America Ferrera Says Bye to 'Betty,' Hello to Laundry

By Nicki Gostin Posted Mar 22nd 2010 02:40PM

ABC may have canceled 'Ugly Betty,' but its star America Ferrera is far from unemployed. With a few films coming out this year, including the upcoming animated movie 'How to Train Your Dragon' (in theaters Friday), she's looking forward to a little time off to ... do her laundry.

America talked to PopEater about the special "celebrity way" of folding laundry, gossip about her weight and more.

Were you very upset when ABC canceled 'Ugly Betty'?
I think I felt a lot of things. Did I want the show to be over? Not necessarily. It wasn't a complete surprise because the ratings were turning south, but we still had our very loyal audience. But I was pleased that this season and last season we really kind of hit our creative stride. Critics and our audience were very pleased with what was happening this season. It's nice to at least go out when we found a nice creative place rather than going out when it wasn't working creatively.

Why do you think they canceled it?
I imagine it has everything to do with ratings and business and money. When we got switched to Friday nights, we lost a big part of our audience and never really got them back. I think we were doing well on Thursday nights, where we had been for three years, but that's relative.

You must have the most loyal gay following.
Yes, I have a lot of fans from the gay and lesbian community.

Ever gone to a Halloween party and seen someone dressed as Betty?
I don't really go to Halloween parties, but I know Betty is a favorite. Even in the first season, there were Bettys at the West Hollywood Halloween parade.

Tell me about your character in 'How to Train Your Dragon.'
I play Astrid, who is a dragon slaying, teenage, Viking, Nordic girl, and she's pretty kick-ass. She's the best dragon slayer in her class. There's no messing around. She's very single-minded and focused.

Was it fun doing a cartoon voice?
Very. Although, sometimes it was challenging to be alone in a sound booth and not have other actors to work off or any visual thing to be acting off of. But it was fun and also freeing.

'How To Train Your Dragon': Movie Times and More Clips

Ever turn up to work in pajamas?
I think I put enough effort into it to put on a pair of jeans, but no makeup.

There's always so much written about your weight. Do you find it offensive?
I don't really think about it to be honest. It's not hard to ignore, because I find it all so ridiculous. I think there's a whole different set of rules that exist in a pretend world. The celebrity world, the online gossip world, where people have different rules about [how] they get to talk about other people and their appearances. To spend any time at all thinking about the bad or good things written about me is such a waste of time and energy. I hope to have a career based on the work I do and not whether a gossip site says I look good or bad in a dress.

A recent interview said you had the tact of a politician. Will we see Congresswoman America? After all, you have the perfect first name.
I don't think so. But yeah, I like my name.

What do you do on your time off?
Get back to me in a couple of months when I've actually had time off and I'll let you know. Usually I spend my time off sleeping and doing laundry.

You don't do your own laundry.
When I have time I do, sure.

Really?
Why not?

You can have someone do it for you.
Most of the time I do, but every now and then I like to do my own laundry.

Do you have a special way of folding?
Not really. I just fold it. Isn't that what normal people do?

You're a celebrity. You're not like everyone else.
(Laughs) No, actually we're not like everyone else. When you go to celebrity laundry folding class they teach you do it the celebrity way. You take it, throw it in your housekeeper's face and scream, 'Fold it!'

That's the best answer ever.
I'm glad. It's going to be everywhere online.

Don't worry. I'll say you said it very seriously.
Yes, I totally meant that.

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America the Beautiful

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - MARCH 21: Actress America Ferrera arrives at the premiere of Dreamworks Animation's "How To Train Your Dragon" on March 21, 2010 at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** America Ferrera

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America Ferrera Snapshots

In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures,Astrid, voiced by America Ferrera, center, is shown a scene is shown from "How to Train Your Dragon." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

America Ferrera Snapshots

(L-R) Jonah Hill, Craig Ferguson, Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, T.J. Miller and America Ferrera arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "How To Train Your Dragon" at Gibson Amphitheater on March 21, 2010 in Universal City, California. "How To Train Your Dragon" - Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, CA United States March 21, 2010 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (59977760), contact WireImage.com

America Ferrera Snapshots

Actress America Ferrera arrives at the premiere of ''How To Train Your Dragon'' at Gibson Amphitheater on March 21, 2010 in Universal City, California. "How To Train Your Dragon" - Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, CA United States March 21, 2010 Photo by Jordan Strauss/WireImage.com To license this image (59976943), contact WireImage.com

America Ferrera Snapshots

Gerard Butler, America Ferrera and Craig Ferguson arrive on the Red Carpet at the premiere of Dreamworks Animation's 'How To Train Your Dragon' on March 21, 2010 at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. "How To Train Your Dragon" - Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, CA United States March 21, 2010 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (59978413), contact WireImage.com

America Ferrera Snapshots

America Ferrera arrives on the Red Carpet at the premiere of Dreamworks Animation's 'How To Train Your Dragon' on March 21, 2010 at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. "How To Train Your Dragon" - Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, CA United States March 21, 2010 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (59978311), contact WireImage.com

America Ferrera Snapshots

Actor Gerard Butler, left, actress America Ferrera, and talk show host and actor Craig Ferguson arrive at the premier of the feature film "How to Train Your Dragon" in Universal City, Los Angeles on Sunday, March 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

America Ferrera Snapshots

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Comments

(3)

Monday 22 March

By Len

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Loved the show, "Ugly Betty." Very funny and clever. America is a very beautiful young lady, intelligent and a good actress. Wish her all the best for her future.

By Nick Mayor

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Ugly Betty was such a great show for the first season. By the middle of the second, the writing started to get worse and by this season the show is barely watchable except for the brilliant cast. What a shame. And I did go to a Halloween party right shortly after the show's debut where a woman wore the a most strange outfit and no one knew she was supposed to be Ugly Betty.

Tuesday 23 March

By Tim

As a father of three daughters I am absolutely and insanely pleased that America is out there. She has a wonderful attitude and her priorities and values are solid. I wish her all of the best things in life.

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