I had this day circled on my calendar for quite some time. Since I set up the interview about three months ago. I have to admit I am a huge fan of Althea's. I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few times throughout her career. The last time we sat down and had a little talk was about five years ago. Just after Blade: Trinity was released. A lot has gone on in her life since then. She is apart of the cast of the hit crime drama Criminal Minds and she also had a baby early last year. The view is spectacular as I drive down the long driveway towards her house. There's a big iron gate to keep out the strays. I was almost expecting 'Althea Manor' to be molded into the iron bars. It only took a minute or two to get past security and the gates slowly began to open. It was like something straight out of the movies. The house was pretty big, not so big that you needed a GPS system to get around but definitely bigger than my own apartment. I knocked on the front door and was greeted by Stephanie, Althea's assistant. Who quickly disappeared to find Althea. The decor in the front foyer was amazing. This girl definitely had a talent for decorating. It didn't take her long to appear in the foyer, a big smile on her face. Did she remember me? I have to say I'm quite excited about that. We exchanged pleasantries and shook hands, then she lead me through the house into her home office. Yet again, amazing decorating. We got comfy, taking a seat on the daybed in her office filled with pillows. Yes, you read that right, a daybed in her office. Ashley Moore: Wow, my gosh, I'm almost speechless at this decor you have going on. So amazing! Althea Hayes: Thank you so much, I can't say I did it all by myself. I had some help but the ideas were mostly mine. As you probably already know I'm not a plain jane type of girl, I like to stand out so each room in this house stands out in it's own way. AM: You definitely stand out. I have to ask, do you remember me at all? I've interviewed you a couple times before. AH: Of course I remember you! It's been a while but, I remember last time we talked we went out for lunch. AM: Good memory! A lot has happened for you since then, a few new movies, TV Show, Riley.. AH: Yes, tons have happened. Riley is definitely the best though, Criminal Minds coming in a very close second. AM: How has mommy-hood been treating you? AH: It's the best thing in the world. I know a lot of new mom's say that but it truly is. Riley is 22 months old now. Is that stupid to say his age in months? (laughs) Maybe I should just say he's almost two. He's walking and getting into everything. Talking like a pro. He loves to tell me no then do things. Like I'll say 'Riley, pick up your truck please' and he'll say 'no, mommy' then pick it up and put it in the toy bin. He's at that adorable age. AM: That is so cute. Now I have to ask a few tough questions, the readers want to know some things. Like Riley's dad. You're not with him anymore? I know Riley has your last name. AH: (laughs and shakes her head) I was prepared for some questions like this. Yes, Riley has my name. His father walked out on us while I was six months pregnant. He didn't want to become a father I guess. I remember when I told him I was pregnant he was excited. We both were. We shopped for baby clothes and cribs together, then all of a sudden he completely spazzed out saying things like I took away his youth by getting pregnant, just random junk like that. It was an epic freak out. I look back and laugh at it now but at the time I was heart broken. I didn't think I'd get through it all on my own but, I had my friends and family around to help me out. Since he didn't want to be apart of Riley's life, Riley has my name instead of his because I couldn't see my life without my baby. AM: Anyone hanging around and helping you out? I mean, besides family and friends? AH: Is that your sly way of asking if I have a boyfriend? No, currently I do not have a boyfriend. I'm very single. I'm not actively looking either but, if it happens, it happens. I'm definitely not against it. AM: Aww that's good. Now, how do you feel about Riley growing up around the hollywood scene? AH: I don't really see anything wrong with it. I grew up around hollywood. My parents, as you know, are in the entertainment industry. My dad's a producer, my mom is a screenplay writer. So, I was around it from the time I was born. Riley definitely notices the paparazzi and I bring him along to the set while filming Criminal Minds. Don't worry, he only comes out to watch when there's no dead bodies around. (laughs) My character on the show has a baby as well but Riley doesn't play my son on the show. They had to write something into the script when I got pregnant, It would've been to obvious to ignore. A lot of people think it was Riley in the few scenes that's been shot with JJ's son but it wasn't. AM: Do you think he'll want to be apart of it all? Do you think he'll want to act? AH: Who knows yet. He doesn't have the attention span to film a scene just yet. If he sees you with a video camera he giggles and run around, it's quite amusing. If he wants to get into acting or any part of this business he'll have to wait til he's at least 13. That's how old I was when I first started out on Mickey Mouse Club. I'm definitely not going to push him in the direction of acting, I'll let him figure things out for himself, if he wants to try it out? then fine! If he doesn't like it? That's fine too. AM: Speaking of Mickey Mouse Club. You started on that show 16 years ago. There was some singing involved if I remember correctly. Have you thought about putting out a record at all? AH: 16 years? god that makes me sound old. There was a lot of singing involved with Mickey Mouse Club. I definitely thought about making a record, yes. Will it ever happen? Probably. When? I really don't know. Right now I'm real busy, I try to write some things out when I have a spare moment. I'll make sure to let the fans know when I get real serious about it though. AM: Well that's good to hear! So, what is the next project for you? AH: There's a lot coming up, When In Rome is coming out very soon. I'm super excited about that. We just finished filming The Roommate while we were on hiatus with Criminal Minds, and I'll be starting to film another movie very soon. Also, there's talks about another Scary Movie I'm sure everyone is tired of those but, there's more and more horror movies to parody every year. Let's see, there's always Criminal Minds and that album as well. Over in that corner there is a ton of scripts I have to go through. They're not for Criminal Minds, they're just movie scripts I've been sent. Who knows, my next project may be sitting in that stack. AM: That is a lot of scripts, I don't know how you manage to get through them all AH: In all honestly, if I'm not completely into the story after about 50 pages or so, I stop reading. A lot of times, I don't read the entire script. AM: Ahh, that could definitely speed up the process then. You mentioned Criminal Minds What can we expect for the BAU team this season? AH: (laughs) Now, now. You know I can't spill any secrets about the show! They keep us tightlipped about it all. Besides, they keep a lot of secrets from us too. We don't know what's going on til we get the scripts and start filming. We're only a few episodes ahead. AM: Really? No hints at all? What if I ask a question and you blink once for yes, twice for no AH: (blinks twice then laughs) AM: (laughs) Well there's my answer. I definitely have it set to tape each week. Anyway, Althea it's been wonderful talking to you this afternoon and I'll get out of your hair now, let you spend some time with your son. AH: It's been good seeing you again, next time don't wait so long (laughs) AM: Don't worry, I won't. Goodbye, Althea AH: See you later. Written by: Ashley Moore Glamour Magazine