Kristen Bell At CA Portrait Shoot In NYC

Going to a press conference is a weird experience. Members of the press sit in a room at some swanky hotel while the stars of a movie sit in the front and answer questions thrown out at them. But you gotta do what you gotta do when you're an Entertainment Editor, so I agreed to head to Columbus Circle, NYC, on a weekend, to ask some qs to Amanda Seyfried, Jason Sudeikis, Aziz Ansari and more of the voice cast of Epic. And, let me tell ya, it was an all-around epic time. Here's what transpired... Photos: Beyonce and More Pop Stars Who Have Voiced Animated Characters I arrive to the press conference a few minutes early and take my seat, as other reporters are just sitting, eating some fruit, waiting around for all the action to happen. The studio people tell us the cast is running late because the red carpet premiere beforehand went long, but I was fine. Just taking in the sights and awaiting the celebs to come out. A usual Saturday activity. Right before the cast comes into the press conference room, I see a few of the actors outside by the kraft services table. Aziz was scoping out the breakfast options, as one would. Amanda was just standing there looking gorgeous. Colin Farrell was too. Then, they come in. Colin, Jason, Amanda, Aziz, Chris O'Dowd and the director, Chris Wedge, come out and take their seats in the front of the room as us regular folk look at them in awe. Then, the questions start a flowin'. Someone asks Chris O'Dowd (from Bridesmaids and Girls) if he's happy finally doing a more family-friendly movie, to which he sarcastically replies, "Normally I hate kids." Touche. He was joking, FYI. OK! Exclusive: Behind the Scenes at The Croods Press Conference Someone then asked how the actors prepared for their voice-over work, to which Aziz cleverly said, "I didn't even know the movie was animated.  I knew I was playing a slug, so I was confused...." His character, Mub, is the comedic relief of the whole movie. Aziz was the comedic relief of the day. Another reporter asked if any of the cast members have ever had an old, raggedy pet (since there's a blind, three-legged dog, Ozzie, in the film), to which Amanda replied, "I have a one-eyed deaf  cat." We went on for about 3 minutes talking about her pet Fran, and it was magical. Photos: Best Pics from The Hangover 3 Premiere Then Chris, being the hilarious person that he is, said "I have a one-eyed Tiger snake. Named Tiny Tim." Um, Chris, this is a children's movie. Let's keep it PG, please. Nonetheless, the room clearly cracked up at his on-the-fly comment. I was LOLing too. All was great, until one reporter (I don't know her name or her outlet but she was British and really pretty) asked a super personal question, although we always go into these things being told not to. She asked Amanda if she's ever fallen for a boy who was unattainable like she did in the movie (her and Josh Hutcherson's character have a thing). Dude! Really?! Amanda played it off well, though, saying that she's fallen in love with fairytale and ideas of certain men. Well-played, Amanda. Well. Played. Watch: Beyonce Talks About Her Role in Epic Then things go off on random topics, talking about bad guys vs good guys in movies, Fast and Furious 6 (thanks for that, Aziz), and why this film is amazing because it's going to get kids out in the backyards exploring nature. The last question was directed at the comedians of the bunch (Jason, Aziz and Chris), and Chris said that the film was about 90 percent scripted, even though those three dudes are definitely used to doing some improv. Guess things are different when you're in a voice booth though, right? Then the press conference ended after approximately 21 minutes, and Chris responded with "That's it?" Yeah, dude. I would've wanted to stay longer too. And hang out with you and talk about Lena Dunham and Kristen Wiig. But there's always next time for that. Everyone dispersed at this point, including the actors. I was this close to going up to Aziz and telling him he's funny since I was right next to him on the way out, but I didn't. I mean, how many times a day does he get THAT, you know? Meanwhile though, British girl who asked that awkward personal question to Amanda had the nerve to ask Colin Farrell to take a pic with her. Maybe I'm just bitter that she got one and I didn't? That she's aggressive and I'm not? Again, that will be saved for part 2. Photos: Celeb Couples Who Broke Up When Their Movies Came Out Epic comes out Friday, May 24! Are you going to see the film? Which of the voice actors in it is your favorite? Who's funnier - Aziz or Chris? Tweet us @OKMagazine, and stay tuned for our full review of Epic coming Friday on OKMagazine.com! Photo credit:  20th Century Fox

What were you doing when you were 17? Maybe learning to drive, hanging out with your friends? Actress and singer Claudia Lee is 16-going-on-17, but she's working on two TV shows, music, and has a summer blockbuster on the way. Get ready to feel majorly lazy! OK! Exclusive: Watch the first video from Randy Jackson's new protege! Claudia chatted with us about her enormous year and all of these cool projects. Get to know her now before she blows up! OK!: What is your role on Hart of Dixie? Claudia Lee: I play Magnolia Breeland, and she is kind of the troublemaker on the show. She is definitely the teenager that is trying to find herself in her small family that is very influential in Blue Bell. She's had a nose ring, and in the first episode that she was introduced, she was intoxicated. It’s really fun to play! OK!: What are your hopes for your character next season? CL: I definitely want to see her have a love interest. Come on! OK!: Who would be your dream love interest for your character? CL: Dream actor? I'm really shooting for the stars here, to say Leonardo DiCaprio—the age difference is completely illegal! And I don't think they would have dapper men like Leonardo in Blue Bell. But I think Magnolia needs a really fun, good guy, not the typical Blue Bell citizen, who's spunky and sassy. OK!: You have Kick-Ass 2 coming out. What role do you play in the movie? CL: I play Brooke, Hit Girl's nemesis in school. She is the mean girl, but she's not the typical mean girl. She has very insecure moments which she covers up up by being in charge. I love playing Brooke because it was a big challenge to make her different from every other mean girl on screen. OK!: You also star in the new Fox pilot, Surviving Jack. Tell us about that! CL: It takes place in the '90s and stars Christopher Meloni. The premise is that my brother is really awkward and becoming a man. He's a freshman in high school and grew ten inches over the summer. My character is this A+ student, really cute and very poised, and now that her dad [Christopher Meloni] is in charge, she is pushing the limits most of the time. Working with Christopher is just amazing. It's really great to feed off his energy. OK!: You're a musician, too. Can you tell us about that? CL: I've always had myself busy, and I've been singing from a young age. When I first came out, I was working on a Disney channel show, and I recorded my first album, called Here Right Now. I love all kinds of music, and I know people say that because they don't know what to choose, but I literally listent to everything. I'm really obsessed with the new song by Mariah Carey and Miguel, "#Beautiful." OK!: What do you do to relax between all of these crazy projects? CL: I hang out with my mom! We lay by the pool, we take our dogs hiking, we go on walks. I love yoga. I like getting my nails done and hanging out with friends. I try to keep a very normal life! It's really fun. Are you excited for Kick-Ass 2? Are you a fan of Hart of Dixie? What do you think of the new comedy with Christopher Meloni? Oh, and do you feel lazy yet? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @OKMagazine.