CHRISTINA AMRANI T.V personality REAL HOUSEWIVES of Beverly Hills, Made in France.
Interview with Christina Amrani, T.V Personality Christina Amrani, is one of the 5 vivacious women in the debut season of 'Les Vraies Housewives', or in English, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Made in France. She is only the owner of Cocktail Wax, a waxing salon located in Beverly Hills, CA. "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Made in France", features French speaking women, but all of them currently live in L.A, and are pursuing various business ventures in the U.S. I wanted to learn more about Christina's business, Cocktail Wax , and for her to explain to readers the concept behind her waxing salon and her decision to be part of the Real Housewives Franchise.
Question: You grew up overseas, how did that influence your decision to open Cocktail Wax? Answer from Christina: Growing up in France I always indulged in my femininity, I believed that every part of garnishing oneself should be pleasurable and celebrated. I always found that waxing should not be a punishment but rather a reward.
Question: What made you decide to open a waxing salon in Los Angeles? Christina: When you get a wax in Los Angeles its like going to the dentist. I wanted to provide a fresh, different approach to waxing. I wanted to create a place that was fun and flirty where people can be pampered. After noticing the evident lack of high end waxing salons in the States, the idea of Cocktail Wax suddenly came to me. I decided the painful and not always enjoyable process of waxing should be adorned in every way possible, it should be unwinding, pleasing, like a cocktail party with the girls. After researching the market I found that many women and men abhorred waxing and I grew eager to give them a better alternative.
Question: What makes Cocktail Wax different from other WaxingSalons? Christina: All procedures are customized for the ideal wax with attention to skin type & moods and with the choice between 25 waxes directly imported from France. Each creamy wax has essential oils and plant extracts that reduce redness, pain and irritation for hydrated, smooth skin.
Question: So I read through your list of services & realized most readers would know what a bikini wax is but that others, new to waxing, may wonder what "between the cheeks" means? Christina: (smiling) Between the cheeks is not for your face, but rather (still smiling), in between your buttock cheeks.
Sage: Ha! (smiling) Got it!
Question: Why the name Cocktail Wax? Christina: The name - Cocktail Wax - the salon is not named for the libations we concoct before a service, but rather for the waxes, and which flavor will work best on the person's skin type. If there's hair we're there! Complimentary cocktails are served to satisfy nerves, anxiety or just to have a pleasurable cocktail before your service
Question: What was your motivation for being a part of the Real Housewives? Christina: I decided to be part of the show because I wanted to bring the concept of Cocktail Wax to France and all over Europe. All of our waxes are from France and my dream is to expand the Cocktail Wax brand overseas with eventual expansion into other realms like cosmetics, cocktails, liquor etc.
Question: Any last comments? Christina: I am hoping that you take the time to watch the show. It is in French but I am sure you can add English subtitles, but you don't really need subtitles to understand or witness the drama.
-------- The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: made in France / Les Vraies Housewives airs on the NT 1 network in France. Episodes can also be viewed on You Tube.
Some Sage Advice on Acting: Interview: Michelle Danner & Casting Director Jane Jenkins discusses actor, William Hurt. The inspiration for this piece occurred while I was attending Casting Director, Jane Jenkins’s seminar being held at The Acting Studio at Edgemar (aka Larry Moss Studios). Ms. Jenkins has been the casting director for such films as: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Frost/Nixon, Transformers, When Harry met Sally, The Princess Bride, Stand by Me, etc.During Ms. Jenkins’s talk with The Acting Studio at Edgemar’s Artistic Director (aka Larry Moss Studios) and Internationally Acclaimed Acting Coach, Michelle Danner, Ms. Jenkins commented on a conversation she had with an actor, who had no idea who William Hurt was. Ms. Jenkins, was indeed surprised that this fellow thespian had never seen, nor heard of William Hurt. How could this be? How can someone pursuing a career in acting not be aware of the shoes they need to be filling?
It puzzles me as well, that some of my acting colleagues have very little knowledge regarding the history of their profession. Some of you may think that the past is irrelevant, but I disagree. It would behoove you to watch & study the films of actors that have won awards from decades past, since that is what you are being compared to. You need to have a frame of reference for how great you need to be and what performances you are aspiring to transcend or at the least, be equal to.
By the way, for those of you who do not know about William Hurt, here is a brief history: He had 3 straight Oscar nominations for Best Actor from 1986-88 and won his first Oscar with his first nomination for his role in, Kiss of the Spider Women, with his latest Oscar nomination being in 2005 for a History of Violence. My personal favorite was 1981’s, Body Heat, but that may also be because of Kathleen Turner, other classic ‘Hurt’ films that should be seen are: Broadcast News, The Big Chill, Children of a Lesser God, The Accidental Tourist etc…
So, if you want to be a great actor what characteristics and personality traits does it take to achieve that? What makes a good or average actor great? Here is L.A acting coach Michelle Danner's response ---
Question: Can you talk about discipline, emotionality, and stage presence? Michelle Danner: On Discipline - Make lists, visualize, accomplish what the goals are, and let yourself know how painful it will be if you don’t get your dream. Follow through is the key. 1. Stage Presence-Work on having great emotional access. That will get you in the zone of telling the story. 2. Emotionality-Work on exercises to be emotionally open everyday. 3. Character Work-Watch people who fascinate you and take them on. Pick vivid and idiosyncratic people. 4. Thoughts on being prepared- Fine tune a way of working that works for you Triggers, and Sense Memory work at least 5 min everyday on exercises that fine tune your instrument. Being in the moment, never anticipate whats coming next.
Question: This is an incredibly competitive field. What must every actor who is interested in having a career do? Michelle: Perseverance, thick skin. The balance of being open and emotional when they call action, but to let everything else roll off your back when they say “cut”.
Question: How do actors get in their own way? Michelle: By derailing, they have to stick to a strong vision of what they know they can accomplish with their talent, time and love of the work.
Question: Why is acting important? Michelle: Because its a contribution to the world we live in. Storytelling holds up a mirror to our society, and can change what people think and do.
Question: What frustrates you most as a teacher? Michelle: Apathy.
Question: What is the most satisfying thing about teaching? Michelle: Growth
Question: Do you have any upcoming projects? Michelle: I directed a film called “Hello Herman”, written by John Buffalo Mailer. A very socially relevant story about youth violence and the role media plays in it.
Michelle Danner has added a new class called "Script Analysis" alongside of her many “On-Camera” classes, also not to be missed, is her famed GoldenBox workshop that is held once a month. Michelle Danner is a celebrated acting coach who has worked with Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, and many more, both privately and on-set.