IAm Emmy Rossum, actress in Shameless and Beautiful Creatures and artist of newly released album Sentimental Journey

How do you feel about Dante Basco having a crush on you? (he's having an AMA right now too)

i'm embarrassed this came up during your ama... it came up in conversation in my ama... ummm... i'm a fan of your work, i think you're an amazing actress and singer. Steve Howey is a buddy of mine, I love Shameless... I'm rambling on... I hope we get to work together someday... -Dante

Hi there! I love Steve. He's one of the funniest dudes I know. Would be fun to meet someday! xo Emmy

Anyone else imagining this being said how Zuko sounded in the episode where he goes on a date?

You guys! Go easy on the guy!

THANK YOU guys so much for coming on and asking great questions. It's really fun to be able to connect with all of you directly. We are all outta time for today. Hope we can do it again. Lots of love always. xoxo Emmy

Hi Emmy! Huge Fan! A few days ago you had a contest on twitter to win a copy of your new album. You retweeted me and are now sending me a free copy!!! I just wanted to say that’s one of the nicest coolest things anyone’s ever done for me, not to mention that’s it’s coming from someone so talented and successful!!! Thank you so much for being so humble and generous!!! I wish you all the best!

thanks! i appreciate it! xo

Love you in shameless Emmy, keep up the great work.

Is William H Macy a method actor? If so, his liver must be wrecked!

nope. he doesn't drink on set. he's just a really good faker. :)

Hi Emmy =] Probably something you've answered many times before, but when doing Phantom did you feel a lot of pressure to emulate Sarah Brightman or was the onus on making the role of Christine your own?

Thank you =]

Are you kidding? I was a WRECK. I was completely panicked after getting the job. I was so nervous I'd mess it up for the fans and never be able to compare to SB. That said, I think I made it my own and I'm really proud of it :)

Hello, first off Shamless is awesome. Now to the important part. My family friend claims to have babysat you in NYC. I have been told a story since shameless has become popular about me meeting you. I'm 23 now so at the time of this story you were slightly older than me. Mary Phillips is her name and she is much older now and I rarely see her. Anyway I was in a car with you and I was a toddler and I was just crying uncontrollably. You said "Is that baby ever going to shut up?" So, FYI I did stop crying. Also if this is at all accurate I think I deserve an apology.

Mary Phillips Green was my nanny for many many years :) she used to play judy garland for me..

Hi Emmy! This one is from my girlfriend (both huge fans):

How do I get your abs?

physique 57 abs tape. I do it when I'm traveling.

Who is the funniest person off screen on Shameless?

Steve Howey. Hands down. He's always breaking into some kind of funny accent and making me laugh during a take!

Hi Emmy!!

I fell in love with you when I first saw you in “The Day After Tomorrow”.

And then finally I got to see a lot more of you on Shameless where you absolutely kill it in every episode!

Thank you for being so awesome. :)

So here’s an easy question.. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

coffee or pistachio! i also love coconut gelato. I'm a sucker for ice cream. It's my weakness.

Have there been any episodes of Shameless that have hit home and affected you personally? As a fan of the show, there have been some extremely emotional parts that have caught my feelings off guard.

My gramma died the week we were shooting the episode where Fiona's gramma died. So that was hard. I found myself not wanting to get emotional on set because that feeling was so close to home and I wanted to save it for my personal life.

What has been the best advice you’ve been given on pursuing your career? Who gave it to you?

I grew up in nyc in an apt with my mom. Our neighbor across the hall was a famous film editor. He told me when I was very young that it's not always the most talented people who make it but the ones who can keep standing up after taking all the punches (i.e., rejection, etc). So I guess I just keep standing up after the knock downs and keep pursuing the dream :)

Does Justin Chatwin still eat horrible, disgusting smelling foods before your make out scenes?

Not anymore. Now I play pranks on him.

Would you date a commoner?

hahaha are you serious? am I not a "commoner"? umm yes. I have and I would.

As a huge fan of the original Shameless, and being very skeptical of American re-makes I was really surprised with how much I loved Shameless USA. It is a really really great show in it's own right.

You're character in Shameless seems to have to the least sort of, comic relief, of the cast and some pretty heavy story lines, so does it get tough playing emotionally taxing scenes often? Did you watch much of the original series before starting? Ah sure one more, what kind of music have you been listening to lately?

Yes, I do get the heavier story lines.. but I think the writers have started to write to our strengths so that's okay with me. It's sometimes rough to "go there" emotionally but I love my job and I LOVE Fiona so she deserves all my attention and focus. It's worth it.

Music... I love passion pit, m83, alt-j, and I love love love oldies. Andrews Sisters, Boswell Sisters.... etc

Big fan of yours here. So, how do you feel having such a big lesbian following? Seriously, you're on all of our "i wish she was gay" lists. Thoughts?

I'm so flattered!!! :)

Hey Emmy, I was just wondering if doing the show has given you any new perspectives on what living in poverty is like. I also wanted to say that you are flawless and my favourite actress :)

yes bc of the neighborhood we shoot in. it's very eye opening. at the same time we shoot in these houses and pay to rent the spaces so the families benefit from us being there which is great

What are some uncommon things you find attractive about men and women?

Men: hairy nose, bad breath Women: too tight clothes, gum smacking

Wait, you find men with hairy noses and bad breath to be ATTRACTIVE? :D

Someone just got excited....

I was kidding obviously.

Uncommon things that are attractive in women: a gap between the teeth... a unique fashion sense.... In MEN... a unique nose... or accents...

What's the most Shameless thing that has happened on set?

this year we pranked justin chatwin. we had wb release a script with a scene where he comes out of the closet. Justin was freaking out because he "didn't know his character was secretly gay the whole time"... it was really funny.. it was retaliation for another prank he pulled.. it was hysterical!

1. List the top 3 songs played on your ipod in the last month.

2. Describe a #sentimentaljourney from the filming of The Day After Tomorrow

3. Describe your preparation for the role of Bulma in Dragonball: Evolution

4. Justin Chatwick or Jake Gyllenhaal

5. What was the most shameless thing you did while filming Beautiful Creatures?

1. diamond rihanna. breezeblocks alt j. sh-boom crew cuts.
2. my trailer blew up when one of the teamsters filled up the gas incorrectly. Thank gosh I wasn't in it at the time. The fire dept came. The trailer burned to the ground.
3. I tried to read the comic and have fun with it. Not take it too seriously.
4. Can I have both?
5. Had a dress up competition with Emma Thompson.

When will Fiona start singing on SHAMELESS? Did you audition for Les Miserables? How much do you want to murder Anne Hathaway now? (Love your work.)

hahahah Don't be silly! There are enough great characters to go around. I didn't audition because it was shooting during a season of Shameless so I wouldn't have been able to do it. I am most happy that it's having success because it could lead to the movie musical really having a comeback! and that would make this music geek really happy!!!

I love Shameless and find it both hilarious and enthralling. I'm particularly struck by how the show addresses such a delicate subject as poverty in a humorous way without mocking. The characters are portrayed as having this heroic resilience and black sense of humor at the shitty situations in which they find themselves. Is there as much thought put into this as there seems to be or am I just reading too much into things?

There is. We try not to play the emotional depression element of being in an economic depression. We try to play the humor and the resiliency of the family.

Beautiful Creatures comes out next week, besides seeing you why else should I see it?

Because it's awesome.

:)

Also I loved the books and it's SO MUCH BETTER than any other young adult adaption that has been done so far. It's kick ass. It's funny. It's romantic.

YAY!! I've been looking forward to this!!

Since we are in the middle of award season I was wondering what you could tell us about it.

• What's it like from the perspective of the "red carpet"?
• what are the after parties like?
• Any interesting stories that you would care to share with us?

Red carpets are usually stressful. It's fun to get dressed up but I usually pick my own dresses and design hair and makeup so it's some degree of pressure. Especially with the internet you know someone online is going to blow up the picture so that your face is giant and they can see every little thing! that said, the parties are usually fun and it's nice to see friend and congratulate people who really deserve it for their work. I usually bring band aids and m+ms in my purse, for uncomfortable shoes and to keep my sugar levels up! :)

I am a Marine currently deployed overseas. Want to come to my unit's ball this November?

Edit: Don't want this to be an awkward sticking point, so how about an alternate question: We all know you can sing, so what is your favorite thing to sing in the car?

Sometimes I vocalize in the car. It's a good way to multitask. Although fellow drivers on the road think I'm craaaazy.

Don't listen to the trolls :) Nothing ever hurts to ask.

Agreed. I'm flattered.

what makes you feel sexy?

vanilla perfume and/or the smell of the ocean

You are in room filled with one type of food!! you must eat your way out!!! what food would you choose???

Birthday Cake.

Hi Emmy, I thought you were amazing in Phantom of the Opera in particular but also in all the films you have been in. I hope to see you in more soon!

My question is do you think that Hollywood offers enough variety and quality in roles for actresses compared to their male counterparts?

I think most writers are men and they write for men and sometimes women are just the foils. I try to bring as much as I can to the table for a female character and really flesh it out. That said, I think cable TV offers amazing characters for female actresses... which is one of the reasons I feel so lucky to be on Shameless, where I have amazing writers like John Wells writing specifically for me. It's a dream, really.

How do you like your steak?

rare with sautéed spinach and crispy french fries!!!!!!

Best cafe in NYC? Best cafe in LA? Go!

Cafe Gitane. Mels Diner. Or Swingers Diner

What do you do to relax? What kinds of dancing do you like? Besides Ballet!

Stupid dancing around my room to silly pop songs!

bubble bath. reading a mystery novel.

[deleted]

devil in the white city. so scary.

