Esmé Bianco News: An Interview with Esmé Bianco
An Interview with Esmé Bianco
What's the one thing you recommend people do when they're in London?
That’s quite difficult, there are so many great things to do here and it depends if you’re after culture, shopping, nightlife etc. I would always recommend the V&A Museum which is fantastic.
Did you grow up in London?
No, I grew up in Hertfordshire and then the Wirral, which is close to Liverpool.
How did you get started in show business?
I started working in the business as a fetish model when I came to London at the age of 18 (although I did a few bits such as ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ as a child) – I was studying a Drama and Theatre Arts degree at Goldsmiths, and the modelling was a fun way of making money whilst I was studying. As my portfolio built I started to get more mainstream work including an Agent Provocateur campaign, and I realized that modeling could be part of my career. When I started modelling, I had also began to write an perform stage shows for fetish clubs such as Torture Garden – and from there it just took off and I never looked back. I have been very fortunate to have travelled the world performing my shows, and I have met some incredible people on the way. However, my main focus has always been acting - I knew I wanted to be an actress from a very young age - and the contacts I have made in the various different areas of the business have led me on to some great roles and opportunities.
You're a model, actress, and singer. Do you have a favorite mode of expression?
Probably acting – because you have the opportunity to totally immerse yourself in a different world and your imagination can take you anywhere. But I think that singing is very therapeutic, as you can really express yourself and let it all out!
You're a model for Agent Provocateur. For those of us not in the modelling industry, can you tell us what that's like? For example, do you get recognized on a regular basis?
Modelling for Agent Provocateur was an amazing experience, it was a lot of fun working with the photographer Tim Bret-Day, who is fantastic – and also their shoots always feel very luxurious. Modelling is fun, but you need loads of patience – there is a lot of waiting around, sitting still during hours of hair and make-up, and you really need to be relaxed about being surrounded by people who are looking at you all the time. You might find yourself in a situation where you have a stylist fixing your outfit, a make-up artist retouching your face, a hair stylist adjusting your hair and someone putting shimmer lotion on your legs – all at the same time. It can be slightly overwhelming so you need to know how to just relax through it. I’ve been recognized a few times out in public – but tend to get more recognition when at industry events.
How often do you travel by plane?
I seem to spend a lot of my life in airports, so a lot I guess! I actually like being on the plane, it’s forced relaxation and a great excuse to watch loads of movies, but I’m not a fan of the hassle at either end of the journey.
How did you hear about Game of Thrones pilot?
My agent called and told me about the part so as soon as I got home I was straight on Google to find out more.
What interested you in the project?
Well for starters it’s an HBO production, which is really exciting as I love their shows – they are always so creative and love to push the boundaries of drama, and it’s a great opportunity for me to work with some incredibly talented people on a high profile project.
What was the audition like?
I had three auditions, all of which I actually really enjoyed. The casting directors were lovely, very friendly, and made it as relaxed as possible. Auditions are always pretty scary though.
How did you find out you got the role?
I got a very excitable call from my agent. I was jumping up and down whilst she was trying to talk to me.
Your character isn't in the original novel (A Game of Thrones). Have you read the book? Are you planning on reading the book?
I just bought a copy and plan to start it as soon as I can!
Fans are excited for when they'll get a chance to see your scenes. Have they given you any indication if the pilot will become episode one if the series is picked up, or if you'll have to come back and re-shoot?
I haven’t been given an indication so I couldn’t say, but I certainly don’t think it’s out of the realms of possibility!
Where can fans see you while waiting for 'Game of Thrones' to come out?
I am in Bruce Dickinson’s ‘Chemical Wedding’ which is out on DVD, ‘Dead Man Running’, in which I appear as myself doing a burlesque routine, is out in cinemas on 30th October, and you can always come and see one of my live shows! I have a number of public events coming up, including a number of dates at The Tassel Club Night hosted at the Pigalle club in London.
Do you have a current favorite TV Show?
I am really enjoying ‘True Blood’, ’30 Rock’, ‘Peep Show’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’. And ‘Frasier’ is a long-standing feel good favourite.
This is a quote from Oliver Vicars-Harris (Director of Development, V&A Theatre Museum):
"Esmé's smouldering Gilda gave Rita Hayworth a run for her money as audiences were transfixed at the V&A."
