IF IT AIN'T ON THE PAGE, IT AIN'T ON THE STAGE | SOSIE BACON + JOE MANTEGNA

Premiering on Jan 21st, Prime Video dropped As We See It which follows 3 neurodiverse 20-somethings who are roommates as they navigate getting their lives together and figuring out what they want to do. Played by actors who are on the autism spectrum, we see them go to work, push past their fears, have relationships with family and friends and more. In addition, we also see how their friends and family navigate their independence as well as the importance of having guidance by their aide. If you have yet to see this 8 episode series that is out now, there are spoilers in this interview that we had with Sosie Bacon (13 Reasons Why, NARCOS: Mexico, Mare of Easttown) who plays the life coach aide Mandy and Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds, The Simpsons, The Godfather: Part III) who plays Lou, a father to Jack who is autistic. We talk about the importance of representation as well as diversity. We also talk about the themes that are discussed in this comedic drama.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What attracted you to wanting to be in As We See It?

SOSIE BACON: It was a great pilot script at a time that there were so many scripts coming in, but none of them was something that I was connected to – but I was auditioning for all of them. When you find a good one, you just hope that it’s randomly the one that you get. In this situation, it actually worked out that way as it never does. I think that the relationships are just so clear and so funny as well as touching. Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood, Roswell) has such a way with writing and every scene has such an arc and it’s a dream for an actor to be able to work with him because it’s easy. It’s all there, it’s all written and all you have to do is be in the character and be in the moment and play. So dream job!

AM: How did you prepare for the role of being Mandy?

SB: Originally, we shot the pilot 2 years before we shot the rest of the show because of COVID and all of that stuff. So with the pilot, I think that there were a lot of things with Mandy that were very similar to me – it’s actually the closest to my personality that I have ever played. I thought that that would be easy, but it was actually more difficult! I did my normal process of preparation which I will spare you, but I observed Elaine Hall who was our on set rep – their life coach like my character Mandy for Rick Glassman (Barely Famous, Undateable, Nobodies) Albert Rutecki, Sue Ann Pien (Ballers, Hellraiser: Revelations, Morgan Spurlock Inside Man). She has a program called The Miracle Project which is at the Wallis Annenburg Center for the Performing Arts adults on the spectrum do theater and write plays and they have aids there with them. I watched and observed and it was great. It was super informative and I was interested in finding out how they talk to each other, what’s the communication like, how much do they teach versus guide and that was so helpful. I learned a lot from that. Elaine was also on set all the time so I could ask her.

AM: Was there an additional person besides Elaine that told you about aides? I had never heard of this or knew that there was someone who was involved in that way.

SB: Yeah, Elaine told me about some people Mandy’s age who had that job sort of right after they graduated college and I talked to one girl who does this. It’s a job that people have and I wasn’t fully aware of it either. Elaine was just an amazing resource for all things about autism and aides. She has dedicated her life to it and I could just ask her questions all of the time and it was just incredible.

AM: One of the things that was interesting was that we see the 3 roommates, they have their own lives, they’re together and we see them with their families, but you’re character is the only one who truly integrates and sees the birds eye views with the highs and the lows - what was it like to be involved in this show that shares the diversity of what autism is?

SB: I think that that’s one of the great things about this show is that every person with autism is different. I think that sometimes people get wrapped up in these medical diagnoses that’s just a set of options that if you check off enough – you’re autistic – you know what I mean? There are things on there that I have, you know what I mean? It’s such a mathematical science with a lot of medicine, but everyone is completely different – like meeting me and then meeting my brother. I don’t think that there is one kind of mold to talk to any person in this world and I think that the beauty of the character that Jason wrote in Mandy is that she is adaptable. She is a person, open and non judgmental – she can navigate all of it. Elaine will tell you too – there are no sets of rules. Everybody will surprise you. Did I answer your question?

AM: Yes. To be honest, as someone who was not well versed in this topic, watching the series and the characters really opened up this world of what it means to be on the spectrum as the abilities are as varied as the goals, they are various focuses and needs/interests. There are some things that they can do that are easier than others and seeing it across 3 people really reflected that there hasn’t been a show showing autism like this in its varied forms and it was eye opening.

