Life & Work with Meg Wright of Los Angeles, CA 90035

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Wright.

Hi Meg, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in Texas, I always loved playing pretend and creating little worlds of my own. It was something I naturally gravitated toward as a kid, but I never really thought about acting as a career. After my family moved to Louisiana, I remember being in the car with my parents when I heard an ad on the radio that went something like, “Do you wanna be on Disney Channel? Or Nickelodeon? Then call this number!” I was a HUGE Disney Channel kid, so naturally, I begged my parents to let me audition. After some convincing, they took me to a little acting academy in New Orleans. I auditioned, got in, and was instantly hooked. That was really the beginning of my love for acting.

Not long after, I auditioned for a talent convention in Los Angeles and was accepted. I had the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of agents and managers. I ended up signing with representation, and since auditions were primarily in person at the time, moving to Los Angeles was the next step. At 16, I moved across the country and lived with a host family. It was a big change from what I’d grown up knowing, but I instantly fell in love with LA. Funny enough, my very first audition landed me a guest-star role on a Nickelodeon show. Talk about a full-circle moment!

When I turned 18, I moved into my first apartment and worked multiple jobs to support myself while continuing to pursue acting. At 21, life took an unexpected turn, and I ended up moving back to Louisiana. I started taking classes again at the same academy where it all began and continued auditioning. During those years, I booked *Jeepers Creepers 3*, *NCIS: New Orleans*, and several commercials. Then, in 2019, I booked *Looking for Alaska*, which was an incredibly special experience for me. I met some wonderful people on that set, and the project meant a lot to me, both personally and professionally. I’ll always be grateful for the friendships and memories that came from it.

In 2020, I decided I was ready to return to Los Angeles. Coming back in my mid-twenties felt surreal because I was seeing the same city through a completely different lens. Not long after, the pandemic hit, and things took another unexpected turn.

In 2021, I met Troy Guthrie, a fellow actor and filmmaker who was working on his first indie feature film, *So Shot*. He had written the film and was producing and starring in it. He was looking for a lead actress, and I ended up getting the role! Eventually, I also came on board as a producer, which gave me the opportunity to experience another side of filmmaking. Troy and I started dating along the way, and now we’re engaged! Having someone who shares my love for storytelling and encourages me to continue growing has meant so much to me.

These days, I’m continuing to pursue acting while also exploring other creative opportunities behind the camera, particularly production design. I’ve really enjoyed getting to help bring stories to life in a different way, and it’s given me an even greater appreciation for the filmmaking process.

What I love most about acting is getting to tell a story from a character’s point of view and giving a voice to someone who might not otherwise have one. I also love how collaborative filmmaking is. Every department brings so much passion and creativity to a project, and there’s something really special about seeing it all come together. My path hasn’t always been a straight line, but my love for storytelling has never gone away, and I’m excited to see what comes next!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! I think one of the hardest things about pursuing acting is how unpredictable it can be. There have been times when auditions were coming in consistently and other times when things were completely quiet. You can put so much time and effort into an audition, feel really good about it, and never hear anything back. That can be frustrating, especially when you care so much about what you do.

I also think there’s a lot of pressure that comes with being a woman in this industry. You’re constantly thinking about how you look, your body, how you dress, and how you’re being perceived. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others or feeling like you need to fit a certain mold. That’s something I’ve had to learn to navigate over the years.

The financial side of things has also been a challenge. I’ve worked several different jobs to support myself while still making time for auditions. Trying to find work that pays the bills but also gives you the flexibility to pursue acting isn’t always easy, especially when you never really know when your next job in the industry will come along.

And then, of course, life doesn’t stop just because you’re pursuing a career. I’ve gone through some difficult things personally, and there have been periods when taking care of my mental health needed to be a priority. Trying to balance all of that while still showing up for auditions and continuing to pursue something I love has definitely had its challenges.

Through all of it, I’ve had to learn not to be so hard on myself. It’s easy to get caught up in where you think you should be by now or feel like you’re not doing enough. I definitely haven’t figured it all out, but I’ve gotten better at giving myself some grace and recognizing that progress doesn’t always look the way I expected it to.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actress first and foremost, but over the years I’ve found myself falling in love with other sides of filmmaking, too. I’ve had the opportunity to work in television and film, with projects like *Looking for Alaska*, *NCIS: New Orleans*, *Claws*, and *Jeepers Creepers 3*. More recently, I’ve also gotten involved in producing and production design, which has been such a fun way to explore my creativity outside of acting.

As an actress, I love getting to explore different kinds of characters, especially ones who have a little more going on beneath the surface. I love finding the little details that make someone feel like a real person, whether that’s through their mannerisms, the way they speak, or even the things they don’t say. I think my empathy plays a big part in that. I genuinely want to understand people, and I bring that same curiosity to the characters I play.

Working behind the camera has opened up a whole other creative outlet for me. I’ve helped with production design on short films and music videos, and I really enjoy the process of taking an idea and figuring out how to bring it to life. Whether that’s building a set, finding the perfect prop, or making something work with a tiny budget, I love getting to be hands-on and creative. Even when something feels completely outside my wheelhouse, I’m usually determined to figure it out.

I’m especially proud of my work on *Looking for Alaska* and *So Shot*, although for different reasons. *Looking for Alaska* will always hold a special place in my heart because of what that experience meant to me personally, and *So Shot* is a performance I’m really proud of. It challenged me creatively and gave me the opportunity to explore a character in a way that meant a lot to me.

I think what I bring to my work is a combination of empathy, curiosity, and determination. I care deeply about the people I work with and the stories we’re telling. I’m not afraid to ask questions, try something new, or admit when I don’t know something. I love being part of a creative team, and I think there’s always something to learn from the people around you.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is how much creativity there is everywhere you look. You’re surrounded by people from all different backgrounds who are pursuing something they’re passionate about, and I find that really inspiring. I also love how much there is to explore! Every neighborhood has its own personality, and even after living here for years, I still find myself discovering new little places. And the FOOD! There are so many amazing places to eat, and I feel like you can find just about anything you’re craving. The weather certainly doesn’t hurt either!

As for what I like least, I think the obvious answer is the traffic! Haha. But I also miss having that countryside feel. There’s a part of me that would love to have some land, a few chickens, horses, and a little farm life. That’s not exactly something you can find in the middle of LA! I love the excitement and opportunities this city has to offer, but there’s definitely a country girl in me who dreams of a little more space and a slower pace of life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @iammegwright
• Facebook: Meg Wright
• Other: IMDb – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3274753/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Cover photo – Catherine Farnsworth