Heathyr Hoffman was one of the five original Ghost Hunters Academy recruits and although she didn't make the cut, she still has a passion and desire to learn more about the world of the paranormal. Ghost Hunters Fans was lucky enough to interview Heathyr in December 2009. Below is an unedited version of our exclusive interview. Enjoy!
What's your favorite...? Food? Sushi Book? Couldn't possibly choose one favorite; favorite fiction authors include Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Gaiman, Richard Matheson Music style/musical group? Very ecclectic, but I lean toward early-mid 90's alternative Color? Red Movie of all time? Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo TV show? Heroes, House, Bones, Criminal Minds Historical figure? Nefertiti or George Patton
How quickly did you go from entering an audition to starting your first day of investigation with the GHA team?
I first came across the casting call online in May, and I immediately sent them an email as they requested with a short bio and recent photo. The next day, I got a call from a producer saying they were really interested in what I had sent them, and asked me to send in a video. After mailing the video, I didn't hear back from them for a few weeks until July, when they wanted me to videotape myself doing a phone interview with them (which is now on the SyFy website). I went through a lot of administrative stuff in the following weeks, and we began filming in August.
What was your reaction when you heard that you had been selected?
I was extremely excited! I was thrilled to have the opportunity, and I was eager to be able to go to reported haunted locations that I probably would never have that same kind of access to on my own. Haunted or not, getting the chance to spend so much time in these historic places was fantastic.
How did you feel when you first met Steve and Tango?
The entire first night of arriving in Philadelphia and meeting everyone - the cast and the crew - was pretty hectic and crazy. I am usually pretty nonplussed by meeting 'celebrities', so in general I'm not the type to get all star-struck and googley-eyed. Meeting them was fun though, for sure.
Can you tell us anything about the inside of the GHA RV?
Don't open the fridge! That thing smelled to high heaven; I have no idea what made it that way since it wasn't ever operational. Everyone's tendency when getting on the RV was to say "Oh, hey, I wonder if the fridge works" and go to open it; meanwhile those who were familiar with the Stench would be diving at them in slow-motion going "Noooooooooo!"
Has your life changed in any way since the show has began?
My outlook on myself and on the field in general have developed a bit more, but honestly my life hasn't really changed all that much. It felt strange to not be in school, since I've been in school for the last 22 years. That's the only major difference; for the most part I am just fairly boring as always.
Will we be seeing any more of you in the future? On the show?
I've really just been making an effort to take things as they come and to tolerate ambiguity, which I have trouble with. I will absolutely remain in the paranormal research field, even if it's just with ARMS here in Arizona. Even if I wanted to quit, the whole 'medium' thing kind of gets in the way. Of course I would love to have this experience lead to other opportunities in the field, because who doesn't want to be able to make a living doing what they love? I'm just working on putting myself out there, and seeing what (if anything) comes of it.
What will you be taking away from this whole experience?
The experience definitely changed me, I think in a positive way. It was challenging, tough, and somewhat brutal at times; but it showed me the value that I place on remaining true to myself. It seems a little incongruous, but it upped my confidence level in my skills both as a medium and as a scientist, and fueled my drive to find that balance between both aspects of investigating.
Are there any fun facts that you can tell us about your life?
I laughed at this question, because presently my life consists of sitting at home talking to my cats, watching TV, and reading. I guess a fact about me would be that I have a really dry sense of humor, and a lot of people don't expect it from me. I looked so stodgy on the show, but really I'm almost never serious.
Is there anything else that you would like to add before we go?
People in the paranormal research field, stop being so divisive! Ostensibly, we all do this for the same purpose - to gather evidence of paranormal phenomena - so all of the "My technique is better than your technique" or personal attacks ("I don't like your FACE!") don't do anyone any good!
