The Unstoppable Chanel Ryan

The thing you’ll see most, upon searching the internet for Chanel Ryan (as so many have before you), is just how many magazines have declared her one of the sexiest women on the planet. And on that point we concur.

However, it’s not her pristine model’s features that earn her a spot on the Man Cave wall. No, what’s really great about her is she’s got a plan. We admire a thing done well, and Ryan is doing many things very well indeed. She made her name as a glamour lingerie model, but has always had her sights on acting — and when you’re as good a shot as she is, whatever’s in the sights is a guaranteed hit. 

So, amid the Maxim spreads, the Playboy interviews, the top-selling swimsuit calendars, the appearances on Howard Stern, she’s become a full-time actress..and producer, because why wait for the roles you want? She’s done comedy, she’s done horror, she’s done drama, she’s done fun schlock. Through it all, she’s still attending acting class even as the actual acting career fills up her calendar, because when you’re Chanel Ryan, you don’t say “This is good enough, let’s stop here.”

And if determination isn’t attractive, what is? Brains and empathy, right? She has oceans of both.

Man Cave Daily: You had a busy 2014 and now have an even busier 2015…

Chanel Ryan: I don’t sleep a lot. I’ve been really fortunate. My schedule’s always been hectic and I’ve always worked a lot. Originally I did well modeling and was always traveling for modeling jobs. Acting was always my main goal but it’s difficult–at least for me-to turn down a modeling job in an exotic location to stay in town in hopes of getting a theatrical audition.

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So a few years ago I decided that if I didn’t want to be one of those girls who used to have a career I needed to switch my focus and change some things. I started focusing on acting and going to class whenever I’m in town. At first I started booking small roles in a lot of indie films and eventually got supporting films. It must have been 2014 I booked leads in five films and I’ve got the same thing this year.

MCD: And you’re also producing.

CR: The funny thing with producing–I’m actually a really good producer. I produced my own photoshoots for years which is not quite the same thing but some of the basic principles are there.

Originally I did it out of a need to create content for myself and then all the magazines started picking up my shoots. I started putting out my own swimsuit calendars. Now if I have the time I also produce shoots for other people: I’ve done some films, some publicity stuff, a few fashion campaigns for other actors and models. Sort of branding and imaging stuff.
But as far as the theatrical producing I’m in development on a couple projects but the one that’s my favorite is Crimson Saints with my producing partner Mark Craddock.

The reason I originally became interested in producing was to create better roles and better quality projects for myself. When you start out, on these indie films you don’t really know, “Is this going to be shot well? Is this going to get distribution?” I didn’t want to wait to be chosen. I’d rather create the opportunities for myself.

Try to imagine this woman ever waiting to be chosen.

MCD: Yeah, it doesn’t sound like you’re the kind of person who waits for opportunity to knock. What’s on your wishlist still?

CR: I love the indie world. I’m so thankful for what I have. I’m booked for three or four films this year. I’ve switched my focus a bit. I’m going after a lot of TV shows. I love Banshee, love Vikings, Marry Me, Modern Family…there’s just so many great shows out there.

I’m also focusing more on the studio pictures. I’ve been staying in town a little bit more, being more selective about the roles I choose, focusing on the big picture and where I’d like to go.

When I started a couple years ago, my goal was just to work, build a resume, get some experience, and feel confident in my abilities and my craft. I feel that now. I’m ready to take it to the next level.

MCD: Are there any modeling projects that still lure you away despite wanting to be around and available?

CR: Absolutely! I still get projects offered to me and if it works with my schedule I’m thrilled to do that. My main focus is my acting, and the problem I was having before was I would get a callback for a great project and I would be out of the country on a modeling job. Now I need to be available. I do model, but it’s not on the scale I did before. If a great project comes along, I’m more than open to it.

