Post by Hestella on May 27, 2009 2:48:22 GMT -5
Fashion: Melina Kanakaredes
Greek Goddess
OK! Magazine
Interview by Ruth Hilton.
June 12, 2006
Pages 64-69
Melina ditches her CSI:NY detective wear and goes with the fashion flow.
The stern facial expressions and somber pantsuits of her CSI:NY character, Detective Stella Bonasera, couldn’t be more of a contrast to the charismatic and playful personality of actress Melina Kanakaredes.
Going through the designer outfits on the racks at the OK! Shoot like a kid in a candy store (she is crazy for Roberto Cavalli), Melina exudes warmth and satisfaction, which come from having found happiness in her family and career.
From playing Dr. Sydney Hansen on Providence to Benita Alden on NYPD Blue to her successful Broadway career, the Ohio-born star’s long hours have paid off big time.
But few people could guess how close art has imitated life for Melina by joining the CSI:NY cast. When she was a little girl, her uncle was murdered. It was through the dedication of police and CSIs that her family was able to find closure on their loss, for which she will forever be grateful.
Here, Melina, who lives in L.A. with her developer/restaurateur hubby, Peter Constantinides, and their daughters, Zoe, six, and Karina, three, tells all to OK!
What effect has working on CSI:NY had on you?
You find a new compassion for people who truly do this and what it is that compelled them to get into this field. If you have ever suffered a devastating loss, like someone you knew was murdered, the uncertainty of not knowing who did it has got to be the most excruciatingly painful time.
Have you experienced this personally?
As a young girl, I had an uncle who was murdered. It was a year before we found out who did it. It was a very difficult time for me. I can attest to the final feeling of knowing who did it and why and what happened means that at least it’s a chapter in your life you can close. The families of these victims need to find closure. When I play Stella, I try to focus on the fact that she’s a truth seeker. She finds out what really happened and gives it to the people who are still there and who need to know. In many ways, it is a wonderful job.
What did you do to research your role?
I went on runs in L.A. with people who do this, who work on double homicides. I don’t know how they do it. If they said to me, “Here are all the roles you’ve played on TV and film – pick one to do professionally,” this is not the one I would choose. But I love to look at the uplifting side of it. CSI, the franchise, has made a difference to the numbers of women who apply for these positions.
Your current storyline, in which Stella shoots her boyfriend after he attacks her, is very intense and emotionally charged. How do you cope with filming those kinds of scenes?
If you feel exhausted, it is only because the work has been so good. There was a moment in that episode where I believed it [shooting her boyfriend] so much I broke down into tears. When you put yourself through that kind of emotion, your body believes you. What I am so happy about is that they are enabling us to get into the personal lives of these characters. Actors salivate for those opportunities.
What has been your toughest moment on the show?
Working very late on the first season. I got home one morning at 6 a.m. I had to decide whether to nap for half an hour or stay awake for when my kids get up at 6:30 a.m. I did that for four or five days straight, and my husband said to me, “You need to sleep. Now!”
How do you balance work and family life?
My daughters have a trailer opposite mine, and there is Astro Turf and a little plastic house in between. It’s unorthodox, but it’s a great way to be a mom and work as well. Those years go by so quickly so it is really important to juggle the best I can. We try to have meals at regular times, and I have an amazing husband who figures it all out with me.
Does your husband, Peter, go to red carpet events with you?
He’s shy, and he hides! He has been punished for that in many ways. When I was on The View, he was sitting in the front row with my cousin. They put a photo up of who they thought my husband was, but it was actually my very sweet friend, who happens not to be interested in women. He is blonde and blue-eyed, whereas my husband has dark features. I started laughing. I’d been on the show eight or nine times, and the producers were mortified. But I said, “It’s Peter’s fault. He hides on the red carpet!” So now I make him get in at least one photo a year.
How did you and Peter meet?
I met him when I was 19 years old. He was a nice Greek boy from Chicago. We met through this Greek-American college group. Greek parents created it in the hopes that their children would meet and get married.
And you did!
Yes, years later. We met young and grew into the people we are, and it still works. Sometimes that is not the case with relationships. We are having our 14-year wedding anniversary on September 6.
What makes your marriage tick?
