Interview With Bianca Barnett

Biana Barnett is a beautiful soul. A native of Texas, she has lived a life of sorrow and tragedy, but has persevered with her great strength and will. Quickly gaining fans with her many captivating roles, she showed that she not only had the beauty to model, but the overall character to act.

Bianca: Initially, I started “regular” modeling as a teenager doing some local runway, fashion, and hair shows. I moved on to working with local photographers. I partnered up with a photographer (who would later become my first husband) and built an online presence with some cheeky/risqué vintage inspired pics- mostly alt modeling and fetish/fashion inspired work.

What I did was nothing more than artistic and implied nudes, but I was a few years shy of being 21. That is why on IMDb and various parts of the ‘net my birthday is listed two years different than my actual birthday. Most of what we produced together has been removed from the internet because we absolutely despise one another now. Ironically, I am 1000 times better looking now than I was then as I started taking better care of myself and quit drinking and drugging. If you need one more reason to stop abusing yourself with chemicals, then let it be vanity, because I’ve seen some great looking people get haggard fast. I have always had an exhibitionistic streak, even as a teen, but somehow still retain enough of an enigmatic aura to keep myself mysterious. Or at least that is what I tell myself. 😉

Now mind you, some prudes may have found it offensive, but pick up any high fashion magazine and you’ll see just as many breasts. My photography muse was and is Ellen von Unwerth. I have an obsession with retro lingerie with a modern high fashion twist with a bit of nature thrown in. Uber hipster shit, I know. Sorry, guys, you won’t find any spread eagle or hardcore stuff- just me being half naked, young, artsy, rebellious, and exhibitionistic. And what the hell is wrong with that?

Kale: How did you first become interested in filmmaking?

Bianca: I have always been interested in film, but it probably started when I was around 12 or 13. At the time, my dad was friends with Bob Burns who has this amazing collection of horror and sci/fi movie props and memorabilia. I had the opportunity to see it all first hand. I started reading books about special effects and watching shows like “Movie Magic” so I could learn all the tricks. As a young teen, I became OBSESSED with the Sundance Channel and its film fest and the artsy movies that go along with it. I honestly never had the ambition to be a scream queen- I wanted to be the next indie darling.

Kale: How hard a struggle has your life in these industries been?

Bianca: Intense. I am so glad that you realize that acting (or performing) is a career plagued with struggle. This is an industry that is separated into the mighty (studios/A-listers) and the meek (aspiring film makers and unknown actors). I’m straddling underground cult status and mainstream success at this particular moment in my life. I am hoping that there will be one project that comes my way that allows me to take the next step in my career. That being said, even for “successful” actors, the stress and instability of finding and keeping your next gig are extremely high. Not to mention the pressure to perform well and be liked by your boss, the entire crew, the other cast, and the audience. You have to be someone that people think is marketable and in essence, you are the product- you are selling yourself, even if it is a façade. This is one reason that actors suffer high rates of depression. I think we are naturally sensitive people and the added stress and conflict does not lead to happiness. That being said, when I am on set, I feel electric and alive! Freely exploring emotions and situations without any limits is the best high there is and there is nowhere else that I would rather be. I can do things and behave in ways that I would never do in real life- and get paid for it! It can be so much fun.

Bianca: People like in no particular order: Drew Barrymore, Stephen Dorff, Winona Ryder, Tim Roth, Christina Ricci, Fairuza Balk, Gary Oldman, Chloe Sevigny, and more- they were my heroes growing up. I wanted to have a career like them- I still want to!

Kale: How often are you recognized for your work?

Bianca: I am honestly not sure. In my mind, I’m still completely unknown, but I’ll be at the mall or a convenience store and occasionally get recognized, so I suppose some people know who I am.

Kale: What role would you portray, given the option?

Bianca: I want to try out so many roles in many genres, but mostly those that are dark or gritty- addicts, weirdoes, quirky people, sex pots, psychos, prostitutes/strippers, and unexpected heroines. Any character in a film that evokes a feeling in someone be it comfortable or not. That is the importance of film.

Kale: Who are your favorite actors/actresses?

Bianca: I have so many! For a while, I was obsessed with Nicole Kidman because she was doing these really passionate and provocative roles right around Moulin Rouge. I loved it. I also adore Cate Blanchett, but I would have to say my absolute favorite right now is Jessica Lange on American Horror Story. She is bloody fantastic; studying her is amazing! I hope she wins an Emmy!

Kale: What director would you love to work with?

This list could go on forever because I am such a film geek, but I’ll name a few. Again, in no particular order: David Fincher, the Coen Brothers, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Rob Zombie, Tim Burton, Hayao Miyazaki, David Cronenberg, Danny Boyle, and definitely Edgar Wright. I am sure I left some important ones out! As I said, this list could go on and on. I also would never rule out up and coming film makers. You never know what talent has yet to be discovered.

Kale: Where can fans send their fan mail to?

Bianca: I should get a P.O. Box (watch for that announcement before 2012), but I am very careful about letting people know where I live. I’ve had stalker types even before I was famous, it is odd, but I tend to attract a strange array of people, some not completely “there”, if you catch my drift. For now, email me through my website – http://www.biancabarnett.com or check out my Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/Bianca.Barnett.Fanpage

Bianca: Hands down, Albino Farm, because the heavy prosthetic makeup, stunts, and working conditions were so grueling. I feel like I can do anything now and that I have grown so much as a performer since then. I am in a healthy place both mentally and physically, and I am finally feeling more confident in my acting abilities.

Kale: What is your next project?

Bianca: I am still in negotiation stages, but I currently have six films that I might work on in 2012. This business is so finicky, so there really is no guarantee of anything just yet. Even if you finish your part as an actor in a film, it may never see the light of day. It gets lost in film purgatory.

Kale: What is your favorite thing about the entertainment business?

Bianca: Exploring the psyche of myself and projecting it into living and breathing characters. That is a fancy artsy way of saying acting.

Kale: What are your other interests?

Bianca: Laughing with my husband and family, exploring historical buildings, studying the supernatural and occult, natural science, renovating old homes, fashion, reading, anatomy, going to school, playing with my dogs, watching movies, hiking, working out, modeling, and finding new ways to step out of my comfort zone.

Kale: What can you tell us that many fans don’t know about you?

Bianca: Ironically, I can be very shy and reclusive at times. I am not interested in the “celebrity” aspect of acting as much as the performing portion. I could have been on at least a million reality shows if I wanted to, but fame for fame’s sake seems empty and strange to me. I truly love movies and the art that goes into creating them.

Kale: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Bianca: In an ideal world, I will be working regularly with fantastic directors in higher budget films and making enough money to live comfortably on an east coast farm in a Victorian house with my husband, yet regularly fly around for work and to visit my family. I will be in a film that declares me the next indie darling and have the chance to go to the Sundance Film Festival to promote the picture! 😀

You can find Bianca online here.. http://www.biancabarnett.com