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by Scott Juba Published: September 20, 2004
Acting is quite possibly the most competitive industry in the world. In order to break through and become noticed, an actor must deliver a truly unforgettable performance. That’s exactly what Kelly Carlson did on the debut episode of the acclaimed FX medical drama, “Nip/Tuck”. She portrayed Kimber Henry, a stunningly gorgeous model whose quest for perfection compelled her to go under the knife to become even more beautiful. Carlson’s guest-starring role drew rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, prompting “Nip/Tuck’s” producers to make her a regular cast member on the show. With “Nip/Tuck” now in its second season, Carlson is still fascinated by the exposure she’s received for her work on the show. “You hope and you have confidence that something like that will happen to you,” she says, “but the chances are so slim, that reality kind of puts you in check. No, I didn’t anticipate it, but maybe somewhere in my gut I knew my career was going to advance at some point. I just wasn’t expecting it to be Nip/Tuck, but I’m so thankful, because I love the show so much. Now I sort of believe in luck [laughs]. What happened to me is really kind of like a dream come true.”Besides the overall success of the show, fans have a particular fascination with Carlson’s character. “(Kimber) is a very immature person to begin with, so she makes mistakes,” Carlson explains. “Usually the mistakes she makes, people mistake them as being sort of evil or (see her as) this vixen girl, because she’s vindictive. But the audience forgives her, because she does kind of have a big heart. She really does love Christian, and she really wants to help out Sean. She really cares for people, but because she doesn’t make the best choices in life, she can come off being vindictive, and that’s where the excitement comes in with Kimber.” In addition to her role on “Nip/Tuck”, Carlson is also currently appearing in the recently released film, “Paparazzi”. The movie tells the story of a hotheaded movie star who seeks revenge against a group of photographers that caused an accident in which his wife and son were injured. Despite her photogenic beauty, Carlson has yet to encounter any obsessive members of the media. “No, (I haven’t had any bad experiences),” she tells me. “I’m also not at the stage where we call it the stalkerazzi, (where they) would actually harm me. I’m not there. The paparazzi that I know are very kind to me and are very polite, and I’m very polite to them. They do play an important role in our careers, they really do. (It gets to be a problem) when they get to the point where they’re getting so much money they’re invading your privacy, because your image generates so much money for them. There’s got to be a line somewhere.” Although lucky enough to avoid the prying eye of the press, Carlson has had some memorable encounters with the paranormal. She believes that her childhood home is haunted by ghosts, and despite the initial speculation of some, she has made believers out of many. “Anybody who has ever spent the night at my house in Minnesota, believer or not, is now a believer, because they see and experience the things that I do,” she says. “When I was younger my parents were a little concerned, so I went and had all these tests done, and all we found out was that I was a little ADD [laughs]. But any of my boyfriends who always would kind of make fun of me, they would wake up and have someone standing next to them or (have) things move in their face or hear things- blatant, blatant evidence.” Even considering her mystical experiences with ghosts, Carlson still ranks visiting injured military personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan as one of the most unforgettable experiences of her life. “I felt extremely humbled,” she recalls. “I almost felt guilty, because I don’t think America has any clue what these people go through, because I think the media is fairly skewed. The first guy I visited was twenty years old. Something happened to his eyes. He’s not completely blind, but they looked a little…deformed. And he couldn’t use his arms. I cried. This guy’s twenty, and I’m twenty-eight and feel like I haven’t even lived my life. I felt really guilty being as vain as I can be. I just really, really appreciate what they do.” And even though it is difficult to find many Americans who wouldn’t claim to be appreciative of the terrific service our armed forces provide, the sincerity of Carlson’s words are what separates her gratitude from that of many others. There’s no phony sentiment or shallow emotion when she speaks of her time spent with the troops. The experience has undeniably deepened her admiration of the sacrifices that the US Army makes in order to protect our nation. “(The experience) still sticks with me today,” Carlson says. “I still think about it.” She adds, “If they ever ask me to come back, I’d do anything for them.” The fact that Carlson doesn’t take the sacrifices of others for granted most likely stems from her strong upbringing. She credits her mother and godmother as being the most influential people in her life. “My godmother is very inspirational to me, and she’s very much a teacher and a coach,” Carlson tells me. “I probably rely on her and my mother the most. I call them my two mothers, because there’s no way in the world I would be where I am without both of them.” Carlson says that together, her mother and godmother provide her with the support she needs to handle the challenges of a life in show business. “They fill in each other’s weaknesses,” she explains, “and they’re both very strong and very, very intelligent women. They’re both beautiful and have wonderful personalities. The bottom line is I wouldn’t be as independent and as calculated, and I wouldn’t have the common sense that I do or the street smarts or the compassion- all of it. It comes from those two.” 
Carlson’s determination and rock solid support system have allowed her to transition from small time acting in Minnesota to modeling (including ad campaigns with Miller Lite, Rembrandt, and Oliver People Sunglasses) and now to film and television fame. She will be introduced to even more fans with her appearance on the cover of the October issue of Stuff Magazine. Carlson enjoyed doing the sexy photo shoot, because it allowed her to tap into her sensuality. “I love it!” she says with enthusiasm. “I love it, because I enjoy being a woman very much, and it really forces you to be in touch with your sensual side. I’m a pretty girl, and I like to embrace it. I don’t abuse it, but I like to embrace it. There are men’s magazines, but they’re not easy to get into. I feel very honored that (Stuff) asked me. A photographer, if he does his job, makes you feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. To go through that process, it may be superficial, but it really does something to your self-esteem at that moment. Even if it’s just then, you feel incredibly sexy and powerful.”Carlson’s beauty, however, is more than skin deep. Underneath her attractive exterior is a genuinely compassionate person who is more than willing to assist a worthy cause that she believes in. Currently, she is a spokesman for the Smile Network, which performs much needed surgeries for children throughout the world. One of the surgeons involved in the Smile Network is one of Carlson’s lifelong friends, so once educated about the cause, she didn’t hesitate to become involved. “Anything with children is an amazing cause,” she says, “especially with people in other countries that don’t have the technology that we’re really, really lucky to have. (My involvement) was the combination of being asked as a friend and me making the choice that it was a worthwhile cause. And it definitely is.” If possible, Carlson would like to personally take part in one of the Smile Network’s missions sometime next spring. For a budding Hollywood star to be so willing to lend her time to others is a clear indication of her caring personality. It’s no wonder that Carlson’s kind spirit and exceptional acting talent are winning the admiration and respect of her fans and peers alike. Anyone who speaks with Carlson will soon realize that the vengeful and explosive nature of Kimber Henry on “Nip/Tuck” does not even remotely resemble Kelly Carlson’s actual personality. Although Carlson has one of the most beautiful faces on television, it is unquestionably her benevolent nature that shines with the brightest radiance. On The Web Kelly Carlson on Stuff Magazine Nip/Tuck Official Site Purchase The Nip/Tuck Season 1 DVD Box Set At Amazon.com |
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