In her interview with Tokyo Wrestling, Jennifer Beals talks about her reasons for choosing the role of Bette, changes to her character, and her increased awareness of gay issues since joining the cast. Also, after the interview, we will be posting her personal message to TW readers!!

　
--What has been the most exciting aspect of being in the show?

I would say all the friends I've made. Also, how the show has changed people's lives - the letters I receive from people about how they were able to come out and how they were emboldened by the show really make me excited. I'm very proud to be a part of that.

--I read that at first you were asked to choose between the roles of Bette and Tina. Could you tell us why you chose Bette?

In the pilot, Bette is presented as being so strong and sure of herself, but within that, I recognized that she was a little bit insecure and maybe diffident. To me, it was interesting to play that tension between the two different sides. And I really love the way that the character has developed, I think that it's really interesting. I wish that she would behave herself a little more sometimes (laughs), but it makes for better drama.

--Also, you asked Ilene to make your character biracial, and she accepted.

Yes, originally Bette wasn't a biracial character. When I first met with Ilene, she talked to me about how writing the pilot came out of this need to represent her community, because Ilene is gay and she has never really seen herself represented in pop culture. So in the meeting, I asked her if it would be possible if Bette could be biracial, because by the same token, I had never seen myself represented in any way, shape or form in pop culture - other than as the crazy oversexed character. It's similar to how lesbians have been represented in pop culture - you know, usually as the serial killer, the psycho who is trying to change the straight girl into a gay girl. It was just not very accurate, so I was interested in making a change. I didn't expect Ilene to replace it so quickly, but she's been very kind. She has an open door policy with all the actors to discuss our ideas and concerns about the characters and the show.

--You spoke about that (http://www.power-up.net/) at the POWER UP premiere, and I found it very moving.

Oh, thank you! It was really an amazing experience to write that speech. It took me a very long time to write it, and giving the speech was an incredible moment for me.