SB: Totally and everyone is different. It’s like what I said, it’s a diagnosis. I mean if you look at ADD this person has it and that person has it, but I feel like when you’re saying learning differences this term is kind of a joke. I don’t know what we’re weighing it against – who has the normal brain – I don’t know if I have ever met someone with that. What does that mean?

I like that they’re showing people at different levels and how everyone is experiencing life differently.

AM: Truly after watching the 8 episodes, I wanted there to be more and to go deeper into these stories! If there was a second season, what would you like to explore with Mandy and the clients that she has if you were able to give some notes?

SB: Well I certainly don’t want Mandy to quit – ha!

AM: That’s for sure!

SB: I think that there are so many different ways that it could go! I will leave that up to Jason, but I would want them to be able to stay together. I love all of the things that have happened. Things happen and we watch how they process them. To me, that’s my favorite stuff. I like to see friends and family deal with real life issues. Every single person in this show is dealing with real life issues they have so much room to have so many things happen. I want to see how they all deal with it!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What drew you to As We See It and why did you want to be involved?

JOE MANTEGNA: Well, I’ve said this before, but one of my sayings in my career is, “if it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage.” In this instance, it was on the page. So when I read that first pilot script, I thought to myself that this was one of the best pieces of television writing that I have read in my career. Also having a personal connection where I have a daughter with autism who is 34 years old now. That and the quality of the script resonated with me very strongly. My initial feeling was, I want to meet with this Jason Katims regardless – even if I end up not being able to do the show because I want to talk to him and let him know how good I think that this is and how successful that I think that it should be. We’ll see where it goes from there. As it turned out, where it went from there was that I ended up being able to play the role and wound up doing all 8 episodes and I think it came out the way that I hoped they would. So it was all that I hoped that it would be.

AM: What was your process like in being able to play Lou?

JM: Part of it was being a father of a 34 year old daughter with autism. I did a lot of that preparation just in my life. Not that it made it easier, but it made it something that I could certainly relate to aspects of it as it’s not all the same – because it’s not. You know, people in the autism spectrum are going to run the gamut just like people who are not on the autism spectrum. People are people – people are different.

But in terms of prep, you know I have been doing this a long time. I’ve been an actor for over 50 years and I have been on the planet for 70 years. So if nothing else, I have a lot of life experience going for me. I think that all of those things come into play and sometimes it’s hard to point to one thing or a couple of things, but I was just happy to do something that I thought had humor, had pathos, was serious and yet could laugh at itself, make people laugh and be very honest.

It made it easy. I think you have to prepare harder for things that need the attention and needs the work. This didn’t need to be fixed.

AM: In watching the storyline between your character, Lou and his son Jack, there were two themes that kept jumping out. Advocacy – how Lou was with his son and how the son was trying to be so with Lou. The concept of passing was also evident here. Typically when this term is discussed it has a racial construct around it but here the story shares that you character wants to live his life and to pass as someone who doesn’t have cancer so he can just live his life and with Jack, we see him wanting to live his life in a way that no one knows that he has autism. Why was it important that these 2 themes needed to be explored?

JM: Because I think that that’s what happens in life. Again, it’s an honest portrayal in that life itself is not one dimensional. I’m always amazed by the fact that you can read a story and you figure that that person has the world by the tail and then you read a week later that that person committed suicide and then you wonder what was going on there. Because on the surface, it looked like everything was hunky-dory. That’s what I mean and I think it’s just that. Everyone has more complexities than are sometimes apparent on the surface. That’s what’s explored here as well between myself and Rick’s character.

AM: You know, after watching the 8 episodes, I was hoping that there was more! It was really good! How do you think that your character Lou felt about his son and all of the progress that he made?

