Canadian Celebs: Sangita Patel, Richard Harmon, and Amanda Brugel Interviews
Photo via Instagram.
Photo via Instagram.
Photo via Instagram.
Once upon a time, my job involved interviewing Canadian celebs for the Toronto-based magazine, Chloe. It was one of those opportunities that you have to create for yourself. Chloe wasn’t hiring and I didn’t know anyone who worked there. So, how did I end up talking to and writing articles about Richard Harmon, Amanda Brugel, and Sangita Patel? It was easy. At least, as Carrie Bradshaw makes running in heels across the street look.
Canadian celebrity interviews weren’t something I was specifically seeking out. They just kind of… happened. First of all, let’s start at the beginning. I really wanted to work for a magazine. Like, wanted it more than Emily Charlton wanted the Paris trip. But I had no idea where to begin. Of course, there were the occasional job listings online but those seemed to be filled almost instantaneously or didn’t fit with what I wanted to do or were way above my experience level at the time. The only thing I could think of was pitching not just a single article to a publication, but actually pitching myself.
For some magazines, I created a fake front cover on Photoshop, in the style of their publication, highlighting my strengths and interests in the industry. Also, I sent samples of previous articles I’d written along with my resume and a cover letter. After all, if I was pitching myself, I had to make sure I was as desirable a story as any other.
Of course, there were quite a few rejections. (Not unlike being rejected over 60 times when I was trying to get The Manhattan Mishap traditionally published.) But Chloe took an interest in me after I sent them my little package and I was so grateful.
In part, this is what I wrote to them:
I have a background in fashion and journalism and have spent the past five years interning and working in both industries. Since moving to Toronto in 2014, I’ve been working towards breaking into a career in fashion media—ideally at a fashion magazine, like Chloe. I also run my own fashion & lifestyle blog which helps me stay connected to the fashion world in Toronto and internationally.
If given the chance, you’d come to learn that I’m a captivating, error-free, and quick writer, a fast learner, a motivated worker, and an overall team player. I’m excited about fashion stories and I’m excited about building a career in the industry. Ultimately, I want to be a part of something that people get enjoyment out of—like picking up their favourite magazine and reading interesting articles or heading onto the web to find out more.
Chloe responded to my email pretty quickly and I set up a meeting with the editor-in-chief. It went really well. Like, so well that she sent me this email shortly after I’d left her office:
Hi Melina,
I wanted to follow up on our meeting by saying what a pleasure it was to
meet you.
I could have talked all day :)
Anyway, all this to say, creating this opportunity for myself allowed me to interview Canadian celebs like Richard Harmon, Sangita Patel, and Amanda Brugel. Plus, a couple of others: Patrick Sabongui, Marcus Rosner, and Anastasia Marinina. There were other interviews I did too (like with country sensation Maren Morris) but I’ll do a separate post about those ones. Stay tuned.
Interviews with Canadian Celebs Sangita Patel, Richard Harmon, Amanda Brugel, and more
Richard Harmon spoke to me about playing a villain
Everyone from teenage girls who love Murphy’s bluntness to 50-year-old men can relate to the character. A lot of the changes in Murphy’s story have to do with Richard’s hands-on acting style—it’s been an incredible collaboration between him and the writing team. “They listen to me and we do what we think is right with these characters. Murphy was a blank canvas at the beginning and I thought of something and [they] ran with it,” he says. “Now we have this beautiful, hideous, bloody lovechild—and I love him.”
Playing the antagonist is a role that Richard has gotten used to over the years. If we’re being frank, he says his appearance has a lot to do with it. Although ruggedly handsome, Richard knows that looks play a big role in what role you’ll play in Hollywood.
“My face has been designed that way. I was meant to be a bad guy,” he explains.
Read the full interview with Richard Harmon here.
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Sangita Patel told me what it’s like to be a modern woman who does it all
For someone who works as hard and as devotedly as Sangita does, celebrity encounters are only half of the fun. As a reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada, she also gets to travel the world, meet dozens of new people and use her voice to make a difference in the industry. Interviewing the biggest stars along the way is the cherry on top.
