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The interview was scheduled for 3:00 p.m., and as I stepped into the brightly lit studio, my nerves felt like they were playing an elaborate symphony.
I smoothed my blouse one last time and took a deep breath, the sound of my heels clicking against the tiled floor reverberating in my ears. The set was vibrant, decorated with pops of orange and green to match the network's branding. A round table sat in the middle of the space, flanked by comfortable chairs.
The interviewer, a polished woman named Lydia Blake, stood waiting for me with a warm smile that did little to ease my anxiety.
"Hi, Ava," Lydia greeted, extending her hand. "It's so nice to meet you. Huge fan of your work."
Her enthusiasm was genuine, and I managed a small smile in return. "Thank you. It's great to be here."
We exchanged a few pleasantries, chatting about how the shoot was going before being ushered into our seats. Makeup artists hovered for a few moments, dabbing concealer here and fluffing hair there, and then the director signaled we were ready to begin.
"And we're live in three... two..."
The red light on the camera blinked on, and Lydia's professional demeanor settled into place as she turned to face me.
"Welcome, Ava Monroe. It's such a pleasure to have you here. You've been working nonstop lately, and your fans are eager to hear all about it."
"Thank you, Lydia. I'm happy to be here," I said, keeping my tone light.
The first half of the interview felt like familiar territoryâquestions I could answer in my sleep.
"So, tell us about this role. What drew you to the project?"
I sat up straighter, clasping my hands together. "This script stood out to me because of its heart. My character, Ellie, is layered and vulnerable in ways that felt so real. It's always exciting to step into a role that challenges me and lets me explore new parts of myself."
Lydia nodded. "Ellie's story is definitely one that resonates. How did you prepare for the emotional depth of this role?"
I launched into my prepared response, talking about character-building exercises and the extensive backstory I had written for Ellie. The questions about the movie were comfortable, safeâuntil they weren't.
Lydia's posture shifted slightly as the director gestured for her to move into the more personal segment of the interview. She glanced at her notes and then back at me, her tone softening but remaining direct.
"So, Ava," she began carefully, "there's been a lot of buzz lately about your relationship with your co-star, Walker Scobell. Fans are speculating about whether there might be something more than just friendship between you two. Is there anything you'd like to say about that?"
The words hung in the air, the carefully maintained veneer of professionalism cracking just slightly.
I could feel the producer's gaze boring into me from off-camera, urging me to deflect, to stick to the script. But the script wasn't what I wanted anymore.
I took a breath, my smile shifting into something softer, more real. "Walker and I are friends," I said, my voice steady. "He's incredibly talented, and working with him has been one of the best parts of this project."
Lydia tilted her head, her curiosity clear. "I think what fans are picking up on is the chemistry between you twoâboth on and off-screen. Does it ever feel complicated, navigating a friendship under so much public scrutiny?"
For a moment, I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "It can be," I admitted. "But I think the biggest challenge isn't the scrutinyâit's the expectations. People want to put you into a box, define you by their own standards. I've spent so much of my life trying to meet those expectations, and honestly? It's exhausting."
Lydia leaned forward, her interest clearly piqued. "That's a pretty vulnerable thing to share, especially in this industry where image is everything. What changed for you?"
I swallowed hard, the words forming in my mind before I let them out. "I think I just realized that no matter what I do, someone will always have an opinionâwhether it's about my work, my friendships, or my life. Trying to control that narrative is like chasing a moving target. And I don't want to live like that anymore."
Lydia's smile was soft, almost encouraging. "That sounds freeing. Do you feel like you've been able to let go of some of that pressure?"
"Not completely," I admitted, my voice dropping slightly. "But I'm working on it. And part of that is standing by the people who matter to me. Walker is my friend, and I won't apologize for that."
Her expression brightened, but there was a trace of surprise in her eyes, like she hadn't expected me to be so candid. "That's a powerful statement, Ava. It sounds like you're stepping into a new chapter, one where you're more in control of your own narrative."
I nodded slowly, the weight in my chest lifting slightly. "I guess you could say that. It's scary, but it also feels... right."
The rest of the interview felt like a blur, Lydia steering the conversation back to lighter topics about the film and my upcoming projects. But as the cameras finally cut and the crew began to pack up, I felt an unfamiliar sense of peace settle over me.
For the first time in a long time, I had spoken my truthânot just the version that was expected of me. And it felt good.
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