Adrienne Rose White, star of the recent film, Nightbitch.  Adrienne is also known for producing Quirky Female Protagonist and was called out as Comedienne to watch by Elizabeth Banks’s WhoHaHa in their 2020 Comedy Call-Out.  She takes the time to talk with us about her experience on the set of Nightbitch and meditates on her career as an actress.

Tell us about your experience working alongside Amy Adams in the upcoming film, Nightbitch.  What led you to this specific film?

I love to take on projects that mix surreal magic, subversive social commentary, and genuine heartfelt comedy. And that’s so rare! 

So when the offer came in for Nightbitch - a horror-comedy about magical women that comments on the societal constraints associated with motherhood - and breaks them down  - it was an instant yes for me. Even though my mother wouldn’t say the title out loud. [Laughs]

Acting opposite Amy Adams during her iconic monologue was chef’s-kiss-extraordinary. We had already run the scene several times before capturing her close-up, so I thought I knew what was going to happen. I was wrong. Amy brought this rawness and vulnerability that left me on the verge of tears, right in the middle of her take. That woman is truly at the pinnacle of her craft. Working with her was a masterclass in acting.

What drew you towards the career of acting?

I did a summer camp in Los Angeles when I was seven. I remember I learned the song Edelweiss, and I think I had a monologue in the camp show, and I just loved the whole experience. The owners of the camp were impressed, and asked my parents if they could put me in a professional production they had coming up. 

That was when I learned that acting was a whole real job, and I knew it was the job I wanted!  

But my family was moving to Missouri at the end of the summer, so my parents said no. 

I was devastated at the time, but looking back I’m grateful I got to grow up somewhere with a lake and trees and space to run around. I got to Missouri, and I told my parents in no uncertain terms that when I grew up, I was going back to LA. And I did!

What do you find to be the greatest challenge as an actress?

Letting go over getting it right. I went to prep school, I love to show that I did my homework and did it “perfectly.” But that makes the performance feel pre-planned and faked and manipulated. It’s a challenge to bring my whole self to every role, even the parts of myself that are ugly or weird or bratty or unlikeable. But that’s what makes it feel real. So every time I overcome that “perfection” challenge, I get the joy of embracing every part of myself. And that lights me the fuck up!

Who is your role model?

I have so many. Quinta Brunson showed on Abbott Elementary that you can bring a socially conscious view and make it entertaining. Zendaya’s become an icon of luxury and fashion while still bringing this down to earth authenticity to her life and her roles. Oprah manifested her dream role in The Color Purple and built a whole ecosystem around culture and personal growth. All of these women have had a positive impact through their creative work, and I aim for the same.

Tell our readers a bit about yourself outside of acting.  For example, What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Manifesting is my favorite thing to talk about. Playing with and training my dog is a big one! I love to mix mocktails with fresh juices and herbs. I’ll go on walks and hikes with friends. And cooking with fresh ingredients - I like to improvise and see what I can create.

Anything you’d like to share regarding any other upcoming projects?

Well I know Dune: Messiah is coming up, and I’m a big fan of Denis Villeneuve.  I read the book and I’m dying to play Lichna, a kinswoman of Chani (Zendaya) who is later impersonated by an assassin. What a treat to play that innocent woman, and then play this sly, nuanced assassin pretending to be that innocent woman. The layers! So let’s manifest that as an upcoming project for me. [Laughs]

I’m also developing a feature film about manifesting: our heroine ghostwrites epic wedding toasts for her clients, but her love life is trash. When she’s hired to ghostwrite a book about manifesting true love, she must confront her own bad relationships. It’s the movie I wish I’d seen when I first started dating!