Cover Girl Actress Mekenna Melvin

If you’re a fan of the NBC Series Chuck you may recognize our cover girl Mekenna Melvin from her role as Alex McHugh, but she is more than just a pretty face.  This graduate of the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts overcame a childhood learning disability to become a successful actor.

Our readers may recognize your name, your voice, or your face – if not all three – but tell us a bit about who you are, and how you got where you are today.

I’m the daughter of two public school teachers and the youngest of four kids. My mother is a high school drama teacher and it was in her theater that I first fell in love with acting. As soon as I graduated high school I hopped on a plane to NYC where I studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. The summer between my first and second year I studied at the British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer at Oxford in England. After graduating I moved to Los Angeles to start my career.

My first job was on Lie to Me. I couldn’t believe it.  I was thinking to myself “Am I really going to work with Tim Roth?!! Someone pinch me please!!”   After that I did a few guest stars on Three Rivers and Detroit 187.  Somewhere in between I co-created and co-starred in an indie thriller, Amber Lake.

Then came Chuck.   I honestly felt like I had won the lottery. The role started off as a one word co-star. After shooting the first episode I found out they were going to expand the role, but that I would have to re-audition. Talk about nerve wracking!! I was at my restaurant job when my manager called to tell me I had gotten the part.. again. I can remember sneaking into the bathroom to answer the call and then proceeded to jump up and down for about 5 minutes….

I’m sure I did the robot too. I tend to do that when I’m excited.. or nervous … or always hahah! Here I am three seasons later. I still wake up and think, “Is this really my life?!! Did that really happen! “

Was a career in the performing arts always part of your plan, or did you dabble in other fields, first?

For as long as I can remember acting is all I ever wanted to do. I didn’t know anyone personally who had made a living being an actor, so I had no idea how it was going to happen. I just kept telling myself that if I worked hard enough, believed in myself enough, and stayed focused I could do it! Luckily my family was super supportive of my crazy dreams too.

Tell our readers about your role as Alex on the NBC Series “Chuck”.

Alex is the daughter of super spy John Casey and girlfriend of Morgan Grimes. She grew up most of her life thinking that her father was dead, only to find out in college that he is still alive. The scene where she finds out was probably one of my favorite to shoot considering the fact that I got to beat up my dad, who is played by Adam Baldwin. It was my only real fight scene on the show and I LOVED IT!!

What are the similarities between Alex and MeKenna?  What are the similarities?

Alex is a strong, confident girl who stands up for herself . I’d like to think we have that in common. She also grows to have a very strong relationship with her father and so do I. My dad is pretty much the coolest guy around and one of my heroes.

What have you learned from your more experienced co-workers ?

SO much! I was very lucky to have worked with so many amazing people and I learned so much from each one of them. One piece of advice that stands out, though, was from Linda Hamilton who most people remember from  Terminator, but who I remember from her series Beauty and the Beast.  (My mom and I watch it over and over. I still have the seasons on VHS at my parents’ house!)   She told me one of the keys to working in the business for a long time was to always be the first one on your mark.

Our readers would love to hear your views on the doing a regular series vs guest starring.  Is it more challenging to continue a role or more challenging to join a team of actors?

Well I really only know what it’s like to join a team. I joined Chuck at the end of their third season. The first day I was definitely nervous! Will they like me? Will I fit in? It felt like the first day of school and I was just praying someone would ask me to sit at their lunch table hahaha!! But it turns out I didn’t have to worry at all!! The Chuck cast and crew were so warm and welcoming to me from day one. I made so many wonderful friends on that set!

Is there a role model, mentor or other guiding force who helped you along the road to success?   

So many!! My mother, of course, since it was in her theater that I was first introduced to acting. My manager Anna Liza who was the first person in this town who believed in me when I had not a single credit.

But one of the major mentors of my acting life was my teacher at AADA, Tracey Trevett,  who unfortunately passed away a few years back. In her class I really grew and found confidence in my work. She taught me to stop trying to prove to  everyone that I was good enough and just be, which was one of the most important lessons I have ever learned.

Tell us about an average day in the life of Mekenna !

I wish I could! In this line of work there is no such thing as average. Everyday is different.  I guess the things I consistently do is brush my teeth and take a shower.

What do you do to stay in shape? Is there a particular exercise program or diet you follow?  Do you work out on your own or with a trainer, nutritionist, etc?

PILOXING!! Its my new favorite thing! Its a fun cardio workout that mixes pilates and boxing, created by Viveca Jensen. I also do two days  a week of one on one pilates with Viveca. She kicks my butt!!

Do you feel you are a role model to other women? How important is that to you?

Yes it is very important to me. I have a very close family with lots of younger cousins and four nieces and nephews, so I would say I am constantly trying to set a good example for them.  Most importantly, I want them to believe in themselves. I want them to see that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard, stay focused and surround yourself with positive people who push you to grow in a healthy way.

As an entertainer, you live much of your life in the public eye. How do you balance your public and private personas? Is there a difference, or are you pretty much the same in and out of the spotlight?

I’d like to think I’m pretty much always the same. Which means I’m usually doing or saying something slightly embarrassing.

Even in the arts, the job isn’t everything; other than the work we know you for, what are you passionate about?

Food! Im super passionate about food. And music. I love listening to live shows around town. Oh, and wine. I’m pretty passionate about that too!

What advice would you give to other women who want to do what you do?

There is nothing in this world that you cannot do if you want to. Believe in yourself. Know that you are strong enough for whatever it may take. Work, work, work all the time…. even if no one is paying you yet. But above all NEVER GIVE UP!

What is your goal for the next year?  And where do you see yourself five years from now?

My goal is to continue to work and create.  I also want to make sure I continue to be more comfortable in my own skin.

In five years… gosh I guess I hope to have my own series, have shot a few films as well as produced a couple of my own. Plus maybe kids, I have always wanted to be a woman who could do it all and I think it’s possible!

What projects are on the horizon for you, Mekenna? 

I’m not completely sure. There are a few things brewing and I’m really excited to see what my next chapter will look like!

Now is YOUR opportunity to tell us what we missed! What question should we have asked, that we didn’t (and what’s the answer to it)?

I have a dog named Penny Lane and my favorite pizza is pepperoni! That’s pretty much me in a nut shell.

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Find Mekenna on the web:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Photo Credits:  Photographer – Josh Williams Photography | Hair By – Casey Geren |  Make Up By – Angela Peralta | Styling by William Moore