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Cast Interviews
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| Interview with:
Lia Montelongo |
Interviewer: Vladimir Legkostup |
| Subject: General |
Date: 24/04/2001 |
Vladimir Legkostup: Now you are popular thanks to Mortal Kombat, but what did you do before? What was your occupation?
Lia Montelongo: I have been a personal trainer / aerobic instructor since I was about 17. I got the job as a Mortal Kombat character when I was 19. I throughly enjoyed it. At the same time I was already dabbling in modeling and acting. I have numerous experiences in both print modeling and acting. I was also competing in Fitness competitions at the time.
VL: Which of created characters you like most- Sindel or Sareena?
LM: I enjoyed Sindel because I got to be fierce and strong. I also got to be a little sexy in the photoshoots for the cabinet and magazines. I enjoyed Sareena because she was very real, it was easy to play her in the movie.
VL: In MK: Mythologies you were not only a model but an actress. Was it your first experience as an actress?
LM: In MK Mythologies I enjoyed acting as Sareena. It was not my first time acting but it was my first time acting in a movie. I have been in several theater plays all through school. It was a lot of fun to be in front of the camera. It helped my confidence in the acting scene.
VL: Does your appearance help you in your life or hinder you?
LM: I use to have issues about my looks. I always stuck out like a sore thumb. People thought because I was pretty I had it all. As a child I was very popular but I also had a lot of trials and tribulations. Most recently I have finally realized that my beauty is a gift from God and I choose to live my life in a healthy manner to be a role model for children and adults. I have had great experiences because of my looks but my brains have by far gotten me through it all. Well, my brains and the grace of God. I was born in a not so good neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago and I could of easily ended up a statistic. I know more today that my beauty is a gift to use and create more beauty in people and places that have forgotten who and what they are. I have only just begun my mission and Mortal Kombat was just one of the steps I went through to get to today!
VL: You were a model of Tanya in MK4, but your name is not in the captions. Why?
LM: I actually modeled for Tanya as a favor to one of the creators of Tanya. Dave- he modeled Tanya after his wife who resembeled me at the time. She was not up for the E-3 show and thought it would be best if I took her spot. I didn't mind. Everyone just assumed it was me anyway.
VL: What do you like to do in your free time?
LM: Currently, I am extremely busy. I am healing from a major car accident that could have been fatal. I walked out without a scratch - just sprained muscles throughout my back. I am preparing to compete in yet another Fitness Competition. The Women's Tri-Fitness Competition- It will be held in Las Vegas on July 27-28th. Keep your fingers crossed! I am going for the gold this year! I am a Hip-Hop dance teacher for children and I teach aerobics, kickboxing, yoga and some personal training. I am also in shcool with a major in Child Psychology. I enjoy reading, writing poetry and hanging with my dog Storm. I also throw big bashes whenever I can. We eat lots of food and dance all night. I guess you could say I am just a regular girl........
VL: Is a nice appearance only sufficient for participating in model
business?
LM: I enjoy looking good and being in shape. I do it for myself now. I found
my self-esteem in the weight room a long time ago and I love it!
VL: What did you like most & what did you dislike on E3 show?
LM: I enjoy meeting lots of people (different people) I enjoy taking pictures
and signing them for the people. I don't like when people act like I am so
different from them. The only difference between me and anyone else at the show
is that I play a character in a game. It's that simple.
VL: In 1999 a videofilm "Shower of Blood" was produced. Is it just an
occasional piece of work for you or can it be treated as a beginning
of your career in a movie business?
LM: Great question! "Shower of Blood" needs to be recalled "Nightmare!" I
signed on the project assuming it was going to be a flick like "Scream or Scary
Movie" you know goofy funny with a sexy side and a bloody side. I love
Vampire's and thought it was so cool to be cast as the lead! I had just moved
to the city and got the role about a week later. Young, niave and to be honest
I just believed the director when he told me it wasn't a B flick. The whole
cast signed on being told it was going to be shopped to Showtime or HBO. Then
all hell broke loose on the set with one of the actresses and then a rewrite
happened and then well I became a part of a project that didn't turn out to be
what I signed on for. Let's just say I didn't think I would be claiming my
Oscar any time soon. UGH! I have finally realized it is what it is and I am ok
with the role I played (to a point!)..... No this movie is not a representation
of how I want to make it to be a movie star. It was a well learned lesson.....
