Steel Notes Magazine October2014 | Page 22

Positively Energized by Scott Brandon

Positively Energized

by Scott Brandon

Positively Energized with Heidi Hollicker

Early in her career , Heidi Holicker was a Jordache Jeans girl for Miller ’ s Outpost ( The GAP , etc ), and played the runaway girl in the music video for Twisted Sister ’ s cover of The Shangri- Las ’ Leader of the Pack . She was also featured in John Mellencamp ’ s music video This Time .

Her acting resume also boasts 5 motion pictures including Pink Motel , which united Heidi with Phyllis Diller , for whom Heidi ’ s mother , Charlotte , had written material . Phyllis was the primary reason Heidi ’ s family had moved to Los Angeles , so working with Phyllis is an experience Heidi very fondly treasures . Heidi recalls Phyllis as “ a very lovely , encouraging human being .”
Heidi ’ s other notable roles include the movie Joy of Sex , which reunited Heidi with 3 of her Valley Girl co-stars : Cameron Dye ( Fred in VG ); Michelle Meyrink ( Suzi in VG ); and Colleen Camp ( Julie ’ s mom in VG ), as well as Valley Girl director Martha Coolidge .
Since leaving acting behind , Heidi has built a highly impressive resume in film production . She has worked as an assistant to 7-time Academy Award winner for Special Makeup Effects Rick Baker , on 20 major feature films including How the Grinch Stole Christmas ; Planet of the Apes ( 2001 ); The Nutty Professor 1 & 2 ; and Men In Black 1 & 2 , among many more .
repetition .”
In 2003 , Heidi participated in Valley Girl ’ s 20th anniversary DVD release with interview and commentary tracks . In April 2013 , The Today Show did a piece on this film classic . And the following month , there was a 30th anniversary screening at the Los Angeles Museum of Art . Heidi gushes , “ It was amazing !!”
Director Kevin Smith has long been quite vocal about his affection for Valley Girl , and interviewed various alumni , including Heidi . Heidi ’ s interview was part of Kevin ’ s podcast show SMornings , back in 2011 .
Heidi ’ s genuine warmth and humility are highly impressive . She is still very sentimental about the sincere kindness of celebrities like John Travolta and Henry Winkler , both whom she had a crush on and later met , as a teenager . Their treatment of Heidi helped shape her own approach to her fans .
She still gets as excited as a grade-schooler on Christmas morning over the fact that ( not being in the music industry whatsoever ) her picture was on the cover of the original Valley Girl soundtrack vinyl . At public appearances , she brings that album cover ( an incredibly rare find today ), and the outfit she wore for the party and Hollywood scenes , as show and tell pieces . Heidi reflected how during an appearance where she judged a Valley Girl costume contest , fans thought the album and clothing were prizes , and almost walked away with them . She had to quickly correct , “ Nope . Sorry . Those are mine .”
But it is her portrayal of Stacey , the cliquey best friend of Valley Girl ’ s lead female character Julie ( played by Deborah Foreman ), that garners Heidi the most fan recognition . “ It is a much bigger film While music clearances ( and doubt the film would now than it was in ’ 83 ,” Heidi explains . “ Back then , succeed ) limited that original vinyl issue to only there were no VHS tapes , and certainly no internet . contain 6 songs , the entire score not only enhances There was really nothing with any kind of real the storytelling , but is a major reason fans keep
22 Steel Notes Magazine www . steelnotesmagazine . com | Octoober 2014