Hilah Johnson Interview

Hilah Johnson is an Austin-based actor, writer, rock star and the star of her ownawesome cooking show. For THE SPIDER BABIES she will not only be playing the role of Ethel, but will also be on the soundtrack as she and THE HOT AS SHITS have already recorded the first “Spider Babies” album which will be available soon. “I knew I wanted to cast Hilah before the script was even finished,” said director Christopher Sharpe. “She’s got the perfect energy, she’s really funny and she’s got a great look. Also, I know that she’s tough enough to handle the torture we are about to put her through.”

ROCKHOUSE PICTURES: When did you first start acting?

HILAH: Fourth grade musical: Li’l Abner. I got the lead female role. Eat that, fifth grade bitches.

RHP: Who would say inspires you most?

H: My dad, I guess, in a weird way.

RHP: How much do you identify with your character?

H: As a ball-and-nut-stomping rocker: I can totally identify.

RHP: Favorite liquor?

H: Whiskey, gin, what do you got?

RHP: If you survived the apocalypse, what are five things you’d want to have at all times, not including food, water, guns?

H: Strike-anywhere matches, a kickin’ boom box with some bad ass mix tapes, spf 30 chapstick, my cold-ass stare. Oh, and some batteries for the kickin’ boom box. That’s too many things. I am so fucked.

RHP: So you’re being chased by demons; weapon of choice?

H: Grenades.

RHP: Who’s your favorite action hero?

H: She-Ra. I used to want to be her just so I could do it with He-Man, but then there was that episode when it became really clear that they were brother and sister. That was so confusing.

RHP: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

H: I don’t know. Something really upbeat and funky that would sound good with boots and mini skirts. “The Happening” and “Papa was a Rolling Stone” come to mind. Those are both kind of sad songs, though. What does that mean?

RHP: Once again, post-apocalypse and you can plunder anywhere you want. Which three stores do you hit and why?

H: The battery store to get batteries for my boom box. The ammunition store for grenades and bullets and maybe a stuffed deer head off the wall. The liquor store. For Molotov cocktails, and drinking.

Interview by: Liz McCormick

BONUS FEATURE: Since you read the whole thing, here’s a cartoon version of Hilah and The Hot As Shits in this video animated by Craig Staggs.