glorious purpose

Oh it was definitely not meant as an offense, friend. You just never know about someone until you talk to them and that’s why it shocked me to be honest. Since I’m sure studying that was difficult. I wouldn’t know though and I’d have to Google. There’s a lot of people that can’t even get their foot in the door to the business and it’s sad because they might be really talented. I don’t know why my family is doing so well though. It’s weird. I don’t think I really broke out until IT if I’m honest. That’s the thing that put me on the map so to speak. Well it depends on what type of job your parents have I suppose. Some jobs are hella boring. Both of my parents are but that’s how it should be. There’s also a lot of blood that comes with the job and I don’t think I could handle that much in my life. Not that I’m squeamish or anything.

Oh, I’m just messing with you, Bill. I didn’t expect you to be so sharp, either. You know, it really wasn’t. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out the most simplest math equations. I couldn’t tell you 20x70, but I find it easy to learn Greek and other languages. I did really well in Classics. It is, I owe a lot to the fact that I attended some pretty posh schools, which definitely helped me along the way, but I still had to work pretty fucking hard. A lot of it does come down to luck and having connections, but I’d like to believe miracles happen to those most deserving. No, it’s good your family is well off. We all have those roles, Pennywise for you, Loki for me. Oh, yeah. I find the human body and all of that very interesting, I just know I wouldn’t last a day as a doctor.

I’m basically the runt of the litter - the youngest of nine, my sisters are all beautiful and my brothers are Greek gods, so I think maybe on some level I wanted to be like them? Maybe I just figured it was a safe option… people are always going to need skincare and haircuts. Oh no, I’m definitely not starving now! I’m a fussy eater anyway, so even if I was I wouldn’t put you through that. I’ll bet you’re a great cook though, right? All that talent, you must be!  Oh, it does; it was a great job for me when the band was starting out and trying to get rent for practice space. I used to sing songs for tips. Some people liked it, some people didn’t.

Oh, come on, don’t knock yourself like that. You’re plenty fit. But I’m sure now you’re really good with taking care of your face and keeping young, which is good because I always need tips. See? I just proved your point. We all have our likes and dislikes, I’ll still eat chicken nuggets and fries and not feel the least bit bad about it. I try to cook as much as I can and try new things, I’d like to think I’m decent enough. Well, you sure showed those that didn’t like it.

Well once again depends on the context. In my eyes it’s an OK day, in someone else’s it might be awesome. I don’t know. Just… random tequila thoughts I guess! Gotta admit though it’s a legit observation!

Yes, it is all about tone, I read that in both, one more than the other. Guess I’m just exposing how corrupt my brain actually is to you. Is that just what floats around in your head at five o’clock? I’d just be thinking that I need more alcohol. It’s a very interesting observation.

And it’s weird too in a way because for me, it was always a means to get out of a terrible situation that I had been living in. I got bullied constantly and being where I lived was just a version of hell. I had became so depressed once that my dad had to bust down my bedroom door to get me out. But in saying that I didn’t know what fame was going to do to me personally. Like Hannah Montana just blew up massively to where I was touring as her. My identity was taken away from me and so all the stuff I’ve done after that; was me trying to figure out who I am. My dad struggled in the business, he slept in his car because he didn’t have a place to live, so having that happen to him; yeah there was a concern. Just I’m a determined person and he knows that. I don’t know if I’d say that I set the bar because I’m always looking to better myself. I don’t just look at my past album and go ‘This is it, this is all I can do’. 

I’ve struggled with bullying in school myself, every year through early college. I was different and kids love to pick at anyone who shows just a shred of uniqueness in comparison to the rest. Kids can be so mean and you do end up carrying a lot of childhood events with you for the rest of your life. But look at where we are now, and what we have accomplished. What are all those bullies that made our lives miserable up to? Watching our movies and streaming our music, bragging that they knew us. I understand, and you started off at a very young age. Tween Tom could not have handled the attention forty-year-old Tom gets from Marvel, but somehow you did. Regardless of how it worked out, I’m sure your dad would have never allowed you to sleep in cars and struggle the way he did. Oh, no, no. I didn’t mean it like that, you are constantly surprising everyone, but in a good way. I meant, that you broke down barriers for a lot of young actors and inspired them with the same dreams as you had. 

