Down to Earth

Now this was a fun one: I’ve always admired the work of actress Dakota Fanning, but I didn’t know much about what she was like in real life. But when I sat down with her at the Sunset Tower Hotel in L.A. a few weeks ago for a cover interview for Glamour magazine’s March 2013 issue, I got to find out.

And, damn, if she isn’t more awesome than I could have imagined. Like, love her. And so will you.

She’s completely down-to-earth, funny, open, goofy, curious, shy, interesting, hip and smart. Very. You can read a few bits of my chat with Dakota Fanning here. But otherwise, grab the issue on shelves before you miss it!

Check out her upcoming 2013 films, Very Good Girls, Effie and Night Moves. And after that, there will obviously be more to come from this talented college student in the future!

—Amy

Fitness

Never mind that she’s my favorite fitness trainer—if I’m every doing a workout DVD at home, it is hers. And they work. And they hurt like hell. And I love her for it.

But Jillian Michaels is also one of my favorite interviews—and this was the fourth or fifth time I’ve gotten to chat with her for a magazine. This time we talked for the cover of Health magazine’s March 2013 issue, in her dressing room on The Biggest Loser ranch (if you’re a fan of the show, like me, how cool is that?!). She talked about how to stay slim for good, in honor of her upcoming new book, Slim for Life. (I’ve already had the chance to read an early printing of it, and I devoured it. So check it out!)

She’s a total hoot. She calls everyone “Bud,” curses like a sailor, and even dragged in Bob Harper from his dressing room to explain something to me in person. And most important, she was full of intelligent tips and fun health ideas—she’s like a fitness and nutrition savant, this one. Also fun? I was featured as a contributor in this month’s issue of Health.

Here’s my bit a little closer-up so you can read it:

Love Health. Love Jillian. Life is good.

—Amy

Get Healthy

I am officially obsessed with The Biggest Loser. Which made it especially fun for me to do the cover interview with the show’s host Alison Sweeney for the September 2012 issue of Health magazine.

We met for lunch at La Scala in Beverly Hills (where she encouraged me to try my first chopped salad and, hello, it was delicious.) While we ate, she offered a huge slew of tips for a great 30-Day Body Makeover. You can read my whole story with Alison Sweeney here. She was super nice—and, remember, she’s learning her fitness tips from the best: the show’s trainers Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince!

Try a few of your favorites for yourself!

—Amy

Movies & Men

Whether or not you were into Twilight, there’s a new movie in town. Debuting March 29, 2013 is the film The Host. And I got to talk to the two leading men, Max Irons (son of actor Jeremy Irons) and Jake Abel (from the Supernatural TV series), while they shot a “Mod” fashion story in L.A.

It was a pure joy to talk to both guys. (You can see a few of the shots on Jake Abel’s website.) It was a blast hanging out with them. They were nice, funny and, yes, ca-yute.

—Amy

Happy Attitude

A few years ago, I got to interview Miranda Lambert for the cover of Redbook magazine. She was just becoming a name in country music, but she was still working her way to fame. Now? Well…

She’s up to her fourth solo album, Four the Record, records with her friends The Pistol Annies, and keeps taking home Country Music Awards like they’re giveaway gift bags! My latest chat was for the cover of the February 2013 issue of Redbook (Check out a little taste of my Miranda Lambert cover interview here.) And she was, once again, one of the spunkiest, smartest and most fun people I’ve gotten to sit down with.

And keep up with her! She’s the real deal in music and a positive inspiration in life.

—Amy

Loving yourself

For the January 2013 issue of Glamour magazine, I worked on a fun piece about models who have such a distinct look, they had to learn to grow into them: like this stunning redhead, Chantal, who used to hate her hair and freckles:

I also spoke with the laid back Harmony Boucher who decided to embrace her tomboy look; and a fabulous British DJ named Felicity Hayward, also a plus-sized m0del who’s developed a cool style and a rad attitude. Check out Felicity’s Facebook page to get a feel for her style, which includes, as she told me, “Anything leopard print. And I have a weakness for big tacky earrings.”

Check it out! Maybe you’ll be as inspired by these cool women as I was.

—Amy

Health

This past winter, I worked on an amazing project over the course of a few months: I created some advertorials for Good Housekeeping magazine, providing information for how families who are dealing with Alzheimer’s. I did four pieces over the course of a few months, and this is one of them:

It was incredible to speak with experts in the field (like Dr. Amy D’Aprix, above) as well as actress and former Coach star Shelley Fabares about the painful challenges of handling loved ones who have Alzheimer’s, and how to best handle it. If you suspect a family member, parent or friend may be showing signs of the illness, look into the Alzheimer’s Association and find out more.

—Amy

Okay. I had no idea that James Van Der Beek was absolutely hilarious. Did you know this? You should know this. I found out when I had the joy of chatting with him a few months ago for the December 2012 issue of Glamour magazine.

We wanted to come up with some gift-giving tips for women from a guy’s point of view, and James, most recently seen on the comedy Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, came through in spades. Kind, professional and funny as all get-out. And he had some good ideas when it came to wrapping things up around the holidays.

Here are some of the highlights of my James Van Der Beek story on Glamour.com.

—Amy

Health & Happiness

For the cover of the November 2012 issue of Health magazine, I interviewed E! star Giuliana Rancic.

She talked about her new son and her happy life, after going through some truly tough experiences. Check out the full Giuliana Rancic Health interview on Health.com to get more of her inspiring story!

—Amy

Glamour Exclusive

She may be Michael Jackson’s daughter, but as Paris Jackson told me one afternoon while we chatted for Glamour magazine, “The title of M.J.’s daughter doesn’t fit me.” Check out the fun things this boldly confident teen had to tell me in my exclusive interview for Glamour magazine’s September 2012 issue.

You can read the whole story here on Glamour.com: The Paris Jackson Glamour Interview.

—Amy Spencer