“Twilight” actress Nikki Reed shared some of her favorite memories of filming the series — and potential hopes for its future — at a FanX panel on Thursday.
Reed, who played the vampire Rosalie Hale in the cult favorite films, discussed the impact that the series has had over the years and addressed the book’s upcoming 20th anniversary.
She opened the panel at Utah’s annual pop culture convention by sharing her appreciation for Salt Lake City.
“I love Utah,” she said, which garnered loud applause from the crowd. “I’ve got some horse trainers I work with, and I spend a lot of time here for that.”
Twilight’s 20th anniversary
As the “Twilight” book series nears its 20th anniversary on Oct. 5, love for it remains as ageless as the immortal vampires it features. The series has become ingrained in pop culture, from musical parodies to TikTok analyses, and celebrations for its anniversary include new book covers and a theatrical rerelease.
Reed said the power of the series has evolved beyond the page or screen.
“I think it’s incredible. I mean, 20 years, I have no idea how long it will continue to go on,” she said. “I’ve heard whispers of maybe Stephenie working on something else. ... It might just keep going.”
Stephenie Meyer, the author of the “Twilight” series, said in an interview with ABC last week that she does have some outlines for potential future projects.
Reed, for her part, said she would love to explore more of Rosalie’s character if those projects are released.
“There was so much we didn’t get to explore in the films that does live in the books,” she explained. “Just seeing her backstory in the third film ... was really special, because I think it humanized her in a way that she really deserves. I love that character, and I think she really deserved to have that part of her story told.”
Reed noted similarities between herself and Rosalie, such as their loyalty and protectiveness. Reed added that she would love to learn about Rosalie’s future beyond the series.
“I would love to see her as a mom,” she said.
Behind the scenes of ‘Twilight’
Reed also shared some of her favorite memories from filming the “Twilight” series.
“Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke, for instance, had the actors take what Reed called a “vampire cat class,” where choreographers trained each actor to move like a cat to make their body language more vampiric.
“We laugh about it now, but it was actually a very cool bonding experience, if nothing else,” Reed said. She added that the cast members remain close years later.
Reed also commented on the infamous “Twilight” wigs, which have received widespread commentary on their varying looks. Reed said Rosalie’s best wig was in the third movie, “Eclipse.”
“Every director had a different approach, not only for our characters but what we should look like,” she explained. “Each film had its own individual experience.”
Nikki Reed on family
During a Q&A session, one fan asked Reed about her husband, Ian Somerhalder, who is also best known for his portrayal of a vampire (Somerhalder played Damon Salvatore in the TV series “Vampire Diaries”).
Reed said it was “sheer coincidence” that they both had vampire roles in their work history — they actually met through their support for animals and the environment.
“We met through philanthropy because we had similar philanthropic interests,” she said. “There were just some full crossover moments, and a mutual friend of ours had us talk about philanthropy.”
From there, they became friends, and the rest is history — the pair is now married with two children.
Reed said she doesn’t publicly discuss her children, but she regularly shares her love for parenting and her desire to give her children privacy.
“I’m fiercely protective of privacy and family and small people,” she said, adding that she herself didn’t have that when she became a child star. “Minors shouldn’t be subjected to that kind of visibility and scrutiny.”
Reed’s advice for women: ‘Don’t limit yourself’
Reed left acting nearly a decade ago. She said that while paving a new path was scary, she has learned to challenge herself and has realized that “there’s no such thing as a timeline.”
“You’re not too late to do anything or try something new,” she said to one young fan, who asked Reed for her advice for women and young adults. “Be fearless about it. Be bold. Jump in ... learn it all and do it all and be it all. You are wonderful.”
Reed added that even now, she considers trying new things or starting a new phase in her career, such as studying law.
“Why couldn’t I start that now? Where’s the time stamp? If I’m OK with pushing myself… then why limit myself to where I am right now?” she asked. “So that would be the message for you as a woman: Don’t limit yourself.”