BILFPOD - The Courage to Create: Kearran Giovanni's Journey in Acting & Life

Episode Date: August 28, 2025

New Episode — BILFPod x Kearran GiovanniFrom Broadway stages to the Big Screen, Kearran Giovanni has built a career defined by bold choices, magnetic performances, and a relentless drive to create space for authenticity in Hollywood. You may know her from memorable roles in Major Crimes, One Life to Live, Designated Survivor, Dynasty, and The Resident.In this episode, Kearran and Mara dive deep into:• The journey from theater roots to on-screen recognition• Lessons learned from navigating both Broadway and Hollywood• How discipline, passion, and vulnerability fuel longevity in the industry• Her mission to inspire others to pursue creativity without compromiseThis conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and daring to take up space.Catch the full episode now streaming on all platforms.Get Connected:Follow Kearran Giovanni → @kearrangiovanniFollow Mara Dorne → @maradorneFollow the Podcast → @bilfpod#BILFPod #MaraDorne #KearranGiovani #BossEnergy #BroadwayToHollywood #WomenInEntertainment #ActressLife #Leadership #BossIdLikeToFollow #Resilience #MajorCrimes #Dynasty #DesignatedSurvivor #TheResident #OneLifeToLive #BroadwayLife #TVAndFilm #BehindTheScenes #CreativeJourney #ActingCareer #OnStageAndScreen #Storytelling #HollywoodStories #BossMoves #InspirationDaily #WomenWhoLead #PodcastInterview #AuthenticityMatters #BILFCommunity #BossVibes

So I just turned 43 in December and I got a tattoo. I like took myself to a place and I got a tattoo. And I was like, I've always wanted to do this. And it's really important. My mom passed away. So it's a butterfly for her because she had lupus and it's her initial and my two daughters initials in it. Why am I holding back from what I want, how I feel, what I think? It's time.

Back to the BILF pod, we're authenticity trumps authority. And we are here today with Kieran Giovanni. Well, first question, do you know what a BILF is? I believe I do. What do you think it is? I think it is a boss. I'd like to follow. And you, my dear, are a boss.

You are a boss. I am so excited about today's episode because literally your energy, as soon as you walked in the door, I could tell we're going to be BFF. I know. Can you not feel it? I can feel it. And our kids are the same age and our lives like parallel. That was really weird.

Then the birth date just now. That was really weird. That was super weird. So for those of you that don't know, Karen is a true Belf. She is, she's appeared in movies, been on Broadway. I don't know what you haven't done, right? I mean, you really are a mom, a wife, a superhero. I mean, just you really are holding all hats all the time.

I cannot. Can you give me, you have to give me your whole backstory. Like, how did you go into acting? Did you already know as a child? Was this like, did you want to be a princess? Like, what's your story doing? I think we're all princesses. You're a princess.

No, you know what? I did not want to be an actor. I wanted to be an OBGYN and deliver babies. That was like my whole goal in life. And I had done other things. I was a dancer. I was a gymnast. I had done track.

I was a jewelry. You know, I'd done a lot of sports and athletics and danced for a long time. And it wasn't until I went to HSPBA, which is the high school for the performing in visual arts. I went to. You did? Not for performing arts, but I went to a specialized high school for law. That's hilarious. And look at us now.

So far. It wasn't until then that I figured out I could actually do this as a career and, you know, make money. And that I had talent. Like, it took someone else telling me, like, you know, you could actually do this. And the person that did that ended up being my acting teacher for four years when I went to school. And yeah, so I got into a musical theater conservatory at University of Cincinnati called CCM. And it's a very intense program where you can get cut if you have to audition for your spot every year. We started with 14.

We ended with 12 people. It's like I said, it's very, very intense, lots of shows, lots of classes. And then we moved to New York as a class audition for agents. And kind of, you know, just take the leap. So you sing and. Is there anything like you don't do? Do you cook also? You definitely cook too, don't you? I knew it. Probably like organic food, don't you? Not always. I mean, listen, I like a good seasoning.

But, yes, I do cook. So, yes, I moved to New York. And it's a small world of Broadway and performers and, you know, kind of these specialized schools that all move there together. And so in about two or three months, I started Lion King, and it just kind of took off. And I kept, you know, every time I left, my parents were like, well, if it doesn't work out, you can come home.

So I went to college and they were like, if it doesn't work out, you can always come home. Right. I'd gotten into Rice. And then I moved to New York and they said, well, if it doesn't work out, you can come home. Okay. And I just kept working out. And I just kept saying yes. And here we are.

Then you're going to go home. I never went home. And then how'd you end up in L.A.? So I was in the middle of anything goes on Broadway with Sutton Foster. and I got an audition for major crimes, which was the show that I shot here for seven years. And I read the script and I was like, I'm going to get this. I knew the universe wrote that for me. And I've never been so sure about something.

And I told my husband, I was like, hey, if I get this, like, can we move to L.A.? And he was like, let me see, because he's in finance and he has an office. There's an office out here. And I got it. And you played a detective? I did. I played a really badass detective. I love that. Is that like your alter ego? Was that from what is? It's so fun. Like, the power that you wield, when you, I mean, obviously, I know we're pretending here, but like there is a lot of power in a female officer. You know, they've got to be 10 times tougher, 10 times stronger. We already are just really smart, right? Women.

