Kirsty Cooke: 'Betty the New Age Flake'
From the day she did a song-and-dance routine on the kitchen table as a five-year-old, Kirsty Cooke knew she wanted a career as a performer. And the creative arts have certainly been a large part of Kirstys life: shes a graduate of the Elim Fine arts School, has played in several bands, she has music studio at home, she runs a company producing corporate and short films, and somehow finds time to produce plays on the side.
Kirsty used some of her own real interests as inspiration for her character Betty -- a former nun who left the church after falling in love with a priest. Both Kirsty and Betty are avid fans of American personal development guru Tony Robbins -- who Kirsty actually met, bizarrely enough, the very week after filming Living the Dream wrapped.
"I'd also love to write a book to help people find their dreams and realise their full potential," says Kirsty. "I'm very interested in all that personal development stuff and Betty is a lifecoach who does corporate training, team building, and relationships counselling.
"Ironically, Betty is also more psychotic than everyone in the house, has had a string of failed relationships, and needs more help than anyone. I'd like to think I'm more 'together' and less psychotic than Betty although my husband might tell you differently!" she laughs.
Kirsty saw much to admire in Sam.
"He's an amazing guy -- people are going to love him. In fact I think most New Zealand girls are going to fall in love with him. There's no bullshit about him. He's very close to his family, is a very genuine, sincere, and caring person who always keeps a positive outlook on life. If all New Zealand men were like him, this would be an amazing country."
