Michelle Krusiec is a multi-talented actor and writer known for her roles on both the small and big screens as well
as her critically lauded one-woman show ‘Made in Taiwan.’ Her roles include Oliver Stone’s Nixon, Saving Face, and
as a popular host on the Discovery Channel’s Travellers series. She received a scholarship from Oxford University.
Kruisec has noted in her IMDB.com profile: “Girl Power! to me is about making the most of your potential in life. It
is important to have fun and work hard, but I believe everyone has gifts and talents. It’s up to each of us to turn
our talents into something truly special.” CelebritySunglassesWatcher recently had an interview with Krusiec and had a chance to ask her questions about acting, her inspirations, and what she’s up to these days.
CSW: When did you get interested in acting?
Michelle: I started working professionally when I was twelve but started training in theatre at a Performing Arts Program when I was in high school. I fell in love with Acting and decided to study Theatre and English in college. I kept waffling between doing Theatre and English, but on the side, I was performing in commercials, small TV jobs and then landed my first Hollywood feature (Nixon). In my senior year of college, I auditioned to be a new travel host for the Discovery Channel on the show Travelers and two weeks later, I was able to graduate early and found myself in New Zealand.
CSW: Who are your favorite actors and how have they inspired you?
Photo: Corey Hayes / Dress: Beetle
Styling: Jen Vega
Michelle: Currently, I’m enamored with Gillian Anderson on her BBC series The Fall. Her work is subtle, nuanced and powerful. She’s playing an enigmatic female character but manages to convey vulnerability at the same time, I’m -oddly-at her disposal in this character. If you’ve seen the show, you’ll know it’s a dark and intense show but her portrayal is so mesmerizing. On stage, I always love seeing Bobby Cannavale. There’s something about his essence where I feel like he brings his grit with him. It could be called stage presence, but I feel like it’s a little more specific than that. Then of course, there’s always Mark Rylance whose just so gifted, he’s a master class in acting and integrity as an actor.
CSW: You have a great one-woman show called Made In Taiwan. Can you tell us a bit about that and how you came up with the idea?
Michelle: In college, I began writing a show about my relationship with my Mother. It’s a crazy, fun and I believe poignant coming of story about growing up in the suburbs, being lost as a young Asian American teenager, but mostly focuses on trying to find your way when your parents have a volatile marriage and your Mom does things to you like cut off your hair when she’s pissed or tries to bite you to keep you from leaving. The show is an honest look at parent child relationships and while I grew up loving John Hughes’ films, I never thought they depicted my young adult years at all. So I wanted to provide the same emotional truth but with a different perspective. I think the show has been successful because it’s very raw, cross generational and cross cultural.
“I feel like I’m the Kevin Bacon of actresses. Is that a bad thing to say? Seeing as he’s worked
so hard to land where he is now, I’d like to think it’s a good thing.”
CSW: What are some other projects you are currently working on?
Michelle: I’m adapting Made in Taiwan into a half hour pilot and a full length feature. Writing is a lonely process and is a little harder than acting (I find) but is similar enough to it that I enjoy it. I’ve always got some indie project either in pre-production, post or out in a festival. Currently, Four of Hearts is making its festival rounds. I completed a short film co-starring Sandra Oh that is in post. And then there’s a film like Relative Insanity with an amazing cast that is being set up. You just never know where each day brings in this industry. It can range from the most unexpected to the most grueling. You can always catch me on some TV recurring or guest spot on any number of shows, I feel like I’m the Kevin Bacon of actresses. Is that a bad thing to say? Seeing as he’s worked so hard to land where he is now, I’d like to think it’s a good thing.
CSW: How would you define your fashion style?
Photo: Corey Hayes / Dress: Grace Sun
Michelle: So hard to describe! I’m eclectic. I sometimes love minimalist deconstructed, ultra modern looks, like if I’m in NYC and I’m gonna be around a lot of high cheek boned people. When I’m on the carpet, I like sexy, strong but feminine with a little bedazzle. In my hipster neighborhood of Echo Park, I try and blend a little, you know wear a vintage skirt, some housewifey outfit, make my hair tattered. In my house, I wear these crazy MC hammer pants that I bought at a Tibetan store that are definitely a man repellant. I like to think I dress like my roles, I can be whoever I want, whenever I want and if I can keep people guessing, it’s more fun!
CSW: Being a fashion/sunglasses/celebrity site you know this question was coming! What are your favorite pair of
sunglasses and why?
Michelle: Ooh, I have a pair of purplish Persols that I’ve been rocking for a long time. They might even be a little crooked and scratched up by now. But I love them because they look good on me and they can be paired with a lot of outfits. If I find something I love, I covet them for a long time.
CSW: Quick! What actor wears sunglasses the best in Hollywood? Why?
Michelle: Two people just popped up in my mind. I love Helena Bonham Carter when she rocks sunglasses on the red carpet and Johnny Depp, but now that I think of the two of them. Do they seem like they wear the same sunglasses? They both wear like funky character-ish sunglasses that allows them to be who they are on the carpet while giving them some privacy. Red carpets can be assaulting with all the photographers on you so I imagine it gives them style and a little bit of personal space. Creates an air of both confidence and mystery.
CSW: Thanks for chatting with us Michelle!
Featured Image credits: Photo by Corey Hayes / Styling by Tamara Pogosian