Yes. And yeah, it was really, it was so fun. I had the best time. It was a really wonderful dysfunctional family for, you know, 100 and however many 20 episodes that we did together. And, yeah, I loved it. That's amazing. And then in all of this, your mom. I'm a mom, yeah. So how you have two girls, right? I have two girls. 17 and 14.

Yes. And I only know that because the same age is my... I know. It's so crazy. And how do you do it? Like, how do you juggle? Oh, man. Or is that not even a real thing?

Because that's not like a... No, I mean, I think that as women with careers, even if we didn't have careers, we juggle family, right? Like, even if you're a stay-at-home. mom, you're usually, I'm not saying always, but you're usually the one that has it all together, right? You've got the calendar. You know who's got ballet. You know who's got track. I mean, you're buying the gifts for the birthday parties. Like, that's what we do. So you add work into it. And it's just, it's a harder struggle bus as far as scheduling, right? But being super organized

is the only way that I don't lose my mind. Yeah. I would just have to be, my calendar looks like I literally threw the alphabet at it. But, you know, the older they get, it's like a different kind of busy. Yeah. Then you become the chauffeur. Then you've, you know, it's like you're just driving them. You're, it's emotional. They're having their things.

You know, they have their own social lives and stuff. So crazy. But it's crazy, you know. So I think, yeah, just like making sure that I'm really organized and that the calendar is like up to date. And, you know, the older they've gotten and the more I've mommed, right? Sometimes, like, you have to say no, which is, can be hard to do, right? We want to please our kids. We want them to like us, you know. But sometimes

when you're all hands are on deck and there's just not enough hands, you have to say no. Like, and that's really hard, I think, for a lot of women, a lot of boss women, right? Because all we do is we make sure, we check off boxes all day, right? Who needs what? What can I do for you? And sometimes you just have to be like, I can't take you. No. Sorry. Yeah, that's a, yeah, 100% to your kids think you're so cool. Sometimes. I'm a super nerd. So, like, I think they see both sides of me.

Like, they see the, like, mom who's on set, who's going to, like, fun things and taking pictures and all this stuff. And then they also see, like, the super nerd that goes to Disneyland and, like, rides, rides with her best friend from college. Like, I don't know. I go, like, I am a super nerd to see, you know. Oh, my God. Don't let this makeup fool you.

I have rules. I don't know. Do you have rules? Like, I have rules. I'm like, my kids have assigned rules to me. I've talked about this like a few times. Yeah, I apparently am really not that cool. Apparently, they do not think I'm that cool.

No, and I'm embarrassing. Oh, no. I'm embarrassing. How are you embarrassing? First of all, you're like, look at, look at this outfit. I'm embarrassing. Look at this. Look at this.

Look at what you're doing. I think I'm cool. No, not. I have specific rules. I have guidelines. I have, what else do I have? I should be a mute, really. But they, we have a good time.

We have a- Yes, I know. They're just messing with you, though. Mine do the same thing. They're like, mom, no. I'm like, no, that's not cool? And they're like, no, it's not. It's hard, though.

Would you say, you know, I struggle with this a lot, you know, societal views. And having a daughter, right, and you are glammed up, you're beautiful, right? No, you are. You're exquisite. But there's a, you know, there's a lot of women. I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but it happens to, it's happened to me, where women, outside women, they have their views on being a working mom. This is a big struggle.

Even people in my own family have said, you know, the unsolicited advice that you get from people. I love that. You know, people just want to throw up their advice on you. I love it. I didn't ask. Yeah, I didn't ask for your opinion. But how do you deal with that? Like, has that happened to you where people are like, wait, you're raising kids and you're a mom?

Has this happened before where people have their own unsolicited advice to you about this? You know, it's funny. I don't, not anymore. I mean, I think that people see, like, what I do. And, you know, when you're acting and especially during TV and Bill, you're not gone, at least I'm not gone all the time. I have weekends with my kids. I'm around.

We do lots of things. You have lots of breaks. I think when I was doing Broadway, it was a lot harder because you're gone. You know, it's not just you're working weekends. You're working Christmas. Thanksgiving. Like every holiday that everybody else is off on vacation, you're doing work. And so that was a struggle for me.

And I was really sensitive about it. And yes, there were people that were like, well, it's not like you're making a million dollars. you could just stay home. And thank God I didn't just stay home. Thank God I did not just go, you know what? I couldn't do it. You're right. I should. I'm only making a little bit. No. No. I was on Broadway. Like I did not give myself enough credit for doing both at the same time. I felt shame. And that's what those people try to do to you. They try to shame you into like this, this preconceived, you know, societal norm that all you have, to give is for your kids. Everyone should know by now that women can give and give and give. Kids,

husband, work, neighbors, charities, friends. I mean, it doesn't stop. It's endless, right? It's as as much as you want it to be. And so, yeah, I definitely had those people. And I just, it's so funny you asked that I just looked back and I remember this very pivotal moment where I got this job and I was like, oh, should I take it? Should I take it? It was Finian's Rainbow on Broadway. And I was like, trying to get pregnant with our next one. And people were like, I don't know. And I met some of the most important people in my life during that show, a choreographer that I ended up working with for years. I ended up doing Hugh Jackman with him. I mean, it was, and it's, you know, never-ending relationships that I still have. So I love that. And you said something really funny. Like,

you were like no regrets because I was saying I travel and you're like no regrets. But I feel like a lot of women do live with regrets. And my grandma would tell me all the time, you know, this ain't no dress rehearsal. You got one shot at this life. And for me, I feel like, and I could be wrong. Look, whatever to each his own. But for me, my kids, first of all, are very happy that I work. And they are never on the sidelines judging me, but more like, that's a bad ass mom.