Communication. You have to keep talking. I think the fact that we are both Greek helps. I don’t have to explain to him why my mom and dad can come and stay any time they want. Families can be enormous burdens on certain relationships, but we both realize that families are what our relationship is about. In America, we have holidays like Thanksgiving that we are supposed to spend with our families – with Greeks, it’s all the time, any time.
Are your daughters exhibiting showbiz tendencies?
They love performing, and I have a blast with them. We have a little theater in the backyard of our ranch, which my CSI co-star Gary Sinise helped me build. We have these big birthday parties, and the girls have no idea that they are watching stars onstage. They just know them as “Mommy’s friends.” Some people have even gotten roles from being seen by producers on our backyard stage.
Did you always think you’d be a mother of daughters?
I am the youngest of three girls, my cousins are all girls; I get the girl thing. We are blessed with two great kids.
Do you want more kids? I’ll never say never, but I don’t think so.
You’ve had two kids and have a phenomenal figure. What’s your secret?
I did Pilates until the day before I had them – crazy! I was really lucky with my second child because I pushed four times and it was done. I gained almost 40 pounds with each pregnancy, so I worked out with a trainer named Greg Isaacs, who had me boxing.
What about your diet?
Everything in moderation. I’ve learned that if you starve yourself, it doesn’t work. It’s much better to eat as healthy as you can, but stay away from complex carbs like pasta, rice, and potatoes. I still go to my family’s candy business and see that fresh caramel they have just poured onto the marble, and I will cut myself a big hunk and eat it.
You are always in pants on the show. What is your real-life style like?
You will always see me in a dress. We’ve done a lot on the show to bring a bit of what I love into it. In the episode where Stella shoots her boyfriend, she was wearing a Roberto Cavalli sundress and a jean jacket – much more Melina-esque.
You’ve chosen a lot of Roberto Cavalli dresses today.
I really love Roberto Cavalli. It’s elegant and beautiful, yet really easy to work in. They’re cut for a woman’s body, which is awesome. I am feminine in my fashion; I like girly colors. We use a lot of Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana on the show. It’s fun to mix it up a little. I have used my grandma’s jewelry and put it on a cool old jacket – it makes for a whole new look. It doesn’t have to be crazy expensive to be stylish.
Finally, what’s the toughest thing about being in showbiz?
To constantly remember that you are really lucky to have a seat on the roller coaster [laughs]. Just hold on!
Greek Goddess
OK! Magazine
Interview by Ruth Hilton.
June 12, 2006
Pages 64-69
Melina ditches her CSI:NY detective wear and goes with the fashion flow.
The stern facial expressions and somber pantsuits of her CSI:NY character, Detective Stella Bonasera, couldn’t be more of a contrast to the charismatic and playful personality of actress Melina Kanakaredes.
Going through the designer outfits on the racks at the OK! Shoot like a kid in a candy store (she is crazy for Roberto Cavalli), Melina exudes warmth and satisfaction, which come from having found happiness in her family and career.
From playing Dr. Sydney Hansen on Providence to Benita Alden on NYPD Blue to her successful Broadway career, the Ohio-born star’s long hours have paid off big time.
But few people could guess how close art has imitated life for Melina by joining the CSI:NY cast. When she was a little girl, her uncle was murdered. It was through the dedication of police and CSIs that her family was able to find closure on their loss, for which she will forever be grateful.
Here, Melina, who lives in L.A. with her developer/restaurateur hubby, Peter Constantinides, and their daughters, Zoe, six, and Karina, three, tells all to OK!
What effect has working on CSI:NY had on you?
You find a new compassion for people who truly do this and what it is that compelled them to get into this field. If you have ever suffered a devastating loss, like someone you knew was murdered, the uncertainty of not knowing who did it has got to be the most excruciatingly painful time.
Have you experienced this personally?
As a young girl, I had an uncle who was murdered. It was a year before we found out who did it. It was a very difficult time for me. I can attest to the final feeling of knowing who did it and why and what happened means that at least it’s a chapter in your life you can close. The families of these victims need to find closure. When I play Stella, I try to focus on the fact that she’s a truth seeker. She finds out what really happened and gives it to the people who are still there and who need to know. In many ways, it is a wonderful job.
What did you do to research your role?
I went on runs in L.A. with people who do this, who work on double homicides. I don’t know how they do it. If they said to me, “Here are all the roles you’ve played on TV and film – pick one to do professionally,” this is not the one I would choose. But I love to look at the uplifting side of it. CSI, the franchise, has made a difference to the numbers of women who apply for these positions.