“I have the coolest job!” she gushes. “I get my hair and makeup done every time I’m in the ET Canada studio, I get to wear incredible designer dresses, and most of all, do what I love which is talk to someone new every day.”
It’s hard to imagine someone as bubbly and charismatic as Sangita ever getting nervous about meeting anyone famous. (This is the woman who once took spontaneous photos on a rooftop in Paris with Tom Cruise.) She assures me, however, that she feels more excited than anything when going into an interview. Although, she still has a strategy that she puts into play.
Read the full interview with Sangita Patel here.
Marcus Rosner shared how he went from small-town jock to on-screen heartthrob
Marcus has had the opportunity to act in many noteworthy shows during his strong career, from Arrow to Supernatural, Once Upon a Time to When Calls the Heart. However, perhaps none push as many boundaries as his latest endeavour, UnREAL—a Bachelor-inspired dark comedy drama series that aims to pull the curtains back on the reality and entertainment industries.
“There’s no denying that this is a racy show,” he admits. “There were times when I would read the script and think ‘wow, are they really going to want me to say that?’ The [writers] aren't bashful and it serves the story. Although, at one point I remember re-shooting one of my scenes in which they ultimately decided some of the language was a bit too rough.”
In the show, Marcus plays a sweet and simple Texas cowboy named Warren. Even though Marcus didn’t grow up on a farm, he’s always felt very at home embodying cowboys.
Read the full interview with Marcus Rosner here.
Anastasia Marinina said she doesn’t care what people think about her
Since beginning her career in 2014—yes, only four short years ago—she’s added quite a few projects to her resume, including next year’s Netflix film Polar and indie film Heavy that she filmed back-to-back this year. When I ask her if she ever prefers a more laid-back schedule than going from one set to another, her answer is simple: “I’m go, go. baby!”
Although, at the very beginning it wasn’t all “go, go, go” for Anastasia and she admits that it was tough at first.
“It was definitely challenging in the way of finding myself and where I stood in the industry. It took a lot of patience as well. But as time went by, the more confident I got in myself. I’m very happy with where I stand now.”
Read the full interview with Anastasia Marinina here.
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Patrick Sabongui admitted what job he has that makes him hustle harder
A lot of people know you from your role as Reda Hashem on Homeland. How have you found being part of a show with such a massive following?
In terms of fulfillment, I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better [role]. Every single person on the team is just so skilled at what they’re doing and so passionate about it. They encourage me to elevate my game. It’s inspiring because it’s a show that’s making a genuine effort to do the best that it can. People are going to pay attention. It’s controversial so you’re going to kick up a lot of dust. Whether you’re a fan or not, everyone feels something about it. No one goes “Homeland? What’s that?” like 90% of the other stuff I work on. It’s either “Oh wow, that’s my favourite show!” or “Oh really? You’re on that show?”
Read the full interview with Patrick Sabongui here.
Amanda Brugel opened up about The Handmaid’s Tale and her dream role
Most recently I saw Amanda Brugel in Dark Matter on Apple. What a show! I loved it. When I interviewed her in 2018, I was only familiar with her work as Rita in The Handmaid’s Tale. Here’s a small snippet from the article I wrote: “As an avid watcher of The Handmaid’s Tale, I was used to seeing Brugel dressed down as Rita, a kitchen maid, in unembellished clothing, wearing little makeup. The woman standing before me was a shining star—a polar opposite to the one she portrays on-screen.”
It’s Valentine’s Day when we finally get around to connecting over the phone. In the background, I can hear the beeps of the microwave as she heats up food for her kids. As for it being the most romantic day of the year, nothing seems out of the norm for Brugel and her family.
“My husband and I have been together for 15 years, so we don’t really do Valentine’s Day on the actual day,” she laughs. “I just ran to the store to get my kids cupcakes and there was a line of 20 men just standing there with flowers and this miserable look on all of their faces.”
Read the full interview with Amanda Brugel here.
Ps. Here’s a fun fact: Amanda (can I call her that?) called me after the interview was published to tell me how much she loved it. I have the screenshot to prove it because I couldn’t quite believe the name “Amanda Brugel” was popping up on my phone.
Read More: The Final Goodbye Reading at Rebecca Molayem Gallery in Los Angeles
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