I am working on my Television Pilot right now! I have also realized that it
could of been a lot worse and thanks to the experience I write my own contracts
and read every single line..... FYI
VL: Did you make any attempts to cast in MK-films?
LM: I was called to audition but then we were informed that they were casting in
LA. It kinda fell through. I would love to be an action hero. A real shoot
up, Mission Impossible type. Lots of jumps, flips, and fights with the old
movie producer!!!
VL: Nowadays video games have captured minds of millions, and they
make great profits. You observed an entertainment industry from
inside. What are your impressions?
LM: I throughly enjoyed working with the whole crew from the inside. It was a
group of guys that were so talented they didn't even have a clue how good they
were. It's awesome to watch real minds play, create and relate to every walk of
life through these games. They just make money because their good at it. They
are not in it to make money - that's when you know they love what they do. The
money is a bonus if you love what you do.
VL: What was an atmosphere of MK-games shooting?
LM: We shot on location for the games. In the back of the warehouse. It was a
big empty room with lots of cameras, hot lights, makeup guys, and food! There
was always laughing in the air and lots of fun. I loved it.
VL: Ed Boon and John Tobias is legendary ex-duet. What is there in
common & what's the difference between them, to your opinion?
LM: Ed Boon and John Tobias are both great guys. Ed was just as creative as
John but Ed had the Father role. He would listen to John's ideas and then say "
yeah that's good but what about that and this?" John would agree and then we'd
work. John is like a big kid with a big dream. He just keeps dreaming and
creating and Ed would slow him down and make him make sense out of the whole
thing. They complimented eachother's faults and made it work.
VL: Why did you leave Brian Glynn?
LM: Great question! Brian and I made a great team for about 5 years. We grew
up together. I thought for sure I was going to marry this guy! We moved into a
condo together and I turned 21 and realized I forgot about a lot of dreams I had
before. I freaked out a bit and we seperated. I still love him and always
will!!!! Sometimes people just grow apart and change. I am only 20 something
now and I have had so many great experiences with out him. I needed to grow and
spread my wings. I did want him with me but it was hard for him to understand
my dreams. I still am working on the superstar part! I am getting closer! I
believe one day I will find the guy that can stick with me through it all!
VL: On the net, i happened to see a lot of your photos from
mk:mythologies in Kerri Hoskins's company. What are your relations
today?
LM: Kerri Hoskins is buzy with her boys. We kept in touch for a short time but
after I moved away from the city we lost contact. I know I live close to her
now and think of her often. I should touch base with her. Kerri is the type of
person that you won't talk to for months and you see her and just pick up on the
same page as before. She has a great heart. I really enjoyed working with her.
She was very supportive with my modeling, acting and the big break up with BG.
I miss her!
VL: Im sorry for being intrusive, but my question is: was your work
for Midway well-paid?
LM: Midway paid very well for the job. There is plenty more money I could have
made if I would of agreed to a percent of sales. I didn't know how big it was
going to be. I don't have any complaints about the pay.
VL: And our traditional question: What do you think about
MKWARRIORS.NET ?
LM: It seems this site is one of the more interactive sites. It seems like
people stop by and feel like this site answers a lot more then just what move to
make. Pretty cool. I am excited to talk with all of you and hope to answer
more questions.
LM: It is fun to talk with you. Keep stopping by and asking
good questions.... I don't mind. I am really getting my show together. Maybe
as a favor to me in return I can send you a questionaire that you can post for
MKWarriors and they can email me the answers. I have to research what my
"audience" wants to see on TV. Let me know.....
Believe it- Achieve it!,
Lia
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