Lea Michele Interview For ‘New Year’s Eve’

Director Garry Marshall and a stellar ensemble cast will ring in the 2011 holiday season with the romantic comedy ‘New Year’s Eve.’ ‘New Year’s Eve’ celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts. The film stars Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Academy Award-nominee Abigail Breslin, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, two-time Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Academy Award-nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Ryan Seacrest, two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara. ‘New Year’s Eve’ is set for release December 8th, 2011. Check out what Lea Michele had to say about the film below.

What was the experience like working with Ashton Kutcher, he told me he punked you a few times?

Lea Michele: (Laughs) I got to be stuck in an elevator with him for two weeks, which was awesome, he’s hilarious. I got punked, a couple of times (laughs). He actually opened the door with only a towel on, he was supposed to have all of his clothes on. But he’s also really smart and would talk about everything going on in the world, and I had absolutely no idea about half the stuff he was talking about. So I would go home and Google everything, and try to brush up on everything that was going on in the world, to come in the next day and try to have a conversation. But he was great, he made me feel really comfortable.

This is another role that lets you show off your singing talent. Do you lean towards roles where you can sing?

Lea Michele: I didn’t really intend on doing a film where I sang. I sing so much on my show that I felt like maybe I would start looking into things that didn’t involve me singing. But when I read the script, these songs were already in there. They didn’t add them for me. I just felt that it was such a perfect part for me to play, for my first film, just to transition from ‘Glee.’ I thought it was great, I had so much fun. I got to be a back-up singer for Bon Jovi, which was awesome (laughs), I loved the song so much. I think that from now on, I might start to try to look into other things without singing, just to give my voice a little break. But when something as perfect as this comes along, where it just makes sense and it fits, it’s a no-brainer. Bon Jovi is great as well, to perform with him in the movie was so fun.

How was it working with director Garry Marshall?

Lea Michele: Garry is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met in my whole life. Not only is he an incredible director, and he’s done some incredible movies, and as an actor it’s so great to work with him, but as a person he’s one of the most generous people I’ve ever met in my life. He asks me everyday how I am, how my family is – and he knows them all by name. It was such a family atmosphere on set, he’s one of a kind that’s for sure. I was so grateful, this being my first film, to be in such a great environment, which such an incredible teacher and person.