JESSICA PARKER KENNEDY [THE FLASH]

WORDS BY PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG

Nora West-Allen aka XS is creating all the buzz as the newest superhero/speedster to join the Arrowverse and she’s become an immediate fan favorite ever since the shocking season 4 finale of The Flash.

Jessica Parker Kennedy is no stranger to the DC Universe. From supervillain to superhero, get to know the beauty that fans are talking about every week in our exclusive interview as she talks about the THE FLASH, her upcoming Netflix movie and more.

Tell us a little bit about your story. Who is Jessica Parker Kennedy?

Well I’m in the middle of my story so I’m still figuring out who I am. I’ve come to the conclusion recently that I’m not as mature I as I think I am. I have a lot of space in my conscious mind to grow.

How did acting start for you?

Summer Camp in Utah. 2nd grade. I was forced to participate in the theatrical production of The Jungle Book. I played two characters and was apparently quite mesmerizing. Or so my mother claims.

How did you get the part to play Nora West-Allen?

The producer of the Flash, Todd Helbing called my reps and asked to have a meeting with me. He pitched me the role and I thought, yup, this sounds really cool.

Did you feel a lot of pressure joining the cast of such a popular show?

Yes and no. I’m very rarely of one mind about something. I was mostly just enthusiastic. I didn’t really get nervous until we went to San Diego Comic Con and I realized how huge the fan base is.

What is is like working with your cast mates on The Flash. What do you guys bond with when you’re not working.

They’re really cool people and I’m so happy to have met each and every one of them. We haven’t really bonded outside of work because I fly home to LA every weekend.

What is the most memorable or craziest thing you experienced on set?

I really enjoy being strung up on the wires by a harness. You feel weightless and like you’re flying but it’s also really awkward and uncomfortable. The more episodes and the little stunts I do in them, the more I find myself feeling less like a super hero and more like a clumsy otter!

Are you anything like your character, Nora?

We definitely have some stuff in common. Her jumpiness reminds me of myself. Her weird little nervous energy and silliness.

Some fans may not know that prior to your role as The Flash’s new leading heroine, you’ve also played the super villain, Plastique before in Smallville. Do you prefer to play heroes, villains or somewhere in between.

I like to play all different kinds of people. Otherwise, what’s the point.

Speaking of Smallville, it’s been 10 years since your debut episode as Plastique and it seems like you barely aged a day. What are your beauty tips for staying so young and beautiful.

Everyone in my family looks ten years younger than they are. We’re delightfully weird. I really don’t do anything special to take care of my skin. I’m terrible.

Has there been a role you wished you could’ve played longer?

I don’t think so.

What’s your dream role or project?

I don’t know. I always pick up the next script and hope that that will be the one. I like playing flawed characters because I think we all, at times, feel very flawed.

Besides The Flash, do you have any other exciting projects coming up that we can look forward to.

I’m in a really cool movie called CAM that’s coming to Netflix soon!

If you were a book, what type of book would you be?

I like this question! I’m not sure. Maybe an action-adventure-romance novel. I love romantic stories and I love adventures. And I hunt demons like Buffy.

If you had the chance to help any specific charity /organization, which one would it be and why?

Any charity to do with animals. I can say with great confidence and clarity that animals are far far superior beings to us (I know we’re technically animals too, but you know what I mean). The Humane Society is awesome. They’re website is great because on the front page there are always a variety of clear ways you can directly help suffering animals. I work with an organization called Shizzy’s Cat Rescue that focuses on the rescuing and rehabilitation of large cats like tigers, jaguars, etc. The organization also focuses on educating people about how to protect and care for our wild animals all over the planet by doing even the smallest and easiest of things to help like refusing to buy products that contain palm oil and promising to never take photos with animals in captivity. Here are their websites. www.thehumanesociety.org. www.shizzyswildcatrescue.org. Also don’t forget to vote YES this November on PROP 12. It will prevent farm animal confinement in California. And for f*ck sake, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP.

See Jessica as Nora West-Allen (XS) on The Flash Season 5!