On Saturday Evening I attended a panel for the original Power Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson. Even after a long day, Amy brought a ton of energy to her late panel. Her personality really showed through positively as she took questions from fan of all of her work.
When Amy was seven years old and wanted a lot of attention. She found she loved to perform. Amy attended a performance school after high school.
When asked about her audition for Power Rangers, Amy shared that she went in for her first acting audition. She apparently nailed it.
When asked about differences in her personality and her character Kimberly, she replied that Kimberly was much more confident in that part of her life. She has learned that confidence of over the years and feels her role as the Pink Ranger helped that tremendously.
Amy Jo told the story about working on Power Rangers for almost a year before it came out. The cast and crew had no idea if it would be successful or not. They realized how big it was when they were suppose to do a life performance and kept selling it out and had to do 4 different ones that day. She stated it because more real when they went to Hawaii and got of the plan. The cast didn’t have security. There was a huge line to give leis as they got off the plane. One of the guys had so many leis put on him that Amy could only see his eyes
A little girl in the crowd ask if Amy Jo still morphs. At first, Amy comment, “Yes I do sweetie.” The little girl was excited by the idea. But Amy Jo followed up and that she doesn’t anymore because she doesn’t want to try to put on the spandex again.
Amy discussed how eccentric her interests are in life. She spends her time doing a lot more than acting. In fact, acting has taken a backseat for most of her current career.
Amy talked about her musical side. She has various different albums out. Her first album was a rock. She shared that she was dating a rocker at the time. I need to check out the album.
Amy now spends most of her time writing and directing. She fell in love with directing her first time. She took up writing to enable to direct. Now she loves to write. She gets up early every morning and starts writing at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee. Her writing process is to jump in and let it write the story develop as she goes instead of outlining and planning.
Amy Jo wrote a four issue Power Rangers comic book called Power Rangers The Return. The comic picks up on the idea “If the original Power Rangers had stayed together, where would they be now. She stated that it took them down some surprising roads.
Amy Jo was as delightful to see in person as I expected. It was a great way to spend a panel.
Stay Geeky!
