Show notes
Amanda Clayton has hit her stride, with her latest portrayal of Cathy Ryan, the tough-as-nails wife of an armed car robber, on Showtime's City on a Hill. But long before she was dazzling millions in their living rooms, she was grinding, first as an athlete and then as a waiter and theater actor. She eventually nabbed a series regular role on Tyler Perry's television series, If Loving You is Wrong, where she did nearly 100 episodes, but it wasn't easy getting there. We take a deep dive into the long grind of becoming a working actor. Amanda admits to the sometimes infuriating, embarrassing and painful aspects of her journey, making this episode funny, heartbreaking and, ultimately redemptive. If you're not in the entertainment business, this episode will entertain you. If you're an aspiring actor, wondering whether you'll ever get your break, this episode is a must listen.
SHOW NOTES:
"I told my mom when I was 3 years old that I wanted to live inside the television," (4:13). Constantly being involved in sports and cheerleading with her 2 sisters, (8:22). Discovering theater will consume most of her time while in college, (10:41). "There was that thing about affecting people that was the truest, purest form of it. That 3 year old mentality *gasp* 'This is awesome. I want to do this to somebody.' I want everybody to feel this way. That feeling of want to cry so badly.", (15:17). "I was so shy. As far as putting myself out there in front of anybody, I was an athlete and a cheerleader. I had a ton of friends and it was a wonderful experience in high school, but I was so reserved and embarrassed to put myself out there in front of anybody," (16:54). Taking her mother's advice on going into college as undecided with her studies, (22:32). "It was my first time taking this stand on my own. This is my time and this is what I want to do. I'm going to go with the theatre group and sign up for theatre classes," (23:42). Seeking out acting opportunities in New York with family, (27:02). Leaving college and moved to NYC at 19 after convincing her parents that acting is her passion, (30:30). Watching the 9/11 attacks unfold from Brooklyn, (31:03). "I think that was oddly enough a big catalyst too, to be like, 'Nothing is going to stop us from doing what we want to do,'" (32:37). "I bring it up too because without those things, I don't think I would've believed enough in myself," (35:14). "As actors in general, I think we always need that, 'Hey, you're doing great,' because we are so wrapped up," (37:58). Encountering pressure from parents to have a fallback plan, (42:57). "I had no idea whatsoever how to run my own business of being an actor. I had no idea of how to promote myself," (46:30). Living in LA for 7 years and met an agent at the restaurant she was waitressing in, (49:34). "It was just waiting for the thing to come and then, I got into this really awful habit of waiting for something to happen," (54:42). Losing her best friend to suicide in NY, (57:52). "Every opportunity I decided finally to just go, 'Ok great, ok perfect. I'm doing this. I finally got that job,' I started making money right away," (1:02:25). Being approached by an agent, but they didn't know what they were doing, (1:07:22). "And I started getting myself really ready to get into that door. Now I can do what I've always been able to do, but now I have to do it for the right people," (1:19:29). Receiving a first audition for a sitcom to be a season regular, (1:20:37). "This is where I'm supposed to be, and I know it is the right time, so I sat down and no one acknowledged me. No one even looked up from a desk. Nothing at all," (1:22:23). "I want to go in there and I don't want to let them win. That is not fair. I almost gave up because of them," (1:30:52). Making full use of her acting techniques, (1:38:27). Feeling an immediate connection to her City on a Hill character prior to her audition, (1:45:37). "I loved getting really to dive into a character in that way," (1:50:09). "This sucks because I'm never going to do this again. I have to assume right here and now that this is never going to happen ever again in my career. That this is the most incredible role I'm going to get and it is never going to get better than this.", (1:54:33). "The word 'No,' actually means 'You're welcome.' (1:57:59).
GUEST LINKS:
IMDB: More on Amanda
Instagram: @TheAmandaClayton
Twitter: @MandaClayton
Interview: City on a Hill
Behind the Scenes: City on a Hill Setup
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