Your current storyline, in which Stella shoots her boyfriend after he attacks her, is very intense and emotionally charged. How do you cope with filming those kinds of scenes?
If you feel exhausted, it is only because the work has been so good. There was a moment in that episode where I believed it [shooting her boyfriend] so much I broke down into tears. When you put yourself through that kind of emotion, your body believes you. What I am so happy about is that they are enabling us to get into the personal lives of these characters. Actors salivate for those opportunities.
What has been your toughest moment on the show?
Working very late on the first season. I got home one morning at 6 a.m. I had to decide whether to nap for half an hour or stay awake for when my kids get up at 6:30 a.m. I did that for four or five days straight, and my husband said to me, “You need to sleep. Now!”
How do you balance work and family life?
My daughters have a trailer opposite mine, and there is Astro Turf and a little plastic house in between. It’s unorthodox, but it’s a great way to be a mom and work as well. Those years go by so quickly so it is really important to juggle the best I can. We try to have meals at regular times, and I have an amazing husband who figures it all out with me.
Does your husband, Peter, go to red carpet events with you?
He’s shy, and he hides! He has been punished for that in many ways. When I was on The View, he was sitting in the front row with my cousin. They put a photo up of who they thought my husband was, but it was actually my very sweet friend, who happens not to be interested in women. He is blonde and blue-eyed, whereas my husband has dark features. I started laughing. I’d been on the show eight or nine times, and the producers were mortified. But I said, “It’s Peter’s fault. He hides on the red carpet!” So now I make him get in at least one photo a year.
How did you and Peter meet?
I met him when I was 19 years old. He was a nice Greek boy from Chicago. We met through this Greek-American college group. Greek parents created it in the hopes that their children would meet and get married.
And you did!
Yes, years later. We met young and grew into the people we are, and it still works. Sometimes that is not the case with relationships. We are having our 14-year wedding anniversary on September 6.
What makes your marriage tick?
Communication. You have to keep talking. I think the fact that we are both Greek helps. I don’t have to explain to him why my mom and dad can come and stay any time they want. Families can be enormous burdens on certain relationships, but we both realize that families are what our relationship is about. In America, we have holidays like Thanksgiving that we are supposed to spend with our families – with Greeks, it’s all the time, any time.
Are your daughters exhibiting showbiz tendencies?
They love performing, and I have a blast with them. We have a little theater in the backyard of our ranch, which my CSI co-star Gary Sinise helped me build. We have these big birthday parties, and the girls have no idea that they are watching stars onstage. They just know them as “Mommy’s friends.” Some people have even gotten roles from being seen by producers on our backyard stage.
Did you always think you’d be a mother of daughters?
I am the youngest of three girls, my cousins are all girls; I get the girl thing. We are blessed with two great kids.
Do you want more kids? I’ll never say never, but I don’t think so.
You’ve had two kids and have a phenomenal figure. What’s your secret?
I did Pilates until the day before I had them – crazy! I was really lucky with my second child because I pushed four times and it was done. I gained almost 40 pounds with each pregnancy, so I worked out with a trainer named Greg Isaacs, who had me boxing.
What about your diet?
Everything in moderation. I’ve learned that if you starve yourself, it doesn’t work. It’s much better to eat as healthy as you can, but stay away from complex carbs like pasta, rice, and potatoes. I still go to my family’s candy business and see that fresh caramel they have just poured onto the marble, and I will cut myself a big hunk and eat it.
You are always in pants on the show. What is your real-life style like?
You will always see me in a dress. We’ve done a lot on the show to bring a bit of what I love into it. In the episode where Stella shoots her boyfriend, she was wearing a Roberto Cavalli sundress and a jean jacket – much more Melina-esque.
You’ve chosen a lot of Roberto Cavalli dresses today.
I really love Roberto Cavalli. It’s elegant and beautiful, yet really easy to work in. They’re cut for a woman’s body, which is awesome. I am feminine in my fashion; I like girly colors. We use a lot of Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana on the show. It’s fun to mix it up a little. I have used my grandma’s jewelry and put it on a cool old jacket – it makes for a whole new look. It doesn’t have to be crazy expensive to be stylish.
Finally, what’s the toughest thing about being in showbiz?
To constantly remember that you are really lucky to have a seat on the roller coaster [laughs]. Just hold on!
