Kimmy Gatewood – GLOW

By starrymag | July 3, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) I’ve been doing a lot of directing lately. I am currently directing an interactive series with Eko and Olive Bridge (Peter Rabbit, Easy A) – it’ll be out Spring 2019. Later this year, I have a series of shorts written by and starring Rachel Bloom for Refinery 29 and Planned Parenthood and I play a coach on the Netflix show “Atypical.” And I’m so excited to be directing my BFF Rebekka Johnson’s short film CONSENT – please join our Seed & Spark campaign!

 

Q) What is new this season on “GLOW” and with your character Stacey Beswick?

 

A) Stacey gets a new wrestling persona with Dawn (Rebekka Johnson) – which is awesome! BUT we play dirty to get that new persona by stealing a gimmick from a fellow “GLOW” member (shame on us!) It was really fun as an actor to be in a rivalry – and we got new kickass costumes. Get ready to meet your new favorite BFF Halloween costume!

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the series?

 

A) Jenji Kohan + “GLOW” was all I really needed to see. I am a huge Jenji fan. “Orange is the New Black” and “Weeds” are amazing shows about interesting and fractured woman. I used to watch” GLOW” when I was a kid, so it was an incredible opportunity to bring character inspired by these badass women to life. Also, as an actor it sounded like an incredibly fun challenge to do your own stunts.

 

Q) How was Stacey originally described to you?

 

A) Stacey was originally a part of a stand-up comic duo with Dawn. When I went in for the initial fitting, they had me in big suit jackets with huge shoulder pads. Also, my name was originally supposed to be Tracey, but they couldn’t get clearance on the name. [laughs]

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before filming with them?

 

A) I have worked with my comedy partner Rebekka Johnson for almost twelve years now. We auditioned together and were cast together! I have been a fan of Marc Maron’s and Alison Brie’s for a long time. Before I was cast, I was exchanging emails with Britney Young because she was, at the time, the assistant to Rachel Bloom. I had no idea weeks later we’d be wrestling together on a TV show!

 

Q) What kind of preparation did you undergo to get ready to play a female wrestler?

 

A) We do four weeks wrestling training with wrestling legend Chavo Guerrero Jr. and stunt coordinator Shauna Duggins. They work really hard to make us look authentic and awesome – and equally important SAFE!

 

Q) Was there someone you didn’t get to work with much in Season 1 that you were hoping to have more scenes with in Season 2?

 

A) The first season was very much about being a part of the ensemble, so we worked with everyone all of the time. I love working with everyone. This season Stacey and Dawn got some great scenes with Arthie (played by Sunita Mani). We are all kindred spirits coming from a live comedy background – we’d be laughing hysterically before going into scenes where we had to fight with each other.

 

Q) Talk about working with costars Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin.

 

A) They are incredible leaders, actors and wrestlers. Basically, they are both perfect human women who believe in supporting other women, standing up for what’s right and are so funny it makes my insides ache. I love them.

 

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “GLOW?”

 

A) Showing up and seeing everyone in their full costumes and wrestling personas was a really amazing moment. And in Season 2, episode 8 I met a goat. I’ll leave it at that.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the show that makes it such a good fit for Netflix?

 

A) Netflix allows artists and creators to tell the story that they want to tell at a pace that isn’t determined by advertisers and ratings. Our showrunners, Liz [Flahive] and Carly [Mensch], are very insistent on authenticity and emotional truths which might be too scary for some traditional networks to get behind – especially in Season 2. Also, this is the type of show that is hard to explain because it’s not a wrestling show. It’s about wrestling and there is wrestling, but it’s mostly about a group of misfits and the emotional lives of these stories. And spandex. Lots of spandex.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the fan feedback you receive to the series/episodes?

 

A) I love the fans so very much. I really appreciate when they tag us and dress up like our I don’t mind feedback if someone didn’t like something about the show or even about me. The part I dislike is the insults about looks and weight. I’ve been a part of internet culture for a long time (including Epic Rap Battles of History where I played Marilyn Monroe and Hillary Clinton) so it doesn’t bother me personally, but I do feel for younger actors/viewers/fans who might get swooped up in that negativity.

 

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

 

A) First of all, that I love them. It was a long journey to get where I am today and I’m grateful for every moment. I hope I can inspire you to follow your dreams, be a good person and not be afraid to get a pie in the face or take a body slam. Life is full of challenges, but keep your head down, do the work and appreciate what you got. (And call your mother more.)