By Caro Fink, 20, reporting from New York City, interviews the CW's new action actress
Who out there hasn't secretly admired the bad-girl archetype? That strong, confident character who's not afraid to say exactly what she means and and doesn't care what society or anyone else thinks of her. She's the woman we all want to be. Just maybe with less confrontation.
Well, add a heart of gold to all that coolness, and you get Jaden, the character Tiffany Hines, 27, plays in the excellent new CW show Nikita. Jaden is the resident bad girl of the secret school for deadly-criminals-turned-government-soldiers. She longs for action, picks fights, hassles new recruits -- and yet still manages to pull at your heartstrings. She's secretly lonely and maybe even in love. Who can't relate to that?
Hines manages to pull off this complex character while still keeping track of all the action going on around her…
Caro Fink: First and foremost, how is life on the set of Nikita?
Tiffany Hines: It is a blast! Working on an action show is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Every day I have so much fun and I learn so much. It's always a good feeling when you can wake up at 5 AM and say to yourself, "Wow I can't wait to go to work today."
CF: How is working with the rest of the cast -- Lyndsy Fonseca, Maggie Q, cutie Shane West?
TH: I really love it. You can learn so much from veterans like Maggie Q and Shane West. Also, I have most of my scenes with Lyndsy Fonseca, and although our characters can't stand each other on screen, in real life, we get along super well. I remember at one point I had to walk away from her because we were clicking so well, and I had to shoot this scene where I hated her. I was like, "Look, can we talk after this scene, because I don't know how I'm going to hate you in 10 minutes if you keep being awesome."
CF: Your character was an instant favorite of mine, with her wit and bad-ass attitude. How much fun is it to be Jaden?
TH: Jaden has so much attitude and confidence, but underneath it all, she has a vulnerability that she is constantly trying to cover up. I find her so interesting, and I love who she is.
CF: What do you do to unwind?
TH: This is my first time in Toronto, so I love exploring all the museums and restaurants. The city has so much character! So far my favorite things about Toronto are Ketchup Chips, poutine, The Shoe Museum, and an amazing restaurant called Marben. Also, I love playing video games, and I read a lot of fiction, nonfiction and comic books. Yes, I am a huge geek! Let's see, other than that, I love to cook. I find it extremely relaxing and therapeutic to create art in a kitchen.
CF: I know you're a singer, too. Are you still doing that with all your acting? And what's your favorite kind of music?
TH: Yeah, singing and music are such a large part of who I am, and when the time comes for me to focus on my singing again, I will be ready. For now though, I listen to everything in music. And when I say everything I mean everything! People would probably be confused if they saw my iPod. I have everything from Mozart and Handel to Bruno Mars to 500 Miles to Memphis to the Black Eyed Peas to Atmosphere. Honestly, my favorite genre changes just as quickly and as often as my mood. Which is a LOT!