 (Photos via PenderPR) 1. I know you, but some people may not. So could you please introduce yourself to the world? ”Yes, thank you! I’m an artist telling stories in the world of cinema, television, and theatre. Most people know me as Cheryl the unfortunate bank hostage in Dragged Across Concrete, or as the the luckiest woman in the world in Richard Says Goodbye. I’m a pretty chill person. I live on the west coast. I make amazing salads.” 2. What was your first job in the entertainment industry? Also, what did you do before that? ”When I was in acting school I worked as an usher and concession stand cashier at a Cineplex Odeon theatre downtown Vancouver. I liked the job because I got to see free movies. Funny story: I remember being demoted to the concession stand in the basement because I refused to “up-sell” people on their orders. I couldn’t get behind supersizing already expensive popcorn and soda. I preferred the basement anyway as it wasn’t as busy and I could sneak in and catch moments of whatever film was playing down there - usually the Arthouse and Indie films as compared to the big blockbusters on the main floor, which suited me perfectly. Before working in the entertainment industry, I was dreaming about the entertainment industry! I was a waitress and bartender for a spell, which I thought was a very romantic job for a budding actress. Spoiler alert: it’s not! It was however one of the only jobs that allowed me to keep my days free for auditions.” 3. Did you study acting before getting into the industry? ”Oh yes. I’ve been doing theatre since I was a kid. I trained professionally after high school full time for a couple of years, and I’ve continued to train throughout most of my career. I really believe actors need our workouts just like athletes do, only for our emotional muscles. I also coach actors now and I am part of the incredible team at AMAW Studios, Anthony Meindl’s world-renowned acting studio.” 4. If you could work with anyone you'd want, who would that person be and why? ”I already did it! It’s the best thing ever! I got to work with my favorite actor of all time, someone who I’ve admired deeply since I was a teenager - and one of the reasons I decided to pursue acting. The one and only Mr. Johnny Depp! It was a dream and a really fun experience. Johnny is such a beautiful, giving artist and I learned so much from him during the time I got to be in his presence. I am forever grateful to him and for the moments we shared. And some of those moments are captured on screen! The film is Richard Says Goodbye (also called The Professor) by Wayne Roberts - released in 2019. I hope you get a chance to see it if you haven’t yet. Johnny’s work is so beautiful! (and why did I want to work with him?) Because Johnny is one of the greatest actors on the planet and he makes some of the most interesting and entertaining films to ever grace our screens. He also happens to be one of the coolest, sweetest humans you could ever meet.” 5. What does a normal day in your life looks like? ”Like most of us, my days are a lot different in pandemic life than before this bizarre time. I used to be out all the time at events, live shows, comedy clubs… now I spend a lot of time in nature or at home on Clubhouse (yes, the audio app). I also spend a lot of time taping auditions in my living room with my actor pals. I swim laps at my local pool, and I wait for this isolation/lockdown nightmare to end. I think we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I’m not getting my hopes up quite yet. Daily life has become a lot smaller - which in some ways has also become more beautiful and precious when it’s not just straight up traumatizing. Sorry to make it weird, but let’s be honest, daily life has been weird.” 6. Where is your favorite place to be and why? ”On a warm beach. Preferably with Ben Harper playing his beautiful music somewhere nearby. Lazily listening to the ocean waves. Playing footsies with Love. Why is this my favorite place? Because it’s bliss, baby.” 7. If you could, what would be the one piece of advice you would want to give to your younger self? ”Trust your intuition and don’t give your energy away to people who don’t deserve it. Stick to your guns, kid. You got this. All is well. All is well. All is well.” 8. What is one of the best pieces of advice that you've gotten? Who was the person who gave it to you? ”<Eat your greens>, mom.” 9. What is your biggest accomplishment so far? ”Is this a trick question? Cultivating resilience has been a major accomplishment this past year. Perseverance in this industry may be my all-time biggest accomplishment. I’m also really proud of my beautiful friendships and my deepening relationships with my family.” 10. If you could book any role in the next years to come, what would that dream role be? ”Oh goodness, this is is a fairly long list! I’ll just start with the first three. I’m dying to work with Participant on a major motion picture with a stellar ensemble cast elevating an important social or environmental justice story. I’d like to play Mae West in a picture. I have no idea if i could do her justice but I’d like to try! I dream of making a big beautiful absurd comedy movie with Will Ferrell. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is one of the greatest movies I have ever witnessed. No, I am not joking. Play Jaja Ding Dong.”  (Photos via PenderPR) 11. Is there anything you can disclose about your new project, Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer? ”Oooh! Let’s see… It’s based on true events, so there really aren’t any spoilers for anyone who is familiar, or for anyone who has read The Fortune Hunter by Suzy Spencer. For those not familiar, it is an incredibly tragic story involving a devastating crime, committed by a woman who was deeply manipulated by the woman she loved. I’ll also say this: deception is a dark, deep, and dangerous road that can lead to your demise. On a happier note, I can certainly disclose what a joy it was to work with the force of nature that is Julie Benz! I was a bit nervous to play opposite her as she’s just got so much experience doing television, and she’s such a strong actor. People don’t understand what it takes to carry a project such as this, and Julie did it with absolute grace and authenticity. Also backwards and in heels, which is damn near impossible, by the way. Hats off to you, Julie! The entire cast was wonderful and lot of fun. Roan Curtis and I had a couple of really powerful scenes together and she is one connected beautiful actor. It was a pleasure to dive to the depths with these powerful women. Same goes for our director Robin Hays. It was my first time working with Robin, and I felt a sense of trust immediately. She has a great way of directing where she will just offer the best little thing that will make it all make sense, or make the dominoes fall perfectly, so to speak. I appreciated her trust in me as well. I appreciate Lifetime’s trust in me to portray this important role, and most importantly I appreciate Tracey and her long difficult journey to justice.” 12. Can you describe Tracey, your character on Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer in a few words? ”Tracey loves deeply and would do anything to be loved in return.”  (Photos via PenderPR)
13. What is the best part about life on set? ”When the director calls ACTION.” 14. What is your favorite part of your job and why? ”My favorite part of my job is dancing with my scene partner while the cameras roll. And by dancing I mean all the beautiful unspoken nuances of communication beyond the written word that are exchanged when working with people who are on fire. It’s one of the most exciting and alive experiences and it’s completely fleeting. Luckily there is sometimes a record of it in the final cut of the film, and then the audience get’s to experience it too. It’s completely addictive and I feel like I’m always chasing that dance…” 15. How is your job different now, during the pandemic? Did it change the vibe around set? ”Yeah, it’s kinda weird now, not gonna lie. Just like in the wide world, everyone’s scared to touch anything or anyone, everyone’s way more serious, and there is a lot of hand sanitizer everywhere. For me the most difficult part is how we have to rehearse with masks and face-shields on. Often the only time we get to work with the other actors on a particular scene is during the camera blocking, and the protocol has been to keep PPE on up until the last moment before the cameras roll, making it really hard to read your scene partner’s energy and to fully get a sense of the moment. Makes you realize how much of our communication involves seeing people’s facial expressions. I still love being on set though, we still get to create!” 16. In the end, is there anything you'd like to say to the people who support you? ”Awww… yes of course I would! Where would I be without you?! I see you and I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for reading and thank you for watching!”
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