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MCD: You’ve done so much horror; was that a conscious decision? I see you work with friends of Man Cave Candace Kita and Devanny Pinn…

CR: Candace has been a close friend for years. We did a pilot called The Sweet Spot with Bill Murray together about ten years ago. I refer her for every project I’m on. I got her on Circus of the Dead, I brought her on Dead Sea, Love Addict…she is amazing, she’s talented, she’s sweet, she’s wonderful to be around. I have a group of friends, whenever I’m on a project and I see roles I think they’re right for, I don’t have a problem suggesting them.

MCD: So is horror the most fun, or is that what’s available?

CR: Horror films really fun to make: you’re in these high-stakes, high-drama situations hopefully you’ll never encounter in real life, but also you’re completely safe.

I also think horror fans are the best. They’re insatiable. There’s a constant demand for horror films. You can shoot them easily, quickly, inexpensively. So many of them being made that in terms of the projects I audition for, there’s ten horror films for every comedy.

Comedy is actually my first love but I’ve built a bit of a name for myself in the horror genre. I do get scripts sent to me all the time, with offers and interest for parts, which is really great. I don’t discriminate. For me, I look for a great story and great characters regardless of the genre.

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MCD: Why is horror cheaper when it seems stunts and prosthetics would drive up the cost, whereas comedy is just the right people in the right situation?

CR: I personally think comedy is, for a lot of actors, really difficult to do. Not all actors who can do drama can do comedy but as a general rule if there’s someone who’s strong in comedy they can do drama. I don’t know why that is, but it just seems to be that kind of standard.

With comedies you often need some big-name, A-list talent to get your project funded and get it out there. With horror it’s not necessarily like that. You can do it on a micro-budget. You don’t necessarily have to have A-list talent in there, although it doesn’t hurt.

MCD: Do you find yourself going to a certain type of character, or do you say, “Alright, done that, now let’s try this?” Are you trying to change it or always find something new in a role you relate to?

CR: I’m definitely being more selective about the roles and projects I sign onto now. As I’m building a resume for myself and becoming a bit more successful, I’m really choosing the path that I’d like to go on and trying to create the type of career for myself that I hope to have.

I really am drawn to strong female characters. I have played a lot of victims. I prefer the stronger characters. Having said that, depending on the script, I’ll play the victim as well but it’s more interesting to me to play a strong character.

Funny, smart, driven, beautiful, kind, AND she won’t try to eat your steak.

[laughs] I think it’s funny because they’re so far from what I am in real life, but I tend to book a lot of the snotty socialite, the gold-digger, the best friend who’s cheating with the husband, the two-face…all those types of roles.
Somebody told me the other day, “You should only be playing the bad guys. You’re better at it.” [laughs] Uh, thank you…I think?

I get cast as those a lot–and they’re fun to play–don’t get me wrong, but so the opposite of me.

MCD: Is that hand-in-hand with getting attractive roles? When you’re a professional model, is that because of how people see attractive women?

CR: At first I was always getting offered roles for “Here’s the girl in the bikini.” “Here’s the girl in the lingerie.” As I proved myself as an actress and built up my resume and my reel, now I’m getting offered really gritty, strong roles, which is nice. But it’s also for me right now as much about what I turn down as what I accept.

MCD: That must feel great, having made your bones.

CR: Part of it is a little bit scary to turn stuff down [laughs] and it’s also a little bit liberating. As actors, we always wonder “Should I turn it down? What’s the right thing to do?” It’s difficult. For me right now, unless the project is something I’m really excited about I’d rather stay in town and be in class and focus than just wait for that right part.

MCD: Did I read that you’re a weapons afficionado?

CR: I am! Full-on weapons training. It originally came out of a need for…I had a problem with a stalker, actually. And I was scared of guns originally. The fear came from not knowing how to use them.

So I had a need to learn and learn very quickly because my life was in danger and I discovered I’m a great shot and I’m really good at it. I have a little bit of hand-to-hand training, knife training, but my specialty really lies in handguns, ARs, the whole thing.

If I ever have time, we’re planning on doing a series of training videos. Everything from how to clear a room, how to clean a weapon…some guys have successfully put them out, but as far as I know, never a woman. I think there’s a need for it.

