NO ANGEL
by Staff

When you were very young you didn't like your name, why was that?
Charisma Carpenter: That was because it was different. Kids can be cruel and they made fun of my name but I don't think there were any tears shed. So I went by Chrissy and then I suppose I grew into my name and started using it. Now I love it. I'd really love for people to know that is my real name and not a stage name.

Where you really named after a fragrance?
My grandmother bought my mother some perfume. It was a few days after my birth and I had still been un-named. My mother loved the name of the perfume, but hated the fragrance. I think it's a lovely word.

You did ballet dancing from the age of five. Was that a great passion?
When I was younger I was totally interested in dance, but I know that I did not want to be a professional. I had thew ability but not the heart for it. I didn't have the passion. It is hard work and doesn't pay that well. A lot is riding on your physical appearance and your weight.

You originally auditioned for the role of Buffy. Are there any regrets for not getting the part?
No. I had no regrets about not getting the part of Buffy but the media likes to make a big deal out of it. It's all just a question of someone being right for a part, of getting the right peg in the right slot. I wasn't upset. It is a testament to the fact that I was chosen for the right part because it has grown so much and is now such a pivotal part of Angel.

Why do you think that you were chosen for the role of Cordelia?
I think they may have had a certain look in mind Cordelia and Buffy... a blonde and a brunette. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Or a case of preparedness meeting opportunity.

Why was it decided to create the spin-off series Angel?
The spin-off came about, I believe, because they thought that Angel was a strong character with great potential. But they did not know how people would respond, and there was a great response. So around the second season of Buffy they asked me to do it.

You are obviously an action girl because you go rock climbing, horse riding, and sky diving?
I like sports, but I only did sky diving once. I enjoyed the thrill of that. It was sometimes that I was really excited to do, and at the same time I was terrified. If I'm scared of something I set out to try and conquer it. I was probably the weakest link in the show at the beginning because I was so nervois that I wanted to be sick all the time. So it was a challenge for me to overcome those fears. I think I have done that althugh I still have my moments.

You write poetry, which suggest that you are also a very sensitive person?
Poetry releases another side of me. I also do a lot of stream of consciousness writing. I wouldn't say that I doodle. It's just something that I do for myself. Might I try and write a script someday? I will never say never because all things are possible. But that's not what my focus is on right now.

After college you went traveling around Europe. Was that very adventurous?
I got so much out of all of that. I was never afraid of going into Europe because I had a friend in Germany. What I got most of all from great experience was that travel makes the world seem smaller. Everybody should have the privilege of traveling. They do more in Europe and I guess that, as a result, European kids are more sophisticated.

Why do you think Angel has been such a succes?
I guess that people like the redemption theme in the show and that it is a little more adult.

Do the fans get mixed up about you and your TV character?
It's not as though I am Brad Pitt. I certainly have never encountered anything negative. I'm sure that there is a lot of confusion between me and Cordelia. They'll ask, "Why did you do that to Angel?" or "When are you going to be nice to Buffy?" That sort of thing does happen a lot but it's harmless.

What is your ambition?
I want to be married and have a children. I'm also thinking that some time I might go back to college and finish my education.