Katie Chonacas Interview
By: Michael Trilling |
Thursday July 02, 2009 |
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Model, actor, singer, producer.. |
| Some people move out to LA in hopes that they will become a famous actor, singer, or producer. Not many of these dreamers succeed and even less get to become all three, unless you’re Katie Chonacas. With already having a career as a model since the age of three Katie moved out to LA and began her journey to the top. She has starred in films with actors such as, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, and Sharon Stone; worked on shows like CSI and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Katie, a talented singer, has also toured with 50 cent and G-unit around the world. To top that all off she is now producing a film with academy award winner Forrest Whitaker. Chonacas was nice enough to take time out of her extensively busy schedule and answer a few questions about what life is like as the multi-talented Katie Chonacas. You have been a model, actress, singer, and now a producer. Out of all those jobs, which one do you enjoy doing the most? I guess I will let you know when I figure it out. I love all of them! With that said, will you now pursue a single career path, or will you always be the Katie Chonacas of many faces? I think I will always be the “Katie Chonacas of many faces.” I hope I am, I love every aspect of the entertainment business, and I like to have a hand in everything. What was it like touring with 50 Cent and G-Unit in Spain and South Africa? Then, changing scenes, how was it to work with 50 Cent, as a fellow cast member in Streets of Blood was there a difference in professionalism in the two projects? I would say that touring with 50 Cent and G-Unit was in one word, badass. The guys are all amazing, so cool, so down to earth, real and loveable. It was really fun. Curtis (50 Cent) is so sweet. On set for Streets of Blood I just saw that he is so eager to learn, he has so much passion and you can just see it in his eyes. I think the professionalism was all the same; everything was done 110% like a pro. In Los Angeles you made the crossover from modeling to acting. Did you just find yourself down that path, or have you always been interested in acting? I have always been interested in an acting career. It was one of my main reasons for coming to Los Angeles. You have worked with great actors and actresses, people like Val Kilmer, Sharon Stone, Nicolas Cage, and Eva Mendes. Was there any performer that really stood out to you? Was there an actor or actress you shared a real connection with? I really enjoyed being on set and working with Nicolas Cage. He’s such a wild man in his work and it was a privilege to see him live in the moment of truth and dare. It was short and sweet, but I had a real connection with Al Pacino. The way he looked at me. The way he delivered his lines. I was right there with him face-to-face, listening and receiving … I think that is where you find your happy truth. You have played countless roles in movies and in television. Out of all those characters which role did you enjoy the most? I really enjoyed being the lead girl in Pink’s music video Who Knew and working with the great Samuel Bayer. He was great. Also, I loved being the lead in 50 Cent’s new video for his single They Burn Me. Obviously these aren’t really classified in “television” or “movies” both of which I have had a great deal of roles, but to me music videos are like mini movies, they are shot like small movies. I think my favorite role in film though is playing a cracked out whore in Charles Winkler’s Streets of Blood. I mean, how many times in your life do you get to play a cracked out whore on drugs? It was such a crazy experience. I also loved doing It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia playing a nerdy girl. You have three films coming out this year Streets of Blood, A Perfect Getaway, and Bad Lieutenant all within a six-month period. With everything else going on in your life, how do you schedule through all of this? It all happens so fast you really don’t even have time to think about it. You are just in action and go mode all the time. It is such a blessing, it is a moment in time that you just have to cherish and embrace. You will be producing a new film with Forrest Whitaker called Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. What brought you down the producing path? What about it interested you? My mentor producer Randall Emmett brought me down the producing path. It happened so naturally. Soon after we first met, there was a project that came up and he taught me there are five simple questions to know whether a project is real (worth your time) or not. The project we were presented with ended up not being real, however Randall flipped it and made it so it could happen. Through this process I got cold, hard lessons on producing – you could even call it “producing 101.” I love the challenges that producing brings, and the power of not knowing what may or could happen. Also, I love being in control so that I can make something happen. Was there anyone in your life who inspired you to become the rising star that you are today? My family. My dad taught me about how to set goals for myself through cross country training. My mom always taught me to take care of myself, and to look out for myself. My Yia Yia (grandmother) who I am named after (Kyriaki, which means Sunday in Greek) taught me about wisdom, strength, passion, culture, great food, and great love. Without my family, I would be nothing. Modeling wasn’t enough for Katie. She had an unstoppable ambition that brought her to Hollywood and then put her name alongside famous Actors and Actresses. Her success can be contributed to her passion for the entertainment industry. She stays so busy because of the love for her work. From going from modeling, singing, and acting to producing, there seems no limit to what she will and can do. |
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