Blen Wexler
Interviews
Alanna Ubach – Dietland & Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce
By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?
A) Thanks for asking! I’ve been working on AMC’s “Dietland,” the final season of Bravo’s “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” guesting on Netflix’s “The Good Cop”and I just wrapped a role opposite Julianne Moore in Gloria. I also do a lot of voiceover work and I’m the lead on Nickelodeon’s “Welcome to the Wayne.” I was honored to play Mama Imelda, the female lead, in the Academy Award-winning feature Coco this Winter and wildly enough, I had a musical number in it and sang “La Llorona,” a song that my mom used to sing to me when I was a kid. I keep seeing my rendition showing up all over the internet but as long as people liked it, I’m happy.
Q) Please tell us the premise for “Dietland.”
A) “Dietland”follows Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), a lonely ghostwriter for a fashion magazine. Her life changes when she’s recruited by a group of feminist renegades that plan on shaking up the world.
Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?
A) Marti Noxon created “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.” Shortly after the show wrapped, I gave birth to my son, our first kid. A few months later, I was offered the role of Marlowe. Hormonal and sleepless, I was beyond elated to get that call. Marti has her thumb on the pulse of all things zeitgeist! Plus, she’s a sweetheart. I have bottomless respect for her.
Q) How was your character Marlowe Buchanan originally described to you?
A) Marlowe Buchanan made her mark as a sitcom star, then quickly lost all respect in Hollywood when she gained a few pounds and lopped off her signature hairstyle. She became unhireable. This incident then fueled her to write a best seller about bangability and women’s sexual worth.
Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?
A) She’s a non-conformist. Comfy shoes and reading glasses being key!
Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Dietland?”
A) Joy and I shot an exterior scene in the thick of a harsh Manhattan Winter. In between takes, we would sneak into a nearby coffee shop and I’d watch her work on crossword puzzles. She’s one of those whiz kids that can finish a puzzle in minutes (using a pen). What fun that was!
Q) What do you think it is about the show that will make it a fast fan favorite?
A) I think people are hungry for smart, witty, strong content. This is perhaps one of the most unpredictable pieces I’ve ever read.
Q) We have seen you in a lot of dramatic roles lately. Is there something about this genre that draws you to them?
A) Doing more drama makes a lot of sense right now. I am a new mom! That may have a lot to do with it!
Q) Coming up is the last season of “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.” What is new this season and with your character Jo?
A) Jo must finally decide what she wants for the future. I think her decision will ultimately shock fans!
Q) What memories/items will you take with you from your time on the show?
A) The endless laughter and inside jokes that we had time to establish…what a tribe! Honestly, if I could bottle the hilarity that happened in between takes and even on shoot days, I’d be a billionaire.
Q) Reese Witherspoon recently teased the possibility for a Legally Blonde 3 in the works! Where were you when you found out?
A) I was texting my son’s babysitter when the Deadline headline popped up!
Q) Is there a chance for Elle’s sorority sisters to make an appearance?
A) Perhaps! Stand by!
Q) What does it mean to you see the film make a resurgence?
A) It means that Legally Blonde was one of the first of its I-can-be-blonde/fashion forward/sexy/smart/Harvard-educated/watch out world here I come-kind! It’s time for another round!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you for giving me a career that’s lasted as long as it has! Now let’s keep having fun!
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