Best Dressed of 2009

At the special screening of ‘Adam’ in New York, Claire is like a modern-day goddess in a strapless white Zac Posen number with fabulous metallic belt. It’s simple yet so beautiful and divine.

Emrhys Cooper can do it all! I had a chance to sit down and chat with the lovely British born actor. He even showed us a few dance moves before the interview started because he’s the type who just can’t sit still. The man has so much energy. Catch him dancing away in the hit movie ‘Mamma Mia’ and in the Pussycat Dolls ‘Hush, Hush’ music video.

Emrhys with Pierce Brosnan

Schen: Your name is so unique. Any meaning or story behind it?

Emrhys: It’s actually a story my mom told me. The night before I was born she had a premonition that my name would be Emrhys. She just decided to name me that. I don’t know if I believe that. Also my name actually means wizard. I’m not a wizard or anything but that’s what it means.

S: Was it hard to be on your own at a young age (pursuing acting)?

E: You know, I kind of just enjoyed that I like it. I’ve always been very independent. Listen, no one was pushing and swaying me in these situations – I was never a staged kid. I was always the one saying, “Mom let me go on stage”, so it has always been my choice.

S: Did you always know you wanted to act?

E: From the age of 6 I knew. My dad was an actor and my mom was a dancer, so the plan was inevitable. I really had no choice.

S: Your were recently in ‘Mamma Mia’. How was the audition process like?

E: It was actually really weird. I was coming back and forth to L.A. and I wasn’t going to audition much from the U.K., but when ‘Mama Mia’ came along I had to audition for it. They didn’t even want to see me audition for some reason. They passed three or four times and I was like, you got to see me, you got to see me! But on the 3rd or 4th time they saw me. The audition process was kind of fun. We had to sing, dance, and act. So the dancing [part] we had to take our tops off and there was a girl, she actually stayed in the chair and we had to dance for her. So we had to gyrate in front of her, some of us were sexy, some of us weren’t. But I was kind of a bit geeky, I had to play a character and it obviously worked. I remember I got the phone call and it was the best feeling.

Emrhys Cooper in the ‘Push the Button’ by the Sugababes

S: So it was kind of like that ‘Push the Button’ video you were in?

E: Yeah, the ‘Push the Button’ video, yes with the glasses. I kind of like playing naturally the awkward role as well as the charming . I like being charming and awkward -it’s something fun to play.

S: Well, during the movie Mamma Mia, everyone seemed to be laughing and having a good time. Any pranks or crazy stories on set?

E: Hmmm… not a huge amount of pranks, but one night actually we were in Greece. Bjorn from ABBA got on the piano and Meryl Streep got up and sang three of the songs. Pierce Brosnan sang, Colin (Firth), Christine (Baranski) sang, and Amanda (Seyfried). Everyone sang, we had all the time with the mic and singing songs from the movie but it was just so intimate. It was all about celebrating and having fun with the music. Some of us would get dinner and would have a bonding experience because if your filming on location you get to know everyone on a different level. Where as if you film in L.A. everyone can go back to there house in the hills. But if your filming on location they become your family for those few months or however long you’re there.

S: That’s amazing! You starred with so many great people.

E: Yes, hopefully more to come.

S: Definitely! I saw you in the Pussycat Dolls ‘Hush Hush; Hush Hush’ video. What was it like working with them. What was it like on set?

E: They were really good! I want to say it was really glamorous and really amazing but it was really hard work. We were there from eight in the morning until four the next morning the next day. We were skating around, dancing with them, spinning them around. It was really fun although I said it was hard work, it was really fun at the same time. It was awesome.

S: Was it hard to balance on those roller blades while dancing?

E: Actually, I’ve been rollerskating since I was quite young so I’m quite naturally comfortable in them. So I can dance in my skates, that wasn’t the problem. But if you have skates on for more than six hours – we had them on maybe for about ten hours – we were like oh my God, can we please take them off ?! (laughs) Music videos, there’s a lot that goes into it.

S: Your all over the place on video sets, movie sets, and photo shoots. Which do you love doing the most?

E: Well, I see myself being a creative artist. I don’t want to specify going: ‘I’m an actor’. Well, I am an actor but I also write music, paint, I enjoy being really creative. However, I can be creative, I’ll put my 100 percent into it. I’m not going to choose one, but I always have to be entertaining and performing because that’s what makes me happy.

S: You definitely work hard!

E: Yes, I work really hard. I take dance lessons still -three times a week! I work on my American accent once a week and also acting class. It’s constant, you have to constantly work at it like any other job.

Emrhys rocks in black skinny jeans, pointy shoes, a vintage black shirt he got from London and a Ted Baker tee. At the House of Jazmin premiere.

S: On auditions, do they make you do the American accent?

E: Yes, most of the time. I have to lose it all! (Emrhys is saying this in an American accent. Pretty good!)

S: Dancing seems to be a big influence in your life. Did you look up to anyone in particular?

E: Michael Jackson actually. My Mom said I wouldn’t go to bed for a while without listening to ‘Bad’ or ‘Thriller’. (He makes a Michael Jackson dance move) She said I would stamp my foot and she would be like, you can’t do it. I would listen to it, practice the moon walk and repeat it. She said I was obsessed for a while. He was a big impact. Also my sister actually started dancing and I went along. One day the dance teacher, she said to me, “Why wont you get up and join in?” I got up and I was literally a duck out of water and I just never stopped [dancing].