And that's what I'm trying to teach my children. Not to maybe be away from the family all the time. But I want my daughter, especially my daughter, because of society and because, I mean, there are women, did you know that women could not buy homes alone until the 70s? Isn't that wild when we think about it? Now, to our kids, the 70s seem like a thousand years ago, but it's really not that long ago. Couldn't have a checking account? No.

Couldn't get a car? Like, our parents were part of that, you know? That's crazy. It's wild. That's crazy. But I want my daughter to know that there's no limitation in life. 100%. 100.

Nothing. And I'm in a male-dominated industry. So I purposely work as hard as I do, juggling a million things, being a mom, because I am a full-time mom. I work all the time, but I'm a full-time mom. Still do it. I do cook, too, still do it. But I feel like it's so important when you have daughters, especially, to kind of get that societal norm, whatever that is, and let them know that you can do anything you want. And that doesn't mean that you can't be a state-at-home mom. You can do that too. You can do whatever you want. As long as you're making a that you feel like is best for you, that you're happy with at the end of the day, that you feel like is best for your family, then no judgments.

At least the last thing we should be doing, especially as women, is judging each other's choices. I don't care. Listen, what do I always say? My kids know, not my circus, not my monkeys. Oh, that's so true. I have, I don't care. It does not affect me. I'm going to get up tomorrow and do the same thing I was going to do.

So you do you. I'll do me. Yeah. And I might not be your cup of tea, but that's okay. And that's fine. It's fine. There's a lot of fish in this. See?

I'll find somebody else. Yeah, it's all right. It is okay. It's just funny having daughters, though, because I feel like I have to be even more of a woman for my daughter. Because those eyes are looking at you all the time. So authenticity, I'm living, so I'm doing like this whole thing, like really not doing this whole thing. Like now I really want to live my real truth, however that looks. Like unapologetically me.

It's taken a long time to get there. I think it's an age thing too. I mean, I'm 43. I just don't. We're the same age. Here, shut the front door. That's crazy. Okay, I don't know what's happening here.

We grew up in the same. Yeah, we grew up the same time. But yes, I feel the same. But it took a while. Yeah, yes. I literally feel like, so I just turned 43 in December, and I got a tattoo. I, like, took myself. I love them.

I love them. And I was like, I've always wanted to do this. And it's really important. My mom passed away. So it's a butterfly for her because she had lupus. and it's her initial and my two daughters initials in it. So you want to die. I have an L with my kid.

That's my dad. My kids. This is so weird. That's so crazy. That's so wild. But I love tattoos. But now I'm like obsessed. I see why people get like multiple.

But yeah, I feel you. Like I just feel like at this age, like your mom said, like it's only, this is it. Like, why am I holding back from what I want, how I feel, what I think? It's time. I'm sure in going through and being an actress and being on Broadway, I am sure that you had to overcome a lot of things, insecurities, anxieties. And now, same thing for me in my business. And now I'm just at a point in my life where this is who I am.

Like, take it or leave it. This is who I am. I am unapologetically me. But I want my daughter to feel that way, too. It is so important for young women because young women are subjected to social media and their friends. I mean, they do with a lot more. shit than we ever did. Oh, gosh, yes. A hundred percent. I mean, my, I will say my kids don't have

social media. At all, zero? Zero. Probably better. They have a Pinterest board and that's it. That's okay. But I do like, to each zone, but we passed over the hump already where they ask about it and ask for it. They're kind of over it. And they do see their friends, like opinions being altered by social media or like how they're dressing. or what they think is cool or whatever. She's like, oh, my God, it starts to be like, everyone just is doing this because. Why are they wearing that? Well, because.

Why do they think that about that lip gloss? Well, because. And, like, you, these kids are starting to not be able to form their own opinions, right? Like, because they need someone else or social media to tell them that they've made a right choice. And just what you're doing in your work, you know, your kids see you making choices and being a belf. and, you know, taking the reins of your job and your career and all these things. And that's what's most important. You're showing them already.

Like, it's not even about what job you have, but what you're doing is you're erasing all that stuff from social media that they're seeing. And you're showing them what it's really like to stand up on your own two feet, have your own opinions, and make yourself known as important to you. And that's, I mean, that's what we're doing. You're doing it. Yeah, you too. I mean, that's, isn't Hollywood. Male dominated too. Yes.

Yeah. Right. So you're up against, I mean, that's a lot. Oh, yeah. That's a lot. And then you have to look a certain way, right? If you don't play the part, what about, I mean, if you don't look the part, that's, I'm sure that's something that you had to overcome. Yeah.

I mean, it's changing a little bit, but, you know, I think especially as a black women in Hollywood, it is, it's tricky. It's tricky because there is a feeling of this. What is it like being a black woman in Hollywood? Oh, she's tough. And that's not to say that we're not working, right? There's a lot of black women in Hollywood that are working, but there is a bit of this, like, monolithic thinking, like, we have to be a certain way to be cast as a certain type of black person. Right. There's like, well, she's not urban enough.

