... there are tons of musicians that I like. And my music is very pop-rock. You know, kind of like a Katy Perry thing? 

Can you tell us a little more about your album?
Well, I'm really excited for my album to come out. We're working on it right now, but we don't have a release date just yet. I'm working with a lot of big Canadian producers, and I'm having so much fun with it. Again, like with Degrassi, I'm learning a lot. I'm learning about how to write my own music, and all about recording, and just really enjoying the whole experience.

So you're shooting full time with Degrassi, AND recording an album! Do you ever take a second to breathe?
(Laughing) I try to. For example, today! It's my day off!

What else do you do on your spare time - aside from granting interviews?
I like to be with my family a lot. I think family is really, really important. My mom is my best friend in the whole entire world. We do everything together. Everything! She supports me 101% all the time. She brought me to all of my auditions, you know? It's really great to have that kind of a support system at home. So I spend a lot of time with her, with the family, oh, and with my friends. I also love to spend time with the Degrassi cast off-set, too. We're all super close and have so much fun together.

It must be hard to find time to keep up with friends with your schedule being so hectic. In only a few short years, you went from being a high school girl who loved to sing and dance, to a TV star and recording artist. Have you encountered any jealousy back home as a result?
I mean, of course there is jealousy back home. I mean, I have my little group of good friends who support me and stand behind me, and I love them for that. But then there were also the people who I thought were my friends, and only later did I realize that they weren't. They just were not good friends. But, if you are going to be a part of this industry, you come to expect it. People get jealous.

I know you probably don't have time to watch TV - but when you do get a second, are there any shows you would never, ever miss?
That's easy. Jersey Shore. I absolutely love it.

If you had to pick one guy on The Shore to date, who would it be?
Even easier. Pauly D.! Pauly D.! Pauly D.!

If Pauly D. is out there, reading this interview between GTL's, what do you want him to know?
Well, Pauly, you're really hot, and you DJ, so that's a plus, and you can come find me on the Degrassi set, any time. Seriously.

Being that this is WOMAN.ca, I've gotta ask - what's your favourite part about being a women?
Um. That's tough. Heels? I guess it's fun to be able to wear heels, and guys can't.

That's funny. A lot of people might list 'heels' under reasons that they DON'T like being a women...
What!? Why!? I love wearing heels!

Well, I guess dressing up can be fun. Once in a while.
Yeah! Being a woman is great! (laughing)

But, on the other side of things, being a young woman - especially in show biz - has proven to be pretty tough on some people. There are a few young actresses who are having a pretty hard time right now. 
Yeah for sure. Like, there are girls, for example, like Lindsay Lohan, who are really having a bad time right now. I think in this industry, and especially as a young woman, it's tough to not get caught up in the bad stuff, because it's all around you. I think that no matter what you do, no matter what industry you're in, it's important to stick to your morals. I don't think I will ever find myself in the same situation as [Lindsay] because I was raised with really great morals, and I take my career and the stuff I was taught while growing up very seriously. You just have to be yourself, and stay focused, and always remember what's really important. That's the best way to succeed.

Photography by Ian Rutledge.

Carli Mia
		About the author:
		Carli Mia, also known as Carli Rothman, also known as Carli Stephens, also known as Carli Mia Stephens Rothman, is a prairie-girl to the core, and a graduate of the Ryerson School of Journalism. She currently lives in downtown Toronto, and acts as the Director of Content for WOMAN.ca!
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