Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless is a New Zealand actress and singer best known for playing the title character of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess and for her role as Number Three on the series Battlestar Galactica.

Sourced

• My voice likes rock music. My problem is, I can do a lot of things, but I have to find my own voice.
  • Jamie Sotonoff (October 5, 2007) "The soulful side of a warrior princess", Daily Herald, p. 18.

• So yes, the roles are getting more and more like me. But that's because Xena was so entirely unlike me. Most people aren't really aware of that.
  • On her acting roles after the completion of Xena — reported in Rob Salem (October 30, 2005) "Xena vs. Mother Nature - Locusts, mutant bats, a vast flood these are the terrors that torment Lucy Lawless , writes Rob Salem", The Toronto Star, p. C05.

• They either overcompensate for the way they feel and are incredibly sycophantic or incredibly brusque in order to prove they don't think you're superior.
  • Discussing the differences between her fans in the United States and those in New Zealand— reported in Sarah Stuart (January 12, 2003) "Superstars in our midst", Sunday Star Times, p. A1.

• The role was very physically challenging and I am not athletic and have never wanted to be. I hate it in fact. I don't go to gyms and for me to have to stay in shape for the role became mind over matter.
  • On finishing the last episode of Xena — reported in Kylie Keogh (May 31, 2001) "Xena shoots back", The Daily Telegraph, p. T05.

• I'm gonna walk off wearing the outfit and I'm going to drive home in it.
  • Describing what she will do with her Xena costume after the last day of filming — reported in Raymond A. Edel and Virginia Rohan (February 8, 2001) "People", The Record, p. A2.

• What's Buffy got? A wooden stake, some garlic. Xena has a full arsenal of weapons.
  • Remarking on who would win in a fight, in a pair-up between her character Xena and Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer — reported in San Antonio Express-News staff (May 16, 2000) San Antonio Express-News, "'Dirty Dancing' sequel set", p. 4D.

• When you decide to become an opera singer, it's a commitment that allows nothing else to interfere. Even your family - and I have a young daughter - has to take second place.
  • On her decision not to pursue a career in grand opera, in favor of acting roles in television and film — reported in Times wires (April 11, 1998) "Television Q&A", St. Petersburg Times, p. 13D.

• At first, being a female role model really terrified me. But it hasn't turned out to be an awful burden. I get a lot of letters from women who tell me that, after watching Xena, they have bought the Harley-Davidson they always wanted or left an abusive relationship.
  • Robin Eggar (July 27, 1997) "Is it a bird? - Interview", The Sunday Times, p. Style 8.

• They're also surprised I'm only 6 feet tall. They expect someone much bigger. They say I'm younger and prettier in person, which I like.
  • On Xena fans' impression of Lawless when they encounter her in person — reported in Larry Bonko (March 10, 1997) "Hero Worship: Hercules. Xena. They're Tough. They're Sexy. And in the World of TV Syndication, They're Muscling Out the Competition", The Virginian-Pilot, p. E1.

• Growing up, I looked up to real women. I didn't go in for hero worship and I still don't. Everybody has feet of clay.
  • Benjamin Morrison (January 14, 1997) "Visiting Warriors - Xena and Hercules Flex Their Muscles at NATPE", The Times-Picayune, p. F1.

• Up until I came here this week, and I met so many women and young girls who feel, to use their word - and I'm a bit embarrassed, but it's a good word - empowered, by watching. I realized this isn't a burden, this is an honor.
  • Christy Slewinski, New York Daily News (September 29, 1996) "Lucy Lawless is a Star on the Strength of 'Xena'", The Seattle Times, p. 21.

• Feminists might identify with me because I'm unapologetic in what they think is a male-dominated world ... no, I guess, what is a male-dominated world.
  • Mike O'Neill (July 26, 1996) "Someone strong", The Tampa Tribune, p. 2.

• I never thought I'd be an action star, but now they're going to make little Xena action figures for kids. I still want to be a fine actress one day; it's just a matter of putting in the time and passion.
  • Walt Belcher (May 25, 1996) "'Reformed villain' cuts men to size", The Tampa Tribune, p. 1.

• It took me a long time to adjust and narrow down my life. I made my shift to the mind-set ... there's time for my daughter outside work and that's all. This is my new life. This is not drudgery. This is fun.
  • On balancing work and family-life — reported in Barbara Yost, The Arizona Republic (April 15, 1996) "Actress Easily Conquers Role in 'Xena: Warrior Princess'", Chicago Tribune, p. 5.

About

• Lucy's got two feet on the ground; she's very, very strong and yet has a wonderful soft side that she reveals here. She's a dream to work with.
  • Frank von Zerneck, on her work in the CBS movie Vampire Bats — reported in Associated Press (October 28, 2005) "Lawless takes on 'Vampire Bats'", Chicago Tribune, p. 48.