Article: The “Charmed” actress dishes on childhood stardom, imaginary friends and gardening. She was every girl’s first idol and every man’s first crush. Yup, we’re talking about Alyssa Milano. It’s been 26 years since she began her stint on Who’s The Boss? where she grew up on TV screens in living rooms across America. “I was such a part of people’s families,” Alyssa says. “I’m everyone’s eternal cousin.”

And for Alyssa, the end is nowhere in sight. She’s hit the small screen once again with her lead role in the film Sundays at Tiffany’s that aired on Lifetime earlier this month. The romantic flick based on James Patterson’s novel, portrays Alyssa as the successful and engaged-to-be-married, Jane Claremont. When Jane’s childhood imaginary friend reappears to warn her about the path her life is taking, she reevaluates and ultimately falls in love with him.

Below Utopia, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Wisegal and now Sundays at Tiffany’s—yes, these are all movies that Alyssa has starred in. But did you know that she also took part in producing each one?  As a result, she became more emotionally invested in each project. “When you’re just hired to act, it can sometimes be difficult to completely grasp the vision that everyone has,” Alyssa explains. “But when you’re also producing, you know that vision like the back of your hand because you’ve had so many discussions about it.”

As a producer, Alyssa took part in developing her own character, Jane. She claims that was the most challenging part of her role. “I wanted to see a distinct change [in Jane] between the beginning and the end,” she said. “But I didn’t want her to come off as bitchy and icy at the beginning. She had to be likeable.”

Jane’s character may partly be Alyssa’s brainchild. But that doesn’t mean they’re anything alike in reality. In fact, Alyssa was initially attracted to their differences. “Jane was hurt in her past, and as a way to protect herelf, she became a suppressed romantic. I was never not a romantic in real life,” she says.

Another difference between Alyssa and her character: Alyssa has never had an imaginary friend. But that certainly doesn’t mean that she lacked imagination as a kid. As an only child until age ten, she had to find creative ways to keep busy solo. Puppet shows and interpretive dances were her go-tos.

Clearly, Alyssa has come a long way from performances in her living room. Besides acting and producing, she also works as a UNICEF ambassador and has her own women’s sports apparel line, Touch. We couldn’t fathom how she also makes time for herself. But Alyssa believes that life is all about balance. “I don’t feel fulfilled unless I’m doing the things I love,” she says. “I stress and stress about work and responsibility, but somehow, it always gets done.” On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her husband, David Bugliari, horseback riding and toiling away in the organic vegetable garden that David built her. (Aw!) “I’m so obsessed [with my garden] it’s ridiculous,” she laughs.

As Alyssa clocks in at almost three decades in the industry, we were dying to find out what’s kept her there for so long.  “I don’t know if I can do anything else!” she admits. People who work in the fickle unstable environment that is Hollywood never know what their next job is going to be. And that’s why Alyssa loves the stability of television. “At least for that season, you know you’ll have a job,” she says. “It let’s you enjoy your life a little bit more.”

Source and Credit: Brooke Sager from BettyConfidental

Alyssa Milano has spent a huge portion of her life on television, starring in two long running series: Who’s the Boss and Charmed, both of which lasted eight seasons. She has also had roles in shows ranging from Melrose Place to My Name is Earl and she most recently starred in ABC’s short-lived comedy Romantically Challenged.

Alyssa’s latest project is SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S, a Lifetime Original Movie based on the same-titled James Patterson bestselling novel. Alyssa stars as Jane Claremont, a successful businesswoman about to marry up-and-coming actor Hugh McGrath. As a child, Jane survived her mother’s neglect and multiple marriages by spending time with Michael, her imaginary friend, but he had to leave her when she turned nine. Picture Jane’s surprise when, as an adult, she sees Michael again and realizes that her imaginary friend might just be her true love. You can watch a preview and see photos from Sundays at Tiffany’s here.

Daemon’s TV was there when Alyssa answered questions about what drew her to Sundays at Tiffany’s, working with Stockard Channing, and what’s next for her.

