Despite the bitchy, popular, occasionally ditsy character that she
portrays in "Buffy" and "Angel", Charisma Carpenter is the complete
opposite of her alter-ego.
Born and raised in Rosarito, Mexico, Charisma was a rebellious
youngster. Often in detention, with poor grades and great enthusiasm
for partying hard. To most she would have sounded like the typical
problem child. To her parents, she was the average Carpenter family
member (five of her uncles owned Harley Davidsons)
While attending Hending School, Charisma indulged in Child Modelling,
beauy pageants and cheerleading. In fact, she enjoyed cheerleading so
much that, in 1991she turned professional and cheered for the San Diego
Chargers.
After appearing in a Secret Anti-perspirant, Charisma moved to Los
Angeles to try her luck in acting. She starred in a number of commercials
and made a few guest spots on daytime television including "Baywatch",
"Pacific Blue" and the short lived Aaron Spelling production, "Malibu
Shores".
In 1996, Carpenter auditioned for "Buffy". Initially she was to audition
for the part of the Slayer herself, however was caught in traffic on the
way there. Thinking on her feet (or her butt, maybe) Charisma called her
agent and had him send a pizza to Joss telling him what was happening.
Although she didn't manage to land the role of Buffy, her late audition
(and probably the pizza) convinced Joss' attention enough to secure her
the role of Cordelia Chase, a role that she has given more depth and
scope than anyone could have imagined.
