Interview with Tara Phillips, American actress & comedian

The subject of this post is Tara Phillips, an actress and comedian, based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Auburn, MA, Tara graduated in theater from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York. After AMDA, Tara moved to LA to pursue her career as an actress. She started her career in LA, producing and performing in her own internet talk show called “I’m Just Sayin’”. This series featured Tara talking about matters of public interest and interviewing celebrities.

Tara’s engaging personality and ability to put people at ease soon made her the obvious choice to host her own TV show called “Always Talking Back” on the Tag Channel on Dish! On “Always Talking Back”, Tara showed again how comfortable she is in front of the camera.

Tara’s acting credits include a role in the film The House (2017), appearing with Will Ferrell and a part in the movie SWAT: Unit 8 (2015). This year, Tara can be seen in the Netflix comedy “Home Shopping”, starring as a co-host alongside David Hasselhoff.

Apart from her film and TV work, Tara has appeared in various music videos. Tara has even performed stand up comedy at The Comedy Store in LA, proving how versatile she is. You name it and Tara has probably done it!

I caught up with Tara, whom one critic called “a multi-talented dynamo”, to ask her a few questions about her and her craft.

Q:

What made you start a career in acting?

A:

As cheesy as it sounds, I saw the movie “Annie” when I was 5 years old and from that moment I knew I'd be a performer my whole life.

Q:

What has been your favorite acting assignment?

A:

Oh gosh, I couldn’t pick one favorite. I’ve had so many roles in my life that gave me so much excitement. However, when I created my web show “I’m Just Sayin'” it was the first time I felt I was living up to my potential in all areas. I was writing, producing, hosting and editing my own ideas and opinions all by myself which was very fulfilling.

Q:

What do you feel most comfortable doing - acting, hosting or stand up comedy?

A:

Depends on the project but the more prepared I am the most comfortable I am. It’s all

about being prepared enough to trust that you have done the work so in the performance you can just let go and live it out.

Q:

Which do you prefer - working with a script or improv?

A:

Script… 100%, however improv leaves a lot of room for true moments, especially with interviewing.

Q:

What was it like acting so closely with David Hasselhoff?

A:

Oh my gosh, so so fun. I laughed the entire day on set, what a character. He was so nice,  I had a blast, one of my favorite jobs!

Q:

I have seen it stated that you once dated Charlie Sheen. Is there any truth in this rumor?

A:

HAHAHA! Oh I completely forgot about that article. So apparently there was a bikini model back in the 90s, with the same name who was the real Tara Phillips that he dated. Whoever wrote the article googled the name and grabbed my picture instead of hers, how funny…. 

Q:

Which actor, actress or performer do you most admire and why?

A:

SO many, I love seeing inspirational speeches from actors, comedians and hosts who never gave up, started with nothing and were so persistent. They made their dreams come true and now inspire others to do the same. I also admire actors who are successful and book roles for being themselves. For example, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Ellen DeGeneres and Lisa Kudrow… Some people argue that they always play the same character in everything they do, but I say, Yea and how great is that, You are successful, rich and famous for being yourself! Liked and book roles for being YOU, that’s awesome!

Q:

If a movie was made of your life, who would play you?

A:

Chelsea Handler or Elizabeth Banks.

Q:

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

A:

God only knows…. I try to stay in the moment and follow my highest excitement at any given time. That way you are more likely to give 100% to what you really want to do at that time, rather than follow a timeline of what you think you should do.

Q:

What advice would you give a budding actor or actress?

A:

HAVE FUN! We get into this business because it’s fun to play. I hear young actors wanting to be memorable, book jobs of a certain status or just do a good job…. No matter what the job is, be prepared, be grateful you are working and have fun! It’s about the journey, not the end result or validation from others.

Thanks, Tara. Here’s wishing you continued success in your career!

Romer Cherubim

Freelance journalist

UK

Motivational Speakers: a fascinating specimen of mankind

One of the captivating things about living in the West is that you can experience many events, which are as informative as they are entertaining. Such an event is a motivational speaker’s presentation. A motivational speaker gives talks to large audiences in plush surroundings. He has a team of helpers at these talks, wearing T-shirts or other garments, promoting him. Before he appears to give his talk, the speaker is announced amid such fanfare that you might think that you are about to have an audience with a superhero. Then, the motivational speaker finally runs onto his stage to applause and cheers as if he is a rock star. In addition, he can command fees for his performances that are so high that they would make doctors, lawyers and even some CEOs of large corporations green with envy. In short, motivational speakers are treated with almost godlike reverence. But what makes these people so special?

At first sight, you would have to say that there is nothing out of the ordinary about them. Motivational speakers often have little or no formal higher qualifications. Indeed, they are likely to tell their audiences this at the beginning of their talks to convince their listeners that success is possible, however unimpressive a person’s academic background is. Further, motivational speakers usually have quite dull work histories.

Motivational speakers earn their reputations by being “inspirational”. They try to convince their audiences that the pursuit of wealth is all that really matters. The speakers make it clear that they have the formula for success. They use standard classroom props such as flipboards and overhead projectors as aids. However, the most striking part of motivational speakers’ presentations is that they encourage their listeners to actively participate in their talks in a novel way. Motivational speakers do this by prompting their audiences to express their approval of the speakers aloud and at regular intervals. Cynics might say that this is brainwashing.

Most motivational speakers are millionaires. It should therefore come as no surprise that the “bottom line” is never far from their minds. During their presentations, motivational speakers promote short courses that they are offering at some later date. These courses are frankly too expensive. Regardless, audience members queue in their droves to sign up for them, in the firm belief that their respective speaker holds the key to untold riches.

There are two types of motivational speaker - “specialists” and “generalists”. The specialists are respected because they have gained names for themselves in specific industries. They encourage their listeners to follow them into these same fields and employ the same strategies that the specialists have used. On the other hand, the generalists inspire their audiences by telling them that success is within their reach if they adopt a certain way of thinking, which can be applied to any industry. The generalists are therefore more philosophical in approach. One thing that both types of speaker have in common is that they are selling a dream - a dream of what life could be like, if you follow their advice.

What kind of people are attracted to see a motivational speaker in action? It would be cruel to say that motivational speakers go for one particular demographic. However, one thing is for sure and that is they are looking for those, who for one reason or another, are lacking in direction. These people are looking for quick fixes to their problems and believe that motivational speakers provide the solutions.

It goes without saying that motivational speakers are selling a myth. As we all know, the more effort we put into an endeavour, the more benefit we derive from it. However, motivational speakers do not see things in this way. Conversely, they believe that the path to success is through their “get rich quick“ schemes. Motivational speakers portray themselves as the saviours of the dispossessed and view any sceptics with derision. These speakers develop a sort of personality cult, which is distasteful. Having said that, it would be wrong to say that they have nothing valuable to offer. But like everything in life, you need to take motivational speakers in moderation.

Romer Cherubim