Saturday, November 17, 2018

Interview: Actress/Activist/Producer/Entreprenuer Alysia Reiner of Orange is the New Black and Better Things: Read about her Upcoming Film Egg, Life, The Women's Movement, Her Favorite Shows and Why She Loves NY

Alysia and her mother on the Red Carpet
                                                                                      
                                                                                                                              Interview by Suzanne Ordas Curry
Alysia Reiner proudly accepted the Made in New York award at the 2017 MUSE Awards sponsored by the New York Women in Film and Television, and spoke about the things that mattered to her, that she feels we all should care about. As an actress, producer, mother, wife and entreprenuer she speaks out on what she's seen, dealt with and what could be made better. Often hitting on controversial topics, she's not afraid to speak her mind. 

 As Warden Fig on Netflix's Orange is the New Black, she's used the platform to speak about prison reform. She talks about women's rights, democracy, gun control, the environment and motherhood. Her next feature film called Egg coming in 2019, which she produced with her husband, actor David Alan Basche, covers the topic of surrogacy and explores the choices women have now. It is her second feature film which is female-centric, meaningful - and entertaining. Her first feature film which she was a producer on, called Equity, starred Anna Gunn as a female investment banker navigating the male-dominated world of Wall Street. This film won a Women's Image Network Award.She will also be seen in the new movie An Acceptable Loss in 2019. 

Alysia has a long list of credits in TV and considers herself bi-coastal, though she adores her home in Harlem. Currently she is also on HBO's The Deuce and FX's Better Things. In her spare time, she is also co-owner of a clothing company calle Livari. According to the website, "Livari is a zero-waste womenswear label made ethically in NYC." A portion of all proceeds goes to worthy organizations.

Egg is about choices a women can make, including surrogacy. Tell me about 
your character in Egg.

Alysia Reiner: TINA is the woman who says all the things you've thought, but are afraid to say!
Christina Hendricks and Alysia Reiner

 It’s great that women have more choices as to having kids or not having them, but do you still feel that women get judged by them?


Alysia Reiner: YES YES YES AND YES. I get judged for having "just the one?"

Related: More on Egg The Film -
https://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2018/04/egg-film-premieres-at-tribeca-film.html


Gbenge Akinnagbe, Alysia Reiner, Husband David Alan Basche and Marianna Palka at the TriBeca screening of Egg, out in theaters January 2019.                                                                  Photo Suzanne Curry

 You are very active in female empowerment activities. Do you think the world is an easier place for your daughter now than when you were growing up?

Alysia Reiner: I sure hope so! That's why I fight the good fight every day. I do believe at 9 she has a much stronger self image than I had, and that's a step forward.

 You are a very busy actress. How do you juggle work with mommyhood?

Alysia Reiner: I have an amazing partner! And I check in with my daughter all the time to make sure she feels she's getting what she needs. I think its also crucial that she sees a working woman, supporting her family and loving it, challenged and satisfied by work. 

Alysia Reiner at the Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival

What advice would you give your 20-year old self?

Alysia Reiner: LOVE YOURSELF MORE - every inch of you. Don’t sweat the small stuff and no one is thinking about you as much as you think. Be of service, volunteer  as much as you can if you have the time NOW— it's the best way to build esteem.
Alysia and the producers behind the female-driven movie Equity, now available on demand and STARZ.

 What are the causes right now that are nearest and dearest to your heart?

Alysia Reiner: TOO MANY TO MENTION!!!  But at this time and every time in our country it's all about VOTING VOTING VOTING - getting folks to VOTE!

And I love working for women’s empowerment - from EQUALITY NOW to GEENA DAVIS INSTITUTE to 
#TIMESUP. I also love working to change the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration - be it THE WOMENS PRISON ASSOCIATION, STILL SHE RISE, Fearless Beauty, etc. 

 ____About Livari____
Livari collaborates with Still She Rise: 
https://livariclothing.com/pages/oka-b 
Livari was recently featured in WWD:
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/actress-livari-cofounder-alysia-reiner-talks-cause-related-collection-and-wework-collaboration-1202909744/
________________________________

 Livari is launching a new line end of 2018 with
a Launch Party in NYC:
Elvis & Kresse x Livari Clutch with part proceeds going to Barefoot College
Simply Straws x Livari Straw Sleeve with part proceeds going to Lonely Whale
Oka-B Livari Ballet Flat with part proceeds going to Still She Rises Tulsa

And I have no choice but to fight for our environment - currently working with LONELY WHALE on plastic pollution. Livarai products support these organizations:


 I also support the and the NRDC, and the AD COUNCIL on food waste. And those are just the top of list!



Alysia and her friend Melissa Rivers talk
Save the Food from the NRDC and Ad Council





You're often travelling between LA and NY for all of your roles, but my guess is you are a New Yorker at heart. Tell me why you love NY so much?


Alysia Reiner: IT’S A REAL MELTING POT, and people make dreams come true in NYC with a ton of grit and hard work. It's inspiring every day.
Alysia with Carrie Preston and Leanne Hutchinson at the Launch Party for
Season Two of  The Other F Word Series 


What are some of your newest and upcoming projects? What can we expect on OITNB, Better Things, anything else?

Alysia Reiner: Shooting SEASON 7 of OITNB now and season 3 of BETTER THINGS.  I am also in season 2 of THE DEUCE on HBO. Livari is keeping me busy, see the complete collection here: 


Getting To Know Alysia:



Early Bird or Night Owl? BOTH - I just never sleep



Favorite shows to binge? Can’t wait to see “FOREVER"


What would you do on a day you had nothing to do?

NO IDEA IT NEVER HAPPENS! (PROBABLY GO TO FIRE ISLAND)

Favorite cheat food? FRO YO


Tour bus in Europe or lying on a beach on a tropical island? BOTH - San Tropez?