Interview

COLMAN: What about 300 [2007]?

WESTWICK: I loved 300. It was great. The story was something we’d seen before. But, visually, it was unique. It really manipulated the visual experience the audience has.

COLMAN: Yeah, I’m at the movies to be manipulated, for god’s sake.

WESTWICK: Yeah, exactly. That’s why I’m paying my money and sitting in a chair.

COLMAN: I think that they actually did paint in the little individual abs on those guys.

WESTWICK: Oh, I’m sure they did.

COLMAN: How about buffing up for an action feature, are you ready for that?

WESTWICK: It’s a good reason to get in shape, I guess, isn’t it? I think it would be exciting to be involved in an epic 300-esque thing.

COLMAN: Maybe there’ll be a 301. They could make it a musical.

WESTWICK: I’m sure they could. They’re doing a Broadway musical of American Psycho [2000].

COLMAN: You’d be good for that.

WESTWICK: I know, that’s exactly what I was thinking. I had to ring my manager when I heard about it. I’m obsessed with that film.

COLMAN: What do you like about it?

WESTWICK: Just the story. I think it’s hilarious.

COLMAN: Would you want to do a Broadway musical?

WESTWICK: Nah, I don’t think musicals are my thing. I’m not a big fan. Definitely have to get on the stage and do something like a straight play.

COLMAN: But you do sing in your band, don’t you?

WESTWICK: Yeah, well, the band’s not really a band right now. I’m just far too busy to do that. It’ll always be my backup, because I like music a lot.

COLMAN: When was the last time your band performed?

WESTWICK: Back in June . . . Something like that.

COLMAN: That’s a long time ago.

WESTWICK: Yeah, it’s just kind of falling apart. It’s very difficult to juggle two careers, unless you’re going to have someone put it all together for you. Because you’re on TV, somebody just gives you a record deal—that’s not how I’d want to get it, because it’s just not real, you know? There’s nothing I can’t stand more than that whole manufactured kind of thing.

COLMAN: You could be the male Britney Spears.

WESTWICK: “Fuck that” is my response.

COLMAN: What bands do you like? That’s a good response, by the way.

WESTWICK: Kings of Leon, The Strokes . . . the older stuff by The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, The Cure . . . I’m a rock ’n’ roll guy, really. I’m a big fan of Elvis, man. I got “Heartbreak Hotel” tattooed on my chest.

COLMAN: Oh, do you?

WESTWICK: Yeah, and I’ve got “21 Grams,” “Love Me Two Times,” the song by The Doors. I have “I Heart Romance” on my forearm and “You Make Me Feel Like the One” across my shoulder.

COLMAN: What does “I Heart Romance” mean?

WESTWICK: I saw it in a bathroom stall in a bar in Brooklyn. I thought it was cool, so I got it.

COLMAN: Any more plans, or do you think you’re tattooed up?

WESTWICK: No, no. Way more—they’re addictive. Get one. You’ll never look back. Live fast, die young. Be a good-looking corpse. Leave a good-looking tattoo.

Photo: Ed Westwick in New York, January 2009. Jacket: Marc Jacobs. Shirt: Pringle of Scotland. Hair products: Matrix Men, including Clean Shine Pomade. Fragrance: Marc Jacobs for Men. Styling: Ryan Hastings. Hair: Andre Gunn. Makeup: Stevie Huynh.

David Colman is a New York Times columnist and freelance writer who covers art, fashion, and design. He is a frequent contributor to Interview.