From Own’s IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG to Lifetime Movie’s “Mommy’s Little Angel,”Amanda Clayton conveys heartfelt performances that keep fans enthralled. What she feels, we feel, and we root for her along the way. In an exclusive interview, Amanda previews her latest performance in “Mommy’s Little Angel” and shares a few key lessons she has learned throughout her career.
What was the initial appeal for you about portraying Nikki and working on Lifetime’s “Mommy’s Little Angel”?
AMANDA: I really loved Christine Conradt’s script. She’s done some really great stuff for Lifetime and I was happy to jump into a project of hers. She has a great way of writing heightened drama while still keeping a sense of reality and groundedness with her stories.
How would you describe who Nikki is?
AMANDA: Nikki is hardworking, headstrong, loyal and compassionate. She is passionate about her career and about starting her family and she’s someone who goes to great lengths to love her family and help those around her,
What do you most admire most about her?
AMANDA: I really love her compassion and her devotion to the people she cares about.
What was it like working alongside the talented ensemble on “Mommy’s Little Angel”?
AMANDA: Everyone was wonderful, talented and (being an all Canadian cast and crew) SUPER nice! It’s always really great to show up, ready to work and give something your all, and to realize that everyone else on board is there to do the same.
Then what has been your favorite part about working on “Mommy’s Little Angel”?
AMANDA: Playing Nikki was a great ride! And the time Morgan and I got to spend bonding (mostly over chatting about movies) was really fun. I truly enjoyed everyday on set with this group.
You also just finished Season 4 as Alex in IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG. What do you enjoy and appreciate about working on IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG?
AMANDA: Working with and for Tyler Perry is an experience in itself. He is a force and I have learned so much just being around him. We work fast and hard on that show. It’s like “actor boot camp” in a lot of ways and keeps me on my toes. I love that part of it.
What has surprised you most about your career so far?
AMANDA: How things never happened the way I thought they would. Opportunities have fallen through, or worse, been ripped away. But, I always stayed the course. Never gave up and somehow that has ultimately paid off. And it continues to.
What is your proudest achievement from your career so far?
AMANDA: Honestly, having a career at all. It was not long ago that my “career” involved waiting tables. To be able to call this my career, to say “I am an actor.” That makes me very proud.
Do any of your characters and the situations they find themselves in ever leave a lasting impression on you?
AMANDA: For a time, yes. I think you learn a lot about yourself in playing different people. Oddly enough. But, at the end of the day, “they” are not “me” and I think it is just as important to be able to let go and walk away from a character and their situations and get back to your true self.
Has there been any great advice you have gotten about working as an actor?
AMANDA: Do you know what “NO” stands for? Next Opportunity.
What advice would you offer to other upcoming and aspiring actors?
AMANDA: Keep learning. Keep moving forward. Keep growing. Never ever ever ever ever give up. If it’s really what you want, you won’t be able to anyway.
At a time when women’s voices are rising to be heard and respected around the country and world, what do you recommend your fans do to lend support in that endeavor?
AMANDA: Pay attention. Show support for female strong projects (female lead, female writer, female director, etc.) And truly support by making the efforts to watch shows during the original airtime (or within 24 hours of DVRing) or for film, go to the movies and pay to see it opening weekend. That is where the numbers count! And those numbers growing are what translate to more female driven projects being made. It really is the best way to show the love!
Do you have any other upcoming projects that you can share that fans should keep an eye out for?
AMANDA: My own first foray into producing a project, “Dirty Dead Con Men” will be available on iTunes and VOD platforms the end of March. And there is always more IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG drama to watch out for later this fall.
To see Amanda in “Mommy’s Little Angel,” you can catch the premiere on Saturday, March 17th at 8:00 p.m. on Lifetime Movies and to find out more about other upcoming films on Lifewtimew, be sure to follow it on Twitter @LifetimeMovies. To follow along and find out what is next for Amanda as her career grows your can follow her on Twitter @MandaClayton
Preview clip for “Mommy’s Little Angel”:
SENIOR ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER | Tiffany covers events such as San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon and press junkets, as well as covering events at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills. She has a great love for television and believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored. Tiffany is one of the newest members to the prestigious Television Critics Association and is happy to be able to share her passion for television shows with an even wider audience of fans and her fellow critics..
