VALDOSTA — T.J. Power, 24, is an Australian actor from Sydney. He is currently living in Los Angeles. He is an actor and a singer, songwriter and musician. I caught up with the busy gentleman via cellular phone to talk with him about his performance in “Eat Pray Love,” being in a film with one of moviedom’s best, Julia Roberts, and kissing Javier Bardem.   

“Eat Pray Love” is his fourth film role, and he just wrapped “Vulnerable,” another film débuting in the near future. For now, Power is enjoying the fame acquired from “Eat Pray Love,” directed by Ryan Murphy (television’s “Glee,” and “Nip/Tuck”). Power expressed sheer love for working with the cast. He also said working with director Murphy was an absolute treat. He noted being a fan of Murphy’s work.

On working with Academy Award recipients Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, Power said he had to pinch himself. He described being in Bali with the talented actors and Ryan Murphy was unbelievable. He compared filming in Bali to moving to the United States. He noted it was a long way from the “Down Under” to living here in the States. He said living in the United States is different from Australia. Yet, he said filming in Bali with Roberts, Bardem and Murphy was a beautiful experience and he is enjoying his new life here in the United States.

“‘Eat Pray Love’ was a challenging experience, but it was easy and smooth,” Power said. All together, he found it to be a positive experience.

T. J. Power, whose initials stand for Timmy John, described mega-movie star Julia Roberts as an amazing, loving and professional actress. He said she was generous and giving on the set.

“She is just a beautiful person. Everyone in Australia would love her!”     

He acknowledges his experience with Javier Bardem as similar to his observations of Roberts. Power said he and Bardem spent time together when not filming. He describes Bardem as a genuine, talented professional. Power said he and Bardem have much in common. Music and rugby are a few of the interests they share. The friendly relationship Power and Bardem established off-screen as fellow actors is good because their onscreen relationship involves sharing a familial kiss.

Power plays Leon, the 19-year-old college student, whose father Felipe (Bardem) is a recently divorced, often crying, and overly emotional father. Bardem’s Felipe has an interesting manner of saying goodbye to his son in this adventure. Felipe kisses his son on the lips when they depart. Power says the kiss with Bardem is one of the touching parts of this film, an emotional moment between a father and son. He says it was easy, without any difficulties by professionals.

Power said this scene is pivotal to him because he sees his own father very little because of the great distances between them. He acknowledged saying goodbye to his father is always an emotional moment.  Power has a down-to-earth sense of humor. He said, in between laughter and a few pauses, most of his interviewers had asked about the kiss. Yet, he answered without any reluctance.

After having worked with two Oscar winners, Power said he would not mind one of those statuettes on his mantel one day, too. Even more, he says he would love to work with fellow Aussie actors, including Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Jackman and Power are both graduates of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. In addition, he said he really respected the late Heath Ledger and would have loved to work with him.

When asked about being a singer and musician or being an actor, Power abruptly noted he prefers both. He started with music after playing sports, and he said he will “always be involved with songwriting.” His musical attributes are coupled with his girlfriend’s talent. The romantic pair sings as a duo called The Art of Grace, named after Power’s grandparents Art and Grace.

Still, Power acknowledged he primarily thinks of himself as an actor. This acknowledgment expressed by his following words, “Acting is my work — a playground to be and play multiple aspects of self and characters.”

Listen to some Power’s music at www.myspace.com/timmyjohnpower.

Australian actors

Prominent Australian actors, all award-winning actors include:

Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger , *Guy Pearce, *Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman , Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana and Geoffrey Rush.

* Born in England but moved to Australia at an early age and raised there.