Portland Actors in Twilight Cast

Oregon Live talks with three of the Oregon actors who were cast in "Twilight" about there characters, how they got their roles in Twilight and what comes since.

Ayanna Berkshire
Age: 32 "Twilight" role: Cora, waitress in the Carver Cafe

Claim-to-fame moment: Serving "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer, who makes a cameo as a cafe customer

How she got the role: "We got the call that they were auditioning. I auditioned first for (Portland casting agent) Lana Veenker. My second audition was with (director) Catherine Hardwicke, who came to Portland for the auditions.

"I was up against a close friend of mine, and we both wanted the role so badly. It came down to two roles -- there was Cora, and then a nurse in the hospital where Dr. Cullen (Facinelli) works. We knew the role of Cora was going to be gold. I thought I'd bombed in my audition with Catherine. We improvised and laughed the entire time, but I thought, 'My friend is gonna go in there and she's gonna nail it.'

"We had to wait two weeks before we found out who got Cora, and it was just nerve-racking. Then I got a call that I got the role. Immediately after that, I got a call from my friend saying, 'I don't know if I'm the first to tell you, but you got Cora, because I got the nurse!' I totally bawled. Such emotion had built up because after reading the books, I was super-invested."

The inner life of Cora: "Before my second audition, I walked around my house in North Portland as Cora and thought about the world as Cora. Being from the San Juan Islands originally, I wasn't that far from Forks (where 'Twilight' is set). I was one of less than a handful of minorities in my hometown, and I worked at an A&W. I looked at the photos of Forks that Stephenie Meyer posted on her Web site, and I imagined that as my hometown.

"At one time they were thinking of Cora as a love interest for Charlie Swan (Forks chief of police and father of heroine Bella). That was before the fourth book came out. I was laughing with Stephenie Meyer between takes, and I said to her, 'If you could just write in the last book that Charlie and Cora live happily ever after, you'd be doing me a big solid.' She was very sweet. I'm immensely impressed by what she's done."

Team Edward or Team Jacob?: Fans have crushes on both vampire heartthrob Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), the Quileute tribe member who can turn into a wolf. "I've been asked that many times. My new motto is, I'm Team Berry Cobbler" (the dessert Cora serves Bella). I did get to meet Robert Pattinson a couple of times, and he was fantastic. I actually met his parents before I met him. I have a day job as an optician and they came in, looking to have some glasses repaired."

The "Twilight" effect: "Somebody started a MySpace page for Cora the waitress. I have a huge following in Turkey. A 'Twilight' Web forum there approached me to come online and answer questions. People find my MySpace page, and I get lots of acting-related questions, and then more frivolous ones, like, 'What does Robert Pattinson smell like?' Well, he smells like a 21-, 22-year-old guy. He smells like he should smell. I'm sure if anybody smelled him, they'd just be wooed and won immediately."

Catherine Grimme
Age: 7 "Twilight" role: Young Bella

Claim-to-fame moment: Appearing in ballet costume on video before the climactic battle between Edward and bad vamp James (Cam Gigandet)

How she got the role: "Well, I was kind of scared, because there were a lot of people auditioning, and I really wanted to get the part. I did the scene that I did in the movie, and then I did a few other things. I had to know the lines and stuff, and we had to make up some stuff. (Director Hardwicke) was really nice to me. She was awesome. My mom and dad read the books. I just had to read the sides (her lines) to see what kind of character Bella was."

On meeting Pattinson: "He was very nice. I was kind of star-struck. Is he cute? That's what most people say. I'm not so sure about that myself."

Mother Kim Grimme adds: "Catherine Hardwicke made a point of introducing Robert to Cat (as the family calls her). He got down on his knees so he would be at eye level. And, of course, because he's got a British accent, everything sounds better. Cat said she liked him in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (Pattinson played Cedric Diggory). We took pictures of her with Robert, and with Kristen Stewart (Bella). He was talking and joking with the other cast. Kristen was a little more introverted."

The 'Twilight' effect: Kim Grimme says, "When Cat was cast, we didn't get the enormity of what 'Twilight' would be. People definitely recognize her. When the movie came out, there was a big cast party in Portland, and she got to walk the red carpet. When the DVD came out, there was a party and she did an autograph signing with like 2,500 people. She loves it. She absolutely loves it. There's a little buzz at school. And of course, it's huge fodder with the grandparents."

