- When faced with fear, dig deep inside, find your inner "vamp" and Vamp It Out!
- Be You... And, Be Fearless!
- I idolize the late stunning Elizabeth Taylor and the late sassy little Mae West, as these talented, beautiful- inside and out- powerful women changed the face of the Hollywood entertainment industry. When it was a Boys' Club at its best, they had the courage and tenacity to fight through it and create iconic careers for themselves. Neither of these actresses had it easy in life, nor Hollywood, and they inspire me forever!
- When I was right out of college and moved to New York City, I saw an ad in Backstage for an Actors' Equity Association Off-Broadway audition for Tony n' Tina's Wedding, the eighties Italian comedy. After six- yes, I said six- grueling callbacks for the producers and director, I was awarded the contract and performed seven shows a week for three years. This was one of the most amazing experiences - and, always will be- in my acting career. I suddenly became a known acting entity in New York and it opened doors I could never have imagined.
- The Actors' Equity Association would hold auditions for Broadway benefit shows that supported Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS to raise money for AIDS research, and cast members of Tony n' Tina's Wedding and I would audition for the musical performances. These shows are some of the most incredible memories of my career, and I still pinch myself thinking about that girl, right out of college, who is singing and dancing at these world-renowned Broadway Theaters where some of the most talented legends have graced the stages and I am there performing on these Broadway stages, opposite stars like Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, and the list goes on. That was a time in my life and career that almost feels like a dream.
- [on 54 (1998)] A favorite career moment, that still breaks my heart, was when I booked 54 (1998). We are talking A-list- Mike Myers, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell, and more. I was cast as Mark Ruffalo's girlfriend, Ricko's girl and had two scenes with Mark Ruffalo and Ryan Phillippe, who are now Superstars. This was a huge booking for me and another New York Italian, sassy, great role for me to play. My agent was like- Your career is about to explode. The next thing I know, I was on set filming, had a trailer, and was hanging out with Mark Ruffalo and Ryan Phillippe, who were both wonderful. I was on set for a couple of days and was supposed to be shooting, but things kept getting pushed. The next thing I know, they cut scenes from the film, and two of them were mine. To this day, I get my residual checks. Every time I talk to the acting higher powers and I ask- Please give me a sign that I am on my path and I am doing everything I can to be where I am supposed to be, I will get a residual check from 54 (1998) - it truly is spiritually funny! This tells me, in my crazy head, that I am on the right path. Things in this business change, and it is okay- it happens to everyone. That was supposed to be my big break, but it is okay, because I have had many little breaks since. Most importantly, I never gave up!
- I love when interviews ask me my feelings about being a Scream Queen and I think people are often surprised by my positive response toward the title. When I acted in, and was one of the Executive Producers on, Polycarp (2007) on SHOWTIME, I suddenly had the title Scream Queen bestowed upon me. I embraced every moment of it. To me, a Scream Queen is a sexy, powerful actress in horror films or television.
- I was honored in a very special best-selling, historical commemorative coffee table book, 1000 Women In Horror, 1985-2018 from author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, who describes this piece as a Love Letter- Blowing a kiss back through time and space. This was an unbelievable horror homage that positioned some of my favorite female film associates and I next to icons from Hollywood mainstream movies, including some of my idols Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Karen Black, Cassandra Peterson, and more.
- I was inducted into the Phillytainment PA Celebrity Hall Of Fame. I was overwhelmed with honor and gratitude! I would be added, alongside Philadelphia natives, including Will Smith, Richard Gere, Grace Kelly, Tina Fey,M. Night Shyamalan, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Hart, Kobe Bryant, and more. Honestly, I cried, and I believe many creatives will empathize with my feelings that unless you reach stardom in Hollywood, we are often not acknowledged for our career, craft, and blood, sweat, and tears we put into our passions and dreams throughout a lifetime.
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