Introducing March Starring Brittany O'Grady

Above Brittany is wearing a full look by ETRO; gold necklace by Veneda Carter; vintage beaded necklace from Nepal.

Brittany was photographed by Raul Romo; she was styled by Jacquie Trevizo. Makeup by Jamie Greenberg and hair by Suzette Boozer. Interview and design by Alison Engstrom; styling assistant Julia Rose.

Above Brittany is wearing a full look by Marine Serre; faux fur coat from Maison Atia

Before we start, I have to say congratulations on all of your success so far! I know I speak for many people when I say all hail ‘White Lotus’, what a series! I’d love to know in your experience so far, how do you see the ideas of luck, destiny, grace, and hard work when it comes to your creative pursuits? 

That’s a great question. I started acting when I was young–it was something that I just gravitated to and loved. There were times when it felt like it was a job and I didn’t feel as normal around my friends or when I left school for a shoot. I started doing it before I knew what it was because I did commercials. When I started doing more theater was when I realized I loved it—I would go to summer camps because I loved performing. My imagination is just super powerful and it’s a place I live in often. I loved being different people; I loved telling stories and I loved learning. As I got older, I realized I wanted to do it professionally. I graduated early from high school, took a gap year, and moved to Los Angeles when I was 17. It was really scary, and really hard. Now at this point in my life, I am 26, it’s almost been ten years since that chapter. I feel like I can finally say it was the right decision.

It’s so hard to see through things when you are in it especially when it is so challenging, but looking back can be a great feeling. 

It was so hard and I learned so much. I met some of my best friends that I now have in my adulthood. There was a lot of hard work but there was something inside of my gut that said, I need to do this because it’s what I loved to do. I knew it was what I needed to do to make my dreams come true.

The gut is strong, but I feel like outside voices can creep in and question what you are doing and judge your very personal gut feeling. But you only know your gut feeling and where that can take you.  

Oh yeah for sure. My dad was terrified of me going out to LA by myself. I told him, I can either sleep on someone’s couch now or I can go to college and sleep on someone’s couch after because this was what I am going to be doing. I still sleep on my friend’s couches (laughs) and I did the other day because I had to do an audition. I asked, can I sleep on your couch? (laughs). I actually get some of my best sleep on the couch.

Love it! Has there been a moment where things shifted for you and the world opened up in a way you didn’t think was possible? 

I think this is a door opening moment for me right now, this chapter of my career. I am having a full-circle healing moment. This industry can be really hard and there are many ups and downs. I have been lucky to continue to work and have these amazing opportunities. But there have been hard lessons throughout almost every job I have done since I was a teen—some painful ones and some scarring experiences. You meet people who can either lift your spirits or completely tear them to shreds. Right now there is a huge door opening for me behind the scenes. I feel more empowered as an actor and things are starting to flow. I feel confident in my ability and I am always open to growing. I’m meeting like-minded people but I always thought work was going to be an emotional struggle. Now I am so grateful to be in a better place and be respected. It’s hard to be respected as a young woman in this industry and as a woman of color. I have experienced some pretty awful words and microaggressions.

Above Britttany wears a top by Aleksandra Kolanko; pants by Free People; rings by Lilou and Veneda Carter.

I’m so sorry. I don’t know why things have to be that way.

It’s okay, we all go through it.  Everyone experiences some level of abuse in different work scenarios. I think it’s important we all stick up for one another and make life as pleasant as possible. We are only here for a short time.

I completely agree with you, but no one should be treated that way, period. Was there a situation where you learned the most about yourself?

I’ve had so many amazing jobs, with one, the job itself was so hard. I didn’t know I would get through it but when I saw the project, it was amazing. I’ve also worked with bosses who have not been the best and with people who tried to use their power over me but I stood up for myself. I said I wasn’t going to be treated a certain way. I let this person know not to treat me or others this way.

Good for you. That can be scary but super empowering. That’s why The Consultant was so eye-opening and on-point, because so many of those scenarios exist in the corporate world, unfortunately. When did you know things were going to work out?

Doors started opening, White Lotus came out, and I started having more opportunities to express myself in different arenas, and my true self come out. I think life puts you in situations where you have no choice but to face something you don’t want to face, like using your voice. I think that’s when doors start opening. The Consultant is one of my favorite jobs I have ever had.

Tell me more!

I loved my character; I loved her costumes and how determined she was. I loved everything about her. It was so nice to play a woman in the workplace and tap more into my power, even though she is in all of these crazy situations. Elaine is confident, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to find solutions, whether it’s good or bad. It was empowering to be in that space, as a creative, and work with such wonderful people. We had the best cast, they were all amazing, lovely, and collaborative. We had a great time together. The crew, I loved them, our directors, I loved everything about it. I am so proud of it.

You are amazing in it. What was your initial reaction when you found out about the project and read through the script? 

I was just so excited to have a job (laughs). I loved the idea of the inner workspace and that the environment was in an office. At first, I was like I don’t know anything about video games and was I going to be able to pull something off like that. I realized a lot of the emotions aren’t necessarily about the video games. It was more about the stakes of working with a really bad boss. I love the element of the Millennial and Gen Z mindset versus having someone who is a bit more old-school. That’s something my dad and I talk about a lot, he’s at the end of the Boomers–my dad is a super cool Boomer (laughs). He was excited to see that difference.

Did you peer down a rabbit hole of stories about the gaming world to get into character, elaine?

I delved into the work, the script, and then my imagination. I take in my environment when I get to see the set and when the costumes come together. I got my second piercing put back in because I thought Elaine would do that. I did little things that I thought would embody her. It’s random in my head and it doesn’t make sense.

Is it a long process for you?

I’ll read the script and start having thoughts about who the character is and then slowly it becomes an embodiment through the set. I feel out the actors I am working with and see how they play their characters, our chemistry, and how we interact with each other. I try to let go, I try to be flexible, and moldable with the creators when we are first starting. It’s piece by piece, kind of like you are figuring out yourself as time goes on. I think we are made up of time, decisions, and interactions.

It’s the building blocks of it all. When it comes to your career do you have an idea of what direction you would like to take it or the kinds of characters you’d love to play?

My dream is to go back into theater. Theater is a big thing for me and my most freeing space. I love careers like Eartha Kit, Dorothy Dandridge, Carol Burnett, and Doris Day. All of those actors incorporated their theatrical background in singing, dancing, and performing. It’s something I want to weave into my career as time goes on.

Are you thinking Broadway or the West End?

Any of those places would be awesome or even a movie musical.

So you are the triple threat!

I have been on a couple of shows where I have gotten to sing and that was great. I am so happy the universe pointed me in that direction or else, I probably would have let it go.

Is there a story that you’d like to tell?

I think even though you go through tough times, there are great people in this world and in this industry. They are quirky, creative, and just want to tell stories and connect with people. It’s something I have found more often than not in my experiences. It’s been so magical. I feel very lucky and blessed to be doing this.

What are you most excited about for the future?

I have a couple of projects here and there—we will see if they unfold. I am excited for the future and excited for what’s next. It’s been really cool growing into myself.

Follow Brittany O’Grady on Instagram

Stream ‘The Consultant’ now on Amazon Prime

A special thank you to this team, Viewpoint PR, Wolf & Kasteler, and Amazon