Great looks and charm aren’t all Ben Hollingsworth has up his sleeve. He is Hollywood’s hottest and most talented up and comer and best of all…he’s Canadian!

VG: So lets start with a little background. How did you go from a kid in Brockville/Peterborough, Ontario, to acting alongside Demi Moore and Mischa Barton, just to name a few.
BH: It was a long process. I did theatre in high school and I was in over 4 shows a year, it was the only thing I could imagine myself doing and I decided I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. I applied to different schools, got accepted to all of them, and went to The National Theatre School in Montreal. They receive over 1000 applicants and only take 12. After I moved to Toronto and was a guest star on shows like Degrassi and Heartland. Then I came to the states in 2008 for a week and met with a bunch of managers and signed to Magnolia Entertainment (same as Rachel McAdams). They found me The Jonses and the director liked my tape.

VG: I watched The Joneses last night and I have to say I was blown away. What message do you think the film is trying to send the viewers?
BH: The film is definitely about what’s important in life, not just what you have but who you have. It does have a heavy side to it that’s a caution to people to not become to materialistic and don’t use material items to fulfill their happiness. It doesn’t matter what you have, we are all just trying to find happiness.

VG: What makes you happy?
BH: Lots of things: the ocean, family, new love…

VG: Do you have new love?
BH: Haha, yeah my little dog Stella. She’s a Beagle German Sheppard mix, I rescued her from Animal Haven in New York. She’s the love of my life. She’s quite the versed traveler; she’s been all over the country.

VG: Are you used to living the highlife like your character Mick in The Jonses does?
BH: I’m not used to it. I grew up with a family that had everything we needed but not to the level that Mick does with the Audi R8 in my driveway or a massive mansion house. I find that as an actor in Hollywood you would be surprised about how much people give you for free. It’s insane the amount of stuff that people will give away for self-marketing.

VG: Do you face challenges with self-esteem or pressures with body image constantly being in the spotlight?
BH: Not with body image because that’s one thing I’m comfortable with, but that’s because you have to accept who you are. Everyone has different shapes and sizes and weaknesses but that’s what makes us human. A lot of people want you to act like a Barbie doll or an action figure but everyone has bad hair days whether your Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Stay real to who you are the most important opinion is yours.

VG: Do you have any embarrassing stories while being on set?
BH: I have a lot of embarrassing stories. One of the most embarrassing was when I was doing a promotional photo shoot for The Beautiful Life and we all had to pose naked. I was notified the day of while I was downing my second plate of kraft food and was told I should probably skip dessert. It’s awkward having people rub lotion all over my body and then posing in front of strangers. It definitely took some bravery.

VG: What do you find attractive in a woman?
BH: I love independent girls who don’t rely on others, people who are smart and opinionated who can hold their own. Girls that are funny, caring and have a big heart. I’m a bit of a romantic so I need someone who wont get grossed out by that. I also love a girl who is active, outgoing, has a lot of fun, and plays sports, it’s attractive to be intelligent and talented.

VG: You say you’re a romantic…what’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?
BH: I love to cook for the girls I date and take them to the beach with a guitar and a bottle of wine, its better than a movie because you can talk to them instead of just hanging out next to each other. I love cooking for people!

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