Source: PopGurls (Online Archive)
Published: June 7, 2004
Author: Amanda
Stacey Farber is 16, rapidly approaching 17 (her birthday is August 25), but is as articulate as someone twice her age. Her character on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Ellie Nash, has been through the ups and downs of a typical teenager on a television drama.
Her first crush turned out to be gay, her mother is a drunk, her father is in the armed services and is rarely home, she cuts herself to ease the pain, and she’s navigating the waters of a new relationship with the show’s troubled bad boy. Oh, and she still has time for playing in a band and an internship at the local TV station.
I spoke with Stacey on the phone on her last day of grade 11, and learned that she doesn’t let much scare her. She’s also genuinely thrilled to be playing Ellie, is excited to see Ellie in a good relationship with Sean, and has a thing for The OC’s Seth Cohen. (Who doesn’t?)
And, in the proud tradition of PopGurls interviews with Degrassi cast members, she had a cold. “It must be a Canadian thing,” she told me.
Let’s just jump right into it. Ellie is the girl on the fringe of her social circle. In real life, where do you fit in?
I’m a little bit of both. I lead sometimes, and sometimes it’s nice to just follow — not into doing bad things, of course — but sometimes it’s nice to just sit back. I don’t think anyone in my group is really a leader or a follower fully. If I have any position in my social group, I would say that I am the entertainer.
Fans assume that actors are always confident. Is that true of you?
No! (laughs) I definitely get nervous about things all the time. I’m human.
Is there someone you’d be nervous to meet?
I’d probably get flustered if I were to meet someone really famous. It’s weird — when I meet fans, they get excited and don’t know what to say, and I’m just me. I don’t think I’m anything to get that excited about.
When you auditioned for The Next Generation, were you familiar with the original series?
I had seen the show a couple of times. I had friends who were fans, so they were really excited when they heard I had an audition, but I hadn’t really been addicted to the show or anything.
Did you originally audition for Ellie?
Originally, I went in for the role of Kendra Mason — Spinner’s adopted sister — and I messed up horribly. But they told me they were working on another character, and that character turned out to be Ellie.
Are you happy playing Ellie?
I am thrilled that I am playing the role of Ellie. All the characters are great, but Ellie is noticeably different from the others, both physically and emotionally. It’s fun playing the different character.
Do you feel pressure to be a role model?
I definitely feel pressures at times, but I’m given a script and I try to make it feel realistic and natural. The writers do a great job with the material.
Do you ever get surprised by the seriousness of the issues the show covers?
I’m actually glad that the show covers controversial issues. Everything they show happens in real life, and kids get a chance to learn from it.
Do you plan to stay on Degrassi until Ellie graduates?
I’d love to go as far as the writers take it. No one really knows what will happen when the characters graduate, but I’m willing to take it as far as they let me.
What are your plans after high school?
I have no clue. (laughs)
Do you think you’ll stay in Canada, or do you have any interest in attending school in the States?
I wrote the SATs this spring. I did fine and was satisfied with my results, but it doesn’t really make sense for me to go to the States right now. It’s very expensive for Canadians, and I don’t really know what I want to go into yet. Maybe after my first year of university, if I find a program in the States that really interests me, I’d consider it. But until then, I think it’s best to stay in Canada.
As an actor, what was it like to attend screenings in the U.S. and see fan reactions?
It was amazing. I don’t feel like I’m a celebrity or a star, but when I got there, I was treated like one. Fans were taking pictures, we had Q&A sessions, and I went around in a limo. It was really crazy, and I felt kind of unworthy of all the attention.
Is it different for you in Canada?
It is different. Degrassi seems a lot bigger in the States. This was our first chance to really see U.S. fans, and it was strange to see how excited everyone was.
I have one more question, and you can feel free not to answer if you’re uncomfortable.
Okay, I will! (laughs)
Degrassi episodes are sometimes edited for U.S. broadcast. Do you think teenagers can handle topics like abortion in a show like Degrassi?
I think my peers are capable of handling it, but it really depends on the age group. The audience in Canada tends to be older than in the States. I think networks have to consider who they’re showing things to, and respect that.
Thank you so much for being candid and taking the time to talk to me.
No, thank you. It’s been great.
— Willa
Archival Note: This interview was originally published on PopGurls.com. The site is no longer active. This version has been preserved via the Internet Archive for historical and fan-archival purposes.