Daily Front Row

2010 December 21

La Vie en Ruffian: The Gossip Girl Interview at Michael's

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Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais are not only new columnists for Chic Report, but they are the only ones to channel their inner Barbara Walters. Devour this divine interview with their favorite Gossip Girl gal!

"For our first lunchtime interview at Michael’s, we chose our favorite gossip girl, actress Amanda Setton. This legendary culinary hotspot has been a watering hole for the finest actors, actresses, and directors of our time. The extraordinary contemporary artwork and finely crafted delicious cuisine was the perfect backdrop for our ingénue Amanda and her charming boyfriend Ryan Lynn.

Claude: Happy Birthday Amanda! You just returned from Italy yesterday. Work or pleasure?

Amanda: Italy was lovely. I was filming a fictional experimental biography based on the life of the Italian filmmaker Pasolini. It was mainly thought gestures and expression rather that dialogue. The director and filmmaker friend of mine, Cathy Crane, shot completely in black and white on her vintage 20-year-old Bolex camera.

Brian: Have you been to Italy before? Are you Italian?

Amanda: Actually, it was my fourth trip, but my first to Bologna, which was magical. It is a lovely town that has lots of students and young people because of the university there. No, I am not Italian, although I definitely passed for Italian while I was there. I’m Jewish.

Brian: Since Gossip Girl takes place in a high school, we thought it would be fun to ask you a few questions about your high school experience…

Amanda: Oy! Sure, go ahead.

Brian: What was your high school status? Were you a fashion kid? A theatre nerd? An athlete?

Amanda:  Actually, I wasn’t really a fashion-conscious kid. While the others were running around with designer bags, I was a rebel and made a messenger bag out of my brother’s old cargo pants. I actually used the legs for straps! I would bedazzle my own clothes.  I was always “do it yourself."

Claude: How did you and your handsome boyfriend Ryan meet?

Amanda: I guess I should let Ryan answer that.

Ryan: We met on a short-lived show on NBC called Mercy. It was at a fitting early in the morning, and I was a bit hung over from the night before. I came to the fitting and saw this girl (Amanda) who I thought was super pretty, but she wouldn’t stop talking. I soon found out that in fact we were playing boyfriend and girlfriend. Amanda made me feel comfortable, and helped me get into character. Over the next few days on set, the romance built steadily.

Amanda: The last day we had our big kiss, I was nervous and excited. We have been together ever since!

Claude: How did you land your part on Gossip Girl?

Amanda: I got out of college, got an agent, and within weeks, got an audition for Gossip Girl. It wasn’t even on TV yet. I got a call back and ultimately tested with a series regular. The first role I tested for I did not get, and I was devastated, but less than a month later, I received a phone call over Labor Day weekend. It was for the role of Penelope. I went back in and I got the role, and started shooting a few weeks later.

Brian: So since this is for Chic Report, I hear you come from a fashion family? Doesn’t your grandfather own stores?

Amanda: Yes. My grandfather owns Strawberry, Boltons, Chuckles, and Pay Half.

Brian: That’s amazing, you’re a fashion heiress! You’re like Paris Hilton!

Amanda: Not quite, but I love my grandfather, and they do have some great stuff there. I think it is all about how you put things together, mixing high and low. That’s what life is about.

PLUS! WHAT THEY ATE FOR LUNCH! 

Claude: salad nicoise, with the tuna well-done
Amanda: salad nicoise, with tuna rare and seared
Brian: filet mignon
Ryan: ravioli and oysters