[ windspeaker confidential ]-Carsen Gray

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Carsen Gray,13, may seem like a typical Grade 8 student, but how many of her classmates can say they've appeared in a major motion picture? Carsen was 11 when she flew to Australia to join the cast of the movie Peter Pan in the role of Tiger Lily. Her performance earned her a nomination in the Best Performance in a Feature Film-Supporting Young Actress category in the 2004 Young Artist Awards, handed out in California in May. This young Haida girl from Skidegate on the Queen Charlotte Islands is also a jazz singer, and it looks like a record deal may be soon in the offing.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Carsen Gray: Honest, kind, very caring and very supportive.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?

C.G.: It would have to be when I'm not exactly treated fairly. That does bother me a lot because I like people being treated fairly too, and if I'm not, it kind of bothers me.

W: When are you at your happiest?

C.G.: When I'm like with all my friends or my mom or at my favorite movie theatre or shopping.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?

C.G: That would have to be ... what's the word I'm looking for? My mom says something to me ... she calls me spoiled. When I'm at my worst...probably spoiled.

W: What one person do you most admire and why?

C.G.: That would have to be, have you heard of Jessica Simpson? Yes, I like her. Even though she seems kind of bratty sometimes, it seems like she's not afraid to be herself and she's just very open and out there. And she's a fun girl. And I love her voice.

W: What is the most difficult thing you've ever had to do?

C.G.: That would have to be a math test. I am like mathematically challenged, I swear. It's one of my worst subjects.

W: What is your greatest accomplishment?

C.G.: That would be to become famous. I'd love to be a role model for younger girls, definitely.

W: What one goal remains out of reach?

C.G.: To just be myself. Always be kind, happy. I don't know. And also, my singing. I sing every single day of my life. And like, between acting and singing, I have trouble kind of deciding which one I like the best. I guess I think singing's my natural talent, and I'll always keep up with that.

W: If you couldn't do what you're doing today, what would you be doing?

C.G.: Let's see ... probably being a teacher.

W: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

C.G.: To always do my best, try my hardest and never give up.

W: Did you take it?

C.G.: Yes.

W: How do you hope to be remembered?

C.G.: Let me see ... someone that started out their career very young and had a good one and has done a lot of great things with her life.