She's not ethnic enough. She's not dark enough. She's too dark. It's like whatever their version in their mind is. And I mean, like, executive casting whatever in their mind that's like they have this idea when the world. words are on the page that it must be this kind of black person. And it's really, it's, it's eye opening, right? When you really get down to it or the why of like why people get called in or why people get cast, that kind of stuff. It's, you know, it's not easy.

I think it's eye opening how the world sees things today still. Yeah. Like people think that prejudice is gone. It's not. You know, people's stigmas are gone. It's not gone. And I don't think that people really realize that all of the things that, that we thought we've passed, they still exist. Yeah, no. And I think more so now than ever before, we're living in such an incredibly crazy society. It's wild right now.

It's so crazy. It's wild. I don't even know. It's wild. Yeah. Race, religion, gender, sexuality, everything. We didn't have this growing up. No, I mean, and listen, we didn't have a lot of, you know,

it's not to say that it's just social media, but, like, things are just more attainable as far as information now, right? So, like, you know, it's so easy. And it's every second you're hearing in real time life happening, And I just think we're also more aware. People are more open. People are louder. The voices have changed, right?

So I don't know. It is wild. Yeah. But I think Hollywood for sure. Like, I want to say that we've changed a ton. And we have, like, we've gotten rid of some people that needed to go. But those conversations that are inappropriate or racially biased or sexually biased are still happening. I'm sure.

They're not not happening. Yeah, I'm sure. They're just done behind closed doors. Yeah, I'm sure. Sorry, Hollywood. I mean, it's the true. I mean, keep it real. It's the same thing in my industry.

I come from a male-dominated, predominantly white male-dominated industry. Here I come in 15 years ago, this loud mouth, you know, young. I don't look white. I don't look Spanish. I don't look black. Everyone's looking at me like, what is she? And now I'm young, too, on top of that. So the stigma, don't get twisted.

It's still there. It's still there. And it just boggles my mind the ignorance that people still hold. Sure. Or if you're like, I'm sure, first of all, you're gorgeous. They go, well, she's so pretty. She must not be smart. Yeah.

Or, you know what I mean? Like, well, she's too pretty. Or they're like, oh, she's so pretty. She can't be funny. I'm like, no, look at what, you know. And that's still, even, you know, comedy. This used to happen to me. It's, I'm sure it does.

They used to happen to me all the time. I'm sure. Like, you know, you're the assistant or, you know, you're someone's wife. Or if I sold it was because my boobs were big. That couldn't be because I was a good sales person. No. God forbid that it's like because you're actually, yeah. No, no, no, actually one of the first times I ever, I'll never forget this.

I was walking into an insurance meeting. It's like one of the first sales meetings they ever had. Like they had this big thing. I walk in and people are like looking. They're chattering. And obviously like there's not a lot of women in the room. There might have been like one or two. And I'll never forget.

I sit down next to this older white gentleman and he was like, we were talking. He's like, you're cute. I was like, okay. He's like, but he's like, I don't know about your look. And I was like, my look. And he's like, well, he's like, how are people going to do? take you seriously. I'm thinking to myself, this man does not know that I graduated with a master's and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. Like, I was on my way to be a lawyer. Like,

this was your life. This was not supposed, like, who is this guy? He had no idea. But that's how, that's how, like, that's how did you think you are? How could you talk to someone? Can you imagine, like, I would never say this. You would never, I would never walk up to a male anywhere, honestly. I don't care if I was in a bar and go, you're cute, but I don't know about this look. I mean, who says that? It's that unsullullivated. It's that unsulling. solicited advice. I love it. Nobody asked, grandpa. Nobody asked. I literally said this to me. I could not believe it. And lo and behold, years later, I ended up doing very well. But I'll tell you what, it wasn't easy. There was a lot of knockdown. There was a lot. How many times did you fail before you finally succeeded?

I mean, we fail every day as actors, right? Like they send a script. We fail. You know, and fail is a harsh word. But you have to be okay with no. Like, that's the hugest part of this business. You cannot be soft. It will take you down. It's like a really, really hard relationship to be in that you keep going back to all the time. And yeah, you get told no, I mean, especially like I would say before COVID, things were a little bit different. You were really going into offices and it was like there was a real pilot season. It was before like tech decided to take over TV. Like we were just, we needed you. And so, you know, those were like noes every day. It was like a no and no.

And then you would get one. And you're like, oh, yes. It validates, you know. all the work you've done. And really, obviously, as actors, we know that it's not, you know, it's not usually us, right? It's like, we just didn't fit right inside of that little pocket that they wanted. And it's not personal. But it can be really hard after a while.

How many times were you rejected? Oh, gosh. I don't know. I mean, you lose count. Thousands, I'm sure. Thousands. I mean. But you're resilient, obviously, because you kept going back and getting up and doing it and taking that lesson and applying it and just building.

Yeah. It's funny. Broadway, once I got there, I realized pretty quickly that I was good. I was like, okay, I can work. I will work. And I didn't stop. I went from show to show to show. I did nine Broadway shows.

I had my two kids in between, pregnant and two of them. And TV was where I really wanted to, like, break in to and do some more TV and film. And so, you know, I got my foot in the door by doing a soap in New York for a couple of years, which was really fun. And, like, I did one life to live. You do? Yeah, for a couple years. Yeah. It was great.