“Oh shut up.” Lizzie teased. It would be nice to have Sam around. She could have Tom all to herself later. It’d been a long while since she’d had kids around and it was nice to see Tom interacting with his niece. She knew he missed his family, she really had no idea how he managed the distance from them. She wasn’t so sure she’d be able to be so far away from her family. Sure, her sisters were in New York and she facetimed them all the time, but it was never really the same as having them close and seeing them whenever she wants. “No, not at all. Of course you can handle her. She adores you. But you know, if you need help I’m here.” She shrugged, a smile on her face.

The little time she had with Sam alone was night, chatting about the movie they were watching and all the things they were going to do when they went to Disney. It made Lizzie hopeful that this relationship was going to last. Sure, it was still new, but her feelings were real and the more she spent with Tom and his family, the more she knew she wanted this to last forever. Once Tom was back, she watched him playing with Sam, the smile never really leaving her face. Even when she got kicked. “Oh, I don’t know if I could get her back.” She teased, her eyes moving between the two of them. “Might just have to gang up on you.” She winked. Her hands, running through Tom’s hair as he rested his head in her lap and she frowned a bit. “I’ll be here.” She whispered. “I know. And I hope you know I feel the same about you.” She squeezed his hand, her other still running though his hair. “Maybe we could make it more of a habit to go to London?” Her eyes moved from him over to Sam who was engrossed in the film and then back to Tom. “Something tells me I’m going to miss her too when she’s gone.”

“You have my full permission to get her back.” Tom teased back. Closing his eyes for a moment at Lizzie’s fingers moving through his hair, he took a few calming breaths, hand shifting to move along her forearm. He looked up again at her and gave a small turn of his lips, “I know you do, love. I’m here.” He repeated, shifting his gaze for a moment as Samantha stood and ran out of the room quickly for something. “I’m going to the baaaaathrooooomm!” She sang. “Okaaaaay.” Tom laughed, moving himself to sit, as much as he wanted to fall asleep with his head on her lap. His arm wrapped around the back of the couch as he sat pressed to Lizzie, his freehand playing with her fingers, glancing up and studying her expression. “I would love to bring you home with me. Show you where I grew up and introduce you to my old friends and family. I want to share those details of my life with you, Lizzie.”

I always wanted to be in the industry for as much as my father didn’t want me to be. He even used to get upset with my mom for taking me to auditions for things. He wanted me to go to school and do cheerleading for the rest of my life. Be normal. My mom used to say ‘If she stays here, she’s going to start doing drugs.’ and then it turned out that I did but not in a little town in Tennessee, it happened in Los Angeles. But I also didn’t have a good life in Tennessee of sorts despite being born into money. I hate the phrasing ‘born into money’ but that’s what happened. My dad’s single was released months before I was born and he blew up. 

You have a very inspiring story and we’ve all heard it, Miley. Booking a lead starring role at Disney at age eleven because you didn’t give up, is really something. Good for you. My heart really goes out to you for the amount of fame and attention you found being so young. I cannot imagine being a child-star, let alone one of my children, if I had them, being subjected to that. I understand your dad’s concern, but that was something you really wanted and had your heart set on. I’m sure he’s very proud of those massive accomplishments now, though. You really set the bar. 

Well, I actually started studying to be an esthetician before I dropped out to be a starving musician. I guess there’s every possibility I could’ve continued that; if not that I might still be blending Blimey Limeys at the Tropical Smoothie Café. Actually, no let’s dream a little bigger here,I’d be running the Tropical Smoothie Café… I’d have sung my way all the way to the top of that corporate ladder, making a mean three cheese quesadilla. Hey look ma I made it. King of the fruits. 

Oh wow, what inspired that interest? That’s one of the best answers I’ve gotten so far. Not still starving, are you? I’ll drop off some meals if you are. There you go, dream bigger so I don’t have to tell you to and keep upping that dream! One day you’re Tropical Smoothie CEO, then you’re running for president. Tropical Smoothie has great smoothies, though. I became a bit addicted after I moved to LA. 

Well, right before I auditioned for The X Factor I was working in Pizza Hut. Worst and best job I had. You’d get free pizza’s on shift and if there were any left over at the end of the day you were allowed to take them home, but also the abuse you could receive from customers was just too much. And I mean working in Pizza Hut isn’t exactly the most glamorous job in the world now. I would like to think I would have moved on from there if The X Factor had never worked out, as I had even considered training to become a primary school teacher. The idea of helping little kids have a good start to education was something so inspiring to me. I think you would have been a great Professor, you sound like you know what you’re talking about for real, who knows? Maybe you’ll take a break from acting in the future and dabble in being a Professor, I know that would send a lot of people wild walking into a room and bam, there you are.

