When you watch movies as much as I do,you tend to look for something a little extra special. A minor character stands out,a cool bit dialogue,a good effect. Something that tells you to keep a eye on that actor,director or effects crew.

Last year,Universal remade George Romero's classic "Dawn of the Dead". The story of the dead coming back to life is a well known tale starting w/Romero's gripping "Night of the Dead" back in 1968. While many folks thought a classic couldn't be improved on,last year's movie proved them dead wrong as it as a big hit.

While watching the movie,I was really impressed w/how serious the cast took the premise to heart which created a very powerful sense of "it COULD happen". One of the many impressive performances was given by a young rising star named Kim Poirier. As Monica,she more then held her own as young woman fighting to stay alive. Alas,she also provided one of the most saddest moments as well...

Even though her part wasn't large,I was struck by how she shined every second she was on camera. It was one of those moments where you know you are looking at the next big star.
Expecting a hard time getting ahold of Kim,I was quite surprised one morning when I got a call at home. A very soft yet strong voice said

"Hello,this is Kim. How can I help you?".

The following is my interview w/Kim Poirier. Its our first major celebrity interview at The Here and There. We hope you enjoy discovering what we already knew: Kim is amazing! Read on.....and as always,feedback is always welcome.


H&T: When did you decide to become a actress? Was there a defining moment?

Kim: There was never really a decision for me to become an actress. I just knew. I always loved being in front of the camera, entertaining people and making people feel good and laugh. Since childhood, I loved the home video camera and pictures. My mother got me involved in doing modeling and commercials. As a child, in was pretty fearless, I just walked in and knew I was supposed to be there, and loved the fact that I was there. As I am growing up, I am refining myself as an artist by training myself, refining the instrument, and constantly trying to stay sharp and focused. I am also expanding my body of work by creativity doing anything new that comes my way whether it be different roles, TV, film, hosting, interviewing, voice work...ect. I still have so many things I would like to do and try and I am not limiting myself to any one area . I am also very much involved in yoga and training myself as a teacher/healer/numerologist/nutritionist/drama therapy/medical yoga/ teacher apprenticeship, and I am also the international leader for Sadhana at my school with all the students from around the world. I am constantly deepening and expanding my mind, body and spirit.



H&T: What did your family feel about this?

Kim: My family is very proud of what I have been doing. In a lot of ways I am living my mother's dream that she didn't have. I think my family is very excited by it all and happy for me that I am following my heart.


H&T: What has been easier for you,acting or modeling?

Kim: Modeling and commercials were something I did when I was a kid. I didn't do any of them after I reached high school when I started getting into television. I still love doing photo shoots though, whether it's for a cover story or to promote a movie. I love getting all dressed up, having my make-up done, hair styled.... you get to feel all fancy and glamorous and take pictures...I find that so much fun! It's kind of an escapism for me, I get a rush. With acting, I love the study that goes into developing a character, and searching for ways in which you may relate and how you would react given the circumstance the character is in....I won't go into too much of the process involved, but the doing of acting and being on set is like magic. When you really connect with someone and you are present and vulnerable to the moment, the juices just flow and it has such a cathartic healing effect at times. And sometimes, depending on the scene, you could feel pretty messed up for a week in recovery cause your body and nervous system has gone through a tragedy. But all in all, I love it. I truly relish in creating and having artistic freedom. They are both different styles, and yet enjoyable to do. They both have a different set of challenges and triumphs.


H&T: How big is Drummondville?

Kim: Drummondville is a small town in Quebec that I was born in. Lived in Saite-Wencesclas till I was 2, then moved to Toronto.


H&T: .What has been your best movie making experience?

Kim: My best experience shooting was on the set of Decoys. I felt their was a lot of pressure on me to finally explain what the hell is going on and why all these aliens are here, and at the same time profess my love knowing that if he is with me, he will die. Also it was my fist lead in a feature film. Once I relaxed into it, trusted the process, did my homework and was emotionally ready for anything… it was magic the feelings I experienced. Everything flowed, all the portals were open, and I felt so connected and happy and powerful. The director would call cut and we’d look at each other and it was like I had no idea what I just did. It was like I lost time and went somewhere else. To be that surrendered in a safe environment is very liberating. I knew I was doing what I am meant to be doing and loving every bit of it.


