10 THINGS with Daphne Blunt
Every actor has a unique journey into the world of acting. Could you share with us what inspired you to pursue acting and how you got your start in the industry?
You know how you ask little kids what they wanna be when they grow up and they say things like a movie star, a princess, astronaut, the president. Well, I never stopped wanting to be a movie star. I cannot remember a time in my life where I did not feel called to be in the entertainment industry. From the ripe age of two I was doing community theater. I was taking dance classes, vocal lessons and acting classes. I knew from birth that this was where I wanted to be. I don’t come from a family who’s remotely in the entertainment industry so we took baby steps. My mom was a model, so I started to model, but I wanted more. I wanted to speak and share stories so from there I transitioned from local theater to auditioning for Film and Television, and eventually I started to book jobs.
Your film “Another Day in America” has garnered attention for its storytelling and your performance. What drew you to this project, and how did you prepare for your role?
The first time I read the script I thought it was extremely interesting. 1) because I hadn’t ever been in anything that was so provocative or where I played such an adult role so I thought that was exciting. 2) I liked the candid nature of the dialogue throughout the film. It feels very real but also silly. It’s like all the things that you would only hear behind closed doors being screamed in your face. 3) I really related to Erin for a multitude of reasons. A lot of the situations that she overcomes in the film I feel like I’ve dealt with versions of in my life. When I read it I just knew I was meant to play her, it felt like it was written for me. In preparation for the role I worked for a few months with my acting coach that I’ve worked with for over 10 years. She helped me develop the character, develop her story — becoming her. Crafting her shoes that I would later be able to step right into. I like to do a lot of journaling in preparation for a role. This way I can really build that life around them so that when it comes time to film, I’m able to just step into her shoes. I know who she is, I know where she’s been, I know what she’s thinking about, I know what her everything is — from her home looks like to her dreams and goals. In addition to journaling, I also like to make Pinterest boards. I’m a very visual learner and I feel like having the visuals of outfits she might wanna wear, or decor she might wanna buy for her apartment, or a manifestation board for herself, are important things to center me within the role.
The entertainment field is known for its competitive nature. Can you talk about some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you’ve managed to navigate them?
It’s certainly not an easy business to navigate. It’s extremely competitive and very heartbreaking at times. I’ve, like so many actors, dealt with being one of two people they’re choosing between to get a role and being the one who didn’t get it. I’ve done pilots that didn’t get picked up that I put my blood sweat and tears into. There’s a lot of rejection. There’s a lot of nonsense. Being grateful for the opportunities to work, being grateful that you’re getting auditions, that you’re having meetings with directors, that you’re getting phone calls….the practice of gratitude means a lot to me when dealing with the stresses of the industry. Leaving things at the door is also super important. You can have the best meeting ever but you have to leave it at the door, knowing what’s meant to be will be for you.
Of all the characters you’ve portrayed, do you have a favorite? What makes this role stand out to you personally and professionally?
I think Erin is my favorite character that I’ve played so far. I think she’s a wonderful portrait of the transitional part of girlhood to womanhood. She encounters so many real life issues that aren’t necessarily pretty or cute, but are prevalent to daily life for many women. Despite what people might like, or think about her, she really shows every side of herself and shows that your perceptions of people can be so wrong. Being able to understand that — portray it and have her story told makes her stand out to me.
Fashion seems to play a significant role in your life. How do you view the relationship between fashion and character portrayal? Additionally, how does your personal style influence your professional choices?
Fashion is a huge component of my life. It always has been. I’ve always been obsessed with dressing up and trying new things. I think when you’re playing a character the wardrobe is extremely important. Everybody, whether they realize it or not, expresses themselves through fashion every single day. So when you’re playing a role, what you’re wearing is an embodiment of how your character would express themselves in the environment that they’re in, the mood that they’re in, the time period that they’re in – the wardrobe will say so much about this. I love getting to play a role where I dress up in something that I love, but I also love getting to play a role where I dress and something that I would never wear. That brings me even more into the character. In my opinion, wardrobe is as important as dialogue when building an narrative.
Traveling can be both a source of inspiration and a way to connect with diverse cultures. Can you share a memorable travel experience and how it has influenced your work or outlook on life?
I love to travel, and I’ve been lucky to do a fair amount of it. I really like to immerse myself in local culture whenever I go anywhere. I think it’s very easy to not realize how different other cultures might behave on a daily basis, so bringing yourself somewhere and trying to live as if you “live” there all the time is really fun to me. I guess it’s another form of dress up and role-play, I sort of almost assume a character anytime I go somewhere. If I am going to Paris I have specific things that I want to wear in Paris, and things I want to do, and places I want to go, and eat things I wouldn’t usually eat if I was just at home. I think these kinds of experiences are invaluable.
Social media is a powerful tool for artists today. How do you approach your online presence, and what role do you believe social media plays in the relationship between celebrities and their fans?
My online presence is fairly curated. I don’t like to share too much about my personal life but I love to share lots of stuff about things that I enjoy or that I find interesting. I love to share my outfits and anything that I think is cute. I think it gives people enough of a glimpse inside of who I am without, just throwing myself all over the Internet. I think it’s important to connect with people in this way. I don’t think everybody down the street needs to know every little thing about me but I think that it’s nice to connect with an audience and share in the things that you both enjoy. It creates a bond and it helps people feel like they know you and you’re not just some flat figure on a screen.
Looking ahead, are there any specific types of roles or projects you’re particularly eager to explore? What directions do you hope to take your career in the future?
I would really love to work on a comedy. I don’t feel like I’ve had a ton of opportunity to do comedy and it’s always actually been a passion of mine. This is why I frequently give the example of Emma Stone as a role model for my career. I think she is not only a stunning and a brilliant actress, but she’s also very funny and she is given a lot of room to express herself and her personality and I don’t think that a lot of women get that opportunity to do both. It can be easy to get typecast as an actor and I think she really breaks the mold.
Lastly, what advice would you offer to aspiring actors who admire your work and wish to follow in your footsteps? Is there a piece of wisdom that has been particularly valuable to you in your career?
Get life experience. Get real life experience. Do things that scare you. Do things that you’ll only ever do once. Nothing can benefit you more as an actor than having LIVED LIFE so that you can live life truthfully through your art.
Instagram: @DaphneBlunt
Photo Credits: Daphne Blunt, Carianne Older, Irvin Rivera