Solomon Trimble
Age: 25 "Twilight" role: Sam Uley; in the film, identified mainly as Jacob Black's friend; in later books, a leader of a pack of Native American/wolf shape-shifters

Claim-to-fame moment: Ominously tells Bella that the reason Edward didn't come to a party at First Beach is because, "The Cullens don't come here."

How he got the role: "Catherine Hardwicke let me improvise, which I had cultivated doing poetry events. I remember I said something artsy-fartsy about the cold, and how you can be cold to the root of your soul. Now it sounds lame, but she said, 'Wow, you can do this.' I didn't think they were looking at me for the role of Sam, but then they told me I got the role.

"I don't reprise my role in 'New Moon.' They replaced me with another actor, Chaske Spencer. I know him, he's really good, I have no problems with him whatsoever. (Sam) ends up being the leader of the wolf pack for the next two books. If I was replaced with a non-Native person, I would be, like, down there at the gates of Summit Entertainment (the company behind the "Twilight" movies) saying, 'This is injustice.' "

The "Twilight" experience: "I spent a month and a half working with members of the Quileute nation to authenticate the film. I worked with wardrobe to make sure anybody Quileute was dressed Quileute. We shot my scene at, ironically, Indian Point beach, near Cannon Beach. It was windy and cold. It was snowing! I was wearing long underwear."

The "Twilight" effect: "I graduated from Portland State University with a degree in math at the same time I was cast in 'Twilight.' I'm spending the summer at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and how I got here is very strange. Someone from the Quileute nation had recommended me to come and help give an award to Goldie Hawn in Washington, D.C., for her work with National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. An old friend of mine from Beaverton Arts & Communication High School saw me, and told me about a summer fellowship program at Morehouse, studying epidemiology and working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I didn't have any acting projects lined up for the summer, so I applied and was accepted.

"'Twilight' definitely opened doors. I have a bunch of modeling projects lined up; I'm working on a poetry book; I'm coming to the PGE Park event; and I'm the guest at La Push in Washington for Quileute Days, July 17-19.

"I'm interested in acting but also in going to law school and working for national urban Indian health care. I want to stop the trend toward diabetes and alcoholism, and the disparity in health between us and other people. I want to have my hands in the change itself.

"I am currently an intern at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention Centers (suicide prevention) in Atlanta, specifically to help close the gap of heath disparity between Native American health and that of all other races in America."

Twilight' Actor Michael Welch Talks Mini-Movie Details and the 'three-way date' scene in 'New Moon

"I really should've checked with someone if this is information I can give away or not," grinned Welch, the fan favorite who plays puppy dog-like Mike Newton in the blockbuster series. "But, whatever — here we are."

Welch stopped by the MTV studios to discuss such far-ranging topics as his concern for Robert Pattinson's safety and the "three-way date," a scene that has Bella, Mike and Jacob at a movie theater, watching a horror film. But, in the grand tradition of such films as "The Player," "Bowfinger" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo," director Weitz is inserting his own mini "movie within a movie" into the mix.

"The film is called 'Face Punch,' " revealed Welch, telling us about the tongue-in-cheek movie that Bella, Mike and Taylor will be seen watching on the big screen. "It's an action film."

When the cast of "New Moon" began planning out the pivotal date scene, they got a laugh out of some of the silly, fictional action-movie names that Weitz and his crew had assembled. But in the end, "Face Punch" was the winner.

"We started out with a few other comical names, but it turned out those were actual films so we couldn't use those titles," Welch laughed. "I forget the first few titles, but it was like 'Crazy Explosion' — and it turns out, there actually was a 'Crazy Explosion.' "

"Chris came up with the title," he continued. "And apparently there is no 'Face Punch' that we know of."

And although Welch and the other "New Moon" stars weren't able to watch "Face Punch" while they shot their scenes inside the movie theater (they were repeatedly shown the trailer for "Defiance" while Weitz's camera caught the flicker on their faces), he hopes that the filmmaker will shoot some silly action footage for his "Face Punch" mini-movie.

"That'd be interesting — maybe for the DVD, if there's a 'Face Punch' trailer," he grinned. "That's actually not a bad idea."

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Robert Pattinson Latest pics on Remember Me set

Just Jared Jr. and Radar online had some latest photos of Robert Pattinson on the set of his new movie project Remember Me in New York. Emilie de Ravin and Pierce Brosnan also star.

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning pics on the set of "The Runaways"

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning were back on the set of "The Runaways" in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 28). Both ladies were decked out in full costume, Kristen Stewart sporting a red, white and blue soccer star tee while Dakota Fanning pictured as blonde bombshell.

Stewart plays the lead character of Joan Jett and Fanning takes on the role of Cherie Currie.

