General Hospital : Brandon Barash Interview, part 1

Here you go everyone, the much-awaited Brandon Barash Interview. Enjoy!!

Photo By : John Russo

By Cynthia Boris(SF Universe)

Last week I spent a little time chatting with General Hospital’s newest heartthrob, Brandon Barash who plays Johnny Zacchara. Brandon is also known as Paris’ boyfriend on “Gilmore Girls” and coincidentally, he and I worked on the indie movie “Ten Inch Hero.” (His handsome face was on camera, while I was completely behind.)

Still a little awed by the fan response to his new role, Brandon answered questions from the fans (thanks to Dexie here at crushable.com and Shelley at the Brandon Barash Forum) and talked about music, acting and his passions in life.

Say hello to Brandon Barash:

From Shelley:

How would you describe the past six months of your life, since you joined General Hospital?

Brandon: I guess you could say things have changed, things haven’t change. I’d like to think I’m still the same me, I get up everyday and I get to go to work and do what I love and get paid for it. I was woken up [by my cousin] on Tuesday morning saying “hey I just saw you on the Entertainment Weekly website as the 28^th most datable TV character ever.” Stuff like that. I never in the million years thought it was going to happen. It was the most bizarre phone call to wake up to [Laughs]. My mom, whenever we talk on the phone, she goes, “doesn’t everybody know you’re just Brandon?”

From Wendy:

How did you know/what helped you make the decision to leave medical school and pursue acting?

Brandon: My whole life I wanted to be a surgeon. I was bit by the acting bug in high school and then admitted into USC’s really prestigious acting program. So I thought it would be stupid to turn down that opportunity, but I’ll keep the pre-Med and actually kept the pre-Med halfway through my sophomore year. Then I was at a crossroad. I loved acting, and taking 20-22 units that semester, 14 hours of classes a day. Not to mention the homework and the rehearsals. And then I just realized, if I’m going to become a professional in one of those things I need to put my eggs in one basket. My instinct was to act. It was not a very difficult decision, and I am so glad that I made it.

Cyn: I guess being a doctor is a good thing to fall back on. You’re operating on someone. . . “wait, weren’t you in General Hospital?

Brandon: And it’s so funny because my family has been so supportive of this whole thing. But so many times I’ve heard that from various people. My whole take on it is that a back up plan is a plan for failure. I honestly believe that if you plan to fall back on something you will fall back on it. So how better [to succeed] than to just say this is what I’m gonna do and I’m gonna succeed. That’s my mindset.

From Wendy:

If you could get on a plane tomorrow and go anywhere, where would you go?

Brandon: I’ve already done the Alaska trip, so I guess not that. I’m thinking Australia or New Zealand. I’m a whole nature-science freak so it’s like the perfect marriage of the nature, but then you can go out at night and socialize with the people out there

From Billy:

What keeps you grounded in the world of acting and glamour?

Brandon: I would say, definitely my strong, strong network of family and my close friends. Also just knowing that this could all go away as quickly as it got here. From what I’ve gathered from the talks with the writers, Johnny was supposed to last a month or two and then be killed off. I don’t know, I guess I did something right. [laughs]

From Shelley:

Are you ready for GH FCW?

Brandon: Fan Club Weekend! From what I’ve heard, there’s really nothing to prepare you for it. You just kinda dive in. So you know what, I’m here and I’m enjoying the ride.

From Gigi:

What do you think of the fan base aspect of the soap opera world and your instantaneous popularity with GH fans? Do you find it overwhelming?

Brandon: It’s been really cool. Dealing with the digital age it’s a lot easier to touch your fan base and to reach out. I started an official MySpace(Official Brandon Barash) page where fans can come on and blog and write to me. I try my very best to write back to each one of them. I also just did my first event in Buffalo, New York where I performed and helped out for a telethon for Children and Women’s Hospital. After which I did a signing at the mall in Buffalo and the response was completely unexpected and very overwhelming. It was great.

Joanne and several fans asked about your musical background.

Brandon: My first role ever was in a musical. I didn’t even know I could sing. And I don’t think my entire family knew. My stepmother walked into rehearsal one day to pick me up and I was singing; she said it stopped her dead in her tracks because she had no clue. It all happened by accident.

Cyn: So will you continue singing?

Brandon: Absolutely. The more well-rounded I can be as a performer you know. . . but definitely I would love to pursue the theatrical and the musical aspect. For me there’s no better feeling than putting on a live show and affecting the audience right there and then. . feeling the energy shift and the response in the room in a certain scene. So absolutely.

*To Be Continued…… Meanwhile, DON’T FORGET TO JOIN SOAPS ON ABC BRANDON BARASH(JOHNNY, GH) COLLAGE CONTEST!!