Noa Tishby is an Israeli born actress who plays the role of ‘Kiki’ together with Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in a romance comedy film: The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, scheduled to be released in 2009. Noa Tishby is also the co-executive producer of HBO’s new hit drama series: “In Treatment” . The show follows psychoanalyst Paul Weston through his week. In Treatment is based on an Israeli drama called: Be Tipul which was created by Hagai Levi with Ori Sivan and Nir Bergman. Noa Tishby is married to an Australian media personality and the host of “Australian Idol”, Andrew G.

I caught up with Noa Tishby on a busy Monday afternoon. I had an amazing opportunity to chat with Noa about her beginnings in acting, current and upcoming film projects, life in Hollywood, and some beauty secrets.

I saw your photos online and you are absolutely beautiful. What is your background?
I’m Israeli. My ancestors are from Russia, Poland, and Austria.

When did you move from Israel to Los Angeles?
About 7 years ago.

How do you like living and working in Los Angeles?
I absolutely love LA. What I always say about LA is that it’s tasteless like Tofu. LA is not a city on its own or like any other city in the world like New York, Paris, Sydney, or Tel-Aviv which have a very specific flavor and vibe to them that you either you like or you don’t like. LA is very plain and it is really depends on what you do with it. LA depends a lot on the friends you have here and if you love your work. If you have all these elements in place then LA is a fantastic place. Needless to say, that I love my friends in LA, my work, the weather, the endless opportunities, and the beautiful homes. I grew up on the beach in Israel so I love the hot weather in LA.

When did your acting career begin?
I was about 8 when I began acting professionally. I always wanted to act. I began staring in commercials when I was a kid. I tried convincing my mom to take me to auditions but she refused. Her idea was that if I would still want to act when I grow up, then I should be doing it on my own. So at age 9 I’ve decided to pursue acting on my own. I then received my first scholarship when I was 14 years old.

What was your first professional break as an actress?
When I was 16 I was in an international hit musical called David. The show became a cult phenomenon hit, sort of like the Rocky Horror Show. It is an amazing musical and I’m in early stages of productions in bringing David to the US. Then when I was 19 I was casted for an Israeli hit drama called: Ramat Aviv Gimel. 

As the producer of the show David, who would you cast for the main role?
I would have to say Brad Pitt. David is a kind of guy who has an incredible charisma, loved by everyone, and who can conquer anyone.  

In Israel the name Noa Tishby is synonymous with stardom. What are some of the challenges translating the same level of success and popularity in Hollywood?

There is a lot more competition in LA than in Israel. LA attracts famous and successful people from all over the world. So when you arrive to LA as the most famous person in Israel it’s not enough. Sounds great but you need to grab a number and stand in line behind the most famous person in Spain or in Italy. So it is a game of excellence, you need to be really good in order to stand out.

What do you love most about acting?
What I love most about acting is the ability to channel someone that it is different than me. It is a lot of fun playing different emotions and characters, and to basically transform to someone else.

And how do you manage to find that someone else in you?
I don’t really know. It is one of these things. I’ve studied acting for many years and I still do. Some characters are easy to connect to. And some characters you have to find that place in you that can relate to them. You need to understand the character you are playing and their rational without any judgments. All characters, especially a villain, have a reason and rational to their actions. 

What would be your dream acting role?
My dream acting role would be of Satine, played by Nicole Kidman in the film Moulin Rouge. Satine is very flamboyant and colorful and vulnerable at the same time. One side of Satine is very glamorous and the other side is sensitive and is in some kind of pain. I also love musicals! 

This leads me to my next question. You not only an actress but you also sing. Is singing still part of your focus?
I can sing and I used to sing, but it is not my focus at this time. I produce more now.

You are married to Andrew G who is Australian and the host of Australian Idol and you work in LA. How do you make the relationship work?
We live in 3 countries: USA, Australia, and Israel. We are based in LA, but Andrew goes to Australia to work and to do Australian Idol. When Andrew is in Australia I try to visit him as much as I can. I love Australia! It is such a beautiful country and Sydney is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is a chill-out place and I have tons of friends there too.  

What other exciting projects are you working on now and what is next for Noa Tishby?
I just finished shooting a recurring role on an HBO show called: Big Love. I’m also working on a CW show called: Valentine, in which I play an Egyptian Cat Goddess. I get to do the craziest things on the show like flying, jumping, and fight scenes where I roll around. My military training in the Israeli army came in really handy for this role. I’m also a producer. I produced HBO’s hit drama series: In Treatment. The show was an Israeli show originally. I brought it to the US, and it was the first time ever that an Israeli series was adapted by an American network. In Treatment represents a big break to the Israeli film market, which I’m very proud of. We were nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys and ended up winning 2 Primetime Emmys. I have a role in an upcoming film with Matthew McConaughey: The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, which is scheduled to be released in May 2009.  

What is your number one beauty secret?
There is nothing more important than being happy! You can be the most beautiful girl in the world and perfect physically in every way, but if you are not happy and fulfilled, it shows! In addition to water and  Yoga you need to be happy.  

What’s in Noa Tishby’s makeup bag?
Blush by IL-MAKIAGE which is a New York based company, and a lip gloss.

What is your favorite way to relax?
The most relaxing thing I can do for myself is to go to the beach.

Which celebrities do you find most beautiful?
Angelina Jolie’s beauty is undeniable. Angelina is definitely one of the most beautiful women of our time. Sophia Loren always takes my breath away. Actually I did a photo shoot once for a makeup campaign where they made me look like Sophia Loren, it was so much fun. Helen Mirren and Julianne Moore are also very beautiful.

What one or two things some people may not know about Noa Tishby?
Some  people may not know that I’m a great cook. I also love to paint.