Check out our interview with Lionsgate western film “Two Sinners And A Mule” actress and animal lover Chantelle Albers who stars as Alice, alongside Cam Gigandet (“James” in Twilight) and Hannah James (“Geneva Dunsany” in Starz’s “Outlander”).
Follow Chantelle @chantellealbers
Hi Chantelle, please tell us a little about you?
Hi, sure! I’m just a girl from the Midwest who always had a passion for acting and creating films and plays. I was passionate enough to move to Los Angeles for it and to learn how to create movies and further my acting craft. I have produced and acted in films such as The 6th Friend, and acted in many others, the latest one being Two Sinners and a Mule where I play the lead role of Alice.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would say I am earnest, passionate, and loving.
How did you get started into acting?
I have always wanted to be an actor, even as a kid. I remember being in the hospital after my head injury and having a desire to act. I also remember going through the newspaper and looking for local auditions. I grew up in North Dakota so there weren’t a lot of film opportunities but there was a lot of theatre.
How has this changed your life?
I changed my life because I ended up going to school for acting and moving to LA for it. So my desire and passion for acting has pretty much dictated a lot of the decisions I made in life.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
Some of the best and worst parts of working on stage or in film in general is the fact that your coworkers are always changing. It’s bittersweet when a show ends, especially when you are very connected as a cast and crew. It’s a blessing the show was completed but it’s hard to not go to work with everyone everyday again.
How do you prepare for a role?
For me, preparing for a role is getting really really close with your character and understanding who they are and their relationship to other characters in the movie. You can learn a lot about a character from reading the script many many times, and make character decisions based on what is said and not said in the script. I believe that making a strong relationship with your co-stars is crucial in bringing the character to life.
Tell us about your work in the new Lionsgate film, “TWO SINNERS AND A MULE?” And about your role as Alice.
Alice is a strong woman who has an awakening right as the film starts. She is one of the “sinners” of the movie who gets thrown out of town by the Women’s Decency League, but surprisingly she sees this as a blessing. She says over and over again in the movie that she wants to start anew and leave her old life behind. She has faith in God and she mentions forgiveness many times. Based on this dialogue in the script I prepared for her to be someone who is delicate, but has faith and fearlessness that comes out more and more.
How did you get the role and how challenging was the casting?
I actually sent in a tape for the role initially, because the production was out of New Mexico. After that initial audition, they flew me out to Albuquerque for a live audition and table read.
What other projects you have been a part of?
I have several films on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV ranging from all different kinds of genres and characters, I was also on Modern Family. I have done a lot of thriller/horror movies mainly because those are the genres that I was first cast in. I even produced and starred in a horror film, The 6th Friend, but I had been wanting to branch out into other genres and that is when this film sparked my interest. I was intrigued by the character arc of Alice, how she can start off as a lady of pleasure, and blossom into a whole new woman. We also get to hear a backstory of how she was supposed to be a bride, but her husband mysteriously was killed and life doesn’t always work out like we plan. I don’t think Alice believes the official story based on how fishy it sounds, and that’s how I played it.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I honestly would like to be a part of more spiritual movies; movies that have an underlying sense of faith and trust in a higher power that is much greater than all of us here on earth. I think they would make for fascinating stories and also bring a lot of peace and trust back to people.
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
Probably doing missionary work overseas. I’m very inspired by what Tim Tebow and his wife have been doing.
Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?
Kelsey Grammer, Chris Pratt, and I would have loved to work with Paul Walker.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I think the most rewarding part is when you can see the final product of a movie and see the connection between you and the other people on screen. When performing in a play the most rewarding part is doing the play itself. Their Finest Hour, a play I did with The Actor’s Studio, had so many rewarding moments in the life of Pamela Churchill. She had many ups and downs and riding the wave of the character is quite a trip. It’s an escape to another reality, a reality that’s not yours but you get to embrace it and let it go when the show is over.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
I would say to rely on yourself and trust in God. This world and business can be amazing and it can be brutal. You have to be strong and have trust that everything will turn out for the better and that you will be ok and be taken care of.
How would your best friend describe you?
I’m pretty sure most of my friends would say I’m outgoing, fun, kind, and passionate about animals, God, acting, and the truth about life.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
What if Life Really is a Box of Chocolates?
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Be kind to yourself while also protecting yourself, pray more.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I’m a fan of arugula spinach and watermelon with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette.
And your favorite cheat food?
French fries with homemade ranch dressing.
What is your own definition of happiness?
I think that happiness is having comfort and trust in what is going to pass. It’s being content with your own circumstances and knowing that everything on this earth is temporary so our awareness can be set on something greater and higher.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t ever feel stuck in life. There is always a way out of any situation in life and the impossible can always happen.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Acting and producing of course, but I also see myself doing something outside of that as well. Perhaps a business and joining a missionary charity.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
I think some of the best ones to belt out are from the 80’s. Like “Don’t Cry Out Loud”, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. I also really like the music from Jimmy Levy.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think it’s a great way to spread information, movies, quotes, ideas, songs, run businesses etc. There is good and bad to everything, so try to use the tools that were given to us for good.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram @chantellealbers
Facebook @actresschantellealbers
Twitter @chantellealbers
Quote: “Be still and know that I Am God. I will be exhaled among the nations. I will be exhaled on the earth.” This gives me comfort in knowing that I don’t have to be in control of everything. We have someone else in control, who is watching out for us.
Favorite Food: Falafel is certainly up there. I sometimes add it to my arugula spinach.
Travel Destination: Georgia the country, Turkey, Iran, Thailand to meet the elephants.
Sports Team: I don’t follow sports very much, but the Dodgers always have a fun game!
