Source: Calabasas Statement Magazine
Article By: Stacie Hougland
Date: February/March 2007

Genevieve Cortese, star of the ABC Family series Wildfire, was born to play the role of athletic, horse-jockeying Kris Furillo – the actress lived a rustic lifestyle on a ski mountain in Montana, and later Sun Valley, Idaho, and grew up comfortable around horses. Even so, she says, “I didn’t really get into riding until Wildfire. It was my mom’s sport; because she always wanted me to do it, I kind of rebelled. I guess now I’m making her proud!”

She took equestrian classes to prepare for the part, and rides in her free time. “I’m really interested in the showmanship of racing; there’s such a beautiful etiquette that I didn’t know existed,” says Cortese, 26. It’s one reason she thinks Wildfire, picked up for its fourth season, has been such a huge success. “Horse racing is such a cool business – no one else has really touched on it. Like, one race can make or break you.”

Cortese, who holds bachelor’s degrees in acting and English from NYU, brings a natural sense of adventure to her first major role. An avid traveler, she recently hiked Machu Picchu, and is planning a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. She also exudes a humble quality that makes the troubled outsider Kris so real.

“I’m always making mistakes, so it’s nice to play a character who is not super perfect. Kris makes mistakes and goes on with it,” she says, adding that the key to success is not letting it go to one’s head. “My closest friends are from college and grade school. It’s important to surround yourself with people you know, love and trust, and who will keep you grounded,” she says. “There is so much chaos and bullshit in this business, you have to remember who you are and how hard you worked to get here. I worked hard to get here.”