My sister is obsessed with Shameless, and when she moved out she stopped going on Reddit, so she didn't know you were doing an AMA. I just showed it to her, and she almost cried from excitement. I think the thing she'd want to say to you is that you're awesome for doing what you do, and for being her favorite actress. I just wanted to let you know.

thnx xoxo

Hi Emmy, What major characteristics do you share with Fiona? How have you not been nominated for an "EMMY" for Shameless? Who was your celebrity crush growing up? And finally, would you ever take on a Super Hero role? If so, any favorites?

I dig the unexpected super heroines. Like... Neil Gaiman stuff... Black Orchid...

do you stay humble despite the fame? and is lip single offset? i'd totally date him.

i do. my family often reminds me that I'm not really that cool. and my mom still tells me to make my bed when she visits LA.

As a fellow curly haired female, what are your favorite hair products you use in your personal life to combat your locks? :)

joico smooth cure, organix keratin shampoo and conditioner

Huge fan of Shameless. I'm curious: If a real-life boyfriend pulled the same kind of stuff Steve/Jimmy has pulled through two seasons and change, would you have stayed with him or left by now?

I'd be G.O.N.E.

Who are you closest to on the set of Shameless??? Who is your worst enemy???

Don't have any enemies! I am closest to Shanola

Do you like tea? If so which kind and also if so I love you so much and Shameless is awesome.

Thank you.

Yes. I quit drinking coffee about 6 months ago. So I like English Breakfast. PG Tips when I'm in London. I take honey in my tea, no lemon or milk or sugar.

Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

Beatles

Where has been you favorite location to work? If you could be on shoot anywhere, where would you want to go?

North Carolina... If I could go anywhere it would be THE MOON. or Antarctica.

What is the weirdest fan-mail you have ever received?

A laminated picture of me as a mythological fairy with wings...

Here's a wierd question. Do you have craft services put out anything special to fit your gluten free diet when on set?

mary's gone crackers. lots of fruit. peanut butter. almond butter. and gf cookies on fridays!

Who did you bond closest with on the set of beautiful creatures?

Emma Thompson

Hi Emmy, I was just wondering if you knew how to solve a Rubik's cube? I can only do one side.

Oh, and I'd like to take you on a date. What do you say?

I have no luck at that stuff. I get really frustrated!!!!

Favorite color? Also briefly describe your dream wedding :) Love you & all of your talents. Hope to meet you one day! <3

Dream wedding? Hmm. I've only been designing it since I was 4.... big band, all my friends, fancy but comfortable, maybe outdoors, twinkle lights, the usually girly stuff I think... and I just heard about a cool tradition where the rings are passed around to each and every guest at the wedding so they are "blessed" by all the guests before they are put on by the couple.. pretty cute... kinda cheesy but cute... anyway, I think I'm a long way from that day so I'll just keep dreaming... :)

Hey Emmy, do you think Fiona was born a badass or had to become one to take care of her and her family? Do you see yourself in Fiona at all?

There are bits of me and my mom in Fiona. But she's also her own character and they write her so well. My mom was a single mom so she raised me by herself. Her tenacity, encouragement and love definitely inspires my portrayal of Fiona.

I love how your wardrobe has progressed on Shameless! Do you get to pick out your own clothes or does someone dress you for each episode? Also, how well have you gotten to know/get along with the rest of the Shameless cast and are any of them similar to the characters they play?

we collaborate... i look at a lot of interest pages and we shop online for fiona... a lot of stuff from free people, vintage stores, etc

Hello Emmy, love your work. Are you a beer girl? If so whats your poison?

Redbridge GF beer

Mango or Kiwi Emmy?

Mango

Emmy, 1: your awesome, 2: if you could have any superpower, What would it be and Why?

invisibility. or teleporting like looper.

I love the show! You do a much better job than the English actress! I can't get through the European version! You're beautiful and very talented.

I feel like the show displays a lot of struggles of the addicts family. Do you use any personal sources to pull the happiness, frustrations, and other emotions? In other words, what do you use to pull those realistic emotions?

Thanks for doing this AMA!

it's different all the time. some days it comes easily without having to pull from too deep. other days it just seems to be harder. i use everything from personal life stuff (replaying old voicemails from exes that might make me sad) to using my imagination (researching difficult things and then imagining I was there)... if I have to laugh, sometimes I'll imagine a tiny circus elephant sitting on the other actors head and it always makes me giggle. :)

• When did you start acting professionally?
• First role?
• When is it too late too start?

PS: You're beautiful and I have a bit of a crush on you. :)

Never. Read about Katheryn Joosten.

Does your Yorkie travel with you wherever you go for work?

only sometimes. he likes to be home with the cat, too :)

So I am gonna say what the hell and just give this a try. Would you be willing to read a script my friends and I wrote and give me your feedback? It's kinda like The Goonies and Monster Squad but for an older generation.

You can always send scripts to my agent at ICM