It was really good training ground. I learned how to memorize lines very, very quickly. A lot of people start. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It is a great training ground. And they, it's good in between of Broadway and TV because they're, they don't handhold. They're like, say your lines, cry when I tell you.

And tomorrow it's Christmas. And the next day, it's Thanksgiving. And then this day over here, you'll film like, 16 different days in a week. And it moves really, really fast. And so, yeah, I learned a lot doing that. So that was your break. So that's where you started.

And that's where, I mean, I would say like Broadway is kind of my break. But, yeah, doing the soap trained me a lot. And then, you know, in New York as a theater person, you try to do like little, you know, TV jobs here and there. Like, you'll try to do a law and order. You'll try to do, you know, whatever is in town kind of filming and these little one-offs. But, yeah, I would say soap opera for sure, like doing that for a couple of years, I felt confident enough, like going out for series and stuff. Did they make you die and then you keep back to life? Oh my gosh. No. I did not. I did not die. But I was only on a soap. So I was, I was a neurologist.

No, yes, I was a neurologist. And I fell in love with my boyfriend's brother while I was doing brain surgery on him. Oh, my God. And then my best friend, who's still one of my best friends, who was actually on the show, was going to give birth. And I, I switched over to OB-GYN to deliver her baby for her. Just like overnight. That was your dream anyways. You got to live out your best right. Yes, Frank Valentini, who's the producer of the, and is still of another show of General Hospital, was like, okay, you want to be an OBGYN?

Great. So I was an OBGYN, delivered my best friend's baby. I love it. And, yeah, so I was a doctor on the show. It was really fun. I love that. Oh, my God. That's so exciting.

Yeah. I love that for you. What's your, like, best or most memorable experience, either in Broadway or television, movie? Oh, gosh. I have so many. It's wild. Or you can say craziest. Well, it's like your craziest experience.

Have I had a crazy experience? I'm like, I don't know. It's pretty tame over here in my TV and film life. I think my most fun was probably working with Hugh Jackman. We did a show on Broadway, like, kind of a limited run called Hugh Jackman. Jackman back on Broadway for about 10 months. And it was like the most fun rock concert, screaming fan. I felt like we were at like a Bon Jovi concert every night. It was people were like taking off their clothes and throwing on stage. It was wild. And it was, that was probably

the most fun. And he's such a great guy. And, you know, he walks in. He knows by week one, he knows every single person's name. That's like his superpower. He can, from the bathroom attendant to, you know, whoever's next to him on stage, obviously. But, yeah, that was probably the most, like, wild and crazy fun time. And then we took it on the road. We went to Philly and Istanbul, and it was fantastic. I'm just picturing you right now on stage. Like, I could totally, because I can just see it because you are such a force that I could see it.

Like, I could see you singing and dancing. And, like, now with, like, the dancing. But, you know, like with the dancing hands. But I can totally, I could just see it. I literally can picture you. I mean, you are breathtaking. Oh, my gosh. and captivating, well-spoken, beautiful.

I mean, no, you are. I could, I'm, like, picturing this as you, like, poised. I could, oh, my God. What was your favorite role? Oh. Besides the guy, and I know you really wanted to be a good one. I didn't want to be a guy. I didn't want to be a guy.

I was funny. I played a doctor. I played a lawyer. I played a DA. Like, it's so funny. My favorite. I mean, honestly, I would say Amy Sykes, just because I know her so well and I played her for so long.

And she was kind of my first big person and character. and the thing that I got to really, you know, kind of grow up with her, because she starts as this kind of rookie and then ends up, you know, kind of leading. And so I would say her. And then I did a show for BET called American Soul. And that was so much fun because I got to play a serial killer. And she actually was based on this group of like French female serial killers in the 60s that were like very highly skilled. these like kind of black widows that would go in for the mob or for the government and like under the radar commit murder.

And it was so much fun. I had the best. It was all like 70s, beautiful suits and hats. And she was crazy. So that was probably like the most just like full body fun TV thing that I've ever got to do. That's fun. What does your husband think about all this? He loves it.

I mean, it's so far away from what he does. He's like the most like I met him when he was wearing. suits and stuff and he does finance. So he actually grew up going to the theater and loving the theater. That was like his birthday gift every year was going into New York and seeing a show and going to dinner. So he's like seeing the original whiz on Broadway. I mean like he's, he loves it. Yeah, I think he thinks it's pretty cool, you know? I mean, he's very supportive and, you know, always thinks that I should get it. He's like, well, they should do they're idiots if they don't give you this job or pay you this or whatever.

You know, so, yeah, always. So important. My husband, too, my husband is definitely different than I am. He is an introvert. He's in the same business. So is mine. Yeah, he's in the same business. He's more of a finance guy, too.

He's the lead guy. So we do sales, but he's, like, behind the scenes. He doesn't deal with the people, tries not to at least. But super supportive of everything that I do. Awesome. But isn't that important, though, to have, like, I, you know, I need a strong man, but you can't go really in front of me. You can walk next to me.

But, you know, sometimes you need a man that's going to just rope you in sometimes. Yes. Yeah, but it is so important to have a spouse that is completely supportive. 100%. I'm sure, like, with your traveling, you need someone that's like, yeah, I got it. Yeah, you don't say that, but, yeah, I mean, he travels all. Oh, he travels also. Oh, he travels also.

