The World Premiere of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" attracted a diverse crowd of celebrity guests. I was fortunate enough to catch up to two women, both of whom are working on projects or at careers aimed at empowering women.
MIA ST. JOHN
How do you feel about this type of female empowerment movie?
I love these kinds of movies. There's three strong women, intelligent, muscular - I love that. Plus I'm really excited that they put Demi Moore in this one because she's 40 years old, she looks hot, and she kicks ass. I'm 35 so I'm like, “Okay, if I can just look like that at 40, I'll be okay.”
Were you a fan of the first “Charlie's Angels” movie?
Oh yeah, and even the series that was on way back in the 70s.
Given your background, do you like action films that feature kicking and boxing?
Yes. I spent 23 years in Taekwondo, 23 years kicking and the past 7 years boxing, so I'm a big fan of all that stuff.
When you see fighting sequences on the screen, do you ever go, “Wait a minute, that's not how it's supposed to be done?”
I have to be totally honest, sometimes I do. Sometimes I look at them and go, “Oh yeah, okay, right…” Especially when it comes to the boxing because that's really a hard sport to imitate. I think kicking is a little bit different, but boxing - that's tough. I'm very critical.
What are you working on right now?
I'm still training; I'm still fighting. I'm fighting July 11th on ESPN. The past few years I've been fighting on Fox but now I'm fighting on ESPN. Still kicking butt (laughing).
Do you think that women fighting is being more accepted as a sport at this point in time?
I think so but I'm really sad that as far as the Olympics, womens boxing still hasn't been allowed in the Olympics. It was rejected for this Olympics coming up, too. It's really sad. If they are against boxing I feel like, “You know what? Just get rid of all of it for men and women.” If you're going to allow it for the men, then you've got to allow it for the women.
What do you think is the major sticking point?
That we're women.
That's it?
Yes. I think that a lot of the people who run the Olympics committee are still very chauvinistic, because there is no reason why women can't be in the Olympics with headgear, 14 oz. gloves - there's no reason.
Because women have shown that they can excel at this sport.
Yes, and they're very well protected in the Olympics, so I don't understand.
Cindy Margolis at the World Premiere of "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
CINDY MARGOLIS
Can you tell me about the book you're currently working on?
I'm writing a book telling the secrets of my bedroom, what goes on in my bedroom, which is actually a book on my struggle to get pregnant. I'm speaking for infertility issues and letting women know that their dream of becoming a parent can come true. I have my miracle baby. It's a guide to infertility.
Are you asked about the subject a lot?
Yes I am. I think that I'm one of the first people to really speak out in the mainstream. It's not taboo anymore. There are 9 million couples who suffer from it a year, and I just want to bring it out of the closet and let people know that there are other options. [I'll] tell my story so that everyone can share in the blessing that I have with my son.
And you're also working on a reality series?
I am. I'm going to be the executive producer and host it. We're in negotiations now with a big network so I can't say too much. It's completely different than everything that's out there, but the same… It's better and it kind of embodies what I do. There's going to be beautiful women and geeks, basically.
Is it a dating show?
No, I think there's a lot of 'love' shows so we're like not anti-love, because I'm all about love, but it's a fun, more of a spring break-type show. It's just about having a good time. I think there's enough love shows out there right now so we're kind of going in the other direction. It's a fantasy show.
It sounds like you're very busy. Anything else that you're working on?
Just being a mom. I just kind of got back out here. I gained 80 lbs. for my pregnancy so this is like my coming out party. I haven't really been able to do much other than all the baby magazines, which is, of course, being on the cover of a magazine with my son is the best thing ever. It took me 18 years to get my first cover, he gets one at 8 months (laughing).
