CJ Perry – Another Version of You

By starrymag | February 11, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you have been busy working on?

 

A) Well, I am back with WWE and I’m stirring the pot on “Monday Night Raw.” That’s always a lot of fun. Then, there is my new movie Another Version of You. That’s really exiting. It’s a movie that I star in as well as executive produce. It’s really exciting to have it out right now.

 

Q) How was your character Gwyneth originally described to you?

 

A) My brother (David Perry) presented the project to me and said that he had a role that he wanted me to read for. My brother is a producer and I read the script and I absolutely fell in love with Gwyneth. I love that her character is very spontaneous and Gwyneth loves love and loves life. I was just so fascinated with that aspect of her. I think I can relate a lot to it personally and I love that it had to do with parallel universes. She’s very quirky and doesn’t care what other people say or think about her. She is going to live the life she wants and I was really drawn to that. Obviously, Diggsy (Kristopher Wente) falls in love with her because how could you not.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in her initial breakdown?

 

A) I brought myself. So, that is all the uniqueness in itself. [laughs] I think that with any character that you read on paper what makes people interested in actors is bringing themselves to that role and bringing their point of view. I think that is what a lot of times makes things interesting. I probably brought my tough-headedness subconsciously. [chuckles] I think the director Motke [Dapp] originally really saw the character a little bit sweeter and meeker and I kept bringing up the point that she is someone who doesn’t care what other people think. She just has that element of a little bit of rebellion or a little bit of strength to not do what everyone else wants them to do. I think that someone who wants to go against the flow that there is always something really strong about that character.

 

Q) What do you think Gwyneth brings to Diggsy’s life that he may not have known he needed?

 

A) I think she brought living in the moment. I think that Diggsy was looking for something out there and had an idea that he loved this girl and is chasing her throughout these parallel universes trying to find love. He is trying to find this girl that he loves since first grade. Then, it’s like, “Well, that’s great that you have created this concept, but does this concept even exist out there?” I think that a lot of people in life are like that. They are always chasing an idea or a concept or a person versus, “No. I’m going to chase my dream, but I’m also going to live in the moment. I’m going to live like I’m dying in a hundred years, but I am also going to live like this is my last day.” I think that’s the element that Gwyneth brought to the movie. She’s like, “It’s great you want to find this ‘love of your life,’ but what if she doesn’t exist?”

 

Q) What advice did director Motke Dapp offer that you took to heart while filming?

 

A) Motke is an incredible, incredible writer and director. I absolutely what he did stylistically to this film. Motke is just a character himself. He’s so unique that I really feel like this movie had that element of Motke style to it. He stylistically brought that to the movie and as a writer. I thought it was very, very unique and I think that he brought elements of my own personal style. I thought it was so interesting.

 

Q) What were your favorite scenes to film?

 

A) I think one of my favorites was probably the last one because it was really challenging and it was a really challenging scene to film. Everyone had a different opinion of how they saw it at the end and also how they saw (ultimately) the character Gwyneth in the end. I think that was my favorite scene to shoot because we all brought our different opinions and we tried it a lot of different ways. I think what we got in the end was the best merge of everyone involved.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Another Version of You?

 

A) I think that it is important to, obviously, have dreams and to chase your dreams, but it is also really important to live in the moment. We can’t just always get caught up in living for something that is maybe not attainable or a concept. At the same time, we have to live in the moment. I would like people to take that with them. Obviously, have big dreams and chase those dreams, but at the same time don’t get caught up in chasing it. Live in the moment.

 

Q) We love seeing you on “RAW.” What would you like to be sure fans know about you that maybe they don’t get to see of you portraying Lana?

 

A) The Ravishing Russian is the most ravishing woman in the world – Lana. There are so many different things about me that you don’t see on “Monday Night Raw.” I’m CJ and my character is The Ravishing Russian Lana. But CJ is ravishing. So, there are so many different elements to me, but I will say that what I want people to know is sometimes my character can be mean on television. She is the best villain of all time, but I think in life we should be kind to one another. We should live a life of love and kindness. Don’t be judgmental. Be empathetic and sympathetic for one another and love one another. Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams. It is that aspect of Gwyneth. Lana just believes in bringing the iron fist.

 

Q) Who is someone you haven’t wrestled that you’d love to take on in a match?

 

A) I think Trish Stratus would be really awesome. She has always been one of my favorite WWE superstars of all time. That would be a dream. She’s amazing!

 

Q) What advice would you give up and coming athletes?

 

A) Advice I would give younger athletes would be to keep working hard. Write down your hundred wildest dreams that you want to be known for accomplishing in your life. Dream big – as big as possible. Have the audacity to dream. Then, after that write your ten goals down that you want to achieve in the next twelve to eighteen months. It needs to be a 50% chance that you can achieve it. Write those down. That has changed my life and kept me really focused on what I want to achieve.

 

Q) The sports community hasn’t always been so welcoming to female athletes. What do you think the sports industry needs to incorporate for effective inclusion? 

 

A) I think the great news is that everything is rapidly changing and that WWE is the frontrunner of giving women opportunities and athletes opportunities and giving storytellers and entertainers opportunities. They are breaking down barriers for women and giving us opportunities. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of a company like WWE that absolutely believes in women being stars and giving us opportunities to be a part of a time when women changing the game. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of it.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you so much for supporting me and being a part of my journey. It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey.