Getting Real in L.A.

L.A. WEEKLY: Who’s the father?

S.B.: [quietly] A friend.

L.A. WEEKLY: How has motherhood changed you?

S.B.: It‘s helped me evolve in a lot of ways, emotionally, spiritually . . . enabled me to love deeper than I ever have. And also be stronger and clearer and less [self-]indulgent.

L.A. WEEKLY: What values are most important to pass on to your daughter -- if you had to leave the planet today, and her behind, what would you say to her in the note?

S.B.: To always be completely confident and clear with who she is, and true to herself, and also be extremely compassionate.

L.A. WEEKLY: You’ve been studying the Cabala for four years. Why do you think it‘s such a trend now in Hollywood?

S.B.: Well, I think things are happening suddenly because we’re in a very highly spiritually charged time. When all these things are happening technologically, it‘s a reflection of what’s happening spiritually. Things are all moving at a very high rate of speed. Of course, there are always people who jump on the bandwagon and can‘t follow through; but there are also people who get very committed to it.

L.A. WEEKLY: You’ve been referred to as a “postmodern feminist icon.” Do you get that?

S.B.: I grew up in that era when feminism was taken seriously and the word had a deep meaning. There was a real romance to it. And now I think it‘s really integrated into people’s lives in a different way. It‘s just about getting up, and working, and taking care of yourself. And being responsible.

L.A. WEEKLY: To make a sharp right turn here . . . I have to ask -- what’s your relationship now with Madonna?

S.B.: It‘s so silly to talk about it, you know. It’s like, that was a friendship and a relationship that went on a long time ago, and it ended more or less in a big public way. And we don‘t hang out anymore, and that’s fine. It‘s the way things evolved. When I see her, it’s cool; but we haven‘t had any kind of real communication in eight years. So that’s it. There‘s nothing to say.

I’m Still Here Damnit! will be performed at El Rey Theater, 5514 Wilshire Blvd.; Tuesday, November 30, and Wednesday, December 1, at 7:45 p.m. Call (323) 860-6679 or 936-4790.