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An Interview with Miss Piggy

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MISS PIGGY (Miss Piggy) makes her long-awaited and much-sought-afterreturn to the big screen in 2011 in Disney’s “The Muppets.” Thelarger-than-life star of television, film, stage, online and all media knownand unknown throughout the universe has been dominating show business since her initial public appearance in the chorus on “The Herb Alpert Special” in 1974.
She appeared as 1st Sow in the “Return to the Planet of the Pigs” sketch on “The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence” in 1975 (which was, in effect, the pilot for“The Muppet Show”). But her unforgettable break-out performance came during the musical number “Temptation” on very first episode of “The Muppet Show.” Miss Piggy started as a chorus pig and came back a star… who wouldn’t let go of Kermit. The rest is history.
MissPiggy’s film credits include “The Muppet Movie” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984), “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992), “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996) and “Muppets from Space” (1999). She’s also had starring roles in the TV films “Muppets Wizard of Oz” (2005) and“A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa.” In addition to her star-making turn in“The Muppet Show,” which ran from 1976-1981, Miss Piggy’s television credits include “Muppets Tonight,” as well as the blockbuster TV specials “Miss Piggy’s Hollywood” and“The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show.” She has appeared on every talk show worth talking about, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “The View” and “Today,” among others. Piggy has also been featured on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Got Talent,” among other notable programs lucky enough to land her talents. She stars in a veritable cornucopia of videos and captivated audiences worldwide with her appearance in the recent Webby-winning Muppet viral video performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2009). She has graced the covers of magazinesaround the world and appeared on the 68th Annual Academy Awards® asa presenter. She is still (impatiently) awaiting her first nomination.
Piggy’s book“Miss Piggy’s Guide to Life” was a national bestseller. And she recently followed up this success with her wildly popular book “The Diva Code: Miss Piggy on Life, Love, and the10,000 Idiotic Things Men Frogs Do.”
A CONVERSATION WITH MISS PIGGY…
What is Disney’s “The Muppets” about? 
It’s moi’s story, of course.It’s about how I am working in Paris and Kermit and the other Muppets come overand beg me to come home. I run the complete gamut of acting—from smiling tofrowning. It’s got Oscar® written all over it—and I’m not just talking de LaRenta. I have heard rumors that there’s another storyline in the movie thatdoesn’t involve moi, but who really cares about that?
What is your role in Disney’s “The Muppets?”
Moi plays moi.  It’s a casting no-brainer. Naturally, all of Hollywood’s top actresses tested for the part—Roberts, Streep, Winslet, Jolie, Bullock—but in the end they decided that there is only one moi and I’m it!
In the movie, I portray the plus-size fashion editor of Vogue Paris—I’m in charge of a whole office full ofeditors who all want to look just like moi. But of course, Kermit wants me back with the Muppets to save the day and put on some big show.  Can I resist? Well, see the movie and find out.
How does your life differ from the characters you portray on the big screen?
In real life, my wardrobe is much, much bigger and more expensive, but I’m a lot like what you see on the big screen. The camera does add a few pounds—when people meet me in person they’re always amazed at how svelte I am. Take my word for it.
What made you agree to star in Disney’s “The Muppets”?
It was written especially for moi. And they said I could keep all the shoes.
What is the funniest scene in the film?
The scene where Kermie begs me to come back to Hollywood with him is the funniest scene. I’m hilarious; and the frog isn’t half bad either. There are so many very funny scenes in the film… and guess what, moi is in all of them!  Coincidence? I don’t think so.
What was it like working opposite Jason Segel?
Jason is a sweet, sweet man…and a very funny comedic actor. Of course, when I heard he wrote the movie and could write my part even bigger, we became best friends forever.
…Amy Adams?
Amy and moi are so much alike, except for the fact that she’s been nominated for an Academy Award®THREE TIMES and I’ve gotten bupkis!   (Entresnous, I think they just don’t want to nominate anyone outside their species.)
There was a little tension at first, but once Amy learned about not touching the frog, we became fast friends.  We hang together whenever we’re in the same city, which up to now has been… let’s see… never.
…Kermit?
What can I say about Kermie and moi? Separately we’re fabulous and together we are absolute legends—like Astaire& Rogers, Tracy & Hepburn, Oprah & Stedman.
…Walter?
Walter is delightful! He worships the Muppets and especially moi. And as everyone knows, I absolutely adore being worshipped.
You are a fashion icon. What is your secret?
I have a few fashion secrets:
·       Never wear anything that requires a hoist to get into.
·       There is no such thing as too much accessorizing.
·       If it’s expensive, it fits.
·       Style comes in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, the bigger you are, the more style you have.
What do you do in your free time?
Shop. Eat Chocolate. Pose for photographers. Rinse. Repeat. I’m a diva. I have people to schedule my free time. You have no idea how time consuming that is.
Are you and Kermit together? 
Of course we’re together.  In the movie, we seem to be apart, but that’s just for dramatic tension. In real life, we’re fabulously happy and the longest-running inter-species couple in all of Hollywood.
Why should audiences see Disney’s “The Muppets”?
Because moi is in it!  What a silly question!
It is the best movie I have ever made…and therefore the best movie ever made. Other than that, it’s got alot of laughs and you’ll have a good time. Are those enough reasons for you?
To get closer to the diva pig, check out http://disney.go.com/muppets/portfolio/piggy/videos.html.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
On vacationin Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (JasonSegel) and Gary’s girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover thenefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theaterand drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stompinggrounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save thetheater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have allgone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute bandcalled the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris,Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is ahigh-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos,Disney’s “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011. 

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