Customer service is the absolute worst. There can be some perks, freebies and discounts, but the way others think it’s okay to treat those workers is not okay. I’m sure you would have moved on and found a better career, not to diminish people who stay in customer service. You’re still very young, and you were when you went on that show. It takes a very special person to look after our children and help them grow. Thank you. I did get my double firsts in classics, so it definitely contributed, but as actors, I think the majority of us drabble in Shakespeare and classic stories and it can start from there. Maybe I would, I guess I’d better haul ass back to school to get started towards my graduates. I think any of us would lose our minds seeing our favorite actors faces. I still appreciate all the kind words.

How did I not know you were this smart? It amazes me what you find out about people sometimes. Well I’d definitely agree with how impractical it is as a profession because you never know what’s going to happen with it. But tossing the impractically aside it’s exciting to go on auditions for things that are out of your comfort zone. It’s fun to be able to create your character from the ground up. I think because we’re drawn to stories as humans acting is an extension of that. We get to bring the words on paper to life and sometimes it doesn’t always go so well; other times it goes pretty great. And it’s a beautiful challenge. I don’t think my dad ever thought that four of his eight kids would become actors. It was just something that happened. I remember being really young going to sets with him and my dad is just my dad but you watch him wear a fake moustache, hold a gun, and he’s visibly playing and getting paid for it. So the seed was planned very young that it was okay to be an adult and play make believe while getting paid to do so. It almost happened, the whole doctor thing. Just I feel like looking back on that now where yes I could’ve been a doctor, I don’t think it would’ve been much fun, and I would’ve had lack of stories to tell in my life.

I don’t know whether to be offended or flattered, mate! I’ll take the higher honor. I don’t know if I believe the arts are an impractical career path. We need these things in our lives to help get us through the normal day to day. Is it hard to break into? Yes, but never impossible. You just have to work for it and keep going. It took a little less than ten years of hard work and dedication for me to book Loki but I’m so glad I never gave up or listened to the doubters. Parents are always our biggest influences as children, I think a lot of us wanted to be just like them whenever we grew up, some follow through and some don’t. I’m sure either route you took, your dad is equally just as proud of you, all of you. I’m sure you would have plenty of interesting stories to tell as a doctor, the predicaments people can get themselves into without thinking anything could possibly go wrong, amaze me. It also all depends on who you’re telling the stories to.

I think that’s a good question though! It’s something we all think about in case Hollywood doesn’t want you anymore, well more me than you. I can see that. Maybe it’s the british accent but I can see you being professor Tom. I..I honestly don’t know. Maybe an interior decorator? Or something to do with dogs, I’m passionate about those things. Please don’t fail me.

Why would you say Hollywood would want you less than me? That is absolutely not true, dear. Nothing is guaranteed, and you’re still very young and promising. That’s a great reason to become a professor, accent. I can see an interior decorator. A professional dog trainer, run a rescue shelter, vet tech. There’s a lot of options in there for you. I’m not failing you. Next assignment is to build your confidence, miss. 

So much water but it’s kind of in my blood because there wasn’t really anything acting wise in my school growing up. Oh I get no’s all the time that’s probably why my credits are so small to begin with. I’m just doing things that interest me if I’m honest… as I’ve learned it’s better to do things that interest you instead of taking on roles just because you’re offered them. 

That’s unfortunate, the arts are so important and they can really make a difference in a child’s school experience. I get no more often than yes, even now. We all do. That’s what you have to do. You can pick up roles here and there to help you get started, as long as you still enjoy them, but once you get a feel of what you’re doing and a credit or two to your name, you can start picking what really intrigues you to audition for.

You’re so very right about that. It took a long time to climb up the hill and I still feel like I’m climbing. I think once you get too comfortable in the craft you’re just full of yourself anyway. Yeah, but it’s not a question I get asked often so McDonalds just seems right. I honestly have no desire to be anything other than an actor. I took a year off, did some stuff to try to better the world and while it was fun fighting the good fight, I just don’t know that my heart would ever be happy if I wasn’t making films. That’s a real thing someone did? Did they not realize that’s seasonal. What do they do the rest of the year? You know, a clown isn’t a horrible idea. I could always just be the new Ronald McDonald himself. At least then I wouldn’t have to worry about burning the burgers. I think we all know why that is, Tom. You’ve got a following larger than the state of Texas. All those obsessed girls would show up to just to lay their eyes on you. And if your reading Shakespeare on top of it? They’ll die.

