Weekly: Is it fun playing someone so different from you and the nice guys of your past roles?
Rikaart: It’s amazing. Playing the nice guy is all well and good, but I’ve gotten to tear two sets apart in less than four months! It’s very therapeutic. I’m saving a fortune in therapy, because it’s a great way to release aggression.Weekly: Are you an Internet guy, like Kevin?
Rikaart: Oh, I’m so into it. It’s totally art imitating life, because I can easily kill four hours a day on Instant Messenger. It’s great for keeping in touch with friends back East. That part I can understand, but the online dating is where Kevin and I differ. That’s one step too far for me. I enjoy my privacy and I think once you start doing that you open doors that might be hard to close.Weekly: What is it like shooting a romance with a younger actress?
Rikaart: Initially it was a little strange, because we jumped right into the story. When I first started, obviously I didn’t know Christel (Khalil, Lily) very well and she’s 10 years younger than me. It was a little bizarre, but at the same time, it’s acting. It may be weird for me, but it wouldn’t be weird for Kevin.Weekly: What do you do in your free time?
Rikaart: Today I went to a yoga class and I’m going for a massage right now — tough life right (laughs)! I don’t enjoy cooking, so I eat out a lot. I enjoy going to nice restaurants, hanging out with friends, yoga, mountain biking and hiking. I like reading, and I can enjoy a good summer blockbuster as much as an art house film.Weekly: What is your favorite thing about this job?
Rikaart: Getting up everyday, having a job that I love to go to and having great people to work with is just a wonderful feeling. So many people come out here and try to reach for their dream: I’m so fortunate that I’m getting to do it. I’m learning every day from everyone I work with and, as the story develops, I have scenes with more and more people. It’s so exciting. I’m knocking on wood because as you know, in this industry, there’s no job stability. I’m enjoying it while it lasts.