JM: Well I mean, obviously it’s still a work in progress as it should be. In other words, if all is right with the world, we will get the opportunity to move onto episode 9 and beyond to be able to continue and tell the story. Where we end it is like, “ok, this is where we are at this point in the story.” If people want to see it badly enough, we will just keep on as we do in life. You know, we don’t know and no one has a roadmap of what their life is going to be. You don’t know what tomorrow is going to be and so you just take each day as it comes and play it by ear and see where it takes you. So that’s the story that we told in 8 episodes now let’s see if we have the opportunity to keep expanding on top of that to see where it takes us.

AM: I hope so! A few years ago, we had the opportunity to go to Autism Speak’s Chef Gala that they held here in NY and it was really amazing to be at that event and to hear from those that are driving awareness as well as to hear from those in the culinary world who have a personal connection. What I was struck by in this series was learning about the diversity of those that are on the autism spectrum and to be able to show it across 3 different characters. I hope that there are more episodes and seasons because it was beautiful and truly educational.

JM: Thank you and I agree. Without question, it’s very high quality and I think it deserves to be continued.

AM: If there are additional episodes and seasons, what would you like to tackle?

JM: I’d like to tackle Lou going into remission so that Lou is still around for awhile!

AM: Um right?

JM: Beyond that, let’s cross that bridge first and see where that takes us!

IG @sosiebacon

@joemantegna

PHOTOS COURTESY | Prime Video

Hear Sosie Bacon and Joe Mantegna on our show, Bungalow SK - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multimedia companion podcast network! Subscribe to be notified when the episode drops. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Read the JAN ISSUE #73 of ATHLEISURE MAG and see IF IT AIN’T ON THE PAGE, IT AIN’T ON THE STAGE | Sosie Bacon + Joe Mantegna in mag.

AUTISM SPEAKS CHEFS GALA 2019

This month, we headed to Cipriani Wall Street to the 13th Annual Autism Speaks Celebrity Chef Gala which is a phenomenal event that has a number of top acclaimed chefs and culinary institutions serving its 400 guests 4 courses of curated meals tableside. In addition to watching these meals that differed by table, attendees heard about a number of the successes that this organization provides for those who are on the spectrum and their family and friends who support them. Since 2007, the Chef Gala has raised more than $13 million in support of the autism community to raise money for research, advocacy, programs and services that support people with autism and their families. This year's event was hosted by Chef Andrew Zimmern along with Co-Chairs, Christina Tosi (Restaurateur and Founding Chef of Milk Bar) and Matt Higgins the Co-Founder/CEO of RSE Ventures, Vice Chairman of Miami Dolphins and Guest Shark on ABC's Shark Tank. It honored Tim Jones, CEO of Publicis Media Americas.

We wanted our readers to know more about autism, what Autism Speaks as an organization provides and to find out more on some of the acclaimed chefs that participated in this event!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is autism and what does it means to be on the spectrum?

AUTISM SPEAKS: Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged.

Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

AM: What signs should parents be aware of that indicate that their child could have autism?

AS: Indicators of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

Many children with autism do not show signs, and some who do not have autism show some. That’s why professional evaluation is critical in diagnosing autism. The signs of autism depend on the age of a child and can vary widely – from avoidance of eye contact to lack of babbling or speech to repetitive behaviors.

The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers™) can help you determine if a professional should evaluate your child. This simple online autism risk screening questionnaire, available on our website, takes only a few minutes. If you have any concerns about your child's development, don't wait. Speak to your doctor about screening.

AM: How is Autism Speaks a resource to those that are affected by autism whether they have it themselves or are connected to someone that is?

AS: Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

AM: We enjoyed attending the gala at Cipriani and it was amazing to see that the auction raised over $100K. Are there other events that Autism Speaks has for the remainder of the year that we should keep an eye out for?

AS: This year, thanks to the generosity of both the wonderful chefs and all who attended, Autism Speaks raised $1.3M from the Celebrity Chef Gala. There are many other ways to support Autism Speaks’ mission year-round; you can find more at AutismSpeaks.org/GetInvolved. There are also hundreds of autism-friendly events listed on AutismSpeaks.org.

We had the chance to talk with Autism Speak's President, Angela Geiger at this event to find out about the initiatives that they are focused on as well as why this event in particular is one that is so important to them in terms of their partnership with those in the culinary community. We also interviewed some of our favorite chefs who are at some of the top restaurants in the world.

