‘Gilmore Girls’ Kathleen Wilhoite Says She Is ‘Team Jess’ at Gilmore Girls Fest (Exclusive)

Zhanna Slor October 20, 2:00 pm

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 24: Actress Kathleen Wilhoite attends the 40 Fabulous Faces art exhibit at the Falcon Restaurant to benefit the Cedars-Sinai Women's Health Resource Center and other Los Angeles charities on May 24, 2004 in Hollywood, California. — Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

One of the main attractions of the Firelight Event, which celebrated all things Gilmore Girls in Guilford, Connecticut, is actress and singer Kathleen Wilhoite, who played Luke’s (Scott Patterson) sister and bad-boy Jess’ (Milo Ventimiglia) mom. Wilhoite, who, in addition to playing this beloved Gilmore Girls role, voiced the titular character of the hit Saturday morning cartoon Pepper Ann (and was also a regular on the short-lived 1990 musical cop drama Cop Rock), and continues to sing and play shows. Outside a large red barn in Guilford, where she had just performed to hundreds of fans attending the Firelight Event, we got to chat a bit about her roles, and, of course, whether or not she’s Team Jess or Team Dean. (From the rounds of applause during the cast panel, seems that most fans are Team Jess.)

Do people ever recognize you by your voice?

Yes. I feel like that is something that happens a lot. People will be like, “Wait, you are the girl who sang in Cop Rock.” I have a distinctive voice and in college I had a voice teacher who said I was never going to work because of my voice and he was wrong.

Well, it really worked for you with Pepper Ann. I loved that cartoon!

It’s a great cartoon. I still laugh when I think about some of the scripts that we had.

What’s your favorite Gilmore Girls character, other than yourself?

Oh, [my onscreen husband] TJ. TJ. My friend Michael DeLuise. He’s my favorite.

I’ve actually talked to your onscreen son, Milo Ventimiglia [who played Jess Mariano]. How was it working with him during one of his very first roles?

Gilmore Girls Kathleen Wilhoite Via MovieStillsDB

The CW Television Network, The WB Television Network.

He is an old soul, a fantastic human being. I worked with him when he was a pipsqueak; a little kid. I mean, he was 19, 20 or maybe he was older, but to me he was a young kid. He was amazing and a great actor. I just wish him the best in his life. He is great, he’s one of the good ones.

You’re probably biased, having played his mom, but are you Team Jess or Team Dean?

Oh, Jess. Milo is the best! He’s the best guy. Best kid. So wonderful.

What was the best part about playing Liz?

My character, I felt like, had no filter. So exactly what drops out of a cranium is coming out of a mouth. People who are like that, I think, are magnificent — and difficult — at the same time. I enjoyed getting my scripts very much. When I finally figured out that the way to play a Gilmore Girls character is to just have it completely in your body, so just rolls out of your mouth, then I really felt like I got a real hook into who this girl is because the writing was so exquisite for my character.