Katherine Heigl changes track in new film

The actor talks about her latest venture, being a working mom and a bad smoking habit.

LOS ANGELES: Katherine Heigl has headlined several romantic comedies such as 27 Dresses and The Ugly Truth, but for her newest film, the former “Grey’s Anatomy” TV star has taken up an action comedy One for the Money.

The film is based on author Janet Evanovich’s best-selling novel about Stephanie Plum, a divorced, unemployed woman who becomes a bounty hunter to pay the bills. To date, there are 17 instalments of the popular book series. Heigl, the Emmy award-winning actor, talks about the film, her life as a working mom, adopting another baby perhaps within the year and a bad smoking habit she just can’t seem to quit.

Were you a fan of Janet Evanovich’s books?

I read the books when I was first approached for the project. The first one led to the second and by the time I got to the 10^th, I was pretty hooked and obsessed. I just love Stephanie. She’s savvy, brave and has a big heart. She’s got this great caustic sense of humour that I really responded to.

Action film is a bit different for you. What was the most difficult thing for you to learn while shooting the film?

I was pretty bad with the handcuffs. I really wanted to master the art of cuffing somebody quickly and efficiently. There’s something about holding somebody’s hands in a crossed way and trying to slap a cuff on.

You’ve established yourself as a romantic comedy actor. Is that a genre you feel comfortable in?

If you asked me the same question two years ago I would have said I love doing romantic comedies because those are the only movies I tend to watch. I want to laugh and believe in true love and romance.  I’m still thrilled to be in those movies but at 33, I wouldn’t mind breaking out of that genre a little bit. This movie had a murder mystery vibe to it, a kind of a caper film, so it was a different spin on the same formula.

Did you have the whole family on location with you in Pittsburgh, including your adopted daughter Naleigh?

Yes and it was chaos! There was also my dog, my mom’s dog and then my mom would come for part of the filming because she’s a producer on this as well. Then (husband/musician) Josh (Kelley) would come in and out because
he’s always on tour. Naleigh and the nanny were there all the time.

Is Naleigh aware of what you do for a living?

No, she isn’t. Naleigh loves to play doctor and has a little doctor’s kit. Recently my mom said, ‘Naleigh, your mother played a doctor on TV.’ And it was the first time that anyone has ever said to her that her mom is on TV. So she’s starting to put the dots together.

Any more kids for you and Josh?

Naleigh’s three now, so I’m hoping we have another child sooner than later — at least maybe in the next year. Naleigh loves babies and the whole idea of babies.

So what’s on the horizon?

I’d love to write something. I’d love to direct. And there’s so much great television, I would never rule out the opportunity to do a great TV show.

You’ve been spotted smoking a lot, are you an addict?

I’m a nicotine addict and it’s really ugly. If I could take anything back, it would be smoking. I wish I never picked up a cigarette. That was so stupid. That would be the one thing I would say to my kid as she gets old and inevitably will want to try a cigarette. I will say, ‘Sure, go ahead, if
you want to be a slave to something for the rest of your life!’ I’ll always be fighting the addiction.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2012