An Interview with Ashley Judd - Motor Racing and Movies

Does the anxiety level go up when racing season starts?
It's crazy. I love it. It's so much fun. I'm going to ride in a two-seater with Mario Andretti. Dario said that Mario is the only person he'd let me ride with. I said, 'Fine by me.'

With so much passion for sports, how much harder is it to watch your husband? Are you vocal on the side?
Well, you have to be appropriate in the setting, which is a hot pit and everyone working and their jobs are very time sensitive. It's funny, though, because when I first started going to races after we met, I was extremely nervous. It's like being backstage and hoping you don't trip over something or break an amp or accidentally speak into a live microphone, so I was really hesitant. And they took a picture of me as I was stretched out reading the New York Times during morning practice the day of a race. Maybe that was a little bit too relaxed.

How was shooting the film De-lovely in London?
It was great. The movie is wonderful and London is the greenest city on earth. It has the most parks and the rose gardens were in bloom while we were there. So I got to see them right before they bloom. Other than sharing hair and make-up in the trailer with Kevin Kline, checking out the roses every week and charting their progress is how I think of De-lovely. My family loved it. We had 57 houseguests. The nice thing about doing a play is I've had time to entertain and have company and enjoy stuff like that.

Do you have a favourite CD you can't be without?
I've been devoted to Alison Krauss for many, many years. I was thinking the other day about the Cold Mountain soundtrack, which I really like. I've basically lived my adult life to her music. I'm into Joni Mitchell's Travelogue CD at the moment. It's just so stunning. It's so extraordinary the way she was able to interpret songs of her youth. It's amazing.

Handbag.com - 2004

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