Alexis Molnar On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Just enjoy yourself and the ride. Too much of life is bleak and spent worrying about the future, enjoy what’s in front of you while it’s in front of you. Take from it what makes you happy and grateful, and then let it go. Then, infuse your experiences throughout.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Alexis is an actor and creative based in NYC.
Working since 2009 in Theatre and Film/TV, Alexis has developed and originated a few roles some of which include Alana Beck in Dear Evan Hansen, Lottie Adams in Harbor (for which she won the 2013 CT Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Debut), and Lexi Jones in the NBC drama Rise. She has also been a part of many theatrical developmental workshops such as Beetlejuice, The Band’s Visit, Dear Evan Hansen, and most recently, It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Upcoming works are her own short horror film BOYHOARDER which she produced and stars in, and the upcoming drama series on Netflix, ERIC, as Raya.
Alexis also likes to collaborate and develop her own cabarets and performance pieces, most recently debuting Alexis Molnar sings the Fiona Apple Songbook at Don’t Tell Mama NYC for which she was nominated for Best Cabaret of 2021 by BroadwayWorld. She has also performed at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, The Green Room 42, LPR, and many other venues.
In her spare time, Alexis likes to consider herself an unlicensed Fiona Apple scholar and a burgeoning home chef, while actually being a certified Pilates instructor teaching in Brooklyn and Downtown Manhattan, and virtually.
She has two older half sisters, and is Jewish on her Mother’s side and Hungarian on her Father’s side — though is non denominational, she own and takes notes in a Pagan and Wicca bible. She began an interest in performing around 10 years old after not being giving a chance in sports due to her petite stature, and was given a concert solo in the 4th grade that led her into the arts. She started working professionally at 14.
Originally from New Jersey, her parents both worked between her home state and NYC — so she was immersed in city life from an early age with trips to The Met, WTC, and all these restaurants that are long gone. She has been living in NYC permanently since the age of 17 years old, and has been lucky to have lived all over the island of Manhattan so far. True to city girl fashion, Alexis does not know how to drive a car.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you for having me! I’m originally from New Jersey, and was luckily raised in the perfect place to be a performer — with massive accessibility to the theatre and the ballet.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Growing up, I felt very out of place. Due to my petite stature, I was often typed out when it came to playing any kind of sport. Because of this, I felt very involved in activities that involved music and performing because of the social aspects. My music teacher gave me a solo to sing in the fourth grade annual spring concert, and from there, the rest was history. Other parents and teachers approached my mother after the concert asking me how long I had been in voice lessons for — unknowing to them, I hadn’t touched the world of music yet.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think my life continues to be the most interesting story in pursuing this career, which sounds like a cop out answer, but I truly mean it. If you told nine year old me, thirteen year old me, eighteen year old me, even twenty one year old me that I would work with esteemed colleagues and be part of massive projects mostly out of luck and being in the right place at the right time — I would’ve called you crazy and cried because it’s cruel to tease that fantasy. If anything, I’m just amazed at the connections that I’ve gotten to make over the decades — last year I was out to dinner with some friends, and our waiter turned out to be an artist I worked with when I was 14 and he was 9, and he recognized me immediately and I recognized him as soon as he said something. There’s beauty in knowing the influence you have as a human and not only an artists, and I think that’s the most interesting part of it all to me.
It has been said that mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I don’t think my anxiety and perfectionism allow me to make any grand mistakes — however, that in itself is a mistake. I’ve definitely learned and am continuing to learn to let go and not be afraid to actually make those mistakes. Being fearless can only get you to where you want to be, and it’s an endless practice to not be afraid — but we are in a business of exposing vulnerability.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, I’m working on pitching my own short horror film, BOYHOARDER, which I produced and starred in to production companies and streaming services, with the hopes of finding the backing to make our short film a feature length production. Directed by Gabrielle Carrubba, with original music by my co star Liza Anne and their writing partner Kyle Ryan. It is always personally fulfilling to get any traction with personal projects, and it would be a dream come true to give it a loving home.
As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?