Ashley Greene and Christian Serratos photos at Vision Awards

Just Jared jr. and Gossip Center had pictures of Ashley Greene and Christian Serratos at 2009 Vision Awards Night in Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Ashley Greene keeps it classic in a textured LBD as she arrives at the 2009 Vision Awards.Clad in a little black Dolce & Gabbana dress, the Alice Cullen cutie joined Billy Burke and Christian Serratos in accepting the Film of Vision award for "Twilight".

While on the red carpet, Miss Greene was still sporting a ring on her wedding finger, but quickly told Radar Online that it was Jasper's ring, saying, "I had it filming Twilight and I just kept it on."

View more pictures Here and Here.



Christian Serratos shines in a violet jumper as she arrives at the 2009 Vision Awards held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on Saturday evening (June 27).

The 18-year-old actress, in black Christian Louboutin peep toe heels, joined costars Ashley Greene and Billy Burke to accept the Film of Vision award for their flick, Twilight.

View more pictures Here.

Twilight Stars Ashley Greene, Christian Serratos and Billy Burke at the 36th Vision Awards

RadarOnline.com had an EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS with Twilight Stars Ashley Greene, Christian Serratos and Billy Burke On Red Carpet of 36th Vision Awards.

Twilight was honored at the 36th Vision Awards in Beverly Hills Saturday night and RadarOnline.com reporter Alexis Tereszcuk had the chance to catch up with some of the gorgeous stars from the movie. Ashley Greene, Billy Burke and Christian Serratos all walked the red carpet while Taylor Lautner kept a low profile and presented an award at the dinner.

Looking beautiful in Dolce & Gabanna, Ashley Greene was sporting a ring on her wedding finger, but despite rumors of her recent romances, the beauty told us that it was Jasper's ring "I had it filming Twilight and I just kept it on." When RadarOnline.com asked her how life had changed Bella's best friend replied "How hasn't it changed?" Ashley also told us about some of the perks she gets now - Juicy Couture is sending her stuff for her little puppy Marlow "They're spoiling my dog!"

Christian told RadarOnline.com that Rob and Kristen "Have been really chill," about all the attention they're getting and warned that guys out there need to "Take it up a notch dude, be more like Edward!" Check out our video to see Ashley and Christian, and learn what Billy Burke's daugther is doing in her crib!

Watch the interview Here.

Are you a 'True Blood' or 'Twilight' fan?

The mtv.com has an article 'True Blood' Vs. 'Twilight': Fans Weigh In On The Vamp-Off (As 'True Blood' star Stephen Moyer slams Edward Cullen, we take the question to the streets.) comparing the two vampire shows.


For the most part the stars of the HBO show have been reluctant to say outright whether they favor their vamps over the Cullens. But leave it to Stephen Moyer, who plays vampire Bill Compton, to turn a little healthy rivalry into a downright feud by saying some pretty nasty stuff about Edward Cullen to Marie Claire magazine in this month's issue. "He's a pu---!" he said. "He's the Slim-Fast, Diet Coke of vampires."

Of course, Moyer's probably a little biased, so MTV News decided to get "True Blood" and "Twilight" fans to weigh in on the ever escalating vamp-off. And it seems that a lot of viewers are siding with the undead based on Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels over the ones adapted from Stephenie Meyer's books.

"[I pick] 'True Blood' because it's so much better," one fan told us on the New York streets. " 'Twilight' is the cheesy version of 'True Blood.' [The vampires] are scary and bad, but you still love them."

Another fan, Sarah, added that "True Blood" is better because it's "a little bit more mature." Her friend, Marie, hasn't seen "True Blood," but having read both Harris' and Meyer's novels, she prefers "Twilight." " 'Twilight' the movie is awesome," Marie added.

Over at MTV News' new blog Hollywood Crush, readers have been sharing strong opinions about this vampire battle. " 'Twilight' is based off a horribly written novel tailored to 12-year-old girls, and the movie is twice as bad as the book," wdk123 wrote. " 'True Blood' is freaking awesome. It is a show with layers, which 'Twilight' is desperately lacking. The first five minutes of the show last night were more entertaining than four bad novels."

Cococriiisp added, " 'True Blood'! 'Twilight' is for teeny-bopping babies who only care about hot guys."

But, Twilighters were also definitely representing in the issue. Tashasovie wrote, " 'Twilight' def!!! 'Twilight' is about a totally different kind of vampire compared to the old-school 'True Blood' [vampires]!"