ANGELA GEIGER | President of Autism Speaks

ATHLEISURE MAG: Why is Autism Speaks so important and what are those initiatives that you are trying to get out about that?

ANGELA GEIGER: We’re celebrating our 15th anniversary of Autism Speaks next year. In the world of health disorders, it’s a short time. The amount of progress that has been made because of the legacy organizations and Autism Speaks being a big tent and really welcoming everyone no matter where you are on the spectrum, and now not just for kids but as adults who have autism who needs support too.

AM: How important is this event in terms of working with the culinary community and having this kind of partnership?

AG: I think one of the really fun things about tonight, is that it allows us to celebrate big victories like things that Autism Speaks has done to help tons of people and it also shines a light on small victories like one of the things that we are going to talk about tonight is and Instagram post that was shared recently where someone tried toast for the first time and it was a really big thing for their family. So it’s important for us to really remember that all of this matters.

AM: How do you feel about your role in this organization and what are the challenges that you’re looking at and excited to take on as we close this year out and go into the next one?

AG: I think that one of the biggest challenges is that autism is a spectrum and there are people with very different challenges and very different opportunities. Making sure that we’re welcoming for everybody is one of the most important things that we can do!

IG @AutismSpeaks

CHEF MARIA LOI Owner & Chef of Loi Estiatorio,

NY, NY

ATHLEISURE MAG: What are your 3 favorite dishes at your restaurant?

CHEF MARIA LOI: Branzino that’s for sure. The Bean Soup – I love it and eat it everyday! And of course, my yogurt!

AM: What are 3 ingredients that you like to always have on hand that is used in a number of the dishes that you like to create?

CHEF ML: Yes of course, it’s easy for me. I always like to have beans, olive oil and honey!

IG @ChefMar

@LoiEstiatorio

CHEF GABRIEL KREUTHER Owner and Michelin Two Star Chef of Gabriel Kreuther, NY, NY

ATHLEISURE MAG: We had the pleasure of enjoying a meal at Eataly via their Chefs Collaborations with your Chef Adam Hill last fall around this time which was phenomenal! Can you share with us the 3 signature dishes that we should be eating at Gabriel Kreuther.

CHEF GABRIEL KREUTHER: I think one of them is the Sturgeon and Sauerkraut Tart, I’m known for the Foie Gras so the Foie Gras Terrine and Pistachio Praline and the Tarte Flambee it’s something that I grew up with that I I love as it’s a simple thing flatbread with cheese and some bacon. But then there is also the Squab and Foie Gras Crostini – it keeps changing with the seasons!

AM: What are your 3 favorite ingredients that you like to cook with?

CHEF GK: Well strangely enough, it keeps moving too – seasonality and too much of the same thing, it’s kind of like you don't want it anymore. I love simple things and also things that are more luxurious. I love caviar in general, I love foie gras in general, but I also love simple things like sauerkraut. So, I like to combine very very simple things with very luxurious things! Right now, I am looking to use the white truffle as the season has just started. Chestnuts are beautiful right now and it just depends and comes down to the mood that you’re in and what you’re looking for and some day you want something more fancy and other days you want something more homey. It all depends – it’s like do you want to drink a good beer or a nice wine? What’s your mood?

AM: We couldn’t agree more and why was it important for you to be participating within this event?

CHEF GK: Well, first of all, it’s very rare to see so many chefs together. It shows also that when an industry wants to come together to do something, and to help science out – we can actually do nice things! I’m always keen to try to help out to raise money in hopes of making a difference somewhere. It’s shown that everything that has been done over the years has made a difference and I think there is hope when people come together to make that difference. Hopefully, making peoples lives come together and to continue that hope is what it’s about!

IG @GabrielKreuther

CHEF RALPH SCAMARDELLA Chef and Partner of Tao Group

ATHLEISURE MAG: We are huge fans of the Tao Group as there are a number of restaurants and moods that you present there. What are 3 signature dishes that we should be trying whether it’s one of your favorite restaurants or various ones throughout your portfolio?

