Debra Messing's Spoiled Birthday

At the unveiling of the 10022-Shoe floor at Saks Fifth Avenue, OK! chatted with the Starter Wife star and Emmy nominee Debra Messing, who was beyond thrilled to be at a shoe event big enough to warrant New York City to give it its own zip code.

She said, 'What woman doesn't love shoes. I think it's an obsession that most women have. The fact that this is the biggest shoe department in the entire world is just?it's a Mecca. 100,000 shoes! It's thrilling!'

Not only is she celebrating the opening at Saks, but she is also celebrating a highly successful run with the Starter Wife. It's currently nominated for ten Emmys and Debra got a nod for Best Lead Actress: 'All I hoped for was that people would find us because we were on USA and I just hoped please just let people watch it, Because we had worked so hard on it. But the fact that it was enjoyed by so many people and acknowledged by the Academy in such a big way was so gratifying and I was ecstatic.'

Mother to her son Roman, Debra doesn't let motherhood get in the way of her career choices. 'I've always been drawn to great writing and that usually drives my decision. I'm not a huge action adventure person so in terms?I haven't been in a situation where I've been offered a very violent film or a very sexual film. Certainly if something like that came up it would be a big element in my decision making whether or not I go for it.'This is very unlike the character she'll play in her next role in the all-star chick flick, The Women. '

The cast includes Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Benning and Eva Mendes. Debra explains how she fits in with the rest of the crew: 'I play Edie and she is the Earth Mother. I have tons of children I am perpetually pregnant. I am happiest about being a mother and I am ambivalent about not working. So each one of us has a different relationship with mother hood and the work force. So mine is all mother.'

As if there wasn't enough going on, Debra also celebrated her 39th birthday on August 15. But it didn't turn out the way she would have wanted it to: 'I was in bed sick all day. It was very sad. I had just flown back from Boston. I was doing a makeup test for The Women and I think I caught something on the plane. So I was in bed sick all day but I got to go out for a fantastic dinner with my husband.'

Also on Debra's plate is an upcoming wedding anniversary to her husband of seven years Damages producer Daniel Zelman. 'We don't have plans. I think I'll be shooting the women. So, I'll be working and he's working on Damages.'

By Jocelyn Vena