He does travel awesome. He does mine, actually. He's going to New York. He's got some stuff going on. Yeah. But, you know, again, I think our kids are older. And so it's gotten easier. I mean, one that's driving.

And so, you know, the older one drives. Yeah. My one drives. So it's gotten much easier. I would say, obviously, when you're little, the kids don't care, like, where you are. They just want mommy. Like, you know, they don't care if I'm curing cancer. They're like, okay, good.

And pick me up. Yeah. So it's gotten easier. But, yeah, having someone who is, like, knows that what you're doing is important for you, for other people, for your family. It's key. It's so important to have a spouse that is completely so. I mean, I come up with some outlandish.

things. And still my heart, he's like, let's go, let's roll with it. Let's go. Let's try it. I mean, look. Look at what's happening. Yeah, here. You're doing it. This is totally outside of my, and when we came to him with the idea, he was like, let's go. Let's try it. It's okay. He's here out. He came to L.A. just to support my shenanigans. He's always support. I can't wait to meet him tonight. Yeah, you'll be there. Yeah. He's super reserved, but are you bringing your husband? No. He's got daughter to practice. Yeah. Oh, I know. I have my daughter. Yeah. The other one's got musical rehearsal and then she's got volleyball. So there. Now, do you, neither one of your daughters want to go into acting, huh?

You know, my 14-year-old, like, she goes back and forth. But I think she really, she likes the idea of acting, you know what I mean? There's a lot to it. A lot of people, like, fantasize this business and they think it's just, like, you know, people, paparazzi and all this stuff. But it's a lot of work, and it's a lot of rejection. And you cannot be sensitive. And, you know, when you come home from school, there might be an audition. of stuff you have to memorize, and then you have to do homework, and then you have to, like, go to the

audition, and then, like, it's a lot, you know? And I think she tried it a couple years ago, and she ended up kind of, like, just it petered out because she was like, she'd get home and be like, I don't want to. I'm like, well, that's what it takes, you know? And so that's how I know, even though she'll be like, I want to be an actress. I'm like, I don't think you do. Because if you want to, like, if you want it, it's because it's so hard, you will, like, do everything in your power to do it, right? It's got to be a power. Yeah, it's got to be like a burning desire. And funny enough, like the only time that I, you know, I go back and forth because like I said, this business is weird. And I'm like, oh, I should have been a doctor. I should have been a doctor. But then when I'm not working, I'm like, I don't know what to do with myself. Like I'm so I've realized like, I need it. Like it really is a part of me. And I think I had like, I don't want to say shame. But like, when you live in L.A. and you ask everyone what they do, inevitably, someone's like, I'm an actor. I'm an actor. I'm an actor. And you're like, oh my God. So people are like, what do you do?

I'm like, I'm an actor. I'm like, I'm an actor. But you really are. You can be like, I really am. Well, inevitably, the next question is. So what are you working on? Oh, my gosh. Inevitably.

It just is. And so I was always a little like, you know, I didn't want to say anything. But I've now, like we said in our age and. We've seasoned. And kind of like, you know, really coming into love with yourself. I'm like, no, I am an actor. Like, that's what I do. I'm good at it.

I've been doing it a long time. I, you know, I enjoy it. It's my career. Like, I can actually say that. Like, that's what I do. And it took a long time to, like, own my choice for doing this and not doing something like being a doctor or going into whatever field that I thought I should have been in. That would make me successful.

Yeah. I think it's just a stigma. What about your parents? What did they think? Like, my mom's still waiting for me to go to law school. I think that ship has failed. And also, like, Okay, self-made millionaire.

I think you're fine. Someone is still like, S. Y it would still look good in your name. I'm like, mom, let it go. I love your mom. You'll see her tonight.

Oh, she's from Brooklyn, New York. Yes. All my in-laws are from my whole side of the family. She's so much fun. I mean, she's just kidding now. But always she's like, you know,

you could have. There are two careers in everyone's life. I'm like, all right, mom. All right, let's give it a rest. Let's give it a rest. That's hilarious. No, they've honestly always been supportive. I think it's because I was already, like, doing so much of it in high school and kind of not so much, like, performing, but I think they always knew I would do something like that.

And so, like, it said, they were like, if it doesn't work out, just come home, like, you can go back to school for whatever. And it's worked out for the most part, I would say. But I do, it's always funny. I don't know about you, but like when I go home, like cousins and, like people like that that have seen me, like through my career or like, you know, I'll be in a magazine cover or whatever. They're like, so how's the acting going? And I'm like, it's going. Yeah, like, how do you even answer that? I don't know.

Yeah, I don't. I'm like, yeah, it's going. That's, it's good. Yeah, it's that I get, like, unless they see you on Grey's Anatomy every day, they like don't believe that you're acting, that you're an actor. You know what I mean? Yeah, you have to be like in this like, long running, you know, whatever. So anyway, I just did this movie.

And they were all so excited because it actually opened in theaters. And so they were like, oh my God. Like, now we can tell everyone. She's in theaters. Like, wow. What? It's hilarious. I mean, I'm from the South and they're just, you know, they're sweet.