On what attracted Alyssa to Sundays at Tiffany’s

When asked what the best thing about Sundays at Tiffany’s was, Alyssa said, “I think the best part about it is actually how romantic it is. That’s what I was first attracted to when I read the script. It’s really a modern day fairy tale in a way. It’s also such an original concept, which you don’t see that often anymore.”

There are a couple of elements Alyssa looks for in a project. She explained, “The first is if the complete package is something that I know will produce a great movie. What I mean by that is that it’s such a crap shoot with so many elements to go into that. I think that having the story and having it be based on a James Patterson novel helped and the cast and producers–all those other things are super-important to me.”

For the other element, Alyssa said, “As far as characters go, I love playing women that you see grow on camera. someone who’s flawed and they end up in a different place than where we first found them. I’m really attracted to flawed characters because I think that we’re all flawed. I feel like it’s more challenging to portray something that’s more real than something that doesn’t exist.”

On the character of Jane

Alyssa remarked, “What I was attracted to when I read the script was that [Jane] was hurt in her past and she, out of a protection mechanism, suppressed the romantic that she was and I really like that aspect of her because I think that the most interesting characters are the ones that are flawed.”

Alyssa liked the journey that Jane has to travel. “I think that her arc is that she was really hardened off to love and then through magical circumstances, she learns to love wholly again and I think that is what I really liked.” That arc was also a challenge. “I think that the most challenging thing was coming up with a character who was hardened off and protective of herself and making sure that didn’t come off as bitchy,” Alyssa explained. “I wanted to see a distinct change in who she was at the beginning of the film and who she was at the end of the film, but I didn’t want her to come off as too icy or bitchy in the beginning because she did have to be likeable.”

On working with Eric Winter, and Ivan Sergei, and Stockard Channing

When Alyssa was asked what she most enjoyed about working on Sundays at Tiffany’s, she raved about the cast. “Everyone just did an amazing job and made it not only easy but also an experience where we all felt like we were doing something great.”

Alyssa had worked with both Ivan Sergei and Eric Winter before. Ivan had a recurring role on Charmed and Alyssa once shot a pilot with Eric, so this was a happy reunion for her. “To have both of those guys there was awesome,” she said. “We went to Second City on our days off and sat and laughed. Anytime that you’re reconnected with people that you’ve worked with before, people you admire and respect, it’s a great feeling.” That chemistry translates on screen and Alyssa’s favorite scene to shoot was one where Jane and Hugh are having dinner and Michael shows up. “It was one of those scenes where everything was working much better than expected and everything just clicked.”

As for Stockard Channing, Alyssa said, “She is exactly what you would hope working with Stockard Channing would be like. I’ve always been a fan of hers, but I’m even more of a fan now. She’s lovely and smart and her instincts are always dead-on. Working with her is a great reminder of why, after thirty years in the business, I still love my job. It’s because I get to watch people like her work and still learn.”

On producing

As with several of her recent projects, along with acting in Sundays at Tiffany’s, Alyssa is also a producer. When asked how the two jobs compare, she answered, “I definitely think producing a project makes you a little more emotionally invested. When you’re hired to just act, it can sometimes be difficult to grasp the vision that everyone has. When you’re also producing, you know what that vision is like the back of your hand because you’ve had meetings about it and are involved in all aspects. I feel like tonally it puts you immediately on the same page as the creatives involved.”

On future plans

Alyssa has a role in the upcoming Farrelly Brothers comedy ‘Hall Pass,’ which stars Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis as two married men whose wives give them a week of freedom. On her part in the film, Alyssa said, “I play Andrew Wilson’s wife–he’s Owen Wilson’s brother, you know–and he’s playing a buddy of the guys, so I play a friend. The Farrelly brothers directed it, so it’s very funny.”

Alyssa said she definitely wants to do another series. “I like the stability of television, especially with a series,” she explained. “Knowing, at least for that season, that I have a job allows me to enjoy the rest of my life a little bit more because I don’t have to stress about where my next job will come from.”

