Pierson Fodé – The Bold and The Beautiful

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) The most recent one that is coming out is the film I did with Victoria Justice called Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List. That is coming out July 17th at Outfest. I’m really excited for that and it is a coming of age story where two friends fall in love with the same guy. It’s a very unique take on a story. I also did another film in November-ish with Francesca Eastwood and Annie Q called Cardinal X that is a period piece set in 1984. It is the life story of the director who was once an Ecstasy dealer to pay her way through college. It was a really fun, fun exciting story that is definitely on the darker side. It was fun to go down that road a little bit.

Q) How was your character, Thomas, on “The Bold and the Beautiful” originally described to you?

A) I believe in the breakdown Thomas was described as tall, dark, brooding and chiseled features. That pretty much sums it up. They didn’t really say much about the storyline or who he would interact with him. I just had to hop online and do my own research before going into the audition.

Q) What have you added to the role that wasn’t originally described to you?

A) I think I have tried to add in as many character traits that we all kind of take with us throughout our life into Thomas. The affection that he longs for from his father, but at the same time they have this tumultuous relationship, his desires for success in the fashion world and his need for friendships and relationships came to me as a whole. I tried to take that in and add it to him. Also, I wanted to give him not the cockiness, but the confidence to go into a room and bring people into the world around him. I think that was my goal, to really give him something unique and special that sets him a part from somebody else.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when you began working with the cast?

A) It started right away with Linsey Godfrey in the room and she and I hit it off right away. She was super funny and very easy going. I think that was one way we clicked really quickly. As soon as one cast member says, “This person is acceptable to our kind,” the rest of the cast jumps on board. We all became friends pretty quickly. Some people are just there doing our work and that’s what it is at the end of the day. That’s fine. As long as we have that mutual respect there it totally works.

Q) Who are you hoping to work with and have more scenes with in the future?

A) One of the people I’m looking forward to the most is John McCook. I’ve had a scene in the same room with him, but I’ve never interacted with him. Outside of the set, that guy is hilarious! He is a suave Red Skeleton – a comedian from many years ago. He just reminds of him so much and he has a big poster of him up on his wall. I just enjoy him so much! He is kind of like the grandfather of the show and the glue that holds everyone together on and off set. I think he is just an awesome guy.

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

A) On my first day, Linsey took me around on set and introduced me to everybody. We were so high energy all day that by the end we had nothing left to give. We just kind of starred at each other. It was just this mutual moment of exhaustion. We went 110% all day making everyone laugh. The other moment was the moment I got shirtless for the first time, which was like day three. Classic Pierson! It’s fun because you are just sitting there freezing on set because they have the air conditioning blowing and you are half naked just trying to keep your nipples from cutting anyone. It was fun! I have been shirtless a few times at this point. There is just no shame to me, really. No shame. I think Rome and I got shirtless and we were like, “You know, this is going to be a lot of shirtless scenes.” We just had this moment where we realized, “I’m going to be shirtless a lot.” We’re kind of taking over the shirtless department and we just finally realized it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you get when episodes air?

A) Absolutely! That is something I find is really important to my career and anyone’s career these days. That feedback and that interaction is important to know what they are thinking and feeling, for the writers to even know where to take things with the fans and a lot of times that is how things run often on soaps. I believe that my engagement has been really exciting because that was something I would have loved to do when I was a kid. To interact with someone I was watching on TV or looking forward to meeting and admired for a long time, to be able to interact with them…Even now, it’s just so cool! It’s a whole new world open to us. We’re just starting to tap it and have fun with it. Fans make or break a career!

Q) Is there anything else you can share with fans about what is to come this season for Thomas?

A) I can say that Thomas has learned a lot about the fashion industry being away and is very excited about coming back and getting involved with the family business. I can’t say much, but he is very excited about coming back.

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

A) Talk to me! Ask me questions! Hop on social media. I see you as much as I can. I want to interact with you and I love questions and interacting. I love it when people post memes about me and I think that is hilarious. I have a meme challenge once a week. Who ever can post the most hilarious meme is definitely getting retweeted. if you are not on social media, send me mail and anything that you can. I’d love to talk with you and about my future about what is coming down the pipe. Lots of things are happening!