A Q&A with Actress and Carrollwood Native Brittany Snow

Brittany Snow is the true definition of a “triple threat."

Not only can the petite blonde sing, dance and act - the latter being her most true passion, which she calls “therapeutic” -  she has also modeled, appeared in commercials, and is a big-hearted philanthropist.  

Snow’s career launched while attending Carrollwood Day School (followed by Ben Hill Middle School and two years at Gaither High before she left to pursue her dreams full-time on the West Coast).  The stunning 25-year-old began her acting career as a cast member of the TV show “Seaquest 2032,” which was filmed just hours away at Walt Disney World in Orlando. 

Her commute increased significantly in 1998, when she secured a recurring role on “Guiding Light,” juggling script lines and pop quizzes while maintaining straight “A’s”. 

She became a household name after landing a lead in “American Dreams” (2002-’05), followed by starring roles in blockbuster films including the musical ensemble “Hairspray” and teen comedy “John Tucker Must Die."

Most recently, the Maxim cover girl appeared on the NBC drama “Harry’s Law” with Kathy Bates.  (Snow will return for three episodes in the fall to finish out her character’s storyline.)

With several films releasing later this year, including “96 Minutes”, “Petunia," “Janie Jones” and “Syrup”, Patch spoke with the busy star who still carves out time in her busy schedule to visit her hometown several times a year.

Patch:  How often do you come back to Tampa, and what are your favorite memories of growing up here?

Brittany:  I try to come back about three or four times a year, especially during Christmas, summers, and my dad’s birthday.  My dad lives in Tampa all year round, and my mom commutes back and forth between Tampa and Los Angeles.  I have great memories of being with my friends and doing “normal” things, like any teenager!

I have to confess that here in L.A., everything is so fancy schmancy, but some of my favorite restaurants are Chili’s, Applebee’s and The Olive Garden.  I loved going to Macaroni Grill on Sunday nights with my parents!

Patch:  What actors and actresses would you love to work with? 

Brittany:  I’d love to work with Natalie Portman, Laura Linney or Julianne Moore.  Robert Downey, Jr. is my favorite actor.  I’m reading his biography now, and he is just so fascinating.  I love working with people who I don’t just respect as actors, but those who lead interesting lives.    I often get old that I look like Reese Witherspoon and we have similar personalities, so I’d love to play her little sister!

Patch:  Which of your films is the most meaningful to you? 

Brittany:  “Hairspray” was an incredible experience because I got to work with amazing people and it was the first movie I did that was a huge deal.  “John Tucker” was also great for me because I played a character that was very much like the real me.  And “Guiding Light” will always have a special place in my heart because it helped me determine why I wanted to act.  I loved the attention and being in front of the camera.  I was 12 and I had to cry and scream, and I felt such a rush. For the first time, I felt truly connected to something. 

Patch:  What’s on your bookshelf, your DVR and your iPod?

Brittany:  One of my favorite books is “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me” by Pattie Boyd.  Harrison is my favorite Beatle, so I love the book.  I’m obsessed with “Top Chef” and  “No Reservations." Even though I don’t cook, and don’t understand it, I’m fascinated with what these people can do! 

I’m not a fan of talent shows or reality shows, but my two guilty pleasures are “The Voice” and “The Bachelorette”. “The Bachelorette” is such a train wreck, but I genuinely care about this girl!  Music-wise, I like alternative indie rock and pop.  I’m also into 80’s and 90’s throwback jams. 

Patch:  Who are some of your favorite (former) co-stars? 

Brittany:  With every single movie I’ve done, I’ve maintained a close relationship with at least one person from that film. 

Sophia Bush (co-star of “John Tucker”) is still one of my best friends and I still keep in close contact with Jessica Stroup (“Prom Night”).  Zac Efron (“Hairspray”)  is still one of my closest friends and so is Kellan Lutz (“Prom Night”, “Syrup”).

I work with a small circle of under-30 actors and actresses, and we’ve all been doing the same thing for so long.  It’s not competitive and in fact, we’re all so supportive and  happy for one another when someone lands a role.

Patch:  What are your favorite causes/charities to support? 

Brittany:  I started a charity called LOVE IS LOUDER with my friend after the recent wave of bullying-related suicides.  MTV became a partner, and before we knew it, we had 70,000 fans on Facebook.  It’s been amazing.  This started out as a small idea and now we have so many people standing behind us and supporting us, which make me proud since it is a cause that I am very passionate about. 

Patch:  You’ve managed to stay out of the tabloids. Do you make a conscientious effort to avoid the ‘party scene’?

Brittany:  I don’t hit the clubs often, maybe once every couple of months if one of my friends is having a big birthday party.  Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I’d rather watch a movie or go to a movie or host a dinner party with my friends.  Sure, I went through that phase a couple of years ago, but I was smart about what I did and how I did it.  I knew to have two drinks instead of 20 and I didn’t flaunt myself out in the open for all the world to see.