Really? I get asked this every convention appearance and at least in one or two out of five interviews during press days. I guess I’m glad to hear it’s not as cliche as I thought. McDonalds would’ve been a childhood dream job of mine. Now, I’d just rather not do anything with customer service, people can be such dicks. Well, I’m glad you did something useful with your time off. Taking part of charity is always a good thing. At a point, I was booking so many roles, filming and studying characters was just constant. There was hardly time to be myself and I really forgot who I was as a person, I would show up at interviews and refer to myself as Loki or start to think I was actually him in real life. So, I took a couple of years off and I’m slowing my speed again. It’s so important that we find a balance between what’s real and what isn’t, as fun as our jobs can be. You could! That’s even better. Dress up as Ronald and go around children’s hospitals. Larger than Texas? Did you know that commuting from the border of Texas to the border of California takes less time than it does to get across from one end of Texas to the other? They show up at conventions and throw Shakespeare books at me to read from to begin with! What’s the difference between a convention and a classroom? 

It was reassuring hearing that Emma was comfortable enough with Lizzie taking Sam around. Somehow, it made it all the more real that one day this could be her family too. When Sam came around to hug her, she hugged her back, a smile on her face. Reassuring Sam that she knew she wouldn’t do anything to get either of them in trouble. Nodding her head along as Emma spoke. Though she doubted there’d ever come a time when she’d deny the girl a trip to Disney, but still, playing along for now seemed to help their case.

Once they were out of the room, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Picking up her coffee as Tom spoke. “So it is.” She teased, setting her cup down just in time for Tom to move her onto his lap. He wasn’t wrong though, with him watching Sam alone for the next week or so it was going to be a bit harder to sneak in minutes like this. Her arms wound their way around his neck as she kissed him and she smiled at his words. “Sam’s a sweet kid.” She moved her gaze, meeting his eyes. “And you’re going to need help so it’s the least I can do.” 

“Maybe her tablet will keep her busy.” Tom cracked a teasing grin, smoothing his hand over her thigh. He really did love having his niece around, as much as he loved Lizzie, but he knew he had more time with her as soon as Sam left. Tom was lucky if he got to see her more than once a year, and she only grew more and more each time. In times like these, he wished acting wasn’t such a demanding career. If he ever had kids of his own, he knew he would cut his schedule down by half. He wasn’t going to miss special occasions or months of experiencing them young just for a role. “She’s a good girl.” Tom’s fingers traced circles along Lizzie’s side, enjoying the quiet moment. His brow quirked, lips parting as if she offended him. “Are you suggesting that I can’t handle my niece?”

Soon before long, Sam ran back into the kitchen, Emma rolling her suitcase beside her. Sam begged Lizzie to watch Disney movies with her in the living room to prep for Disney, before Tom suggested everyone move into the living room to the comfort of his couches until Emma had to be off anyway. Tom asked Lizzie to stay back with Sam and finish the movie they picked, saying the airport was boring and he would be back in less than an hour anyway, knowing full well he would be submerged in tears on the drive home and did not want either of them seeing that. Not that he was ashamed of being a human being with feelings but because he knew everyone openly worried about the toll being practically cut off from family took on him. He made sure he was never fully alone, trying to meet with friends a few times a week but having a relationship with Lizzie, who was just as in love with him, made a world’s difference.

First off, I love everything about this question because kids go through an array of things they want to be when they grow up. Secondly because sometimes you find yourself in college going for something you’re really passionate about and find another passion all together. For me though when I was growing up I wanted to be an actor but I wasn’t completely serious about it. I had a lot of reservations about it given that’s sort of the family “profession” now. In fact until I was 18/19 when I started really thinking I was capable of having a career as an actor; I took science classes in high school thinking that maybe I’d follow in the footsteps of my mother and my older brother who are both doctors.

That’s true, and I love seeing kids go through that and become who they’re supposed to be. Acting wasn’t my first choice, either really. I went to college and got my double first in Classics, acting came of no time at all after, then I decided to study that. I understand the hesitation. Not because it was my family’s professions but just because I was told it was impractical as I became more interested and passionate about it. No one other than my mum and sisters really supported the whole acting gig, then I booked Loki, and people started apologizing, especially after I did the first Avengers. I can see a scientist or doctor in you for sure.