RALPH SCAMARDELLA: Thank you so much! Well at Tao – each Tao is divided up a little bit differently, so they’re unique. The original one (Tao Uptown) has the Satay Bass which is the most iconic dish and downtown (Tao Downtown) we did it a little more of a Chinese style we did some dishes from China like a whole fish – Snapper that’s deep fried and served with garlic and roasted onions. Of course at Lavo, we have our 1lb meatball which we’re world famous for!

AM: And what about the cocktails? What are 3 that we should have in mind on our next visit?

RS: Oh yeah, the Pama Sutra which is Milagro Silver Tequila mixed with Pomegranate Liqueur and Fresh Lime. The TAO-tini is another great one with Belvedere Mango Passion Vodka, Malibu Rum, Cranberry and Fresh Lime. I like a good Manhattan too! I’m more of a beer and wine guy myself!

AM: When you’re not working, what are 3 things that you like to do?

RS: Sleeping, hanging out with the kids and trying to do as many activities as I can and doing yard work and stuff like that. I like gardening, trees and plants – getting into it.

IG @TaoGroup

CHEF MATT HOYLE Chef of Nobu 57

ATHLEISURE MAG: We are huge fans of Nobu what are 3 signature dishes that our readers should enjoy on their next visit?

MATT HOYLE: Nobu Signature dishes – definitely the Black Cod, also the Yellowtail Jalapeño and maybe one of the Tempura dishes like the King Crab or the Sea Urchin.

AM: That definitely sounds good. What are 3 ingredients that you like to use when you’re making your dishes?

MH: So Wagyu Beef in Japan. You don’t need huge amounts of it, but a few bites of it is so nice. I also love some Uni and Sea Urchin from Japan and some from Santa Barbara, California tonight which will have a slightly different taste

AM: Where do you get your inspiration from when you’re creating these dishes?

MH: From the ingredients and then you have all of the things out there. You put them out for customers and you do it a few times and the response is, “yeah it’s great.” You think about that and when you’re making something else, you think back to those dishes to bring them back in a new way! It’s a process and it’s great!

IG @NobuRestaurants.us

CHEF TONY NGUYEN Executive Chef of Crustacean Beverly Hills and Da Lat Rose, Beverly Hills, CA

ATHLEISURE MAG: What are your go to foods?

CHEF TONY NGUYEN: I’m a midwestern boy from St Louis, Missouri – so we know good food, we know comfort food! My go to is fried foods! I love fried chicken, my fiancé makes the best creole food – Jambalaya, Gumbo, smothered chicken and even biscuits and gravy! These are great and when we came here to NY, of course we had to try the pizza, the bagels and more!

AM: Before we talk about your new restaurant that you’re opening, can you tell us about Crustacean Beverly Hills and 3 signature dishes that we should try?

CHEF TN: OK now, the top 3 signature dishes at Crustacean Beverly Hills, The Garlic Noodles, The Roasted Garlic Crab OVER the Garlic Noodles and then something that we brought here tonight is the Tuna Cigars. We made a fake cigar out of an eggroll wrapper if you will, stuffed it with tuna poke and avocado and putting it in a cigar box. If you open it, there might be some smoke that comes out! It’s a nice little starter!

The new restaurant is call Da Lat Rose. Da Lat is a little town in Vietnam that is very similar to San Francisco. Da Lat means the “City of Eternal Spring” and there are a lot of vegetables year around. We’re not talking about peas only being good in March, they’re good the whole year! Just like California, the avocados are good all year. Even here, let’s be real. You can get a decent tomato year around even though they are the best in the summer time. In February, I think that we can both find a good one!

AM: What are your 3 favorite ingredients to cook with?

CHEF TN: Three favorite ingredients – I love garlic, I love shallots ok! My last favorite ingredient is eggs because you can make so many things out of them!