Wait, what? They really said that you've, I mean, you've been on Broadway. That's different. You've been on TV shows? They want, like, tangibility to tell their friends. Do you know what I mean? They want to be able to be like, yeah, look at my cousin. She's on in a movie.

Like, it's playing. Let's go watch my cousin. It's, you know. Oh, my. They're, bless their hearts. Yes, I, that's all. Yeah, that's really nice. Bless their hearts.

They're proud. They just, they just haven't had, like, finishing school. Do I mean? I get it. Oh, I totally get it. Yeah. It's like when I see my family too, they're always like, so how's it going? I don't even think they know what I do.

I think that's my real job, what I really do. You know, it's the same thing. I'm like, it's going. It's going. So is everything okay? Everything's fine. It's like, I don't know. Like, where are you going with this?

Yeah, like, what do you think I'm doing? I don't know what they think. Maybe they think like, I don't, I think I really do think that they think I'm like, like part of the cartel. I think my neighbors think this. I'm almost convinced. I'm not kidding. I promise you, I think my neighbors really think that I'm part of the cartel.

I'm not kidding. I really, I've never spoken to any of them. But I think they think that like I do something either illegal or not appropriate or I'm almost convinced. Or that you're like a madam. Maybe. But I think I'd be a good madam. I think you wouldn't be because you have to be a boss to be a madden. Oh, I would love to keep all those people in line and the other people in line.

That could be your next role. Ooh, a madam. Yes. Or like Teresa, you know, from, oh my God, you know who I'm talking about drug war. Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I can't think of it. I can't think of it either.

But you know who I'm talking about where she's like, she's running it. Oh, I could so see it. We'll see. That can be manifesting it for you. We'll see. I always say I would love to Mariska Hargitay a role for the rest of my life. Like, that woman has like nailed down the formula. It's been, what, 26 seasons of Law & Order SVO.

And she's like still happily doing her thing and just, I mean, dreams, goals. Goals. I think you have definitely attained your goals. Thank you. What's next for you? Oh, gosh. Well, the movie that we did, Homestead actually has a series component to it. So we filmed a couple of episodes kind of as like test ground. And I think we're going back in May and we'll shoot the rest of the season out. And that shoots in Utah, which is beautiful. I love Utah. Yeah, like right and bountiful in this beautiful, like gorgeous place. So yeah, I'm doing that. I'm working on some script. and piloting and things like that. And, yeah, I've kind of not shifted, but I've added, I would say, writing and doing my own projects, which is really fun. So I'm working on my first one right now. And it's really exciting. Like, I, you know, again, like, I had to give myself permission to add that on.

Because I was like, you know, we all have like imposter syndrome for one reason and the other. And I was like, am I, am I, though? Like, can I do this? yourself back in. Yeah. And then I was at Sundance with a friend of mine from college and he was like, yes, like you need to, when you meet people, you need to say and they go, what do you do? You can say actor-writer. You can say actor-producer. Like, you are doing it. Like, stop taking that away from yourself. And so, yes, I am multi-hyphenated now. But yes, we're working on it, getting our backing and finishing up my script. You own it. You are. You have to. Listen, it doesn't, it doesn't remember. It doesn't matter.

We don't care about unsolicited advice. It's not matter. You can write whatever you want now. And I think, I think I don't know, but I'm pretty sure you've earned that with all your, I mean, I'm so impressed by you. Oh my gosh. I'm so impressed by you. I'm not that. I'm just like, I'm just making art over here. You're like, no, no, no. I'm not that impressive. I'm just, so let me ask you one last question. Broadway. Would you go back to Broadway? Yes. Yeah, 100%. It's funny. Someone was like, what do you, like, are you sad of your kids are going to college soon and did it. And I was like, yes, yes, I will miss. them so much and they were like, is there anything you're looking forward to? And I said,

I'm looking forward to working without guilt. And like, because, you know, for whatever, it'll be 18 years plus, you know, the other one, it'll, I've never, listen, doesn't stop me from doing what I'm doing. Right. But it's still in there. But we have a little bit of, yeah, it's a little, oh, you know, I got to travel or whatever it is. And I don't know what it's like because I had kids in the middle of a very big career. And so, yeah, I'm looking forward to like, if someone's like, hey, do you want to go to Istanbul and do this movie? Yeah. Book that ticket. I'm out. I'm out, right? Or do you want to go back to Broadway? And I'm like, the only reason I haven't gone back because I have been blessed with offers is I can't leave for eight months. And you can't come home. It's like it's too hard.

You've got one day off and it's a Monday. That's one sacrifice. I think that's a pretty big non-hageal. Yeah. So I think, yeah, I would definitely go back. I'm looking forward to it. What would you secretly? Like, if you can start in any Broadway show, what would it be? Aida. Haida? Yeah, it's the most beautiful musical. It actually was ending right when I got to New York. It had just finished.

It's kind of a story of, it's actually, well, Disney adapted it, but it's basically kind of a story of Romeo and Juliet, but set in Africa. And it's, you know, this prince who's going to be the king, and he falls in love with this young, you know, slave woman, and they fall in love, and they die together because they can't have each other. They're in love. Yeah, it's a beautiful story. And the music is absolutely gorgeous.

So, yeah, that would be like my... That is amazing. You know one of my favorites? And it's really because of my daughter. Like, she loves the theater like I do. Moulin Rouge. Oh, it's so fun. I almost got kicked out of the theater for, like, being obnoxious to sing and laas.