SpiderMonkey added, " 'Twilight' is the BEST and [the vampires] are so HOT with awesome abilities. They would smoke the 'True Blood' wanabes!"

Maybe rather than compare "Twilight" to "True Blood," we should really be asking about the leading men, Bill vs. Edward. Back out on the street, Sarah opted for Bill. "He seems older and mature," she told us. Meanwhile her buddy, Marie, explained why she'd go for Edward: "The hair!" she said. "Vampire Bill in the book isn't that cool."

But perhaps we leave this debate it in the hands of one fan who uses the most obvious reasoning for liking all of the vampires, "Who cares who wins?" Hayleybop33 wrote. "They're both hot."

And just wait, vampire lovers, with the CW's "Vampire Diaries" series on the way, bloodsucking loyalties are bound to be stretched even further.

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Interview with Michael Welch on the Set of New Moon

Mike Welch sat down with Interview Magazine and shared about his latest movie project, on the set of New Moon, Twilight saga's third installment, Eclipse and experience with the paparazzi.

LUCY MADISON: How's it going? Where are you? Are you guys done filming New Moon?

MICHAEL WELCH: I'm great! Right now I am in Silverlake, California. I'm outside and it's a beautiful day. New Moon is, is all wrapped up, and we're going to be doing Eclipse in August or September, I think, so we're knocking them out pretty fast.

LM: What are you doing in the meantime?

MW: I'm actually leaving Los Angeles in two days to go to Lexington, Kentucky to work on a film called Unrequited. It's a very intense little independent project, sort of a modern-day teen version of Misery. R-rated, though, so not for all of the Twilight fandom.

LM: Speaking of which... When you went into Twilight, did you have any idea what a huge success it would become?

MW: No, none of us had any clue that it would turn into—well, what it has. I originally went in auditioning for Edward, because that's sort of how it works: Your representatives always send you out for the lead first, and then you work backwards from there. So then I auditioned for Eric, and then finally with Mike. I went in probably four or five times, but the last time we all read together it just clicked. It just felt right.

LM: Had you read the books before you went in there?

MW: No, I hadn't. Frankly, I had never heard of the series—but I certainly did afterwards! I'm reading one book one at a time.

LM: But don't you want to know what happens?

MW: I don't like to get too ahead of the story. So far I've only read the first two. Although we're going to be shooting the third one pretty soon, so I need to get on that.

LM: But the third one is where the story starts to get really crazy.

MW: Right! Apparently there's a vampire war, and the director that they're getting for this one, David Slade, he did Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night, which are pretty dark movies. They're going dark, which I think is smart. Maybe trying to appeal to the boys a little more—‘cause they seem to have the young girl demographic locked down. [LAUGHS]

LM: Tell me about the new movie. I haven't read the second book, but I assume there will be equally swoon-worthy material in this one?

MW: The girls are going to melt for this second film. Edward recites Shakespeare; and obviously Jacob has totally transformed himself. He's been working out like crazy. People are going to go nuts.

LM: Was it very different filming the second film, in comparison to that first one, when none of you had any idea how big Twilight would become?

MW: A lot had changed. By the time the second film rolled around, we all pretty much knew what we were getting ourselves into. There was a lot more money to put in to the film, and a lot more prep time, and, you know, there were a lot more fans. In Vancouver, where we shot the film, we tried really hard to keep it a secret where our locations were, but, you just couldn't—all it took was one person to see, you know, Taylor or Kristen on the street and then that person would text message one of her friends and then, you know, ten minutes later there would be hundreds of people on set. It was crazy.

LM: What about the paparazzi? Did you guys have to deal with that a lot?

MW: [LAUGHS] It's funny you ask; we did, actually. It was my first experience with the paparazzi. They even got us when we were coming off the plane. I learned that they can just take a situation and put it into any context. There was one point when Taylor was talking to some people and the paparazzi took a picture and then I saw it online with a caption underneath that was like, "Taylor Lautner takes the time to talk to his fans, while Michael Welch is a jerk and just sits in his trailer ..." It was just so weird. It's a fascinating process to be a part of something this big, and this popular, ‘cause it's sort of a double-edged sword. But I mean, I certainly have nothing to complain about; I'm very grateful to be involved.

LM: What's happening with your character this time around?

MW: Well, you know, Mike Newton doesn't go through too much of a journey, I'll be honest. He sort of has his role to play in Bella's life. In the movie it's pretty much all about Bella, and how he relates with her, and him just being hopelessly in love—the character that is just really empathetic, and a little bit tragic in a lot of ways.