Being in an industry that can come across superficial can take a toll on the mind and body, and it’s important to me to nurture that. I try to stay away from comparison as much as possible, while still finding room to be inspired by like minded artists without trying to copy what has worked for them. At the end of the day, you really have to go with yourself — an endless practice.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Diversity is imperative in the entertainment industry as much as it is imperative in real life. You have to be a magnanimous person and be embracing of new things. The more you open your heart to stories and experiences that differ from your own, the more community and connection can be created. Audiences respond to stories that speak to them on a personal level, even if the person on screen might not look like them — however, when a specific story is told and represented, it provides audiences with new perspectives, and hopefully opening their hearts as humans. All we have at the end of the day is the want for connection and to be seen, and if you are able to have that in mainstream media, the easier those ignorant to particular circumstances to grasp. Too much of the same anything is boring and uninteresting. Life isn’t like that, and media shouldn’t be either. No one is better than anyone else, and we all deserve to have our stories listened to.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . I wish someone told me that a job will not fulfill you — it has to come within yourself, and that is also what is going to get people to want to work with you. Go with yourself, always.
2 . I wish someone told me that you don’t need permission — a lot of my younger years were spent worrying over people pleasing and making the wrong decision, over just making a decision. In the words of Sondheim, “the choice may have been mistaken/the choosing was not.”
3 . Your friends will always show up for you. It can be difficult having peers in similar industries, or completely different industries as it might be hard to grasp the tumultuous lifestyle and you may feel alone a lot — but your friends will always show up and affirm you. Believe in yourself as much as they believe in you, which is infinitely.
4 . Get other hobbies that have absolutely nothing to do with performing or singing. Period. You will be more interesting of a person. I know that acting is the entire world, but there is actually an entire world outside of acting. Having hobbies does not mean that you have a fall back plan, and you also do not have to monetize your hobbies.
5 . Just enjoy yourself and the ride. Too much of life is bleak and spent worrying about the future, enjoy what’s in front of you while it’s in front of you. Take from it what makes you happy and grateful, and then let it go. Then, infuse your experiences throughout.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
I might need some of these tips myself, but definitely it’s vital to build a routine of self care — whatever that looks like to you. I started teaching Pilates as a way to channel adrenaline and extraneous emotions that I might be holding into something physical that also betters my well being. Drink water, get as much sleep as you can, assess your system of values and then uphold them the best you can. Care about what you need to care about — and let the rest go. Ask for support. And DRINK WATER.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
It may seem naive of me to say, but truly remember at the end of the day that we are no better than anyone else. We all deserve to live with freedom and accessibility — and if I could ever just bring basic care to the general population, I would be fulfilled. It’s harrowing opening my phone and seeing the worst possible headlines or images, next to an article about how we are funding these atrocities. It’s never comprehended in my brain as to why we can’t just take care of each other and approach with patience and care.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m extremely grateful to have had parents that supported me every step of the way in my career, in every aspect that can grant support. My parents both have creative sides to them, but took a more corporate route in life — and had no problem in voicing their realistic opinions about what a life in the performing industry would look like. That being said, having my parents believe in my talent was all that more affirming, as they are the kind of people who would not blindly lead me in a passion if it wasn’t a realistic life for me to pursue — they never beat around the difficulties that I might encounter, and still to this day push me to believe in myself and my career. I am not a child of nepotism by any means, but I am extremely lucky to be a child of unconditional support.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“This world is bull___. And you shouldn’t model your life after what we’re wearing or what we think is cool, go with yourself. Go with yourself.” — Fiona Apple, and rings truer and truer every year. In this age of instant gratification and consumerism, it is imperative to stay connected to what makes you happy and feel the best, and not think about if it works for anyone else.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Fiona Apple, Isabelle Huppert, or Toni Collette. All of these women have influenced my life and my craft beyond belief, and I would just like to thank them.
How can our readers follow you online?
I can be found online at @alexiskaymolnar, @BOYHOARDER, and @deviledlegspilates.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Thank you for having me and allowing me a chance to share!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold
