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Check our interview with charismatic and multi-talented television and film actor, Sloane Siegel is one to watch this Emmy season as he takes Hollywood by storm yet again, leading as “Dwight,” starring opposite Caitlin Carmichael (LIFE ITSELF) and Joel McCrary (AMERICAN BEAUTY) in “Dwight in Shining Armor,” (Now streaming online at BYUTV.ORG) the highly anticipated, campy family adventure-comedy. Audiences may also recognize Sloane from dozens of appearances on other top shows including Amazon’s “Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street,” “CBS’ “Pure Genius,” & “Partners,” ABC’s “Modern Family,” and NICKELODEON’s “Big Time Rush.”
‘Dwight’ is a modern, 21st century teen who, while taking photographs in the forest, accidentally falls face-first into an ancient, underground chamber, and lands on ‘Gretta’ (Carmichael) a medieval sleeping princess, planting a kiss on her and waking up not only her and her loyal court magician, ‘Baldric’ (McCrary), but all of the medieval villains that have been asleep like her for the past 1000 years. Together, the trio must defeat herhordes of enemies.
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Hi Sloane Please tell us a little about you?
Hey, how ya doin’. I’m Sloane. Nice to meet ya. I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, blabbering about to anyone I met. Doing funny impressions and telling stories to anyone that would listen until one day I discovered this crazy thing where you stand in front of a bunch of people that chose to sit and listen. There’s a funny word for it, it’s “theater” I think. Then one of the people that sit and listened were like “Hey kid! Go try film and TV.” And I was like that sounds pretty interesting, it’s kinda like the thing I’m doing but the level of make believe goes up like 10,000. So then acting became my life. About me now? I like long walks on the beach… oops wait that’s my dating profile. I’m insanely adventurous and I love making people smile and I’m just trying to be a positive energy in a world that can be pretty serious sometimes. And I really do like long walks on the beach.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Definitely not normal
Who was your role model as a child?
This might sound silly but all the superheroes on the justice league animated series. Whether it was Superman being a kind leader and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders or Martian Manhunter finding his place in a world he didn’t really belong. Each hero had their own struggle that really taught me about life and how to strive for good in the world.
How did you get started in acting?
I was already doing a bit of theater and classes here and there but nothing serious until one day my mom heard an add on the radio like “You want your kid to be a Hollywood star?!” that was probably a scam. But we said hey what the heck and took the risk. It turned out to be one of the biggest acting schools in the country at the time and I got a scholarship into the school after an audition. They sent me to an event where I got a manager and they said hey you should really go to California, so I packed my bags for a month and every time I was about to leave I would book something. I eventually moved to LA. It was really just a chain of events where I went with the flow until I realized I had chosen a future.
How has this changed your life?
I had to grow up very fast and develop a tough skin because as a kid auditioning you receive constant rejection. Acting has given me a more mature look on life and a need to understand people’s feelings and views because after all it’s my job to accurately portray life and create something people can relate to. It’s also given me the opportunity to travel places I never would’ve dreamed of going and working with people I grew up watching. There’s a Logic song that has a line in it that rings in my head every now and then. “Now my idols are my peers.” Which is a crazy thing to think about. I always look forward to how acting can change my life next.
Tell us about your work on Dwight in Shining Armor?
It’s a half-hour family show about a modern day guy (Me) waking up a Gothic Warrior Princess along with her entire world, allowing medieval times to invade modern day. It’s my first time as a series regular on a comedy series and I absolutely adore it. During Gortimer I always thought Drew Justice had the hardest job having the funny lines because you have to have the timing and the understanding of the humor. With Dwight now it’s my turn being the punchline and at first it was very tricky, but over time I’ve developed the character and added some improve and I’m having a blast. Every day on set the whole crew breaks out in laughter and we just have a ball making it. And to see people enjoying it as much as the cast and crew do, does my heart good. I also love that we’re not really aiming at a specific demographic much like Gortimer, our goal is to attract people of all ages to watch the show as a family. Season 2 releases this fall and seasons 3 and 4 are also on the way!
And about Amazon’s award winning show “Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street” and your role as Gortimer?
Well it’s about a bunch of kids living on Normal Street, where nothing is actually normal. There’s really no way to describe what happens in the show without just watching it for yourself. Gortimer was my first series regular role and it changed my life. It was my life for a while. The heart of my character and the audiences view through him was to capture the magic of growing up. And I performed that role at the ages of 12-15 which are the years major changes happen. So Gortimer and I got to grow up together and the whole world can watch. People continue to watch the show even many years after its release and just the other day someone working background on Dwight told me he and his son watch the show all the time and they’ve grown closer because of it.
What other projects have you been a part of?
I’ve worked on “NCIS,” “The Goldbergs,” various Nickelodeon shows, a ton of pilots you’ll probably never see, etc.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Getting feedback from people that enjoy my work. When someone tells me they feel understood because I portrayed a character that shares a tragedy with them or when someone tells me their entire family constantly quotes a line I said to make each other laugh. When I find out that what I create brings people joy, at the end of the day that is exactly what I act for. To make people happy.