S: Hugh Jackman can sing, dance, and act. Would you like to pattern your career like his?

E: I really admire him and I think he really proved himself in every genre. A lot of people say they can, when it comes down to it, can they? He really can. He’s really a big inspiration to me. I dream of having his career! I would love to do the acting stuff. I want to be a versatile actor, I don’t want to be put in one category. So, I’ll want to play one day a psychopathic killer, maybe James Bond. I dream of playing James Bond. He is someone I really admire. But there is a lot of people you don’t realize that are actually from a musical theater or dancing background as well. A lot [of actors] don’t just act, but you just know them as actors. So, the industry now is embracing that. A lot of musical movies are coming through like ‘Nine’ or ‘Footloose’. Hopefully I’ll audition for that. There are a lot of exciting projects, where hopefully you can showcase not only acting.

S: You seem to have a very good fashion sense. Do you have any style icons you look up to?

E: I do actually, I think people in this generation kind of look up to Justin Timberlake, I dig his stuff. David Beckham, he’s kinda cool. I like people that are eclectic, but you don’t always have to have a lot of money to have style. I think if you have a good eye. I have friends that buy stuff at flea markets or vintage stores. These are vintage [the jeans he wore]. I love buying old and new and love mixing it up. But, then again, if to go to film premieres it’s always nice to wear a nice designer suit every now and then. I think that individuality is important and not being embarrassed. I use to be so worried every time I bought something a bit different. Now, I’m loving the fact people could embrace individuality and create a personality through the way they dress. I definitely think Justin Timberlake is a big influence on this generation right now. Everyone is going to be copying with what jacket and trainers (sneakers) he has on. I’m copying his kind of style right now if you think about it. It’s someone I look up to and he always looks kind of cool.

Emryhs at the Playhouse opening in his D&G Jeans & Libertine Tee.

S: He definitely is! Let’s do a run down list. Favorite jeans?

E: I really like Diesel, I always been a fan of Levis and Energie jeans. I bought my first pair of D&G jeans the other day, it’s a bit of a purchase but they felt really good. I always think Abercrombie is kind of cool.

S: Yes, their jeans are comfy. Now, favorite sneakers.

E: Classic Nike. Adidas. I like beat up sneakers. Sometimes when they’re like brand new they kind of look a bit of like, “Whoa, the brand new trainer guy or sneaker guy. You say sneakers? Yeah, we say trainers. So, I like different kinds of trainers like the skater ones.

S: Converse?

E: Yes, you can’t go wrong.

S: Any special shoes you dance with?

E: If you are doing hip hop or jazz you can wear regular sneakers, but if it’s something more like ‘Chicago’ it would be more fitted [shoes].

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Emrhys on the day of the interview at the P3R office with his fave Louis Vuitton sunglasses.

S: Any favorite sunglasses?

E: These are my new sunglasses. They’re actually Louis Vuitton. I feel like sunglasses, you can wear cheap ones. I have a lot of cheap ones but I don’t mind spending on them. Think about if you wear them everyday and your going to have the (expensive) sunglasses for three or four years. So I feel like it’s an investment and I take really good care of them. People ask to borrow them, I’m like no. (laughs) I like the aviators but these (pointing to his Vuitton shades) are coming back in that old movie movie star style like James Dean. I love old influence, it’s cool when people have the old movie star look which I really like.

Emrhys is wearing a Dolce & Gabbana suit and a Prada shirt. With BFF Hannah Cowley.

S: Any watch obsessions?

E: You know I’m really bad with watches. I’m keep losing them. I had loads of watches, I’d say to people, just give me a cheap watch. I like the Diesel watches but I never had a Rolex – one day! Also I like vintage watches. I do love watches but for some reason I do lose them.

S: Any dream watch?

E: My dream watch? I don’t know, maybe something like Armani? The watch I saw, it’s classic, maybe with a bit of bling. Why not?!

S: Any favorite hats?

E: I like the trilby hats- they’re kind of cool!

E: Yes, fedora hats! You guys have different names for everything- it’s so complicated. Since I’ve moved to L.A., I’m into the bat cap and skater caps. The weather kind of dictates it. You can rock out a vintage look with that and add it to your look.

Emrhys at the 2009 Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Award with his fedora hat and his fave Louis Vuitton sunglasses

S: Kind of like the hat you wore to the 2009 Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Award) ?

E: Yes, I have different kind of hats, I have like eight hats.

S: So, what’s next up for you?

E: I actually am doing two films. I have a movie coming out ‘The Gospel of St. Frank’. I’m playing Scott Frank. It’s a movie based on Scott Frank who wrote Minority Report. So, I’m actually playing someone and I’m really nervous because he hasn’t seen it, but hopefully he’ll like the way I played him. I’m doing a Peter Alan Robert movie where the movie is called ‘Moon over Malcolm’. We begin production in July and it’s going to be really fun. The character is off the wall, very eccentric; I want to say a bit mad. He can be interesting to play, he is American.

S: American accent then!

E: Yes, hopefully I’ll do a good job. You’ll get to see it, hopefully it will be a theatrical release next March or April. You should be seeing lots of me next year!