H&T: You are becoming a well known actress in the sci-fi/horror genre. Were you a fan of those types of books/films growing up? What is your favorite movie ,the one that scared you the most?

Kim: As a kid I had a crush on Darth Vader. I love horror films; the ones about the devil and possession scare me the most. Also Japanese horrors like the remake of Ju-On- The Grudge, and The Ring one and two are frightening. I like gory films too, they make me laugh. My friends love going to see horror movies with me cause I scream like crazy when I am scared. One of my favorite science fiction books was "Brave New World "“ by Aldous Huxley. I also loved fantasy and animation, "The Labyrinth" with David Bowie-another first crush, "Never Ending Story", "The Last Unicorn", "Unico"…I am a huge fan of Drama as well. Anything with suspence, romance especially, and good acting, and I am there! I love movies.


H&T: You were part of the big Dawn of the Dead remake last year. Were you surprised at how well it did? What kind of feedback did you recieve from the "purists" of the original movie?

Kim: I thought Dawn of the Dead was great. It made me scream, laugh, and squirm in the span of minutes. I wasn’t surprised it did so well, it was highly entertaining, brilliantly shot, the special effect were kick ass, and it was fabulous to see so many visible Canadians. In terms of the "purist fans", from what I heard, they liked the movie so they gave into it, as being a great re-imagining.


H&T: What did you think of your death scene? How hard was it to film?

Kim: My death scene rocked! They created a live animated dummy of me. To see it progress from scratch and eventually come to life, was wicked. They did a mouth cast, nose case {like inside my nostrils nose cast}, head cast, half body cast, full body cast {of which I still have a scar}, arm casts, they cut chucks out of my hair to create the perfect wig and curls…They really did a great job and put a lot of effort. When I came to see the finished product, I was staring at it and laughing and commenting on different things about myself …and then it MOVED! They freaked me out by not telling me that it was animated and that it could move! Really cool and weird to be staring at a replica of yourself and seeing different body parts lying around every time you came into the shop.


H&T: You have done a couple of nude scenes. How hard was it for you to do those scenes?
And do the male co-stars get nervous around you?

Kim: I think nude scenes are nerve racking in general. I have food allergies so I need to be careful about what I eat prior as to not have a bloated stomach and puffy eyes. You also tend to up the exercise prior to feel more comfortable and toned. When it’s a love scene with someone, it’s a little awkward and funny. It’s all choreographed and you know exactly where your hand will go when you say so and so line, so it’s really the movie magic that adds the romance…where just trying to hit our mark and make it believable and as intimate and vulnearable as possible. You try to display the affection, closeness and realness you would have with a long time lover. Or the excitement, "getting to know", and daringness you would find with a new lover.


H&T: Do you feel Hollywood sets a bad example by showing actors smoking, drinking or having unprotected sex?

Kim: I think that is kinda the reality of how some people behave. And people in Hollywood are under a microscope. So it’s not in my place to judge it and say whether it’s good or bad cause for some people, that’s how they want to live and it's right for them. I think if it’s someone who is a teen idol, then they do hold a certain responsibility cause tons of children are looking up to them and thinking that is the way to live and have a fun life. I think the most important thing is educating teens so that they are not naïve to the thought that unprotected sex is okay, or that smoking is no big deal. At least this way it’s a conscious decision and there’s a certain amount of awareness around it.


H&T: Whats a audition like for you? And do you have to audition as much as you used to?

