Actress Emma Malouff chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about “Impeachment: American Crime Story” and “1883.” She opened up about being a performer in the digital age.
‘Impeachment: American Crime Story’
On being a part of “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” she said, “Having had the opportunity to portray Allison Tripp, the daughter of Linda Tripp (played by the brilliant Sarah Paulson), in Ryan Murphy’s Impeachment: American Crime Story was an experience I will never forget.”
“Exploring this story and working alongside such talented individuals made me so excited to wake up and go to set every day. I learned so much about myself as an actress, about working on a huge and complicated set and witnessing the magic of storytelling from a front-row seat. Ryan Murphy brought the characters of this story into a new light, and I am so grateful to have played a part in the retelling of this piece of history,” she said.
‘1883’
She opened up about “1883,” the Yellowstone prequel. “Let me start by saying, Taylor Sheridan is an absolute genius – and I don’t use that word lightly. His storytelling is pure poetry, and my time on ‘1883’ was incredibly rewarding,” she said.
“The cast and crew were among some of the most talented and genuine people I have ever met. It felt like we were one big family, creating a beautiful, thrilling story together, and that is due to Taylor’s approach. We laughed together and cried together, and I look forward to hopefully working with these incredible individuals again. And I would count myself lucky to experience a similar culture of family, like the one on ‘1883,’ on a future project,” she elaborated.
Malouff continued, “From my first audition, I could tell this project was something special, and when I began working, it surpassed all of my dreams and expectations. I play Mary Abel Dutton, the niece of Margaret and James Dutton, portrayed by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. ‘Yellowstone’ is one of my all-time favorite shows, and I pinch myself at the fact that I am a member of the Dutton family.”
“From the intricate attention to detail in the sets, costumes, hair, and makeup, not to mention the breathtaking performances, ‘1883’ allowed me to stretch myself as an actor and experience a sliver of a time I have only read about in books. When I was in elementary school, my friends and I used to play Little House on the Prairie, so when buttoned up my dress for the first time and walked on set, 3rd grade Emma was freaking out. I could not be more grateful for the relationships, the growth, the inspiration, and the joy 1883 gave to me,” she said.
While she didn’t have the chance to work with Emmy winner Eric Nelsen, she shared that she did get a chance to attend a screening of the first two episodes with the cast and crew, and she praised his performance for being “absolutely brilliant.” ” Eric Nelsen is so exciting to watch,” she said.
The digital age
On being an actress in the digital age, she said, “To my core, I am a movie theater advocate. There is nothing quite like sitting in a large theater, popcorn in hand, witnessing a great story unfold before your eyes.”
“There is also something so comforting and unique about sitting in a room full of strangers and sharing something, whether it be a laugh or a tear, a gasp, or a smile. In a theater, all walks of life get to come together and witness the magic of movie-making happening right before their eyes on the big silver screen,” she elaborated.
“I completely understand the convenience and opportunities streaming presents. You reach a much broader audience and share so many more stories with just the click of a button. I love the idea that I have access to great films and shows from around the world everywhere I go, and my appreciation for streaming platforms and how they also are able to bring people together continues to grow,” she added.
Advice for hopefuls in acting
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “Be grateful and be kind. That would be my advice. Whether you are just starting your career or several years in, no matter how big or how small the role, be grateful for everything and be kind to everyone.”
“As young actors, we all have big dreams of certain roles, and I understand how difficult it can be to remain present and focus on others when we feel those dreams may not be close enough; however, don’t take any moment for granted because one act of kindness or a moment of gratitude during a long day on set can change your perspective, and you never know what friendships you may form and what lessons you may learn about the craft and yourself,” she said.
Success
On her definition of the word success, Malouff said, “Success, to me, means that I have said yes to whatever God asks me to do, no matter how difficult the journey may be. It was a big step moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting when I was 14. I left my friends, my family, my community… everything I knew. But, I trust that whatever the outcome, whatever my future holds, I can already count myself successful because I said yes to the path presented to me. My faith is the most important thing to me, and Jesus is my best friend.”
She remarked about “Impeachment: American Crime Story” and “1883,” “Watch them! If you haven’t already, try to watch Impeachment with an open mind and heart. Impeachment shares a fresh perspective on the women inside the story, who were ridiculed by the media and public, rather than listened to. I hope that audiences walk away with new empathy and insight into the lives of the individuals from this particular moment in history.”
“As for 1883, gear up and get ready for the premiere on Paramount+, December 19th. Like Yellowstone, the story and its performances are incredible, and it is visually stunning on every level. I can hardly wait for the world to witness this road west,” she concluded.
To learn more about actress Emma Malouff, follow her on Instagram.
