Photo by Lisa Franchot

You know this seasoned actress from Jericho and National Treasure 2….

How are you preparing your other two daughters for the birth?
This pregnancy was a huge surprise to us. Really, out of left field. I cannot really say that anything is new or different, except finally, my maybe having the understanding that what I am in control of in my life is limited to making a bowl of cereal. I pretty much know the turnout on that.  It is actually quite a relief in a way; to accept and embrace what very simply is. We are delighted to be having another girl. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen to me. My eldest daughter Mila put it best…when we initially told her she would have another baby sister she was thoughtful for a bit and said “You know Mommy, sometimes God gives us something we are not prepared for.” Truer words were never spoken. Once we all got over the shock, the awe set in; Esmé, our 13 month old daughter, points to my belly, then hers and says “baby.” Mila is planning their rooms and who’s going to sleep where and we all can’t wait to meet this little girl. My advice to any older child welcoming a sibling is to love that baby… he or she might one day be your best friend.

Do you have any funny stories from sets you have worked on?
One of my most treasured memories is on the set of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. We were shooting on Mt. Rushmore where the weather can change on a dime. I had on a few layers and it was getting warmer. With no where to change, Helen Mirren helped me take off my undershirt under my wardrobe shirt without anyone noticing ala Jennifer Beals in “Falshdance” taking off her bra! I thought, Holy Crap! Helen Mirren! It doesn’t get any better than that.

What is the funniest thing anyone has said to you while pregnant?
“What? No TV?”

I don’t really have any weird unhealthy cravings. Not that I  ate anything crazy in my other 2 pregnancies, but this time, I find myself eating more healthy foods, rather than the BLT’s I ate with Mila and the candy I ate with Esmé. The one weird thing is that unpregnant, I do not care for beer. Pregnant? Cannot get enough of it. Non-Alcoholic of course. I’m like a frat boy looking for a party!  I drink the O’Douls…LOVE IT!

What would be your dream role and person you would most like to work with?
My dream role is always the role that I wish I had gotten after I have walked out of a theater or watched TV and am almost wearing the skin of the character I have fallen in love with on screen.   I enjoy actors, so I am always excited to work with anyone. Name someone… I’ll love it.

Do you think Hollywood has changed in their attitude toward pregnant women in Hollywood, what has been your experience with this?
I don’t know what the attitude used to be, so I cannot say. What I can say is that I have felt very supported. Very encouraged. In society in general, not just limited to Hollywood, I  find that there is an almost idealization for pregnant women. Pregnancy and babyhood is big business. It’s very popular which is a good thing because I don’t think they’ve yet discovered another way to make people!  Basicially, I find that everyone loves a pregnant woman. I really think pregnant women make people happy. It’s life, it’s a gift and that’s beautiful.

Read the full interview in the March issue of Pregnancy Magazine.

Photo by Lisa Franchot

Stars of Bravo’s hit show Millionaire Matchmaker Destin and Rachel have been getting a lot of backlash recently about the name they chose for their son; Sin Halo.

I spoke with both of them this week to discuss.
Destin said, “we have gotten a lot of hate mail, blogs are bashing us, saying ‘our parental license should be taken away, and that we weren’t thinking of him, the blogs are intolerant and mean, it’s hurtful to hear that.  He’s a beautiful little baby with a very unique name and very unique parents.”

Rachel explained,   “I think it is a beautiful name…   Whether they want to admit it or not, everyone has good and bad in them, he’s a little Sin Halo… And when we look at him we can’t imagine him being called anything else.  If he wants to change his name when he gets older or go by his middle name Jude, we will support that.”

When asked how their parents feel about the name, Destin’s mom liked it, but Rachel conceded “ My parents absolutely hate it, they despise it, they call him by his middle name, Jude, but since all of the backlash on line they are standing up for us and like it or not, our right to choose our child’s name.” she adds,   “It’s just a name, I don’t like my name Rachel, but I’m stuck with it.”

Millionaire Matchmaker debuted to excellent rating and has climbed since, “The show is  a big hit for Bravo, everywhere we go the recognition is completely there. It’s fun to see people react to me and Rachel,  people are so into it, the show is ‘treadmill TV’, its what they watch when they work out.    Rachel says “It’s funny to watch the show on TV, after a week of taping you never know how it is going to be put together after editing, for me it’s exciting to see what actually happens on the dates…. When asked if it is weird to watch herself on TV, Rachel said, “I love it.  It’s fun for me, I am probably the only woman on the show that isn’t critical when they watch themselves, I am not saying I don’t have my insecurities but I just don’t care as much.”

In addition to the show Destin is producing an independent film, Sushi Girl in March which he co-wrote.  Film making is a passion of his and Rachel’s and the reason they original came to Los Angeles, so to get to do it is beyond exciting for them.  “It’s tougher now as a dad, most of my writing is done at night when the little guy goes to bed”. Destin says, “ We have our big toe dipped into some pretty cool stuff right now”

When asked how the baby has changed their relationship, Rachel exclaimed, “We never knew we could love someone as much each other- we never knew we had it in us to really love this baby like we do, it is impossible to describe how much love is there btw the 3 of us.”  Destin said,  “We love each other very much, going through the whole pregnancy was very new for both of us. The minute we saw him the world as we know it has changed forever…  Its been hard at certain times, as new parents, we get stressed, but its only because we care so much, I look at Rachel as the mother of my child, I know I am going to die being in love with her… She is the most spectacular woman and mother in the world.”

Millionaire Matchmaker Tuesdays at 10 p.m Bravo
What do you think of the name Sin Halo?  What are some of the most unique baby names you have heard?