COVER: Arielle Raycene

Photography: Elm Diaz

Stylist: Soukena Jean-Jacques

Assistant Stylist: Mirryam E. Vilbon

Glam: Hendra Nasril

Hair: Jaycee Mnirajd

1. I saw on your website that in your spare time, you enjoy thinking about conspiracy theories! What is your favorite conspiracy theory that you believe in and what made you believe in it?

Honestly I can’t say I ever believed in any conspiracy fully. I come from a journalism background so I would need some hard facts but it doesn’t mean I don’t let my head go there and get completely freaked out. I use to spend all my free time being a nut. I found it fun. Then, a few years ago, I co-write a script that was a conspiracy theory mystery about the illuminati and it gave me all the reason to go down the rabbit hole and freak myself out every night. I mean we did sooooo much research. It goes on forever when you’re in it. I do believe there are some truths out there, you just have to find them. Going down a conspriacy theory to me is like reading a crazy novel that just keeps unfolding. 

2 What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on so far? Do you have any interesting stories from being on set? What are you working on right now?

My favorite time was on stage pre covid. I learned I’m actually one of those actors who loves stage just as much as the camera. I’m not sure I could do a black box theater forever but I do enjoy the high of it and would love to do it again. I do have interesting stories but I don’t think it would be appropriate to say :) As for what I’m working on now…. I’m working on my ever-evolving self and the business side of acting. I’m not sure what’s next, but when it comes I’ll be ready.

3 I saw that you helped to produce “Tipping the Scales,” a documentary about childhood obesity, which won an accolade from the Broadcast Education Association for the Best Documentary. What inspired you to help produce this documentary? What drew you to focus on this topic for a documentary? 

I would say it was the time and the location of Phoenix, Arizona that sparked this topic. It seemed to be right around that time that child obesity was becoming more and more of a thing. We had to get access to families that were willing to discuss it because its not an easy topic to talk about openly, especially with kids. We don’t ever want anyone to feel self conscious, but kids are smarter then the rest of us at heart. They are more honest and know what’s going on. It was group decision to go forward but something we all felt was important. 

4. As someone who was born in Texas and raised in Kansas, how would you say you’ve changed since moving to LA? What is something about you that you don’t think will ever change?

Good question. I would say I definitely came out here more naive and innocent. Being in this business and the city you really get to see people for who they really are, good and bad. However there is still a large part of me that is naive, I think everyone is always doing the best they can and always has the best intentions which isn’t always the case. Id say for sure the one thing that will never change is that I will always be grounded and I won’t ever get one of those awful egos people run away from. 

5 In 2019, you produced and performed 19 episodes of a series called Slated. What is Slated about? What inspired you to create the plots and characters for this project? What was your favorite part of the series?

Yes! I wanted to play and express this creativity I have had bottled up so I got an idea and saw it through till the end! (Which I might add, is definitely one of the hardest things to do). Slated has a different character in every episode that is telling their own story. It brings a different twist to classic stories. I would say the ones we shot in Bali were definitely my favorite. 

6 As someone who is going to school and who got a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Theater, what would you say is the most valuable thing that you’ve learned in school that you still use in your career today? What motivates you to keep pursuing your education?

I think if we stop growing in all aspects of our lives then we will lose it. As the old saying goes “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” One of the most important aspects of my life is to learn and grow- it makes me feel like I’m expanding as a person and understanding more and more. The world is so big and the universe is forever- I just want to know as much as I can while I’m on this earth. I would say what school taught me more than anything was structure- and if you don’t put in the work nobody is going to do it for you and it will show. I have carried that on into my everyday life. I do something every day no matter how big or small to learn about the business or the craft of acting or even to understand my mind and who I am as a human. Did I just get deep? Haha. 

7 Can you tell us more about your favorite plays from Broadway, off Broadway, and off off Broadway? Also, what are your favorite movies and why are you drawn to them?

Honestly I haven’t seen one play I didn’t take something meaningful from. There’s something to learn in every play no matter how big or small the production. I couldn’t tell you my favorite but it’s almost always true that the most recent show is my favorite. I have seen Hamilton three times and I crushed so hard on Betrayal with Tom Hiddleston.

8 As a comedian, how do you come up with ideas for your stand up comedy performances? Do you have any favorite comedians who you look up to, either in the stand up world or in movies?

I have to sit down and really just start writing something. It starts with a topic and then this sort of free styling on everything you know and observe about the topic and then taking it down to the root. It’s a lot of playing around. As for comedians, I feel the list goes and and on and on but some of my favs are Aubrey Plaza, Taylor Tomlinson, all of SNL, and Jerry Seinfield. I loooooove him.

9 What is your advice for someone who wants to pursue a career in acting, but gets nervous for auditions?

First off, I would tell them it is not a short game, you have to dedicate your life and a solid decade to really start to understand the business. Also, it’s not so much the show, as it is the business. You have to think of this as a business, not just a craft. Get a stage name so you can separate the rejection. Also know your “why”… why are you here, why are you doing this? Is it your calling or are you feeding something the ego needs? Knowing your “why” will help you stay with it for the long haul. The nervousness is something every actor experiences, you just have to learn to use it. Always practice your craft and focuse on healthy habits that little by little make your days as an artist easier.  

10 Where do you want to be in your career and in your personal life 10 years from now? 

Hmmm making me think I see. I do know that wherever life will take me, I want to make sure I am happy. I can tell you where I want to be but as I sit here talking to you I thought I would be somewhere else entirely and I think that’s okay. We don’t know what the future holds, we only have this moment to enjoy. I sometimes think the universe knows better than what we think we want and need. That’s what I’m finding out anyways. The universe is doing things for you, not to you. Im just trying to be in the flow and to do the best I can each and everyday. What if we were just 1% better everyday?