LAPUSH — Tinsel Korey, who plays the fiancee of a werewolf in the forthcoming Twilight saga movie, “New Moon,” is visiting the North Olympic Peninsula this week.
In Stephenie Meyer’s four-novel fictional Twilight saga about vampires in Forks, some of the Quileutes living in LaPush are transformed into werewolves.
The werewolves begin appearing to protect humans from the vampires living nearby.
Korey, who says she is from the Canadian tribe of Anishinaabe, was at the Quileute Tribal School on Tuesday after stopping by Bella Italia in Port Angeles for a meal Monday evening.
She also will be on First Beach in LaPush at twilight Friday for a bonfire, posing for photographs and spending time with fans in the Forks area.
The bonfire will include storytelling by Quileute elder Chris Morganroth.
Her visit and the bonfire coincide with the celebration of Stephenie Meyer Weekend in the Forks area.
That celebration, named in honor of the Twilight author, is scheduled on the birthday of the fictional Isabella Swan, the mortal heroine of the vampire novels.
This year, the celebration is for two days, and will offer tours of Forks High School, a look-alike contest, group photographs, a scavenger hunt, plenty of music, the cutting of Bella’s birthday cake and the bonfire at First Beach.
Art of acting
At the tribal school, Korey talked to students about the art of acting.
“I think it is fantastic for her to reach out to the kids. After reaching that level of notoriety, it is inspiring and remarkable,” said Al Zantua, Quileute Tribal School principal in a prepared statement.
“Our kids are pretty excited.”
Korey plays Emily Young, a Makah character in the second movie of the Twilight series who is pivotal in demonstrating how “imprinting” works when she becomes the girlfriend of Sam Uley, leader of the werewolf pack.
Imprinting is when a werewolf finds his or her “soul mate.” The werewolf is inexplicably drawn to that person, and will do anything for the best interests of that person.
Visiting Neah Bay
Because the character of Emily is Makah, Korey also will visit Neah Bay students to talk to them about the art of acting today and Friday.
Korey will be the second actor from the “Twilight” movie series to stop by LaPush.
“In true native tradition, she is doing what our ancestors and elders have taught us to do for centuries,” Quileute tribal Chairwoman Carol Hatch said.
“Tinsel is giving back and sharing her gifts and talents with our native youth.”
In July, Solomon Trimble, who played Uley in a supporting role in the first movie, “Twilight,” visited the annual cultural celebration of Quileute Days. He will not perform that role in “New Moon.” Instead, it will be performed by Chaske Spencer.
Korey has been performing for as long as she can remember and always knew she wanted to be an entertainer, she said in a prepared statement.
“I remember when I first started labeling my acting tapes. I named them ‘Tinsel’s quest for stardom.’ Now, I name them ‘Tinsel’s quest for acting excellence,'” she said.
Tinsel has previously worked on Steven Spielberg’s mini-series “Into the West,” Scott Frank’s feature thriller “The Lookout” and “Luna: The Way Home.”
Most recently she held a lead role in a 2008 Insight Film entitled “Wyvern,” playing a neo-fem action character, Vinyl Hampton.
“We are thrilled to host the second actor from the Twilight saga to visit LaPush,” said Jackie Jacobs, Quileute tribal publicist.
“Solomon Trimble visited the Quileute Nation in July during the Quileute Days Celebration, and now to share the shores of First Beach with Tinsel Korey is quite a treat.
“I am humbled by Tinsel Korey’s generosity and graciousness.
“I am confident Tinsel’s contributions will have a lasting impression on our youth, but I am just as certain that the hospitality of this beautiful nation and beauty and magic that is LaPush, will have a lasting impact on her as well.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