IG @ChefTonyNguyen

@CrustaceanBH

@DaLatRoseBH

PHOTO CREDITS | Getty Images

Read the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Autism Speaks Chefs Gala 2019 in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #46 OCT 2019

This month’s cover and back cover is 5 X NBA All Star Philadelphia 76ers - Al Horford. We share a profile on him about his career, what led him to sign with the 76ers over the summer and the season date where is team is currently 4-0.. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we interview Dr. Elizabeth Seng and STARZ Power’s LaLa Anthony about migraine conditions – identifying them, why they’re an issue and how one can alleviate their strain. We sit down with Lara Merriken, founder of LARABAR to talk about the creation of the brand, what’s newly added to the line and more. You can read the interview in this month’s issue as well as listen to it on our podcast show, Athleisure Kitchen on iHeart Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Himalaya, Stitcher and wherever you enjoy listening. In Oct, we attended Autism Speaks Chefs Gala and talked with an array of culinary luminaries (Chef Maria Loi of Loi Estiatorio, Chef Gabriel Kreuther of Michelin Two Starred Gabriel Kreuther, Chef Matt Hoyle of Nobu 57, Chef Tony Nguyen of Crustacean Beverly Hills and Da Lat Rose, Chef Ralph Scamardella of Tao Group) as well as Angela Geiger, President of Autism Speaks. With Awards Season around the corner and the holidays – we’re talking glowing skin with Toska Husted whose clients include Jennifer Aniston and Ashley Busch. This month, we chatted with Chef Jared Sippel of Trattoria Italienne in NYC for The Art of the Snack.

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into EDM’s DJ and Producer Destructo. Our newest roundup within the 9LIST ecosystem - 9PLAYLIST (9 songs that our celebs are loving this month) is from our 2018 June cover, Pooch Hall of Showtime’s Ray Donovan. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Hotel Athenee and Precision Run), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This Look During Sweater Weather, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Lime Beauty. 

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

FROM LA WITH LOVE, GIA MANTEGNA

When you grow up in a creative family, you get to try your hand at a number of things to find out what works for you. Gia Mantegna grew up in the industry and has been acting since she was a kid, is a singer and in addition to her roles, can say that she has been able to spend quality time on set as a fellow actor with her dad, Joe Mantegna in the nail-biting series, Criminal Minds.

We sat down with Gia to talk about how she got into acting, what it's like to be on Criminal Minds, playing dramatic characters with a twist, her new show that is available now on CW Seed, what's going on with her music and some of her go to places in LA as well as when she's here in NYC.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did the acting bug hit you?

GIA MANTEGNA: I started acting at a really young age in school. I think I was about 11 when I started theater and that’s kind of where I got the bug. I had obviously grown up in the business
because my dad is an actor.

AM: We’re huge fans of him!

GM: Yeah, yeah me too! Growing up around that environment and being in that industry it was just something that was second nature to me. And I was like, "when is it my turn?" Being the second born child and always wanting attention, I was known for having this personality and having a need to be heard. The only outlet for that was to sing and to perform - so that’s how it started. Then after doing theater, I started working in film and going to TV and auditioning. It hasn’t stopped yet – knock on wood.

AM: What are some of the roles that you have been in?

GM: My first big gig was a Christmas film called Unaccompanied Minors which was a film directed by Paul Feig. He did Bridesmaids, The Heat, Ghostbusters (Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy) etc. That was my introduction into really working in Hollywood. It was such a great experience working with Paul and the cast. That was a fun role for me and I have done a lot of
spots on TV.

I’m really drawn to the darker roles naturally. I am a positive person, but I love those really weird roles. I did a role on Perception where I played this girl who swallowed knives and it was a strange one, but I loved it. Now comedy is where things are going for me which I also love because it’s harder and comedic timing is hard to do. The dramatic roles come easier to me but
comedy is where I am falling into and where the world is going, it’s nice to laugh a little bit.

AM: How much has your father been an influence on your roles and how has it been also appearing on Criminal Minds with him?

GM: YES oh my gosh. I can’t watch Criminal Minds – I live alone with a cat!

AM: When we travel, it’s always on as a marathon and we get sucked in, but we have to have a buddy and the lights on to watch it!

