 STAYIN'
POSITIVE!
"Saved
By The Bell" Actress
Samantha Marie Becker
By
Dennis A. Amith, AsianConnections.com
Being positive is a key to success. Samantha Marie Becker
is a prime candidate in exemplifying positivity as a GenerAsian
actress who demonstrates her love for reaching out and helping people.
Many of you know Samantha as Maria Lopez in the NBC Saturday morning
show, "Saved By The Bell: The New Class".
She is a rising star that
was selected by A. Magazine as one of the top eight Asian actresses
to watch for in the future. She was recently nominated for a YoungStar
Award for her performance in "Saved By the Bell: The New Class".
Samantha started her career in television commercials after
finishing modeling school at the age of 10. She continued to model
and do commercials and added theatrical productions to her credits.
Becker also co-starred in the feature film "A Pig's Tail",
and she guest starred on the NBC daytime soap opera "Sunset
Beach" and the primetime television series "Moesha".
Samantha is also a singer and a dancer who is very interested
in becoming an R&B artist.
In January, Samantha finished filming her final episodes
for the 1999-2000 season of "Saved By The Bell: The New Class".
Recently, APR had the opportunity to interview Samantha Marie
Becker.
Dennis:
Where were you born and raised?
Samantha:
I was born in North Carolina on the military base, Camp Lejeune.
Dennis:
What kind of family atmosphere did you grow up in?
Samantha:
I grew up as an only child in San Diego. My mom is very compassionate
and very understanding.
Dennis:
In "A. Magazine", you were selected as one of the eight
hot talents to watch. How does it feel to be known as one of the
hot eight young Asian American talents in the country?
Samantha:
I think it's hard for Asian Americans due to barriers in the
industry and it's a barrier that should have been broken a long
time ago. I feel very proud to represent my race and help to break
those barriers. Actually, I'm not only Asian Pacific (Pilipino)
but I'm also American Indian, Spanish and mix of other races that
are too much to go into but I'm very proud to represent Asian Americans.
Dennis:
Have you ever been to the Philippines?
Samantha: Actually,
I just went to the Philippines recently to visit my relatives and
the people there are so accepting and giving. They were so nice.
Dennis:
How did you get involved in acting?
Samantha: My mother drove from San Diego to
Los Angeles and I got an interview with an agent. He decided to
sign me. So, in the next two to three years my mother drove me back
and forth from San Diego to Los Angeles and then one day I got the
role for "Saved By the Bell".
Dennis:
Do you ever watch yourself on television?
Samantha:
(Laughing) Yeah!
Dennis:
How did you feel the first time you saw yourself on TV?
Samantha: The first time was so hard to pay
attention to how you did and the role because you're too busy looking
at what kind of face your making, how your hair looks, or how your
outfit looks. After the first two episodes then I started to pay
attention.
Dennis:
I was reading your bio and it caught my attention when I read that
you performed in two San Diego State football halftimes shows and
also sang in 15 USO Shows. Is singing a big passion for you?
Samantha:
Actually it is. I enjoy both music and acting.
Dennis:
What kind of music do you like to sing?
Samantha:
Oh, I love to sing R&B.
Dennis:
If I'm correct, you also want to become a professional singer right?
Samantha:
Yes. Definitely!
Dennis:
Let's talk about "Saved By the Bell: The New Class". How
does it feel to work with the other cast members?
Samantha:
You know it was such a great training ground. It was a wonderful
experience interacting and working with the other actors. It was
more important to listen than to think about how to say your lines.
Reaction is action and reacting is acting. Working with Dennis Haskins
(Mr. Belding) and Dustin Diamond (Samuel "Screech" Powers)
taught me a lot since they had the longest experience on the show.
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The
cast of "Saved By the Bell: The New Class"
L to R: Anthony Harrell, Tom Huntington,
Samanta Marie Becker, Ashley Cafagna,
Lindsey McKeon and Ben Gould.
Photo by Chris Haston.
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Dennis: Speaking
about Dustin Diamond. How is he compared to real life and with his
role as Screech?
Samantha:
Screech�He is a riot! He is always trying to make me laugh.
He's not happy unless he sees that you're happy. So, he would always
tell a joke or a riddle. He's really a fun guy.
Dennis:
Let's get into some deeper questions. Who are your role models?
Samantha:
For me, it would be anyone who would help for a good cause.
Those that have the ability to help. Those are the people I look
up to.
Dennis:
Many GenerAsian actors and actresses have discussed their obstacles
in pursuing a career in acting. First, let's talk about the most
satisfying aspect of being an Asian American actress. What is the
most satisfying part for you?
Samantha:
The part when they say "you look so exotic" and they
think that you're from some tropical island and say that you are
good inside and out.
Dennis:
Now, what is the most frustrating aspect of being an Asian American
actress?
Samantha:
Well, unfortunately there aren't that many roles out there for
Asian Americans. So, I'm actually planning and writing my own scripts.
But I think the most frustrating thing right now is that there are
not many roles for Asian Americans.
Dennis:
Let's dig into the life of Samantha Marie Becker. What is a typical
day for you?
Samantha:
A typical day�hmm. We're not doing the show right now (Note:
Filming for episodes for the 1999-2000 season have been completed).
So, a typical day for me is waking up extra early in the morning
and giving love and attention to my two dogs and two cats and taking
care of them. I'm an animal lover. So, I spend a lot of my time
lately with my animals. Lindsey McKeon (Katie Peterson on "SBTB:TNC")
comes over all the time and I see friends who I went to school with
and I love going to the beach whenever it's warm.
Dennis:
What about when you were filming "Saved by the Bell:TNC"?
Samantha:
I had to leave to the studio at 8 a.m. and go to school for
four hours. Around 12 to 5 p.m. we would rehearse and as we get
near the end of the week the hours got longer but it was good. I
miss it!
Dennis:
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Samantha:
I enjoy taking walks in trails and going out to the forest�what
little there is in Los Angeles. I love snowboarding. I love extreme
things. I love to do outdoor physical things like bike riding.
Dennis:
What is your favorite food?
Samantha:
Spaghetti and meatballs with a side of garlic bread.
Dennis:
The first time a fan went up to you, what was it like for you?
Samantha: I blushed. One day I was at the Beverly
Center and three little girls walked past me and said "Oh my
God is that her?" and then they shouted my name "Maria!"
and at first I didn't think they were looking at me, but it was
fun.
Dennis:
What are your personal or professional goals for the future. Where
do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Samantha:
I see myself as a public figure. My main goal is to reach out
and help people. I'd like to become a famous actress. Something
really challenging and creative.
Dennis:
What advice can you give to the Asian Americans out there who want
to pursue a career in acting?
Samantha:
Just keep going at it. Where we are now, we came a very
long way. Don't get discouraged because one of these days we will
be the majority, not the minority.
Dennis:
Samantha, I want to thank you for taking the time for this interview.
What final words would you like to leave for your fans in the Central
Valley?
Samantha:
If you are in school,
stay in school. Education and knowledge is truly an important thing
you can possess because no one can take knowledge away from you.
Set a goal and remember to strive for your goals and your dreams.
Thank
you to AsianConnections correspondent Dennis A. Amith. This interview
by Dennis originally appeared in Asian Pacific Review - Vol. 4,
Issue No.2
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