Olivia Wilde thrilled by eating contest

Olivia Wilde says a brownie eating contest was a “powerful moment” in her childhood.

The 27-year-old always knew she wanted to be an actress. When she was growing up she loved watching US variety show Saturday Night Live. When she went to watch an episode, it made her realise she had a passion for comedy.

“I wanted to be on Saturday Night Live since I was ten. My father took me to a live taping on my birthday. Chris Farley [early ‘90s SNL wild man] was still in the cast and at the after-party he had a brownie eating contest,” she told the April edition of GQ. “It became, like, a very valuable, powerful moment in my childhood. Although it was the only eating contest I have ever lost.”

Olivia went on to find fame in television shows such as The O.C. and House. She has carved out a career in Hollywood after landing roles in The Change-Up and TRON. The star still has an interest in making people laugh and is currently filming new comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone opposite Jim Carrey and Steve Carell.

“Seeing the energy of SNL made me want to be a part of it. If that was a job, I thought, that was the job I wanted. That was my plan. Comedy,” she explained. “When I first did theatre I was always doing comedies; it was always my first love. But it wasn’t what I was picked for at first, for films and TV. But in the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance to do those things. And it doesn’t feel like, ‘OK, now I’ve done the action thing I’m going to learn how to be funny.’ Because this was always what I wanted to do; now I’m getting the chance to be around some of the greatest.”

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