By Danielle Kaplan
Stacey Oristano
Working with Emmy-nominated actors on a hit, prime-time TV show is just another day at the office for Stacey Oristano, who plays Mindy Collette on NBC’s hit Friday Night Lights. Starring in a TV show where the entire town revolves around football isn’t a huge feat for Oristano, who grew up in Arlington, Texas where football really was a tremendous part of her life. Brilliant went behind the scenes and caught up with her recently - and during our conversation, Oristano had a lot to say about the show, her new home of Los Angeles, and her career.
Danielle: How did you get started in acting?
Stacey Oristano: “When I was really young and my dad was an actor…I knew from about five years old that I wanted to be a part of that, and I’ve done it ever since.”
D: What’s your role like on the show?
SO: “I started off being Tyra’s older sister, then Tyra left and graduated, and I got married to Billy. [Since then,] most of my stuff on the show has been with [the Riggins].
D: Do you relate to your character, Mindy Collette?
SO: “I relate to her in some ways, but I love that we’re so different. She’s loud and crazy, and I love that and I love getting to tap into that – I wish that I could do that.”
D: What’s it like to come back to your home state to act for the show?
SO: “I look so forward to going back, but it’s a lot of traveling. Austin is a city that I love – it feels like I’m coming home every time I go to work.”
D: How different to you is Los Angeles from Texas?
SO: “Not as different as you would think. I’ve always been a big town girl, but it’s laid back from what I thought it would be. I could walk to get coffee in pajamas and a tank top.”
D: What’s it like to work with your co-stars, Connie [Britton] and Kyle [Chandler], especially since they’ve both been nominated for Emmys?
SO: “I texted them as soon as I got home, we all knew [they got nominated] – it’s about time. They’re both so humbled. Kyle is directing right now, and he had coffee and pizza for the whole crew.”
D: How does it feel to be on an Emmy-nominated show?
SO: “The only thing I can hope is that we get a bigger fan base, [since] we’re still going on season five as the last one.”
D: What’s your favorite role this far?
SO: “I did a lot of stuff, theater wise, and the experiences have been life changing. It’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me. I did a ton of regional theater, Broadway, and Cabaret – I worked non-stop.”
D: What are your dream roles and actors to work with in the future?
SO: “I have a group of friends out here in LA and if I could work with them, then I would be so happy. We’re really trying to make stuff happen on our own.”
Stay tuned for Part II of our interview with Stacey Oristano, coming soon!
