What happens when you first sit down for lunch with Ashley Madekwe and Shane West? You end up having a lengthy conversation about burrata. And hand sanitizer.
And birthday plans. And you know what? I wouldn't have had it any other way. Hanging out with these two who star on WGN America's hit new series Salem isn't work at all, and it's only because of how laid-back, witty, and thoughtful they are. Over lunch at West Hollywood see-and-be-seen hot spot Cecconi's , we ate our weight in food, celebrated Shane's birthday, and shared crazy Hollywood stories. Read on.
Shane West : There's two. One, doing Once and Again , which gave me the chance in my early twenties to do film, and because of that, A Walk to Remember , which surpassed everyone's expectations. We were just surprised that it resonated that much even though we knew we told a good story.
That changed things to a different level, which I didn't like it in a way. Mandy [Moore] and I couldn't go out anywhere at the time. The film I did on the Germs called What We Do Is Secret was really defining for me because it changed my life with music as well, getting to be in the band, play in the band, etc. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors.
I didn't have an agent at the time, and it kind of threw me into real acting. I still credit Adrian Lester with being one of my biggest influences. It took me three years to get into drama school, but that film did a lot for me when it came to my professional growth. And then Revenge!