Can you tell us a little about the event to which he's referring?
I performed a cover of ‘Put the Blame on Maime’ at an event the museum was holding about the history of burlesque performance. It was a lovely intimate show where I lay on top of a piano and then wandered into the audience.
I've heard that you're working on a solo album. Can you tell us what we can expect?
The music will very much reflect the different aspects of my character, so amongst other things expect some sex appeal with attitude!
What's your favorite song to sing?
I have recently started performing ‘Amado Mio’ (another Rita Hayworth number) in one of my cabaret shows and I love it. It is so melodramatic and you can really give it your all.
Do you listen to music when you're walking around? If so, what's your favorite on-the go music?
I don’t go anywhere unless I’m plugged into my iPod! The music I listen to totally depends on what sort of mood I’m in and where I’m going – I have very eclectic tastes. Recently I’ve been very busy and so quite tired, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Rob Zombie en route to perform as it picks me up and makes me feel sexy and like causing trouble! Current favorites also include Slayer, Depeche Mode (I’ve just appeared in music videos for both these bands so have been listening to them a lot!) Rammstein, The Haunted, and of course, Dolly Parton for groggy mornings.
Where's your favorite place to be?
By the sea, it makes me feel totally relaxed and is the only thing that seems to slow my brain down - and I start feeling a bit stir crazy if I haven’t been near it for a while. Pretty much any ocean will do, but I particularly love Malibu because then you can head back into LA once the sun goes down and party!
What's your favorite thing to do when you're there?
I have lots of friends in LA so I love hanging out with them and going to see live music. I also love the shopping, driving through the Hollywood Hills, and eating at El Coyote, my favourite Mexican restaurant.
Is the pronunciation "Roz," "Rose," or "Ross" ...?
It’s pronounced ‘Roz’
Did you have a chance to read through your scene with Coster-Waldau and Dinklage?
I certainly did, the read through was with pretty much the full cast. Even though it was just a read through, the script instantly started to come alive, and it was amazing to see so many talented actors around one table. We were all buzzing afterwards!
******
(Interview questions by Paul Gude/Photo © Marla Rutherford)
That’s quite difficult, there are so many great things to do here and it depends if you’re after culture, shopping, nightlife etc. I would always recommend the V&A Museum which is fantastic.
Did you grow up in London?
No, I grew up in Hertfordshire and then the Wirral, which is close to Liverpool.
How did you get started in show business?
I started working in the business as a fetish model when I came to London at the age of 18 (although I did a few bits such as ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ as a child) – I was studying a Drama and Theatre Arts degree at Goldsmiths, and the modelling was a fun way of making money whilst I was studying. As my portfolio built I started to get more mainstream work including an Agent Provocateur campaign, and I realized that modeling could be part of my career. When I started modelling, I had also began to write an perform stage shows for fetish clubs such as Torture Garden – and from there it just took off and I never looked back. I have been very fortunate to have travelled the world performing my shows, and I have met some incredible people on the way. However, my main focus has always been acting - I knew I wanted to be an actress from a very young age - and the contacts I have made in the various different areas of the business have led me on to some great roles and opportunities.
You're a model, actress, and singer. Do you have a favorite mode of expression?
Probably acting – because you have the opportunity to totally immerse yourself in a different world and your imagination can take you anywhere. But I think that singing is very therapeutic, as you can really express yourself and let it all out!
You're a model for Agent Provocateur. For those of us not in the modelling industry, can you tell us what that's like? For example, do you get recognized on a regular basis?
Modelling for Agent Provocateur was an amazing experience, it was a lot of fun working with the photographer Tim Bret-Day, who is fantastic – and also their shoots always feel very luxurious. Modelling is fun, but you need loads of patience – there is a lot of waiting around, sitting still during hours of hair and make-up, and you really need to be relaxed about being surrounded by people who are looking at you all the time. You might find yourself in a situation where you have a stylist fixing your outfit, a make-up artist retouching your face, a hair stylist adjusting your hair and someone putting shimmer lotion on your legs – all at the same time. It can be slightly overwhelming so you need to know how to just relax through it. I’ve been recognized a few times out in public – but tend to get more recognition when at industry events.
