Paparazzi Princess

Paparazzi Princess

Jen Calonita

On Location

Family Affairs

In honor of my grandmothers, Kathleen Calonita and Evelyn Horn, who always inspired me to dream big.

TV Tome

Catching up with Kaitlin Burke!

Week of December 30

Family Affair's favorite daughter talks about life after a hit TV show.

By Steven Diamond

TV TOME: Pretty soonFamily Affair will be no more. How are you coping?

KB: It's hard, you know? I've been on this show practically my whole life. Let's talk about something happy, like where I'm going for my winter break.

TV: Sure thing. So where are you going on vacation?

KB:(laughs) I'm glad you asked, Steven. My family hasn't been on a major vacation in years so I'm really excited to turn off my cell phone and veg -- (Kaitlin's flack, Laney Peters, interrupts and is heard insisting Kaitlin not reveal the location.) I'm sorry. Where was I? Oh, I was saying I can't wait to get away.

TV: Guess you can't say where, huh?

KB: Um, I don't even think I'm allowed to reveal what hemisphere I'll be in!

TV: If the paparazzi knew, they'd probably turn up in droves.

KB: I'm no Angelina and Brad, but a few faithful always seem to know where I'm going before I do. The paparazzi have cut me a lot of slack over the years, so I don't mind too much when they want a picture -- as long as I'm not in mid-bite!

TV: It has to be hard to deal with. The press courts you like you're their personal princess, but they seem to like when you fall from grace too.

KB:(Muffled voices again.) Um, well, yeah, I have had some scuffles, haven't I? But that's what happens when you're seventeen and you live your life in public. You're going to mess up and everyone's going to know about it. I'm just thankful that I've learned from my mistakes. I never want to get completely out of control, which is why I keep a life outside of work, and stick close to my family and friends. They keep me grounded.

TV: And don't forget the boyfriend, Austin Meyers. How are things between you and the hottie high school lacrosse player?

KB: Good! He's amazing. Austin makes it easy for me to think about more than just work. He's fun to be around and he makes me laugh. I couldn't ask for better.

TV: You're going to hate me, but we have to talk about Family Affair now.

KB:(sighs) Okay. It's just that you're the first reporter to ask me about the show ending since it was announced publicly. I'm still in denial.

TV: What are you going to miss most about Family Affair?

KB: Definitely the people I work with. FA is my second family. It's going to be really hard not seeing them practically every day anymore.

TV: Can you tell us anything about how the series will end?

KB: Your guess is as good as mine! Our executive producer, Tom Pullman, is keeping the final scripts under wrap. None of us have seen it yet.