The love affair started 25 years ago when, at 10, Alyssa
Milano made the move from Staten Island, N.Y., to Los
Angeles for her debut as Samantha Micelli on TV’s
Who’s the Boss? That’s when a generation of guys fell
fl ush-cheeked in love with her, and all the girls decided
they wanted to be like her. As her cult sex appeal
matured with roles in such provocative fi lms as Poison
Ivy II and Fear, Milano proved that she wasn’t a kid
anymore. In fact, neither was she just another pretty
face. The same girl you’ve been lusting over since the
’80s wants nothing more than to watch a ball game,
spend time with her family and help make the world a
better place.
Now, with a successful line of team-logo
fashions for women, her own blog on MLB.com, an
active role in UNICEF, two new films and a sex appeal
that only grows stronger with age, Milano is one of
the hottest, most successful starlets of our time. The
most surprising part of it all? She’s completely, utterly
and impossibly down to earth…and, astonishingly,
available. JEZ got straight to the heart of the matter
with the Italian-bred beauty on her 35th birthday,
only to discover there’s a lot more to Milano to make
America fall for her all over again. How does JEZ love
thee? Let us count the ways.
SHE SITS PRETTY AT THE TOP OF THE A-LIST BUT
NOWHERE NEAR THE “IN CROWD.”
JEZEBEL:
Happy birthday! How will you be celebrating?
Alyssa Milano
Thank you! I’m going out to dinner with my family; they live
in Los Angeles.
JEZEBEL:
Is this a typical birthday for you?
Alyssa Milano
I would much rather go have a quiet dinner than do the VIP thing.
JEZEBEL:
What’s your favorite thing about having celeb status?
Alyssa Milano
Being able to use my voice to empower people to affect change.
JEZEBEL:
Least favorite?
Alyssa Milano
Paparazzi! I’m usually not bothered by them because I stay
away from the places they stake out. Sometimes it’s inevitable
though; like, they’re always camped out at Los Angeles International
Airport and there’s no way for me to avoid that. You’re in
line, and all of a sudden three guys with cameras start taking your
picture, and you’re standing there like a doofus with everybody
looking. It’s more embarrassing than anything else.
JEZEBEL:
They blow your cover!
Alyssa Milano
Yep! It’s a nuisance. But there is a way to avoid it if you’re a
celebrity. You don’t have to go eat at The Ivy, you don’t have to shop
on Robertson [Boulevard]. I’ve been able to avoid it for the most part.
SHE’S DECIDEDLY DOWN TO EARTH, AND HER 25-YEAR
CAREER ATTESTS TO THIS.
JEZEBEL:
You were only 10 when you landed the role of Samantha
Micelli on Who’s the Boss?! How did you handle growing up in front
of America?
Alyssa Milano
I have an amazing family–my parents have been married for
39 years–and they instilled in me what is important in life, which
is family and being a good person. I was never the “actress”; I was
the daughter and sister who acted. That had a lot to do with my
normalcy. My childhood was pretty basic.
JEZEBEL:
You’ve managed to recreate your image and constantly evolve. How?
Alyssa Milano
For me, one of the reasons why I’m still acting and successful
is because I never project into the future. I don’t have a set
idea other than I like what I do and I would like to continue doing
it. The best thing you can do is grow as a human being and hope
that your choices, and your career, reflect that growth.
SHE’S JUST AS BEAUTIFUL ON THE INSIDE AS SHE IS ON THE OUTSIDE.
JEZEBEL:
You were named a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF six years ago. How did you initially get
involved?
Alyssa Milano
In 2000, I lived in South Africa for three months and I volunteered
at a children’s hospital and a township, and when I got back to
the states, I had a really hard time assimilating. My parents suggested
I contact UNICEF as an outlet for that [humanitarian] side of me.
JEZEBEL:
Recently, you also were named Founding Ambassador by the
Global Network For Neglected Tropical Disease Control. What
inspired your interest in this form of relief work?
Alyssa Milano
My mother is a very giving, nurturing person, and I think
that I have a lot of that in me. And, being in South Africa when
they were just starting to adjust to apartheid being abolished, it was
virtually impossible to not get caught up in their social situation, so
I would definitely attribute that as a catalyst. Plus, it brought me
great pleasure and happiness.
JEZEBEL:
What do your duties entail for each?
Alyssa Milano
I do everything from field visits to empowerment. Using my voice to affect positive change in whatever capacity they need me. These are my two passion projects!
JEZEBEL:
Another one of your passions is sports! You’re a huge sports fan and a total baseball fanatic, so you’re basically every guy’s dream girl...
There's Much More! For the full article, pick up a copy of the February 2008 JEZEBEL Issue today!