Watching her mother sing and dance touched Arynia Mallory’s soul — deeply. So deep, it took root and now she’s a flowering actress playing in Studio 11 Films’ Nice Guy. The Morristown, N.J., native says that this role is “a great opportunity to explore [and] express another one of my colors.” Read what else she has to say. –yvette caslin
Zodiac Sign:
Pisces
Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor?
My mother was my inspiration, watching her sing and dance so beautifully always touched me deep in my soul. I knew then, the feeling I received from her performances, I wanted to make others feel the same way with my art.
The one movie you attended that you will never forget:
The Color Purple
Your personal acting idols:
Clint Eastwood, Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Taylor, Ruby Dee, Robert De Niro, Will Smith, Taraji Henson, Angelina Jolie, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kimberly Elise, Sean Connery and Ashley Judd
Last good movie you saw:
The Help
Some films you consider classics:
Unfaithful, Man on Fire, Enough, Best Man, I Am Sam and Lean on Me
Performer you would drop everything to go see:
The late, the great Michael Jackson
Pop culture guilty pleasure:
Reality shows
Favorite cities:
New York City, Atlanta and Vegas
First CD, tape or LP you owned:
Jade
Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living:
The first time I got on a stage, the indescribable feeling I felt was confirmation that I was born to be a performer.
Worst flubbed line, missed cue or onstage mishap:
Saying my co-star’s lines and looking at her as if she was the one that was not [at]tuned that day.
Most challenging role you have played:
Being a mother
