Q&A: Jennifer Coolidge

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THERE'S NO OSCAR FOR best scene-stealer, but if there was, Jennifer Coolidge would cream her competition as the flighty producer in "For Your Consideration," Christopher Guest's send-up of Hollywood's awards-season frenzy. But the actress known as the hot mom in "American Pie" and the hair-styling sidekick in "Legally Blonde" prefers the Big Easy to L.A. Express asked her about her personal style and Hollywood's stubstance.

» EXPRESS: How much say did you get over what you wear?
» COOLIDGE: With Christopher Guest films, we have a lot of say. Our costumer finds this cool vintage stuff and you can rework it. I wanted to be more eccentric in this movie. You know how some people will wear a fancy hat to make you think they're old money, but they're out of their league? That's what I was going for. In that dress at the party, there were these weird vines all over it.

» EXPRESS: How do you feel about your cleavage being so prominent in the film?
» COOLIDGE: In that dress, I wish I had kept my boobs out of it. I go to a lot of events and I'm attracted to outfits that show a lot of cleavage. I'm not a prude. I don't know if she would have worn that, though.

» EXPRESS: You also drank wine out of a straw at that party. Have you ever really done that?
» COOLIDGE: Yes. I was trying to find clueless things I could do and I saw myself in a mirror sipping coffee out of a straw because I didn't want to ruin my bleached teeth. It wouldn't have occurred to her that wasn't so swift.

» EXPRESS: Any other big party faux pas?
» COOLIDGE: Once, I asked someone if I could take a drag off of their cigarette, gave it back to them and then told them I had the flu. But that goes back to the days when I was 18 and those days are over. I'm so lucky I got a career in my 30s because these young girls aren't allowed to have their 20s. It's all being documented.

» EXPRESS: What do you do for fun now?
» COOLIDGE: I live in New Orleans part of the year and it's a really fun eating town. I bought two homes there, one to live in and one as an investment. They love to eat, drink and dress up in costumes. There are so many reasons to dress up — Mardi Gras, Halloween, Southern Decadence. And then they come up with other reasons.

» EXPRESS: What are your best costumes?
» COOLIDGE: I have an amazing yellow jacket that makes me look like a hornet. I have a bunch of light blue mermaid fancy lady dresses with tails. And giant feather hats.

» EXPRESS: What's it like mocking your industry in this movie?
» COOLIDGE: It's a silent revenge because people never remember what they said to you. People think I'm coming up with these great lines, but I just remembered what someone said to me. But, really, everybody loses it when they think some award could be theirs. It's that strange thing when someone gives you a compliment. When I'm doing something lame, like flower arranging, but I get a compliment, I think, "I have a real knack for this."

» EXPRESS: And then people dive into makeovers and plastic surgery, too?
» COOLIDGE: I think it's weird when those lip jobs look like a giant squid is glued to their faces. But I'll probably do it when I'm in my 60s. I hope I'm better adjusted by then. Otherwise, I'll have to go down to Brazil and host a talk show.

This post was written by Express' Vicky Hallett
Photo courtesy Jennifer Coolidge