When asked about any potential Charmed follow-up, Alyssa said, “I would love that. I don’t know if it’s a possibility, but I would absolutely love that.”

Alyssa will also expand her Touch clothing line for female sports fans while continuing her impressive philanthropy, including her work as a UNICEF ambassador, something Alyssa has been since 2003. Alyssa credits her extracurricular activities to her day job. “I think everything that I do besides acting–acting has been the platform that enables me to do it,” She said. “I’m not so sure that any of the other things could have happened without my acting career and that’s part of why I’m so grateful to still be working after all this time.”

You can follow Alyssa on Twitter @Alyssa_Milano and be sure to watch her in Sundays at Tiffany’s on Lifetime Monday, December 6 at 9pm eastern/8 central

Actress Alyssa Milano is going to introduce her new Penguins-themed women’s clothing line Friday night at Consol Energy Center when the team takes on the Carolina Hurricanes. She will take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Penguins CEO David Morehouse.

The new clothing designed for female Penguins fans is part of the “Touch by Alyssa Milano” women’s fashion collection. The special store inside the arena will be known as the “PensGear Store Powered by G-III Sports.”

Milano will be at the Steelers Sideline Store at South Hills Village from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Details: alyssa.com.

The Drop in the Bucket ‘Cause on the Rocks’ fundraiser presented by Causecast was hosted by esteemed actress, designer and philanthropist Alyssa Milano at the Viceroy Santa Monica on Tuesday, October 19. The evening raised funds and awareness for Drop in the Bucket’s work improving the health and safety of children in Africa by bringing clean water wells and specially designed Eco-sanitation systems to African schools, particularly those regions such as northern Uganda and Southern Sudan.

“Every person on the planet deserves access to clean water and sanitation,” said Milano. “I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Drop in the Bucket fundraising event. It was inspiring and motivating.”

Milano was introduced by Drop in the Bucket supporter Henry Rollins, who expressed his own admiration and support for the work of the organization. Benson Deng, co-author and subject of the book, “They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan,” was the guest speaker of the evening, relating his experience as a former child refugee from Sudan to the region’s current need for fresh water.

Organization co-founder John Travis ended the presentation by detailing Drop in the Bucket’s progression in four years from the first volunteer meetings around a kitchen table in Los Angeles, to the full-time operations they have established in Africa, including offices in Gulu, Uganda.

“We appreciate everyone’s support tonight for our work bringing clean-water and sanitation to rural Africa,” added Drop in the Bucket executive director, Stacey Travis. “Over 4,500 children die each day from water-related diseases and your help allows us to develop additional ways to reduce that number.”

DJ Native Wayne from KROQ and INDIE 103.1 FM provided music for the evening while guests filled out bid sheets for silent auction items such as an original print from famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers, a signed Quincy Jones limited edition embellished giclee and handmade African jewelry, fabric wristlets and bags.

Among the guests joining Milano, Rollins and Deng to support the organization were Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame Member and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Booker T. Jones; actor Ade M’cormack (Blood Diamond); musicians Gerald Casale (Devo) and Ken Jordan (The Crystal Method); and actresses Jill-Michele Melean, (Mad TV), Lee Meriwether (All My Children), Shelby Young (The Social Network), Kate Linder (Young and the Restless) and Heather Tom (The Bold and the Beautiful).

The benefit committee for the event included: Simon & Sara Renshaw, Rob McDermott & Rebecca Salgado-McDermott, Andy Gould, Chris Specht & Patty Ivins-Specht, Cassie Lambert, Anthony Dominici & Georgia Archer, Mary Noon, John and Stacey Travis, Sonja Nelson and Leah Willensky.

Photos taken of African children enjoying newly installed wells covered the walls of the event and throw pillows created by event organizer Marketing A Cause were imprinted with water facts to remind guests of the crucial impact of the funds raised during the evening.

Additionally, 100% of the proceeds from the Voli Vodka-created drink ‘Splash of Life’ being sold for $10 during the evening-and throughout the month of October-at Viceroy Santa Monica also benefited Drop in the Bucket.

About Drop in the bucket: Here