By Katia Gorshkova
Being an artist means living in a permanent state of self-improvement, and in constant search of new inspiration in order to become a better version of yourself. With Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things and an upcoming Stephen King movie under her belt, Chelsea Talmadge is no stranger to hard work and dedication to improving her craft. We have interviewed the young actress on what inspires her to pursue her acting career, working with celebrities, and feminism.
You have worked with very well-established performers during your acting career. Do you find that there is more pressure when your costars are some of the biggest names in the industry?
Not necessarily, I often treat it as a workshopping opportunity. Working with such talent has been a huge learning experience; I definitely don’t take it for granted.
Since pretty much the beginning of cinema, people have been fascinated with horror. With Stranger Things and the upcoming Doctor Sleep, what draws you to take on projects in this genre?
This may come as a shock but, I don’t come from a shiny, cookie cutter type of family. I’ve personally struggled and have had firsthand experience with a lot of tragedy. I can relate to the nitty gritty in life and I think a lot of horror projects encompass that. So, I suppose that’s one of the reasons.
What is it like being a young woman making her career in Hollywood during the #MeToo and Time’s Up era?
It’s fantastic that women were given a platform to voice what’s been buried deep beneath the surface. I personally didn’t speak out during the heat of the movement, but I have been victim to sexual assault and it’s important that we shed light on these issues.
Pursuing an artistic endeavor is almost like allowing your inner child to live on forever. What made you decide you wanted to become an actress?
I feel like a broken record, but I think I’ve subconsciously always known. As a child, I was constantly playing dress up and conducting a classroom of make-believe students. I used to choreograph shows to perform after supper. Once, I even went the extent of hanging a sign on my mailbox to draw a larger crowd. We lived on acul-de-sac so my mother knew that no one would show up, but she made sure to invite the neighbors so that I didn’t have to perform for an empty house. No pun intended.
What would be a dream role for you to take on?
Oof, I don’t know if I have a particular role in mind, but I’ve been a huge Quentin Tarantino fan for as long as I can remember. I love the gore and campy yet grounded humor. He’s definitely not afraid to take risks and marry those opposite worlds; I admire him for continuously pushing the envelope and refusing to play it safe.
