By: Arthur Jefferson
Yeah, her photogenic presence inevitably prompts an analogy to a host of Hollywood starlets (most especially Tara Reid, circa 1999, before her career tanked). Melinda Jo Clevenger, however, would prefer to develop her own identity over the "eye candy" competition. Sure, she’s gorgeous and her anatomic assets are nuclear...hell, this apprenticing actress is so hot that the Great Chicago Fire would comparatively look like a limp sparkler. But, eschewing a diva demeanor, Ms. Clevenger is a trooper. Engaged to embody a tasty heroine for next year’s Deep Navel comic book, the blonde bombshell mimes a fraternity with non-human carnivores (all of whom prefer their dinners–i.e. babes sans bikinis–to be basted in Coppertone). Clevenger appended a "history" to the comic character ("Sophie"), impressing the publishers who subsequently embellished her role to include a "Jayne Mansfield" alter ego (Patience Holmes, previously profiled in this directory, also plays a plum role in the comic). As evinced by her own dialogue, Clevenger is a horror film aficionado who deflects trendiness and opts for some reformation regarding women’s roles. We have no doubt that a tempestuous sex appeal, and her personal convictions, will kindle an expansion of Ms. Clevenger’s visibility...we'll keep you posted.
Favorite horror movies?: "THE CRAFT, INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE, THE RAGE: CARRIE 2, SIN CITY, THE HAUNTING (1999), THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (I enjoyed both screen adaptations though I prefer the 2005 remake) and THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE."
The scariest movie of all time?: "JAWS is definitely up there. The music is the real clincher."
Worst horror film?: "JEEPERS CREEPERS".
Favorite actress who's linked to the genre?: "I like Kate Beckinsale a lot. She can be beautiful, tough, deadly and vulnerable. Kirsten Dunst was amazing as little Claudia (INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE), very haunting..."
Favorite actor who's linked to genre films?: "Hugh Jackman...again, an actor that can do it all. And I loved Brad Pitt as Louis (INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE), he really conveyed the torment of the character."
Favorite boogeyman (and/or boogeywoman)?: "It's a tie between Freddy Krueger and Candyman."
Favorite female character?: "Elvira. I love the campy sexiness and humor she brought back to the genre. I think we are in need of that type of presence again. Hopefully, I can be instrumental in making that happen. Hmmm..the wheels in my head are turning now..."
Considering your own alliance with the comic book medium, which animated characters qualify as your own favorites?: "Probably Tinker Bell, she shows the damage a woman scorned can do. Then there's Meg from HERCULES, love her sarcasm. And Jessica Rabbit...oooozes sexiness."
Are you a collector of memorabilia?: "I don't really collect anything. But I do have a lot of books, DVDs, angels and candles. I guess I have a pretty good collection of Playboy magazines, too. To me, Playboy honors women."
Favorite (horror) director?: "Clive Barker and Wes Craven."
Your comments regarding women's roles in the genre?: "I would like to see more female-friendly casts, again, not unlike THE CRAFT...scripts with multiple women's roles to show the many different sides of the female persona. Strong/weak, sexy/homely, brainy/ditsy."
Why do horror films appeal to you?: "I love films based upon legend, witchcraft, religion, experiments-gone-wrong, etc...stuff that makes you believe it could really happen. I love the (author) Dean Koontz for exactly that reason...he makes you believe. But, unfortunately, his books have not yet translated well into film. But then I can go totally the opposite direction and enjoy stuff that is campy and/or darkly funny. I thought a lot of stuff in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET movies was totally hilarious."
Do you sleep in the nude?: " Yes, I do sleep in the nude most of the time."
Check out Melinda Jo's web site at melindajo.com, and Evil Nice web site at evilnice.net.
Click the photos to see them in LARGE format.
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