All about 'Privileged'

The show's leading lovebirds drop by Chicago and chat with our Mashers

November 13, 2008

JoAnna Garcia and Brian Hallisay were in Chicago last week to promote their CW series "Privileged." Garcia plays Megan Smith, who tutors twins who are mostly interested in their social lives. Co-star Brian Hallisay plays Will Philips, a wealthy bachelor who falls for her. Here's what they had to say to TheMash.


Q: Why should teens be interested in watching "Privileged?"

It allows teens to get an inside look into some other areas of society. It's fun to see what the characters in the show are doing, since it's unlike most of our everyday experiences.

Q: If you could play any historical figure, who would it be?

A: That's a tough question. I'd probably have to say that it would be interesting to play John Wilkes Booth, Abraham Lincoln's murderer. It's not because I want to kill Lincoln, but just to delve deeper into such an obscure figure like that.

Q: You majored in economics and history at Cornell. How did you become involved in acting?

A: It had always been a childhood dream to become an actor. I also liked history and economics, so I pursued them in college. I was an investment banker for a bit, until I finally decided to pursue acting in Hollywood.

Q: If you could switch places with anyone, who would you choose?

A: I'd have to say LeBron James. It would be fascinating to have that much talent for one day. I played basketball in high school, but I never reached the likes of LeBron. So it would be fun to experiment for one day.

Q: What do you like about Chicago?

A: Chicago has so much going for it. It's a great place to live. One of the best things about this city is that it actually feels like a city. I live in Los Angeles, and it's easy to say that it really doesn't have that authentic city flavor.

Q: What are your expectations for "Privileged?"

A: It's a great show, so I hope that it stays on the air for years to come. I'm having a good time making it, so I hope everyone else is enjoying the show too.

-- Lynda Lopez, Prosser


Q: Does the show bring back any high school memories, and if so which ones?

A: I didn't go to school that way, so it's kind of a departure from what I was used to. But I think it deals with all the same kind of issues that every young person is dealing with these days, like the choices that you make and what they mean to you and preparing for college and all those kinds of things.

Q: Tell us one or two things about yourself that no one else knows.

A: I have 11 animals. They don't all live with me (she laughs). I have: four dogs, a goat, two chickens and four horses, and one is a miniature horse. I keep all the farm animals in a barn underneath the Hollywood sign, and the dogs live with me.

Q: Do you hang out with the cast of "Privileged" or actors from other shows?

A: Yeah I think we spend a lot of time together -- about 70 hours a week. But we just took Ashley Newbrough (who plays Sage) to Las Vegas to celebrate her 21st birthday, and Lucy Hale (Rose) came along with us. On the set we will usually joke around, play cards, but they keep us pretty busy so we won't get into any trouble. They play tricks on me because I'm pretty gullible, and we definitely have a good outtake reel ... hopefully we put out a DVD set and you guys will get to see it.

Q: What's your most embarrassing moment on the set?

A: I probably have a thousand embarrassing moments every single day, but they are used to me fumbling around. If you spent time with me, you'll know that I'm not the most graceful and delicate person in the world.

Q: What's your favorite thing to do or see in Chicago?

A: I love the shopping downtown and all of the food. My brother lived in Oak Park for five years, and I've just fallen in love with the people. Everyone is so nice and it just has this big city feel.

Q: What's your guilty pleasure?

A: I love going to Target more than anything and just cleaning up. That is probably the most dangerous place for me. I can be there for five hours and come out wondering what I actually bought.

-- Aurelia Espinosa, Sullivan

Getty Images Photo

Brian Hallisay stars as Will and JoAnna Garcia stars as Megan in "Privileged" on The CW. The CW Photo