LM: There's so many of you guys. Are you all good friends? Do you spend a lot of time together off-set as well?

MW: Yeah, absolutely. We try and hang out, get dinner, you know, see movies or whatever. I love my little group of high school kids, I think they're just so fantastic and talented and great. You know, in most films you get to know people, you become really close, and then, after a month or so, chances are you will probably never see each other again. So I'm happy that I get to work with this particular group over the course of four films. This has been a journey for all of us; we've all been on this train together.

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Peter Facinelli Autograph Session

Bruno Reveals His Man Crush

“Sexy Stars of Twilight” Special-Edition Book Out Now

Getting sick of scavenging across the Internet to get your daily dose of Rob, Kristen and Taylor? Us Weekly is helping to make satiating your “Twilight” addiction easier by releasing “Sexy Stars of Twilight,” a 72-page homage to the vampire, his love and their pals.

The book, available today for $9.99 on newsstands and for order on Barnes & Noble, features posters, photos, cast interviews and “New Moon” secrets.

The seven pull-out posters included will feature four posters of heartthrob Robert Pattinson, one of Taylor Lautner, one of Rob and Kristen Stewart and one of the cast.

Most of the photos and cast interviews with Rob, Kristen, Taylor and Stephenie Meyer have been run in Us Weekly, but not all, says a source from the magazine. So fans looking for new material will be pleased with “Sexy Stars.” The 140 photos included in the book were compiled from a variety of sources, and the cast interviews are a collection from Us, which go all the way back to the beginning of “Twilight” fanaticism.

The book also includes photos from the “New Moon” set (including ones of Bella and Edward’s reunion kiss!), which we, for one, can’t get enough of.

That still hasn’t gotten you hooked? The book contains an essay on the Bella and Edward love story, pictures of Kristen Stewart chronicling her ascent into Hollywood, a look at the stars new to “New Moon” (ahem Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen), some photos of the Quileute wolf pack and a peak at the stars when they’re living their lives off-set.

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Adam Lambert talks New Moon

E! Online had an exclusive interview with American Idol Adam Lambert to ask about rumors on New Moon, if he's going to contribute a song to the next movie in the Twilight franchise, New Moon, Glee Rumors, Bowie Medley and New CD.

The rumor mill is relentless when it comes to American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.

First, there was the whole gay thing. Mystery solved: He's gay. Shocker! And before you say "no duh" to that, we are happy to report that even Adam himself felt like the story was a huge "no duh" event. Agreeing with us how obvious his sexual preference has been all year, Adam tells us with a laugh, "I know. Hello! Cher?! Hollywood Week. Bingo!"

We caught up with Glambert yesterday at rehearsals for the American Idols Live Tour 2009 in Burbank, Calif., and that's not all he dished on...

Rumor of the week: Adam will appear on Fox's new musical show Glee. "That's the first I'm hearing of it," he tells us. "I love rumors. They're really good these days, and they're getting better."

Next rumor to address is that that he's going to contribute a song to the next movie in the Twilight franchise, New Moon. "That's just another rumor. That would be really cool. I should [do it]." Hmmm. Hello New Moon music supervisor, are you reading this?

One tidbit that has proved true is that the theatrical rocker is performing a David Bowie medley on the upcoming Idol tour, which kicks off July 5 in Portland, Ore. "The show's set list is in order of elimination. So I'm the second to last person in lineup, and we each have our own set. I'm closing with a Bowie medley that goes from 'Life on Mars" into 'Fame' into 'Let's Dance.' It's doing major justice to the original Bowie intention behind them, but we're adding synthy, dancey electronic elements to it. I'm wearing a custom-made blue metallic silver bomber jacket with tails and spikes and studs by Skin Graft. They've hooked me up with some really sick fashion."

As for Adam's new CD on 19 Recordings/RCA, he's working not only with Red One (Lady Gaga, Akon) but also with Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera, Pink, Gwen Stefani), Greg Wells (Mika, Katy Perry, OneRepublic) and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder (Beyoncé's "Halo," Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love").

"They are all so amazing. We don't have any song titles yet," says Adam. "It's still in development, but it's sick, sick, sick, sick stuff. It'll be under my name, but I want a band present for the live thing. I don't want to hide them in the back like some pop stars do."

As for his recent shout-out to Lady Gaga, he says he is indeed inspired by her. "But she does her thing and she's genius. I'm a huge fan," he explains. "I'm not trying to be a male version of her; we have our own sounds. But I love her theatrical ability. She's fearless and over-the-top and inspiring for sure."

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