Chloe Traicos Revisited: A New Role, but the Same Star
Less than a year ago, we interviewed rising star Chloe Traicos. We were learning more about her then-recent release Devil’s Cove, and were given sincere tips on how to make it in the film industry nowadays. Life works quickly, does it not? Traicos now has an additional IMDb credit to her name: costarring in the hit HBO show The Righteous Gemstones (featuring a family of televangelists, created by Danny McBride). Her episode “Interlude” is a flashback episode, that takes us back into the late ‘80s. She plays Gloria of the Freeman family (a last name that’s clearly chosen symbolically, given the subject matter). We shall not say more, in case you’re fighting to keep up-to-date with the show.
Instead of flashing back some more, we will now thrust ahead. This was a golden opportunity to see how Traicos was holding up, as well as a means of recording that burst that comes after another successful break in the industry. We were more than happy to have her back, and we can only hope that we get to do this sit down again when Traicos progresses even further.
Films Fatale: How different has it felt being on the set for The Righteous Gemstones, compared to your previous work (as a performer)?
Chloe Traicos: I think the biggest difference is the budget. My last movie cost the same as breakfast .... on Monday ...... of this shoot.
FF: How important do you think a show as bold as this one is in the modern age?
CT: I think it's always important for comedy to be comedy. And when comedy starts worrying about who they are offending, it stops being funny. That's one of the reasons I love Danny McBride: he doesn't go by the laws of the politically correct
FF: How do you even prepare for such a gig? What was the first thing you did when you received the news?
CT: Oh wow. Well, you don't prepare. I had to shoot the first audition myself and I did it at home which was stupid. I looked at it and it looked terrible.I was feeling so tired I just wanted to go to bed but my good friend (casting director Valerie McCaffrey) had told me to get auditions filmed professionally.
I thought I knew better, but after seeing this one, I knew she was right. It was a Sunday. I did not feel like going out and I thought “Oh well, no audition place will be open.” I can say I tried my best. Of course, I did find a place that was open. Shot it. It looked great. That was on the Sunday. On the Tuesday, I got the news.
FF: Do you have any different feelings about the industry since the last time we talked? If so, how?
CT: No, not really. It was wonderful working on this shoot and I'm amazed by how many wonderful people I meet in this industry. I'm experiencing it now with my own little romantic comedy coming together. There are so many great people out there who love making films as much as I do.
FF: What has been your favourite on set experience with this show?
CT: Oh wow. All of it. Actually, there was a great scene we shot where I had to pose on this car and put on lipstick. At the same time, my screen husband Baby Billy ( played by Walton Goggins) is having a crisis with his sister Aimee Leigh but I lie draped on the car and put on lipstick like I don't have a care in the world.
FF: Has your approach for acting changed after being a part of a show of this caliber?
CT: I've seen how actors I've admired my whole life behave on set. How professional they are, how they stay in character. It's been very inspiring to watch.
FF: Last time you gave us your favourite films. This time, what are your five favourite performances of all time?
CT: 1. Vivian Leigh in Gone with the Wind.
CT: 2. Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.
CT: 3. Holly Hunter in The Piano.
CT: 4. Jessica Chastain in Zero Dark Thirty.
CT: 5. Meryl Streep in The Bridges of Madison County.
We thank Chloe Traicos for talking with us again! The Righteous Gemstones can be watched on HBO. Traicos’ episode “Interlude” debuted September 15th, 2019, and can be viewed on any HBO streaming platform. Traicos’ IMDb page can be found here.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.