MP’s daughter Katie Amess is now a Hollywood starlet (From Echo)

MP’s daughter Katie Amess is now a Hollywood starlet

1:20pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Local News By George Thorpe

AN MP’s daughter is following in the footsteps of Dame Helen Mirren by going from the streets of Southend to Hollywood.

Katie Amess, 26, moved to Los Angeles last year in an attempt to break into films after building a career starring in TV adverts in the UK.

Since arriving, the actress has picked up roles in TV shows including NBC’s Fatal Attractions and auditioned for parts in major movies including the latest American Pie film.

Katie, the daughter of Southend West MP David Amess, said despite packing her bags to move more than 8,000 miles away, she is having a great time and settled in quickly.

She said: “I went to LA in 2008 to go to drama school and I still have friends there, so I ended up moving in with one of them who even came to the airport to pick me up.

“I am loving it out here. My home is just round the corner from the Walk of Fame, so I live in a fantastic spot.

“I am only young once, so I have to give this a shot and I feel I can always come back to the UK with my background in commercials as a fall back if necessary.”

While living in LA, Katie has spotted Jennifer Aniston, Reece Witherspoon and the Beckhams.

She even got career advice from Essex native Dermot O’Leary while he was filming for the the X Factor in LA.

Katie said: “I was chatting to him while they were filming the judges homes section, so he was giving me all the juicy gossip from that.

“But he said it was really great that I was working out here and that I should just give it my best shot.”

She also said her parents have been very supportive of the move, even though they miss her.

She added: “Mum and dad have always been very supportive. I think they both feel sad I am thousands of miles away, but they have always said I should do what makes me feel happy, which I am.”