Interview – Tuesday Knight

This year Killer Film is going to be serving up coverage on the many talented people who have been involved in one of the most bankable franchises in cinema lore - A Nightmare on Elm Street. We will delve deep into the other aspects of their lives as well, and in the process give fans a little more bang for their buck. I had the pleasure of interviewing Tuesday Knight and found out she is one busy lady who has had a diverse career that shows no signs of slowing down.

Jason Bene: The role of Kristen Parker was left vacant for A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master after the departure of Patricia Arquette. How did you land the gig and what was your reaction about entering such a hugely successful franchise?

Tuesday Knight: I totally freaked out because it happened so fast. When I met [Director] Renny Harlin he thought I had the vibe for the character, when I went in for the audition it felt really good. He told me to take home the tape and really look at it; then the next day he basically cast me and wanted me to met with other cast members to connect. I got to be involved with that too and that was really cool.

Jason Bene: The last of the “Elm Street” children are killed off in the first half of the film, which shocked fans everywhere. Did that add any pressure on you? I thought you took the role and made it your own.

Tuesday Knight: Thank you. That’s what I did with the role. In the beginning, I kind of watched her [Patricia Arquette] and did my homework about it then I let it go and was Tuesday.

Jason Bene: Can you describe the moment when you first saw Freddy Krueger with the fedora, the sweater, and the razor sharp glove on the set? Did it start to seep in that you were going to be a part of horror history?

Tuesday Knight: Yes, it did. It was pretty great, it was wild. I remember being in the make-up trailer and he came over to me and put his big claw on my shoulder. It was really fun.

Jason Bene: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors has a rocking soundtrack and that continues with your song “Nightmare” from the opening credits. How long did it take for you to write and record it?

Tuesday Knight: It took me a couple of hours actually because I knew they were looking for music and I wanted to land something in there. I didn’t really have any idea it was going to be the title song until I was sitting in the theater. That was mindboggling, that was great.

Jason Bene: Some fans were suprised to hear that you are a singer, but little do they know that music runs in the family because your father is a composer. When did you realize that was a goal you wanted to attain?

Tuesday Knight: He was a really well known composer. I have such a high opinion of my father’s stuff and I never thought anything I did would be as good as what he wrote.

Jason Bene: You did a cover of the Prince song “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad”. He is a musical genius and an icon of popular music, what did you think of your version?

Tuesday Knight: I think it’s okay. I wasn’t sure about doing that. We had to go to him and he wanted me to do the song. That was cool within itself, but I don’t think it was really my type of song.

Jason Bene: You weren’t done with Freddy as you had a cameo at the funeral scene in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, that must of been a gas to get together with fellow veterans of the series.

Tuesday Knight: That was great. In fact it was so funny I wondered why I was there because nobody else was from Nightmare 4. I was like “oh my God, what am I doing here?” They said Wes [Craven] really wanted me and I was really taken aback by the things he says about me which are so sweet. I didn’t really get to know him except on that one, he’s a great guy, I really like him.

Jason Bene: 2010 is no doubt the year of Freddy Krueger with the remake from Michael Bay and Platinum Dunes. To accompany that film there is going to be the ultimate documentary on the series called Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. It should be an amazing compilation of memories, how did it feel to revisit the film that jumpstarted your career?

Tuesday Knight: It’s funny because Freddy has been alive through the whole thing all these years. I’ve had to talk about it for so long, it was revisited and everyone wants to know about it.

Jason Bene: The DVD is set for an April debut, is there going to be any kind of signings or launch parties for the release?

Tuesday Knight: I don’t know yet, I’m sure there is going to be some kind of elaborate thing.

Jason Bene: You have done a vast amount of television work ranging from Heroes to Weeds to Gossip Girl to The X-Files, but many people might not be aware of a show you did with Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Beals called 2000 Malibu Road. Can you give us some insight to your character and the plot crunch?

Tuesday Knight: It was probably the best role I’ve had to date because it was playing this very overweight, unattractive sister to Drew Barrymore who was totally going to become the swan. I wanted to make her a star and burn sage in the house, so I had all these spiritual quirks. My whole life was about making Drew a star and it had alot of comedy, it was really funny. Joel Schumacher always added stuff in there for me, it was really a great time.

Jason Bene: You have an uncredited role as a runway model in the film Sex and the City, and now you are playing “yourself” in the sequel Sex and the City 2, can you give us a scoop on your role?

Tuesday Knight: I’m not supposed to really, it’s kind of a surprise. I can say I play myself and it takes place at a fashion show.

Jason Bene: Your career has spanned over two decades and over that time you have worked alongside such actors as Robert DeNiro, Martin Landau, Jason Priestly, Brad Renfro, Alicia Silverstone, and Wesley Snipes – you seem to have a blessed career that is still going strong.

Tuesday Knight: It’s been so good. I’m thankful for it and I’m really starting to concentrate on it even moreso. It’s definitely been blessed and I think it will continue to be. I have a lot of faith it in and feel really strong about it. I’m doing a couple of interviews for several different TV shows that are featuring stories on Drew Barrymore and Britney Spears.

Jason Bene: You started your own jewelry line called Tuesday’s Hip Vintage, from my understanding that is doing really well and you have some big stars as your clientele?

Tuesday Knight: Yes, I do. I started another company [ToeBrights] before that with Lisa Wilcox, it was my company and I let her come in to run it with me and that didn’t work out. We didn’t see each other for seven years and we had a really bad ending, so I changed it and did my own thing. I did carry most of the celebrities over to my side.

Killer Film would like to Tuesday Knight for taking the time to talk with us and we wish her the best of luck on all of her future endeavors.