In FX’s new comedy Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, Denis Leary plays Johnny Rock, a washed-up, drugged-out frontman for a punk-rock band that had its moment in the sun and then broke up nearly 25 years ago. Since then, Johnny’s been barely scraping by. But things start looking up when a beautiful young woman, Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies), Johnny’s estranged daughter, shows up and asks Johnny to help make her famous. With the looks, the talent and the voice, Gigi might be Johnny’s ticket to fame after all.
ALSO SEE: Denis Leary gets the band back together for Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll
Gillies, perhaps best known for her role in Nickelodeon’s Victorious (and maybe soon for the new Vacation movie), is absolutely on fire vocally and visually in her more adult SDRR role. “She can sing anything,” Leary says. “Man, I’m the luckiest guy in television right now to have this girl working for me. … I wish I had her wisdom and ability when I was 21 years old.” We put Gillies’ wisdom to the test with our famous 5 Questions:
1) What has been your strangest fan encounter?
I was on a kids show for five years, so kids will grab your legs and things … [At this point, Gillies gets interrupted by a starstruck young Victorious fan. Not kidding.]
2) Can you tell us about a time when you were starstruck?
I watched Project Runway a lot as a kid, and I went to The View and they were there. I’ve met almost everyone I’ve wanted to meet, but for some reason, the reality contestants on Project Runway, when I was 12 years old. I couldn’t speak. I also couldn’t speak around Megan Mullally. I literally backed down, because I’m such a big Will & Grace fan.
3) What’s your favorite sports team?
The New York Yankees, because I think I’m supposed to because of my family.
4) What are three things you have to have in your fridge or pantry?
Peanut butter. Dark chocolate. I don’t know. I eat very plainly and terribly.
5) What’s a movie you can watch over and over again?
Mrs. Doubtfire! [Laughs] It’s true, though. I love it. I was going to say Jumanji but that’s not true. I get sick of that every once in a while.
Photos: (from top)Danny Clinch/FX; Ben Hider/PictureGroup/FX; Patrick Harbron/FX
