Celebrity Interview with Actress Jenni Pulos
Jenni Pulos has had a successful acting and voice work career, though she's most recognizable as herself due to the reality show Flipping Out. While she is still actively working as an actor, her regular job just happens to be working as an assistant to Jeff Lewis, the real estate guru at the center of the show. Pulos has appeared in a number of television shows and movies, including Stacked, Girlfriends, and Charmed.
Interview with Jenni Pulos
Jenni Pulos has been busy, promoting a new season of Flipping Out and wrapping up work on a new animated movie called The Outback, which also stars Tim Curry, Alan Cumming, and Norm MacDonald. She generously took some time to talk with LoveToKnow about her life and career.
LoveToKnow (LTK): What was your first professional acting role, and how did you land it?
Jenni Pulos (JP): My sister's good friend John Shepherd gave me a speaking role in a Billy Graham film. I played the housekeeper who answers the door and my line was "Sorry, nobody is home." I decided to make my character Hispanic with an accent. I was terrible. Thanks for my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card, John!
LTK: Of all the scripted shows you've appeared on, which one has been the most memorable for you and why?
JP: A show called Strong Medicine on Lifetime. I played Sandy, a girl who was nine months pregnant with her boyfriend, who also had a wife which I was unaware was also giving birth in the same hospital as me at the same time, a few doors down. Thank the Lord that one was scripted and not reality.
Doing Voice Work
LTK: More and more actors are getting into voice work (providing voices for animated characters on film, television, and in video games), and it does seem like an easier gig overall. What's the biggest challenge for you in doing voice work?
JP: Actually I think voice work can be a bigger challenge then you would think. Your voice is carrying everything, emotion, arch, and subtext. So you have to really immerse yourself in the character and world of the story, which can be a challenge.
LTK: The upcoming film The Outback looks like a lot of fun - what can you tell us about the movie and your contribution to it?
JP: I had a great time on The Outback. It is a wonderful film that both adults and children can enjoy. I play Charlotte, an albino koala bear, who desperately wants to leave her home and head for Hollywood to become a makeup artist, or to find any kind of glamorous Hollywood job assisting the stars.
A Different Kind of Role
LTK: Making the move to Flipping Out, was it strange to suddenly become well known for essentially being yourself rather than an acting role?
JP: Absolutely. When people say, "I am so sorry but I feel like I really know you," my answer is, "Do not be sorry, you do. You have known my life for 5 years." I was initially criticized for doing reality, but I have learned so much from this experience, and I feel very grateful. People are enjoying our show, that is what matters.
LTK: Was there a learning curve to being yourself on Flipping Out versus playing a role in scripted shows and movies?
JP: I learned that I was often acting more fake as myself, than when I was playing an actual scripted character. Ouch!
Advice for Others
LTK: What advice would you give young girls today who are looking to break into the acting field?
JP: It takes hard work and determination. Don't ever give up or let anyone discourage you to follow your heart's desires
LTK: If you could instantly replace any actor/character in a current television show, who would it be and why?
JP: I could never replace her but Julianna Margulies is doing some fine work on The Good Wife. She is wonderful in this and the show is rich, complex, and very well done. So maybe just a guest role to learn from her? I also love Modern Family, so just add me in there anywhere.
Learn More About Jenni Pulos
To keep up with Jenni Pulos, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also learn more about her show, Flipping Out, at the official Bravo website.
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