Jennifer Beals is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Alex Owens, a welder who moonlights as a barroom dancer, in the immensely popular 1983 film "Flashdance." Her performance netted her a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award for best actress, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.\nIn the years following her successful debut, the 37-year-old Beals has added a wide range of projects to her resume, including the 1995 movie "Devil in a Blue Dress," in which she co-starred with Denzel Washington. She has also appeared in the Showtime television films "The Twilight of the Golds" and "A House Divided." \nLater this year, Beals can be seen opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Jason Leigh in "The Anniversary Party," which will hit movie theaters in June, as well as the miniseries "Feast of all Saints," which will premiere in November on Showtime. Beals and Leigh recently collaborated on an original screenplay entitled "Inside Job," which will begin production next year.\nNow, the beautiful Chicago native speaks about her upcoming projects, the legacy of "Flashdance" and what she learned while a student at Yale University.
Q: Why do you think that "Flashdance" is still an American pop culture icon 18 years after its release?\nA: I'm really not entirely sure because there are so many facets to what makes something remain in the public's imagination. For some generations it's about fashion, and for others it's about the underlying story of the movie. Some people like the theme that you should follow your dreams and that you can succeed.
Q: Do you believe "Flashdance" would have been as popular without its soundtrack?\nA: I think the music was integral to the movie. The fashion was integral and the dancing was obviously a big part of it, but all of the contributions were equally important.
Q: If Alex Owens was a real person, what do you think her life would be like today?\nA: It's been so long, and the fact is I don't really think about the film very often, so I have no idea.
Q: Do people still come up to you and talk about "Flashdance"?\nA: No, not really. It's interesting how many people come up to me about "Devil in a Blue Dress" and my other films. When "The Twilight of the Golds" was first on TV, a lot of people came up to me and said how much they liked it. A lot of people come up to me about an Italian film I did called "Dear Diary," which is surprising.
Q: You chose to continue your studies at Yale University instead of pursuing some of your post-"Flashdance" movie offers. What were the reasons behind your decision?\nA: I loved school. I loved it so much, and I knew that I was good at school. It was exhilarating; the whole process of formal education is exhilarating. It's very exciting when it becomes clear that all the subjects you're taking are very integral to one another, and I knew that I could go back to Hollywood when it was over.
Q: What was the most important lesson you learned while in college?\nA: That everything is related. Every subject is related to every other subject in some way. And we're all connected to one another, even though we don't think we are. I think that on a practical level, it helped me to learn how to learn. It wasn't specific information that was important so much as the ability to be able to learn.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming miniseries "Feast of all Saints."\nA: It's based on the Anne Rice book. I play Dolly Rose, who starts out as the belle of ball and then becomes a madam.
Q: What was it like to work with Gwyneth Paltrow in "The Anniversary Party"?\nA: I've known Gwyneth since she was 12, and we worked together as a group in the film "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle." Gwyneth is such a delight; she's God's great gift to the planet.
Q: What overall impact has your multiracial status had on you?\nA: It's funny because I think I'm allowed to play a lot of different kinds of parts that normally I wouldn't get a chance to play. I always feel that I'm the center of the circle and the circumference of the circle all at the same time. I've always understood what it means to be on both sides.
Q: Which of your projects are you most proud of?\nA: Well, I really love "The Anniversary Party." I think it's really a great movie. I loved "The Twilight of the Golds" and "A House Divided." It's not so much that I'm proud of my efforts, but how everything and everyone came together in such a wonderful way.
