You may remember Amber as Tara Maclay, Willow’s long-time girlfriend in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Amber came into the show in the middle of Season 4, where her first appearance was in the episode “Hush”. At first, she was met with resistance by fans who were fiercely devoted to Seth Green’s character, Oz. Also, there was that itsy-bitsy little issue about turning Willow gay. Remember, this was years before L-Word, and having lesbians on TV was even more taboo. Ah, but Joss Whedon, the show’s creator, was stubborn in his belief in Tara as a character. Eventually, she proved her worth to the fans. Tara was embraced as Willow’s lover and part of the Scoobie Gang.

It’s unusual for me to like actors and actresses personally, apart from their work. Since childhood I see them as belonging to a different world, those you could only reach if you’re able to go inside a television, which of course is impossible. Strangely, I don’t feel like that at all with Amber Benson. She’s approachable, down-to-earth, not picky with food, and when she talks, she makes a lot of sense. In my book, these definitely qualify her as an ideal pal.

I love Willow and Tara. I learned about them during a difficult time. Watching the show and their relationship evolve somehow helped me get through it. Despite criticisms raised because of Tara’s death, I’m still grateful to Joss for bringing this character to life, and fighting against network executives to keep her there. Most of all, I’m grateful to Amber for her sensitive portrayal of the character, and understanding how important Tara was, and still is, to us - the borderline obsessed fans of the show.

To her detractors who never stop criticizing her weight, she has this to say:

I’m happy to have boobs and hips and be a normal size person. I’ve seen way too many people that I know go to the hospital because they can’t eat. They feel they have to be this skinny thing! I’m very happy with my body. I’m not fat. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s hard when you’re in this industry and you’re expected to look like a string bean. “You would have gotten that part if you were 20 pounds less.” What do you want me to do, cut my head off? It’s just not healthy. I like to eat and I’m not going to stop eating because some jerk says I need to in order to get a part. There’s always going to be somebody out there who doesn’t like you. That’s just how it is.”

Self-esteem is sexy. Attagirl, Amber!