Yes, and this ladies were around. She was so pissed. Oh, my God. And I was like, I looked at her like, what do we hear for or whatever? That's hilarious. You're like, lady, it's not a sing-along. Yes. That's hilarious.

But, yeah, I love Moulon Rouge. I mean, the music. music, everything. But really, you know why? Because I got to see it through my daughter's eyes. That's why. That's awesome. Yeah, I saw Jingle Bell. I went to see Jingle Bell, too. Oh, fun. How was that? I did not know. The only person I knew was Teddy Swims. And that's because I know his, like, big song. But all the other ones, I had no idea who these people were. And they're like big teen. Because I remember, like, growing up, like, new kids on the block. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. These are like those kind of names. I had no idea who they were. Oh, I don't know. My daughter puts on, like, the serious in my car. I have no idea. I don't know. And she sings along. And I'm like,

It's not on the radio. I don't know what you're listening to. I have no idea. Who's your favorite artist? Oh, that's hard. What's your favorite genre? I mean, I'm a pop girl. Maybe it's because, like, I love 90s R&B.

Like, give me some, like, throwback. Some jodicy. Yes. I mean, yeah, that's like, if I could just listen to that. Genuine. Oh, my gosh. I mean, yes. Some pony.

That's my favorite. Red. I can't sing, girl. I'll be your backup. Yeah, I mean, honestly, that's like, I like old school. Me too. Me too. My favorite is Snoop Dog, hands down, I love Snoop.

Love me Snoop. Someone needs to put together one of those big concert benefits, but all, like, 90s aren't. I went to, they have it in Vegas. They have one. You don't know about the one in Vegas. I did, oh my God, what's it called? For Loven something? Lovers and friends.

Lovers and friends. Let me tell you, Missy Elliott is there. Yes. She looks really good. Oh, yes. Yes, yes. I've seen her recently. She just...

My Carrie was there. There was just genuine was there, but what... I don't want to say anything because it's... But when I saw genuine, I was like, that's not genuine. Oh, no. Did he change? Okay. He changed.

He fell off the stage, too, when I was there. Oh, no, baby. He blessed his heart. He did. But, you know what? He's still saying his little genuine self out. It was so... It was the best time of my entire life.

That sounds like so much fun. I know. I actually want to go see Usher when he comes back through here. I saw him in concert. I wanted to go. I was supposed to go. I was supposed to go. My friend's backup dancer.

I want to go. I dance with him. Talk about a supportive husband. My husband saw, like, his concert in Vegas because he had residency. So he saw where Usher, like, comes out and dances with the girls. So he's like, Marr, sit right here. I'll show my husband. Your husband's, like, plan that for you?

Oh, no. My husband would not be having that. Usher does, like, his little spin with, oh, my God, I was. You're hilarious. Okay, random fun fact. So I used to go to, it's not there anymore because she doesn't do it anymore, but there used to be this very exclusive soul cycle teacher, Angela Davis, who is this amazing motivational speaker, this black woman. And she taught, she was an elite track runner.

And she taught this class that was like the hardest soul cycle class and the hardest ticket in town. Unless you knew her, you could not get in. But I was part of the crew. And my rides, most of my rides were me, Usher, David Beckham, his wife, Beyonce, Jay-Z, L.A. Rien. Who was all hanging out with you in the class? Everybody, yes, it was like Black Hollywood on bikes. It was the most fun of my life, but I used to sit next to Usher, and he'd be like kind of

slacken. I'd be like, you're Usher. I'm going to need you to pick it up, sir. But yeah, so we actually know each other randomly. I love him. He's an incredible performer. He's incredible. The best concert. I'm ever seen. And, like, not to be like age, but like, isn't he like in his 50s?

Like, he is still? He's not? He's like, all right. Is he? I thought he was older than that. I think he's like 45. Well, anyway, he still looks good. And he's roller skating.

I would not be doing that. I can dance, but I would hurt myself. Not roller skate. No way. No, no, no. I can roller skate, but I'm not doing it now. Not on stage. Not like he's doing it.

No, I barely ice skate. That's as far as I go. I'm dead. I care with you. You're hilarious. Oh my gosh. This is meant to be. Derek keeps, he keeps introducing me to people that are like my kind of.

He is like the matchmaker of the century. Honestly, like I love him so much. He is. just his story is such an inspiration and he's just he's one of those people that like obviously I don't really feel bad about him myself but like he's so good he's just a good yeah everything about like he really genuinely cares and is an honest person and I just love him hilarious you know we met like drunkenly walking down the street at Sundance like like 12 years ago I was like I think we had the same publicist and he was wearing the wackiest outfits and I was like we're going

be best friends. I love him. And we're just, yeah, we've just held on since then. I love it. It's been so much fun. If people want to find you, because they're going to want to find you. Oh, you're funny. So where would they find you? I'm just me at Kieran Giovanni everywhere. You can just look for me, find me. I reply to messages. I'm that person. Yeah, me too. I do. Yeah. I'm like, yeah, sure, what's up? It's just a person. This is so fun. This is so fun. You are a true belf. I hope you had as much fun as I did. I did. Thank you for having me. This is awesome. Thank you. Until next time. Bye, guys.