GM: Oddly enough, I never worked with him on the show. When I first auditioned for the show, I was 17 there was a different actor playing my father and I never had any scenes with him. Then one day, the writers came to me with an idea where my character came back with Aubrey Plaza’s character as they wanted two strong female characters to come back to shake up the
team. Aubrey and I came out to do it and I didn’t have any good dialogue with my dad, but there was this scene where he pointed a gun at me which was really exciting as that is always fun to work with a family member holding a gun in your face. I mean when is that going to happen? Hopefully not. But it was great because I have worked on a number of shows, but Criminal Minds – that cast is such a tight-knit group, they’re a family. They get along and it’s
been running for so long which is a testament to how great it is to be able to step into that show for a few weeks. It was the greatest gig in the world and to be able to hang out with my dad for a bit. The character was fun too as she was psychotic!

AM: Tell us about CW Seed and how we can watch it?

GM: A lot of networks have digital platforms as I think that they are trying to compete with Netflix and things like that. CW Seed (shows you can catch: Riverdale, Original Dynasty) is CW’s answer to that. It’s their digital platform where they create new media and they also run shows that have already been out on the website. You can watch on their website or their app.

Our show, Life After First Failure has myself and Breanne (who plays my best friend on the show), we received the script and we loved that there were two strong female characters
shaking things up – we fell in love with it. We did 3 episodes in Portland and CW Seed ended up breaking it up into 6 episodes - to make it more palatable for the audience.

The way it seems to be going is that it’s all about quick easy content for quick gratification. At first, I was a little disappointed, but it’s the way that things are going now. I like longer episodes, but the younger generation is easily bored and when they’re bored, you lose your audience. But the character was so much fun to play and it was different and new. Honestly, it was one of my favorite people to play.

AM: Is there a second season coming out?

GM: In a perfect world, yes – the hope was that the network would see that there was a strong response to it – but they’re kind of new. So a lot of it has been left to us and social media has really helped in terms of campaigning for the show. We definitely want to come back to do more episodes – right now we’re not sure so we want people to watch and tweet to request more episodes.

AM: We know that you are also a singer can you tell us about how you started that and what your plans are?

GM: I was always singing at a young age. My parents threw me into everything soccer, piano, saxophone etc. Singing stuck with me – my sister and I took lessons at a very young age. Both of my parents have a musical background and it was just one of those things that I always kept in my back pocket, but I was too scared to use and then it got to a point that I really wanted to do a show so I got a producer and a band and we put it together with a show at The Whiskey in LA. It was so great, but there aren’t really any plans as I was starting to work on an album and then acting picked up, but it's always something I go back to. Right now, I record things and sell them to shows and just kind of do it as a hobby.

PHOTO COURTESY | Scott Bonnie

AM: What is the genre?

GM: It ended up being a rock show when I was at The Whiskey. But the song I’m most proud of, ‘I Won’t Wait’ it’s alternative/electronic. It has a cool vibe to it as I’m inspired by Banks and Tove Lo - just I love that electronic ease and fun. But when I get back into singing, I want to do a lot of oldies covers as I listen to a lot of 70s music. I love Top 40, but I’m inspired by that era. I have been listening to a lot of THEM (Van Morrison’s old band) lately and I thought it would be really fun to do a lot of covers of music that my parents grew up with as that's what I listened to growing up.

AM: What is your personal style when you're going out for brunch versus when you're having a night out?

GM: It doesn’t change – it’s always the same – I’m all black everything – it makes doing laundry very easy. I always dress for winter or fall – I wear Doc Martins all the time, I live in them. I love skinny jeans and a baggy sweatshirt on top. I love jewelry which allows me to go a little crazy and I love makeup! My sister and I went to makeup school just for fun and my sister was really into it – she has autism and is really high functioning, but my parents didn’t want her to go alone so I went as her pal and I ended up loving it. I love playing with makeup looks and it taught me what I could do with makeup – so it’s all about the accessories.

AM: How do you take time for yourself in the midst of your busy schedule?

GM: It’s interesting as an actor, you’re your own boss and there is going to be downtime so you’re always trying to stay proactive. I do piano as much as I can to stay with my music.