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MCD: Does that help you get work, when you can actually use a gun?

CR: Yeah, I have a couple things coming up where I get to use my weapons training which I’m really excited about. It’s always fun when you get to use a skill you already have and don’t have to do a crash-course.

MCD: Ever taught any co-stars or even said to the weapons trainer on-set, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this’?

CR: I’ve shown people a few things. I don’t know about the weapons trainer. [laughs]

It always drives me nuts–and I’m sure I’m guilty of it in some early jobs–when people hold the weapons and they just hold them wrong. You’re supposed to be an expert, do a little research.

MCD: Do you ever try other weapons besides firearms?

CR: What kind of other weapons?

MCD: Melee weapons?

CR: I’ve done a little bit of martial arts. I’m not an expert by any means.

MCD: I guess if you’re that good with a pistol you don’t need to be.

CR: It can never hurt. If we could only clone ourselves. I already go to acting class twice a week. I go to a burlesque class on Saturdays. There’s not enough hours in the day to do everything. I horseback ride once a week. I would love to do martial arts training but the reality is there’s only one of me.

MCD: Well, you’re probably going to ride more horses than get in fistfights.

CR: It’s so amazing being around horses.

MCD: Do you ever perform burlesque?

CR: Oddly enough, there was a Groupon. I thought, “Okay, this will be fun, it will be something for me to do with my girlfriend.” We just started taking the class. I’ve done some dance stuff in a couple of films, but never any full-on burlesque performances, no.

She’s so beautiful that microscopic enhancement of her skin reveals she’s actually made up of millions of smaller Chanel Ryans.

MCD: What would your cool burlesque name be?

CR: Oh gosh, You know, that was one of the assignments from class that I never did. Who would I be? I’m going to have to think. I like the name Trixie, so who could I be? Trixie Something. [laughs]

MCD: You’ve gotta hit that burlesque scansion. If you’re Trixie, you need a name like LaRue or St. Clair. It has to hit those stresses and unstresses.

CR: Yeah, If I had done the homework for class, this would have been no problem.

MCD: Are there any guys in the class?

CR: No.

MCD: Well, one day we’ll break through that barrier. I was checking out your Instagram. How many pets do you have?

CR: My dog Lucky passed away recently. Now I only have Ruby Tuesday, my black cat and another little rescue who has to live in the kitchen because Ruby is a bitch and refuses to be nice to him. His name is King Leo. I post pictures and videos of him a lot.

I love animals, so wherever I go I’m constantly taking pictures. Hence all the animal photos. When I ride horses I take pictures of the horses. On my YouTube channel I have talking pet videos where I take photos and make them say silly things.

She’s got the cat’s tongue.

MCD: How’d you get involved in the animal activism?

CR: I’ve always just loved animals. I’ve been really connected to them for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family of hardcore carnivores, but I never liked meat, and I realized in my early teens that I didn’t have to eat it. I just feel we have to look out for them. We’re their voice. I’m always really drawn to them.

Truthfully, most of the pets you get from shelters are better than these purebreds because there’s so much inbreeding.

MCD: You’re vegetarian?

CR: I eat fish occasionally but I’m predominately vegetarian and vegan/raw.

MCD: Did you ever meet an animal you couldn’t help because that particular animal had a jerk personality?

CR: [laughs] No, that’s awful. Most of the time if you meet an animal that’s barking at you it’s because they’re terrified. You can eventually catch them and help them.

There was a couple of dogs that I rescued, a good friend of mine has them now. One of them, Sid, was all over my Facebook and Twitter for a while. When we found him I was walking my dog. He was hiding under the car around the corner, just starving, covered in bugs and filthy and matted. I called him Sid because he was so matted and disgusting we had to shave him and he had a punk rock haircut like Sid Vicious.

He was so precious and I wanted to keep him, but once again, my cat is not nice and won’t allow any animals in the house. Everyone wanted him, he was an amazing little soul. It took a couple hours to get him. He was terrified.