How often do you travel by plane?
I seem to spend a lot of my life in airports, so a lot I guess! I actually like being on the plane, it’s forced relaxation and a great excuse to watch loads of movies, but I’m not a fan of the hassle at either end of the journey.
How did you hear about Game of Thrones pilot?
My agent called and told me about the part so as soon as I got home I was straight on Google to find out more.
What interested you in the project?
Well for starters it’s an HBO production, which is really exciting as I love their shows – they are always so creative and love to push the boundaries of drama, and it’s a great opportunity for me to work with some incredibly talented people on a high profile project.
What was the audition like?
I had three auditions, all of which I actually really enjoyed. The casting directors were lovely, very friendly, and made it as relaxed as possible. Auditions are always pretty scary though.
How did you find out you got the role?
I got a very excitable call from my agent. I was jumping up and down whilst she was trying to talk to me.
Your character isn't in the original novel (A Game of Thrones). Have you read the book? Are you planning on reading the book?
I just bought a copy and plan to start it as soon as I can!
Fans are excited for when they'll get a chance to see your scenes. Have they given you any indication if the pilot will become episode one if the series is picked up, or if you'll have to come back and re-shoot?
I haven’t been given an indication so I couldn’t say, but I certainly don’t think it’s out of the realms of possibility!
Where can fans see you while waiting for 'Game of Thrones' to come out?
I am in Bruce Dickinson’s ‘Chemical Wedding’ which is out on DVD, ‘Dead Man Running’, in which I appear as myself doing a burlesque routine, is out in cinemas on 30th October, and you can always come and see one of my live shows! I have a number of public events coming up, including a number of dates at The Tassel Club Night hosted at the Pigalle club in London.
Do you have a current favorite TV Show?
I am really enjoying ‘True Blood’, ’30 Rock’, ‘Peep Show’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’. And ‘Frasier’ is a long-standing feel good favourite.
This is a quote from Oliver Vicars-Harris (Director of Development, V&A Theatre Museum):
"Esmé's smouldering Gilda gave Rita Hayworth a run for her money as audiences were transfixed at the V&A."
Can you tell us a little about the event to which he's referring?
I performed a cover of ‘Put the Blame on Maime’ at an event the museum was holding about the history of burlesque performance. It was a lovely intimate show where I lay on top of a piano and then wandered into the audience.
I've heard that you're working on a solo album. Can you tell us what we can expect?
The music will very much reflect the different aspects of my character, so amongst other things expect some sex appeal with attitude!
What's your favorite song to sing?
I have recently started performing ‘Amado Mio’ (another Rita Hayworth number) in one of my cabaret shows and I love it. It is so melodramatic and you can really give it your all.
Do you listen to music when you're walking around? If so, what's your favorite on-the go music?
I don’t go anywhere unless I’m plugged into my iPod! The music I listen to totally depends on what sort of mood I’m in and where I’m going – I have very eclectic tastes. Recently I’ve been very busy and so quite tired, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Rob Zombie en route to perform as it picks me up and makes me feel sexy and like causing trouble! Current favorites also include Slayer, Depeche Mode (I’ve just appeared in music videos for both these bands so have been listening to them a lot!) Rammstein, The Haunted, and of course, Dolly Parton for groggy mornings.
Where's your favorite place to be?
By the sea, it makes me feel totally relaxed and is the only thing that seems to slow my brain down - and I start feeling a bit stir crazy if I haven’t been near it for a while. Pretty much any ocean will do, but I particularly love Malibu because then you can head back into LA once the sun goes down and party!
What's your favorite thing to do when you're there?
I have lots of friends in LA so I love hanging out with them and going to see live music. I also love the shopping, driving through the Hollywood Hills, and eating at El Coyote, my favourite Mexican restaurant.
Is the pronunciation "Roz," "Rose," or "Ross" ...?
It’s pronounced ‘Roz’
Did you have a chance to read through your scene with Coster-Waldau and Dinklage?
I certainly did, the read through was with pretty much the full cast. Even though it was just a read through, the script instantly started to come alive, and it was amazing to see so many talented actors around one table. We were all buzzing afterwards!
******
(Interview questions by Paul Gude/Photo © Marla Rutherford)
© Marla Rutherford