I do meditate - big meditator. I tried running for 5 mins. - it was horrible, but I really love yoga. There is a huge yoga culture in LA - which I know is everywhere as well. But I have been doing
yoga for so long that I just do it on my own and I just do it in my trailer. Now that I have this amazing cat in my life, I love meditating and doing yoga at home. I don’t do any high impact – I
don’t. I can’t do it because I have this really weird jaw issue which is a severe form of TMJ where I have to get injections in my masseter muscles. So when I do anything high impact the stress goes to my neck and my face and then I have to go to the Chiropractor and it becomes this whole thing. Everything is low impact and easy – I walk a lot and although LA is not a walking town, I live in West Hollywood so I can do that.

AM: What charity/philanthropy do you do?

GM: Because my sister has autism, I have always been involved in that as it has been a big part of my life and to give back to the community. My family and I do not support Autism Speaks as they have paid celebrities to do endorsements which makes sense, but many don't know what they're talking about and funds have gone to the CEOs and very little of the money is going to autism research. More grassroots organizations is where we go and my dad does a lot of work with veterans so anything that involves them and the military, I am all about it. Autism is big for me and there isn’t one that I champion specifically.

PHOTO COURTESY | Marco David

AM: What's on your playlist?

GM: I’ve been listening to a lot of THEM, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan – I went to a concert of his last year and it was so great. I just really love him. Let me grab my phone out. I love Tove Lo and Banks of course. A lot of oldies - OH - Roy Orbison - he's the best for the holidays - I really love his stuff and I have been getting obsessed with Chris Isaak again. OH Tom Jones is my
go to when I'm getting ready, I go to Spotify, put in Tom Jones and listen to everything. It gets crazy and my dad makes fun of me and asks, “why do you listen to my music?” I love it and everything coming out lately now – it’s cool to vibe out to in the background, but I don’t connect with it and it’s not inspirational to me.

AM: When you're in LA, what's 1 place you work out, 1 place you eat at 1 place you shop? What version do you have for that here in NYC?

GM: The answer to most of those questions is home, home, home haha. In NY, I go to McSorley’s Old Ale House - I was just there last night with my mom and my sister. So only in NY
would this take place, we met these two guys where one had just broken up with his wife and one with his girlfriend and they wanted to recreate this picture that they had taken when they were with them at the same bar a few years prior! One ex was blonde and one was brunette and we re-created the picture.

In LA, people are very "don’t talk to me," but in NY it’s so different and they were from Orange County. It was hysterical and the picture was identical and I even arranged everything on the table the same way. McSorley's is my go to.

In LA, I go anywhere although there is this cool Australian bar called The Eveleigh. Serafina just opened in LA so I love that – they’re on Sunset. I work out at home in LA so I just go outside as there is so much hiking you can do and I want to try boxing. For shopping, I am all about ASOS – they have great stuff, affordable and they always have black options. In NY it’s anywhere.
I’m obsessed with shoes, so any shoe store. I love Opening Ceremony and I love Soho in general. Evolution is here and I love them, we have something similar in LA called Necromance, but I haven’t bought anything. Where am I going to put taxidermy squirrels?

My God mom has a store in Toluca Lake near my parents house called Pergolina and she has these beautiful taxidermy animals which she gets from Necromance. Her store is where I get my jewelry and I wear these bracelets all the time. But I’m not a big shopper – I’m an eater – I love to eat. My mom has a restaurant in Burbank called Taste Chicago.

AM: Wait we have heard of Taste Chicago!

GM: I know a lot of people think that it’s my dad’s, but it’s my moms!

AM: Which one is from Chicago?

GM: Both – my whole family is from Chicago and here. We’re here because one of my family members just bought a house in New Jersey. We’re the only ones in LA. We needed to bring Chicago to LA.

AM: So what are we ordering at Taste Chicago?

GM: Chicago dogs, Sicilian Pan Pizza, Deep Dish, Italian Beef, everything – it’s hard core. You don’t go there to get a salad, you go there to work! But I actually prefer NY style pizza haha but I go there for the Italian Beef.

PHOTO COURTESY | Marco David

Read more from the Dec Issue and see From LA with Love, Gia Mantegna in mag.