Acting in films since the age of 9, Mika has been featured in "Hearts in Atlantis," "Riding in Cars With Boys," and as Mel Gibson's daughter in "The Patriot" for which she received critical acclaim.
MIKA BOOREM (Penny)
Can you describe your character in “Blue Crush?”
I play Anne Marie's [played by Kate Bosworth] younger sister, Penny. She kind of rebels because her mom left her and she's stuck with Anne Marie taking care of her. She doesn't see her as a mother figure. She also has her own life, too.
What physical training did you do for this role?
We had to learn to surf in a really short period of time. But you know what? I love surfing. When I first got out there though, I couldn't even paddle. I was like on the board - because they put me on the board - and I kept falling off. But it's so much fun. I love it.
In a lot of films, you play the younger version of an actress. What is that like?
It's so much fun playing the younger age. I got to work with Drew Barrymore [in “Riding in Cars With Boys”] doing that and just other crazy, cool stuff.
Is there someone you want to play the younger version of but haven't yet?
(Laughing) I don't know - just anyone.
Do you think this film will turn a lot of younger girls on to surfing?
Yes, definitely. I mean the action on those waves is just amazing. I think that people in the inland, like in Kansas and places like that, are actually going to get to see the beach and see what the inside of a wave looks like, and see what it looks like from the point of view of a surfer.
Do you have any advice for people who might want to try out surfing?
Get good people to go out with! Don't go out on 20' waves (laughing).
And next up you have "Carolina Torn Asunder?"
Yes, "Carolina's" coming up. You know a lot (laughing). I play Julia Stiles younger sister and she kind of comes from an eccentric family, so I'm the eccentric younger sister. Our grandmother is actually taking care of us, who Shirley MacLaine actually plays.
Faizon Love at the World Premiere of "Blue Crush."
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
I've heard that you have this incredible fear of sharks.
It's not a fear - they'd be biting people! Sharks bite people. The only people who aren't afraid of sharks are Hawaiians. Polynesians are not afraid of sharks. They'd be talking to them and having conversations and tea parties. No, I see a shark - I'd walk on water. It was hard for me to surf because I was walking on water anyway. All they had to do was say, “We think we saw…” and I'd be out of the water. One time I thought I saw a turtle and I thought it was a shark. Everything looks crazy in the water.
Did you pick up any surfing skills?
I did surf. I actually learned to surf. I actually love the water now where I used to be afraid of the water. I had to learn to swim; I had to learn to surf.
What's next for you?
I'm doing a film called “Torqued” right now and I'm doing a film called “The Fighting Temptations” - a little something in that. I'm trying to keep busy.
