When Megan Hilty sang her version of Carrie Underwood’s Crazy Dreams or Let Me Be Your Star during the first season of Smash, it was somehow reminiscent of every Broadway audition movie, show or play ever seen.
The fact that Hilty, 31, is truly a Broadway actress, having starred in the Great White Way versions of Wicked and 9 to 5, just added street cred to her performance.
Her portrayal of the vivacious, hungry and sometimes very vulnerable Ivy (reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, the legend she wants to recreate) versus wholesome farm girl Karen (Katherine McPhee) keeps viewers wondering what will happen next.
AStarWasBorn.com chatted with Hilty about her Hollywood dreams while growing up in “beautiful” Bellevue, a suburb about ten miles outside of Seattle, Washington.
ASWB: How would you describe your hometown?
Beautiful, it’s Bellevue outside of Seattle, so it’s gorgeous.
ASWB: Tell us about your character on the show?
Well, it’s funny because she’s made a lot of changes so she’s ambitious. She’s very independent but she’s also very loyal to her friends and family.
ASWB: Last season we saw you with pills and since you don’t know the future scripts, how much were you wondering if this was going to be the end?
I wasn’t worried at all, if that’s what you’re asking. It didn’t even cross my mind.
ASWB: Is it hard to play Ivy when she is down?
I love it because it makes her a real character. She’s so multi-dimensional. That’s why I love the bad times. She has to go through that to grow and to change as a person.
ASWB: What was it like growing up in Bellevue, Washington?
Wonderful. I always love going home. It’s a beautiful, beautiful town.
ASWB: When you go back there now, do you have a favorite food or dish that you miss the most?
ASWB: Is there is anything in particular that you would recommend that tourist see?
Wibbley’s is the best burger place.
Wibbley’s Gourmet Burger in Bellevue, Washington (Pictured above)
ASWB: Is there one place that holds special meaning for you?
That’s the Pike Place Market. I took improv classes underneath the market and I spent a lot of time there growing up.
Seafood at Pike Place Market
Seafood stall at Pike Place Market
ASWB: So you always wanted to do this?
Yes.
ASWB: How hard is it to learn the musical numbers?
It’s great. It is very fast paced. It’s just like learning the lines at a quicker pace. It’s a whole new muscle that we’ve all developed and the material is so fantastic. It’s not hard to retain it, especially the music. It’s written so perfectly.
ASWB: Now that you’re a “Smash”, no pun intended, do you think people in Bellevue would consider a shrine to you?
Oh, gosh no but thank you.
To learn more about Megan Hilty’s hometown of Bellevue, Washington, visit our Bellevue Travel Tips section.
About the Author: Diedre Johnson for AStarWasBorn.com
[...] Megan Hilty’s `Smash’ing Hometown is Bellevue, Washington [...]
[...] Bellevue, a suburb that is just 10 miles outside Seattle, and home to stage and television star, Megan Hilty (click on link or picture of Megan Hilty below to see our interview here on AStarWasBorn.com). [...]