Jessica Alba Interview

Jessica Alba, star  of  Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4 D  chatted about her work/life balance, being a mom and her new upcoming movie. As you can imagine with mostly mom bloggers, our questions touched on family focused topics. She was in the last month of her pregnancy and sounded a bit tired but appreciated her work ethic in meeting with us. I found her refreshing and that she  is dealing with balancing the whole life/work balance, makes time by eliminating distractions when she is with her family and is totally supportive of her daughter- sound familiar!  Note that the interview is very conversational and is not word for word.

1.  How do you like to spend time with your family? 

Jessica:  I don’t work as much as I used to so that’s definitely helped for me as far as prioritizing my time and on the weekends my husband and I made an agreement that when we’re with our daughter–it’s pure family time. No blackberries, no emails, no texting. Just trying to give her as much attention as humanly possible.

2.  Who inspires and is  your role mommy?

Jessica:  My mother and grandmother are my biggest role mothers.  My mother always made the kids feel like they were a priority.  When I was younger, my Mom worked three jobs, but she always made my brother and I feel number one even if they were working or busy.   You know, I think whether or not you have a job that you can stay at home or you have a job that you can’t and you have to be away and have to travel a lot–you should take the time for your kids and remind them that they’re a priority.

3.  What can we expect from Spy Kids: 4D?

Jessica:   Well, we really didn’t know that it was going to be 4D when we were shooting. A fun element has been added to the film.  Kids these days are so used to interaction, with the use of computers and texting, so this is a way for us to incorporate that in the film.  Eight times throughout the movie, kids will have a scratch and sniff card that they can use, to feel like they are part of the action.

4.  Tell us  favorite scene to film in the movie?

Jessica:  My favorite scene is when I was going into labor.  I was on a mission and had to hide it from my husband.  I miss doing action scenes.  I have not had a lot of opportunity to do action scenes since Dark Angel, so this scene gave me a chance to do action.

5.  What do you like to do for fun as a family?

Jessica:  We’re pretty boring. We don’t go on adventures and save the world or anything. No, we like to swimming or go to the park. We’ll do whatever my daughter wants to do, so we’ll play dress-up, but usually swimming is a big deal–especially this summer.

6.  How has your personal style developed since becoming a Mom?

Jessica:  I have always dressed pretty conservative.  When I was younger, I dressed like a tomboy, but since I had my daughter, I am more daring.  I wear shorter skirts and shorts.

7.  How are you feeling with your pregnancy, and how is it different from your first pregnancy?

Jessica:  I have an insatiable craving for watermelon.  I liked watermelon for the first pregnancy, but did not have a craving like I do now. I am moving around a lot more this time, but my belly popped much quicker.  I feel more pains than I did before.  It hurts to pick up my daughter; I am having problems with my sciatic nerve, so I have to have cuddle time with her when I am sitting down.

8.  What is your family’s favorite meal especially your daughter?  

Jessica:  My daughter likes everything. My daughter is real good eater but  dhe does seem to change her mind 40 different times, but we usually eat chicken and rice, vegetables, lasagna, spaghetti.  My daughter loves my husband’s tacos and he makes great tacos.

9.  Tell us about working with the two kids from the movie-did they teach you anything? 

Jessica:  The two actor kids were 7 & 8.  Actor kids are so smart, they have great conversations, and you are like “where do they get this from?”  I am overwhelmed with the idea of my kids getting older.  I feel that God (or some other higher being) prepares you for what you have now.  I cannot even imagine dealing with a teenager right now!  I think you should deal with what you have at the moment.

10.  What are your thoughts about your children want to go into show business,  would you encourage them? 

Jessica:  I started when I was 12, but I really didn’t have the exposure and people really didn’t know who I was until I was an adult and when I was on a TV show called Dark Angel, so that helped–being known as an adult versus a kid. And then if I would encourage my kids? Oh God.  You know after they’re done with college, they can do whatever they want, I would support them. They have the luxury of getting an education and grow up differently than I did, and if they want to get into the arts that’s only going to make them more dynamic as artists–the more life experiences they have to bring into the work, so whatever they want to do at the end of the day–I’m all for it, after they finish college.

 

Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4 D opens August 19, 2011

Synopsis: On the surface, Marissa Cortez Wilson (Jessica Alba) has it all…married to a famous spy hunting television reporter, a new baby and intelligent twin stepkids.  But in reality, trying to mother Rebecca (Rowan Blanchard) and Cecil (Mason Cook), who clearly don’t want her around, is her toughest challenge yet.  Also, her husband, Wilbur (Joel McHale), wouldn’t know a spy if he lived with one, which is exactly the case – Marissa’s a retired secret agent.

Marissa’s world is turned upside down when the maniacal Timekeeper (Jeremy Piven) threatens to take over the planet and she’s called back into action by the head of OSS, home of the greatest spies and where the now-defunct Spy Kids division was created.  With Armageddon quickly approaching, Rebecca and Cecil are thrust into action when they learn their boring stepmom was once a top agent and now the world’s most competitive ten year olds are forced to put their bickering aside and rely on their wits.

With a little help from a couple of familiar Spy Kids, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), and some mind-blowing gadgets, they just may be able to save the world and possibly bring their family together while they’re at it.

Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was not compensated for this post.