Since scoring the role of
The OC's troubled teen Marissa Cooper, Mischa Barton, 22, has become a red carpet regular. NYDC caught up with the Hollywood actress while she was in Sydney for the MTV Australia Awards.
It's been more than a year since The OC wrapped. Was it easy to leave Marissa behind?
I found it was really easy but I think it's more difficult for other people to understand that you're not your character. I think that's the most confusing thing for other people — not that's it over, but that I'm not the same person [as Marissa].
The paparazzi always seem to be on your tail. What kind of lengths do they go to?
Crazy, crazy lengths. For instance, I was followed [to Hamilton Island] by some Sydney paparazzi this week. But for the most part I just live my life the normal way, in places where I get more privacy, like my home in Paris.
Have you ever hidden behind a bush to escape the lens?
[Laughs] No, that's what they do!
What is the craziest thing you've ever read about yourself?
Where do I start? I can think of like three or four this week! Apparently me and Eve and Wyclef and a bunch of other people were all dancing on the same table (at the MTVAAs after party) which sounds like a hazard. I don't know where they get it from sometimes!
You're often in the headlines for your fashion choices — what inspires your style?
All kinds of things. I'm really into iconic women of the '60s and '70s like Anita Pallenberg [an Italian model, actress and fashion designer] and Marianne Faithfull [an English singer, songwriter and actress]. I have a very eclectic taste in clothing and whatever I feel like wearing. When I go shopping I just buy what feels right.
And you've just designed a line of bags in your namesake?
Yeah, it just launched in the UK and in Japan.
Do you think that with fame comes a responsibility to give back to the community?
Definitely. I do a lot of environmentally-friendly things with Climate Star — that's about awareness of pollution.
You appeared topless in your recent film Closing the Ring. Were you cool with that?
I think it's all about the context. In the film it's a very raw, emotional moment and not sexual at all so I actually felt it fit the part very well and Richard Attenborough [the director] was great.
What's important to you?
I'm very close to my sisters; Zoe lives in London, she's 30, and Hania's 20, she lives in Los Angeles with me and goes to college. I spend all of my time with them when I can. And I read, I write, occasionally I paint when I'm in the mood — I do all kinds of things for fun.
How does you family cope with your fame?
They do and they don't. I think it's very complicated for families that aren't used to the industry to get used to the gossiping.
What lessons have you learnt about fame?
All kinds of things — how to navigate it, most importantly.
So what's next for Mischa?
I'm just doing some publicity on my films. Assassination of a High School President comes out in August in America — that's with Bruce Willis and Reece Thompson. It's a quirky, dark comedy and I'm doing press for that and soon enough I'll start filming again!
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