Kim: I hate auditioning. I know it’s an opportunity, and sometimes it has everything to do with the “look” and blah blah blah….but let’s face it, they suck! For me they are uncomfortable and can be a little anti-climatic. You prepare prepare prepare and practice and maybe you see your acting coach and you get there and people are catty, and the waiting room is tense, and your nerves are going crazy and heart’s beating like mad, and you walk in and just want to do it before you have a panic attack and you walk out going AH FUCK!!!! Just kidding, they're not always that bad, but I find them challenging and I know I am always better on my feet when I’ve got the job and there’s room to create; you have an acting partner, a director, you're in costume and make-up, and you're on set instead of being in a room waiting to be dismissed or loved. I haven’t mastered the auditioning part yet, I have more experience working then I do auditioning. I get nervous at auditions and that effects my performance, I’m still trying to work on that one. I just want to work, and I learn best from experience and trying things. I love being on set and trying new things, challenging myself, taking directions, deepening the character…. You never know, so all I can do is my best and hope they are looking for a Kim Poirier for the role.


H&T: What is your greatest fear as a actress?

Kim: I think my greatest fear as an actress is of not working. I love it so much and whenever I finish a job I get a little anxious if I don’t have something lined up. I just want to do the best that I can and give it all that I’ve got and whatever happens, I just try to go with the flow. I am very focused and determined and aggressively hard working, so letting go and trusting the process of the up and downs of the industry is sometimes a bit challenging. I love working and when I am not acting, I get restless and itching for the next gig; it's a wonderful outlet for me that I always want to be doing and involved in. Perseverance and patience are truly a virtue.


H&T: How did you get into Yoga and New Age studies?

Kim: I have always been interested in that way of thinking. I use to wonder what makes people unique and what motivates people and why people act a certain way…These were thoughts that I had at a young age and they just got deeper as I grew up. I did a philosophy class in high school and really felt in my element. When I picked up my first yoga class at 18, I knew I had hit home with this practice. I started at the gym, then Bikram (hot yoga), and did some teacher training in Ashtanga, but I was missing the mental discapline I yearned for….Till I found The International Center For Yogic Art and Sciences, and it was so comprehensive and offered so many different kinds of training that I signed up for the whole thing and used my money from movie making to pay for a full education. It really is who I am and what I am all about, and I live it. So to be involved in that environment where I am teaching, learning, being of service, practicing and expanding is so right up my alley.


H&T: Any plans to write screenplays?

Kim: I have thought about it quite a few times but nothing is in the works yet other than floating ideas around with a writing partner.


H&T: You are hosting HypaSpace on Canada's version of the Sci-Fi Channel. How did that come about? And how are you liking it so far?

Kim: I got the job as the host for HypaSpace on SPACE (the Canadian version of the Sci-Fi Channel) through following my gut. I did some interviews for them when Decoys came out, and I also presented an award for them during The SPACEY Awards, their annual awards show. I was in a place where I was questioning my direction and where I was at. My last audition was for a hosting gig and I had so much fun doing it, so I followed a hunch and called one of my contacts and it turned out that SPACE had been looking for a new host. I came in and auditioned on a Thursday, and they called me back by Tuesday saying I had the gig. I was so happy! I yelled and laughed and then realized I was doing this all with my new boss on the other end of the phone. Everything has been great so far! It’s my first time hosting for a national network and doing the news everyday, as well as the weekend half hour show. I am on-air seven days a week discussing things I enjoy and staying informed in a medium that I am interested in so it’s super cool and fun. I have also gotten the opportunity to travel to LA and Montreal. I'm an eager information junkie and curious, so I am loving it!!


H&T: What do you like to do for fun?

Kim: Yoga and meditating obviously, going to extravagant dinners, lunching, having coffee and chatting, going for a jog with my dog or walking down by the lake with her, watching movies, listening to music, shopping, camping, traveling, swimming, dancing, reading, skiing, being outside, exploring and being active….I try to always have fun no matter where I am!


H&T: And lastly...........what coming up next for you,film wise?

Kim: We start shooting Decoys 2 in January. This time though it will shoot in Hamilton, Ontario instead of Ottawa. Which will be more convenient in terms of the back and forth I will have to do to keep up with the daily’s and the weekend show.

- Kim Poirier on MySpace
- Here and There on MySpace








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