Israel Broussard – 2013 Cannes Preview
by James Patrick Herman Photography by Jeff Vespa
Will Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring do for Israel Broussard’s career what Lost in Translation did for Scarlett Johansson? Only Cannes will tell. One thing’s for sure: This small-town actor is ready for the big time. But Broussard is staying true to his humble roots—and driving down Hollywood’s fast lane in a pick-up truck, thank you very much.
Tell me about your rural hometown.
It’s a place with not many open-minded people who are into fishing, hunting and mud-riding. I was different, so I was a bit of an outcast.
What’s the most Mississippi thing about you?
My truck. I bought a Ford Ranger—as everybody does for their first car in L.A., right?—because it reminded me of home. It’s nothing too exciting but she has a nice little engine and gets me where I need to go. My license plate says: “Slay It!”
Nice. Any complaints from your dates?
Honestly, it could have a little more room. But I get compliments on it.
What’s tougher: Surviving Hurricane Katrina or making it as a young actor in Hollywood?
Katrina went over my head—literally. I was worried that my house was going to float away, but in the end, we had more wind damage than flooding. As far as surviving out here as an actor and auditioning, I go in with the mentality that everything happens for a reason. And laughter helps.
So your Katrina experience was nothing like Beasts of the Southern Wild?
Not at all. I knew it was serious at the time, but I was eleven. Everything was an adventure to me. And I’d like to keep it that way. Last year for Hurricane Isaac, my friend and I camped out in the woods.
You’re clearly not the high-maintenance type.
I can go from a city walk in Marc Jacobs to helping a guy jump his car. I always carry jumper cables.
Good to know. How did you get cast in The Bling Ring?
I had to submit a 90-second video of me talking about myself.
What was your pitch?
I talked about my childhood and my family and religion. My mother is a very religious woman. I think that might be what intrigued Sofia. My character is a self-conscious, vulnerable kid who is going through a lot—way too much—and I am rather self-conscious, too. Growing up, my sister was my best friend because I didn’t have many of my own.
Can you recreate that monologue for me? Just pretend I’m Sofia Coppola.
I’ll give it a try: I’m Israel Broussard. I come from Gulfport, Mississippi. I’m 18- years-old. My birthday is in August. I’m a Leo Virgo cusp—I take pride in that. There’s not much to do in my hometown. You basically hang out with your few friends and go mud-riding in trucks. I wasn’t much into fishin’ or huntin’ or anything like that. I started coming out to L.A. in 2008 because my sister wanted to be an actress. Specifically, she wanted to be on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. What pre-teen girl didn’t want to be? So I kind of followed her—in her footsteps—and we ended up switching roles: I was the one who got the call backs and she didn’t. That was a trying time for her. But she got over it; she doesn’t hate me anymore. I’ve been out here ever since and had lots of great opportunities to work with people like Rob Reiner, Alyssa Milano, Emma Watson. And I’ve filmed at places like the houses of Frank Sinatra and Paris Hilton. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without my family. I come from a good place, so I stick close to my roots. My mom was always there for me. My step-dad was strict, but if he hadn’t been tough on me, then I wouldn’t be able to live here on my own now. So they really did teach me how to grow up—and how to be independent.
Sadly, Paris Hilton wasn’t so lucky. Because you also mentioned Emma Watson, I’m wondering if you enjoyed the Harry Potter films as a kid?
I’ve yet to see any of them. My mom didn’t want us watching that at a young age. She wanted us to know the difference between real and fake.
So how is your mom going to react to seeing you misbehave in The Bling Ring?
She knows that she’s taught me well. I don’t think she’ll be worried.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m imagining lots of coke-snorting and sweaty three-ways to a cool indie-rock soundtrack.
There are no three-ways, I can promise you that. But yes, there are some pretty edgy scenes. Even I have a scene that I wasn’t thrilled about doing: Sofia asked me to hit a bong while dancing. My mom may not be happy about it.
Does your mom even know what a bong is?
She knows what a bong is. We’ve had those discussions before.
Despite your limited access to films, have any influenced you as an actor?
The Fantastic Mr. Fox. And V for Vendetta. That movie helped me to grow up and hit another phase in my life. I don’t know what it is about it, but my mind started sparking and turning. And ever since then, I’ve been on a role.
Natalie Portman looked hot without any hair.
Oh, my God. Thank you! A bald woman I have nothing against at all. Sometimes they can pull it off—okay, rarely can they pull it off—but Natalie Portman? Grade A job.
Do you have a favorite Sofia Coppola film?
I liked Somewhere. Who wouldn’t want to be that guy driving around a Ferrari? Or was it a Lamborghini? And living at the Chateau Marmont? A little lonely, I guess, but I could deal.
I thought it was sad.
That’s what I liked about it. He’s got this awesome life. Anybody else would say, Wow, he is a lucky man! But the reality is he’s just lonely. He can’t have a normal conversation with anybody.
You mentioned being a Leo. So are Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. Discuss.
Something you might not know about me: I’m egotistical. We’re big on drama, too. And we love being in the spotlight, I can tell you that. Also, I’m a perfectionist.
Do you share your Bling Ring character’s obsession with young Hollywood stars and the culture of celebrity?
Personally, I don’t have much interest in it. But if I saw Lindsay Lohan passed out in a corner, I would check to see if she’s okay.
Sofia started out a young actor. What did you learn from her direction?
She’s gentle. And almost timid in the way she directs you. She gives you a lot of freedom. The best thing she taught me is how to breathe and stand still so that the emotion can come through my eyes.
You’ve worked with another well-known actor-director, Rob Reiner, in Flipped. Were their styles similar?
They were both quick: Go-getters with a vision.
You played Alyssa Milano’s son on Romantically Challenged. Is she a MILF in real life?
I’m going to have to say yes. She was a nice woman. And definitely good-looking.
Are you sure you’re ready for Cannes? It’s like a hurricane of glamour!
I’m a little nervous because it’s the biggest film festival in the world, and it seems like just yesterday I was running around in the mud at home in Mississippi. I only know what I’ve seen on Entourage when Vince and his friends went to Cannes. One yacht party is all I’m asking for!
What do you consider your big break?
I’d say this, actually. It’s almost surreal how much attention this film has already gotten. People are saying, This is your moment. And I’m waiting for it! But I can’t feel it.
Before you became a member of the young Hollywood club, did you ever have a normal job?
I still do in a sense. I just got back from a small town in South Dakota where my aunt and uncle own a grocery store. I was stocking shelves, checking people out and bagging their groceries.
That may be hard for some people to believe: This hot young actor who’s running around the Cannes Film Festival helps out at a local grocery store in his free time? Can you prove it? Tell me how much a gallon of milk costs.
It’s $3.85 out there. But here it’s probably like five bucks, I’m sure.
Producer Bailey Reise
Stylist Avo Yermagyan (www.avoyermagyan.com)
Groomer Sydney Zibrak at The Wall Group (@TheWallGroup)