Biggest beauty inspiration? Why?
I haven’t really had a beauty inspiration throughout my life and as a young guy growing up in an industry based mostly on physical appearance, I’ve had some serious trouble with my personal body image and looks considering I’m not your typical hunky guy with a perfect face and abs. Who knew a little tummy could cause so much heartache, you know? I’ve never been the best-looking guy in an audition room and that can be really intimidating, but I don’t let that stop me. I try as hard as I can to be confident in myself and be someone the average guy, gal, or other can relate to, see, and know that you don’t have to meet a standard of beauty to appreciate the natural beauty you already have. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, show the world yours and never apologize for looking as you do or being who you are.
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
I would describe it as grunge. I wear hoodies and hoodie shirts everywhere I go no matter the temperature. I also wear a ton of leather jackets and the rest of my closet consists of band tees and black skinny jeans.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
If they’re on their phone a lot that totally takes me out of it. Like a date is to get to know somebody and see if you want a romantic relationship with them and there’s nothing romantic about taking selfies and scrolling Instagram.
How would your best friend describe you?
I didn’t want to assume anything so I just asked them and they said: “A positive, wacky guy who cares about his friends so much he knows exactly what makes them smile.”
What’s next for Sloane Siegel in 2019?
Pretty much just filming the next two seasons of “Dwight in Shining Armor” and hopefully I’ll travel a bit towards the end of the year, I might try my hand at the unicycle but that’s yet to be determined.
What is your own definition of happiness?
I think knowing that you aren’t responsible for anyone’s feelings but your own and you have no control how people view you is a great start to happiness. Usually people are so conscious of how other’s view them they tend mold their feelings to how they think they should feel. You have to detach yourself from external bias and focus on what truly brings YOU joy. So to get to my point I think happiness is doing little things for yourself and trying not to get lost in the past or stuck planning for the future but breathing in the present and taking it one moment at a time by acknowledging the beauty all around you.
How is a normal day in your life?
There really aren’t any normal days in my life, I’m always trying to experience new things and places. So I guess what’s normal for me is doing something totally spontaneous like waking up and thinking you know what? Let’s go roller skating in San Francisco or go to a concert last minute.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Go on an early morning hike with a few friends, grab breakfast at my favorite restaurant, go to the comic shop and geek out over stories new and old, sit in a coffee shop and write, end the night with an evening at karaoke with some more friends.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Neil Gaiman. He’s my inspiration as a writer and I talk about his stories almost every day. I would love to opportunity to ask him about his life and the worlds of his stories.
What is your favorite healthy food?
An acai bowl with granola and fruit.
And your favorite cheat food?
Biscuits, gravy, and fried chicken, all at once.
Best advice ever given?
The best advice ever given isn’t what you’d expect. When I first arrived in LA to become an actor, I ran into a fairly well-known actor who gave me the advice to “Go home.” He told me to not waste my time and that I would never be anything. At the time his advice seemed like a warning but over time I’ve taken it as a challenge to be the best I can be. Not to prove him wrong, but to push myself to continue putting everything into what I love. That experience helped me learn right out of the gate that there will be obstacles in my path and people that will shoot me down, but still I persevere.
Do you support any charity?
I’m always a supporter of conserving the environment and I’m currently looking for charities I can be more involved with.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Oxygen, nutrients, and fresh water. Oh that wasn’t literal…?
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Hopefully on another series after “Dwight in Shining Armor” has come to an epic natural conclusion and I would like to have established myself as a writer by that time as well.
Favorite song, why?
“Sound & Color” by Alabama Shakes will always be my favorite because I listened to it religiously every day during the filming of “Gortimer” and I have so many memories attached to that song and I continue to attach new ones as life goes on. Also it’s a beautiful song that’s easy on the ears and is a lovely metaphor for life.
What music do you like?
To me, music is like my 6th sense. I can’t live without it and I’m always listening to something or humming a tune. I listen to pretty much anything, I’m a fan of all genres of music, but I tend to lean more towards R&B and Alternative.
What do you think of social media?
I honestly find it to be quite a chore sometimes and it creates a lot of anxieties for me about what I should post, but I do really enjoy how it can connect me with friends and also viewers of my work. I like the instant feedback I can receive for projects I’ve done. I just try and stay true to myself.
Where can we follow you?
On Instagram and Twitter @SloaneSiegel
Quote: “Normal is just a setting on a dryer.” My dad, all my life.
Favorite singer/artist: I have waaaaaay too many favorites to pick just one but here’s a few: Alabama Shakes, Young the Giant, Mike Posner, Boy Pablo, HONNE, Surfaces and the list keeps going. If you ever need music suggestions I’m totally your guy.
Movie: “Pulp Fiction” or “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
Travel destination: Kauai, Hawaii or Key West, Florida
Sports team: LA Dodgers
TV show: “Legion” on FX
Book: Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
Photo Credit: Benjo Arwas
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