Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are having a blast. The duo play iconic rockers Joan Jett and Cherie Currie respectively in the new rock ‘n’ roll biopic “The Runaways” and are currently in the middle of a cross-country publicity tour. Normally, most actors would be sick and tired of constantly talking about one movie — and Stewart should know after all the hours she’s discussed the “Twilight” franchise — but you’d never know both actresses have been pushing this film since its debut at Sundance in January.
Laughing through a sit down with some assembled members of the press on Wednesday in Los Angeles, the actors discussed everything from the pressure of playing the founding members of The Runaways to their own eclectic musical tastes. More intriguing, however, was how the young stars handled questions about the on screen kiss and implied sex scene between Currie and Jett as they toured the country as teenage rockers.
Stewart notes, “It was in the script as a really fleeting thing. It was sort of also written very abstractly and vaguely. ‘Did they? Yeah, they did.’ Y’know what I mean? So, yeah and I feel it’s that way for them too. The fact it’s been called a ‘love scene’ or the fact ‘So, tell us about your romantic involvement?’ is like ‘What?’”
“I mean, I think it’s just something that happened,” Fanning adds. “I don’t even know if they have talked about it since. Y’know what I mean? It was just a thing and in the script it was just another thing. It’s not that big of a deal.”
One reporter surprisingly threw the gauntlet at Fanning asking her if she was concerned about criticism about playing a character who drinks, does drugs and has sex when she’s only 15-year-old. The actress was unequivocally ready for it.
“There is always going to be someone who doesn’t like what you are doing and doesn’t like, y’know, your movies and thinks you shouldn’t be doing [this or that] and you can never make everybody happy,” Fanning says confidently. “In this movie, I was 15 playing another 15-year-old. She went through all this when she was 15 and why am I too good that I can’t portray that when there are people everywhere younger than that going through much worse”
“We’re snorting vitamin B. C’mon,” Stewart says as laughter fills the room.
Meeting Chad Omega is what one would call a surreal experience. It’s like encountering a unicorn or a mermaid; you have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. Luckily I was not dreaming on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 when I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Omega. The interview took place mid-afternoon at my apartment. Upon his arrival I immediately offered Chad beverages, all of which he surprisingly, politely refused. “You don’t even want water?” I asked. He shook his head and explained to me that he doesn’t drink water. “I haven’t had water in three days.” Impressive. I get frustrated when people don’t accept food or drink offers, so I pressed on. “Lunch?” Again, he declined. Finally, I took a box of Girl Scouts Thin Mint cookies out of my refrigerator. “Girl Scout cookies?” I asked. The way Chad Omega’s face lit up would have put the Vegas Strip to shame. Girl Scout cookies, ladies, are the key to Chad Omega’s heart.
LDH: You recently finished a four year stint in the Marine Corps, because you wanted to “Fuck shit up”. What’s next for Chad Omega?
CO: That’s a good question. Probably a lot of blackout nights, and I don’t really know what to tell you from here. I’m about to make a move to Huston, and uh, fuck shit up there.
LDH: Very nice. Now you’ve been know to also use the phrase, “Do the damn thing”, in your own words, could you tell us how one “Does the damn thing”?
CO: Well, for someone to “Do the damn thing”, you just have to be awesome, pretty much, at everything you do. Me doing the damn thing is doing whatever I want, whenever I want.
LDH: Now Chad, not many people are aware of this, but Chad Omega is not your real name. Can you tell us how Chad Omega was born?
CO: Chad Omega was born in Las Vegas actually. We were out one night and lot of cougars kept coming up to us and asking us our names and if we wanted to go back to their hotel rooms with them. So to get myself away from the situation, I had to keep giving them fake names whenever they’d ask and I came up with Chad Omega. It just kind of stuck for the rest of the night, you know … all the drinking and strip clubs … I was Chad Omega. And that’s how he was born.
LDH: You’d had a lot of wild adventures in Las Vegas. What’s your fondest memory of Sin City?
CO: Well, I drank for about 13 hours straight, and then I woke up in a bus stop. I can’t really tell you how I got there, but I still had my wallet and everything. I’d say that was probably the best time I had in Vegas.
LDH: It’s a well known fact that you have a fascination with Little People. How did Little People find a place in your heart?
CO: I don’t know. Every time I see a midget…I call them midgets, I’m not politically correct… I just wanna hang out with them.I even Googled it, you can rent midgets on the internet to come hang out with you. You know what? One of these weekends, I’m gonna do it!
LDH: Rumor has it, you recently had the “Perfect Week”. Can you tell us a little more about that?
CO: Go to community college if you want to have the perfect week. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel, especially in California.
LDH: Some people may not know what the “Perfect Week” is. Can you explain what having the “Perfect Week” entails?
CO: The “Perfect Week” for me was a couple of movies, maybe a dinner or two, but seven different girls, seven days of the week. And it was a great week.
LDH: The Perfect Week!
CO: Yes, the Perfect Week.
LDH: I can’t help but ask, have you ever been slapped?
CO: Yes… So there I was in a bar, and I went to go to the bathroom. On the way, a girl slapped me on the ass, but I was ignored her and went about my business. I went back to the bar and she came up to me and asked what I was doing afterwards. I had to tell her the truth, I said, “Sweetie, I’m not that drunk and you’re not pretty enough yet”. That is the first time I’ve ever been slapped by a woman in public.