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If you own a pet please spay or neuter it. If you are thinking of getting a pet please look into adopting from your local shelter or animal rescue. There are so many wonderful animals in need or safe, loving homes. Be part of the solution and help end animal homelessness and abuse. There are a ton of wonderful animal organizations out there doing great work helping animals in need. A few of my favorites are Actors and Others for Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, Four Legged Friends Foundation, Stray Cat Alliance, Teen VGN, Models and Mutts and PETA.

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Brendan McGinley is editor round these parts when not writing comics or Cracked columns. You can say a neighborly hello to him on Twitter @BrendanMcGinley. You’d probably enjoy his supervillain comic Heist.

Crime pays.

Brendan also interviewed the breathtaking Paola Núñez.

Give us back that breath!

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Wisden slams ECB, hails Sangakkara

English cricket receives stinging criticism, and Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara the highest of praise, in the 2015 Wisden.

Editor Lawrence Booth reserves withering words to depict the England and Wales Cricket Board’s “mishandling of the Kevin Pietersen affair”.

Contrasting accolades are accorded to the increasingly prolific Sangakkara as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World – in the 152nd edition, published on Thursday – making him just the second player to regain that annual status.

Sangakkara, set to complete his international retirement when he plays his final Test this year, has raised even his own wonderful standards in a record-breaking run of form.

Wisden grants its global number one position for the previous year to Sangakkara – only India batsman Virender Sehwag has previously been named twice – after he made an all-time record 2,868 international runs in 2014, including a triple-century.

Breaking new ground in 2015 by announcing its first Leading Woman Cricketer in the World – Australia’s Meg Lanning – Wisden also notes Sangakkara’s man-of-the-match performance as Sri Lanka beat India in last year’s ICC World Twenty20 final, and four successive hundreds at the recently-concluded World Cup.

Sangakkara also had a significant impact on the last English season, with his first Test hundred at Lord’s.

Wisden takes that credential most into account in naming its five Cricketers of the Year – and along with rising England stars Moeen Ali, whose picture also adorns this year’s front cover, and Gary Ballance and county success stories Adam Lyth and Jeetan Patel, Sangakkara’s Test and one-day international captain Angelo Mathews takes the coveted honour.

In an appreciation of veteran Sangakkara, Booth said: “Choosing [him] just felt natural. And his four consecutive hundreds at the World Cup confirmed we’d chosen the right man.

“We’ll miss him when he’s gone.”

Rob Smyth writes in Wisden of Sangakkara’s “year of fulfilment – one which ensured, in sporting terms, he could die happy”.

He adds: “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s about to go, and this was the year in which Sangakkara was finally recognised as one of the all-time greats.”

Lanning, who at 21 became the youngest person ever to captain Australia, led her country to the World Twenty20 title and finished 2014 at the top of both the women’s Twenty20 and ODI batting rankings.

Her status as Wisden’s inaugural number one player headlines an expanded women’s section which contains reports of every international match played last year.

Elsewhere in the almanack’s 1,520 pages, the editor and other contributors turn their attention to the many topics prevalent in their sport.

Booth is scathing in his assessment of much in the ECB’s policies, tracing a year in which it lost touch “with the basic idea that the national team belongs to us all”.

He adds to his critique alarm at the decline in the population of those playing recreational cricket.

“A few wins might have deflected attention from a charge sheet that would include the mishandling of the Kevin Pietersen affair, worrying Test attendances outside London, a head-in-the-sand attitude to the one-day team, and – not yet a decade after the 2005 Ashes had presented English cricket with a golden chance to attract a new generation to the sport – a fall in the number of recreational players.

“National selector James Whitaker had called Cook ‘our exceptional leader’; Paul Downton, the ECB’s new managing director, hailed [Peter] Moores as the ‘outstanding coach of his generation’; chairman Giles Clarke trumpeted Downton as a ‘man of great judgment’. It was a nexus of self-preservation – yet, as the wagons circled, the wheels kept threatening to come off.”

:: Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2015 is published by John Wisden Co, priced £50

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