LDH: You’ve had some run-ins with some pretty crazy chicks. In fact, I heard a girl confiscated your cell phone at one point. What was that like?
CO: That was probably one of the weirdest experiences of my life. I recently had a one night stand, and then in my rush to get out in the morning, like usual, I forgot my phone. Luckily she went to the community college, where I saw here three days later, and asked for my phone back. Well, I went through my phone and she had actually called and texted people in my contacts list, asking what kind of person I was…That’s not a way to get to Chad Omega, calling people on his phone … random girl.
LDH: Would the circumstances have been different if she were a midget?
CO: Possibly. I’d say if a midget took my phone for three days and called people, it’d be worth it, and I’d actually call her again.
LDH: So besides incidents with crazy girls, have you had any involving open containers?
CO: [Laughs] One of the best open container experiences I’ve ever had was Halloween 2006. I was at my buddies place and we were all getting dressed up for Halloween. I happened to be a coach so that’s tight shorts and a whistle, which is just about all you need for a coaches outfit. Everyone was getting in the car to go to the party, and before we left, I got the bright idea for my friend and I, my “Assistant Coach”, if you will, to stuff our junk with some socks. So while we’re stuffing our shorts, I look outside and go, “Wow that cop outfit is really realistic!” Come to find out, three of my friend got Minor in Possession and Open Container tickets while I was busy stuffing my junk
LDH: So it sounds like stuffing your junk saved your life …
CO: Very true. That was a great night actually… Ladies love the stuffed junk, and I did not have to pay for a ticket.
LDH: So we could say that Chad Omega is an advocate for stuffed junk?
CO: Definitely. Stuff your junk!
LDH: Now speaking of police, have you ever been arrested, or come close to being arrested?
CO: A couple times. The one time I was arrested, I stole two shopping carts full of beer. Well, me and three other people stole two shopping carts full of beer from a grocery store. We went out the side door, and would have gotten away with it, but … it was a sad day in Chad Omega’s life. We actually got citizen arrested.
LDH: I hear that you “tear shit up” on the regular in Carlsbad, CA. What’s up with that?
CO: It’s just something about Carlsbad that brings the best out of me. I don’t really know how to explain it, but me and Carlsbad get along really well. I’m pretty sure I’m a wanted man down there, by the police, or by a couple groups of random people. One time I went to Carlsbad, I had a good night …you know having a good night means I’m probably going to black out…but I woke up the next morning with blood all over my shirt. So I went and washed me hands, and got the blood all off me and found out that I didn’t have an cuts. So you know, I try to stay away, but Carlsbad is my place.
LDH: I hear you’ve had a recent incident in Carlsbad as well?
CO: I was bored, and there wasn’t really much to do, so I went to Carlsbad by myself … I sound like a loser, but you don’t know Chad Omega … So I was down in Carlsbad having a few drinks, and then I made the mistake of going into Boar’s Crossing. I had a few drinks there, and when they started closing down I stepped outside where there was a group of military people. One of the guys just kept running his mouth, and well I let him know that I’m the wrong guy to mess with. He said a few more words, you know, trying to show off for his friend. Of course I had to show off for myself so I hit him a couple times, and he hit the ground. At that point I figured I was a wanted man in Carlsbad and took off. I just kinda ran through some streets, houses, you know, the usual.
LDH: Being a wanted man, it’s good to be prepared. I heard that you’ve already written your Will, how does it read?
CO: My will says last man standing gets my stuff. No rules.
LDH: So is this a free for all for just friends and family or …
CO: Everybody’s invited. If you want some free stuff, you better be the last man standing. And I’m gonna have cool stuff, you better believe it.
LDH: Does this include the cell phone thief? Is she invited?
CO: You know, if she shows up, she might be able to get my cell phone, that’s all she can have.
LDH: Speaking of dying, Chad, how would you like your obituary to read?
CO: Oh man …that’s a tough question. Could I take out a full page ad?
LDH: Absolutely!
CO: Oh definitely! Well in my obituary I would definitely like to put out the address for everyone who wants to show up and get free stuff. Maybe a couple advertisements for strip clubs, definitely where you can get some midgets…so my obituary will be one big advertisement for all the things I love. It’ll also include how awesome I am.
LDH: Chad before we wrap this up, I have one final question for you. I know your not the relationship type, but you have enlightened the lives of a vast array of women. Is there any message you would like to give to the women who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Chad Omega yet?
CO: Ladies, if you wanna meet Chad Omega, here it goes: 713-459-7868. Just give me a call.
And there you have it! All you’ve ever wanted to know about Chad Omega, including his cell phone number.
Send Chad Omega love letters at http://www.facebook.com/nicholas.ellis1
Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are having a blast. The duo play iconic rockers Joan Jett and Cherie Currie respectively in the new rock ‘n’ roll biopic “The Runaways” and are currently in the middle of a cross-country publicity tour. Normally, most actors would be sick and tired of constantly talking about one movie — and Stewart should know after all the hours she’s discussed the “Twilight” franchise — but you’d never know both actresses have been pushing this film since its debut at Sundance in January.
