Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosalie McIntire.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rosalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always remained quite private about my personal life, but over time I have learned that my difficult past does not define me, and I have overcome a lot. I was born in San Diego, California and in my elementary school days, my family fell on hard times. A large part of my youth was spent being homeless.
I was lucky enough to get an acting agent that represented me in both San Diego and Los Angeles, and I made the drive to LA several times a week for auditions. It was so funny to me to hear girls in the waiting room complain about traffic from Santa Monica to Burbank when I was happily making the drive from San Diego.
When I made the decision to move to Hollywood, it was a quick one. I went from living two blocks from the beach with my best friend as my roommate to an eight-story apartment on Hollywood Boulevard overlooking the Hollywood sign. It was surreal. And very lonely at times. I left everything I knew and loved in San Diego to follow my passion.
I’ve been so blessed to book commercials, television, and film gigs since moving here. Coincidentally enough, I just realized that movie I mentioned above where I worked as an extra ended up on Lifetime, and, ten years later I ended up starring in my own Lifetime Movie, He Knows Your Every Move! It sounds coincidental, but lot of work and personal development happened between that first gig and the latest, although I’ve had a pretty clear vision of where I wanted my life to end up since childhood.
Great, 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?
I used to get so envious of kids who came to Los Angeles from a performing art school, successful actors who started much younger than I did, or aspiring actors who had everything paid for. Because let’s be honest, acting is expensive. It only becomes less expensive when you’re consistently booking jobs, and even the most successful actors struggle with that part. It took me a while, but I was finally able to embrace my hardships when I was young and not feel envious of others. Everyone has their own struggles. I’ve dealt with homelessness, fires, thefts, and going hungry when I was young, but I feel that all those experiences have helped me be extremely grateful and patient–not to mention give me depth of character–which is really helpful to have as an actor!
Throughout my career I’ve definitely struggled with where I fit in both personally and professionally. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and I’ve had people in the business tell me not to share that part of myself openly because it could harm my chances of getting jobs. How messed up is that? Hide a huge part of yourself so you can please the majority?
When I was particularly confused and seeking direction, I met with a guy who, for a fee, would give career advice–everything from how long my hair should be to what I should and shouldn’t wear. He told me to cut my hair (I did) and to stop wearing hats (I stopped). I had to get new headshots taken, and when I see those photos today, it doesn’t even look like me. I was so unhappy trying to be someone I was not.
I grew out my hair and started to book more acting jobs (the irony). In fact, I recently arrived wearing a hat to a fitting for a job I can’t even talk about yet (how actor of me), and they loved my look so much, they wanted me to wear my hat on set! I’ve also had the pleasure to work with an amazing director, Lisa France, on two separate projects–and she is also a proud member of LGBTQIA+. It’s great to see more representation in the entertainment industry. I’m happy that there’s been a major shift in the right direction with the help of networks like ABC Family, Freeform, FX, and Lifetime to name a few–not to mention all the streaming services. We still have a long way to go with regards to all human rights, though.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Well, not only am I an actor, I also DJ! I go by LETTERKISSER (no DJ in front), which is also a play on words and a nod to my fun side (hint: say it slowly). I really love house music. It’s awesome when people come up to me after a set and tell me how much they enjoyed it. I am so excited to be asked back to DJ the Women Breaking Plates event in Los Angeles coming up on March 7th (link below)! Women get to write everything they’d like to let go of onto a plate and smash it against the wall. It’s really cathartic. There’s also Reiki, a sound bath, and countless other stations to visit during the four-hour event. It’s such an uplifting experience, and I love being able to set the tone for the evening with feel-good music. And not only am I an actor and DJ, but I’m also an artist. I sold my first painting back in seventh grade, and have been selling more of my art since living in LA. I’m still working on a website to showcase that part of my artistic side because I’m quite shy about it. It’s all private sales and word-of-mouth clients. It’s a different kind of art where I’m not creating in front of people like when I DJ or act.
I would have to say that as an actor, the most fun I’ve ever had at an audition was for a role where I played a heroin addict. Those types of roles don’t usually come my way, and I had a lot of fun doing research for it. I didn’t end up getting it, but getting a producer session was such a win in my book. It was both tragic and funny to get a text from my sister saying I looked like the actress who ended up booking it. But it’s important–especially in this field–to not get hung up on the jobs you didn’t get. Every opportunity is a chance to grow and growing creates opportunities. I’m also really proud of the short I was in, called SLLiP. In it, I play a mother and wife struggling to keep her family together when her husband becomes addicted to opiates. It’s available on YouTube–search for “Sllip” (possible trigger warning). You can also see several of the Lifetime movies I was in if you join the Lifetime Movie Club. For less than a cup of coffee I can be in your living room every day! There are a few other projects in the works, but more on that another time!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
This is really funny because I used to love going to my friend’s houses to play–but instead of really playing I’d end up organizing their toys and Barbies for hours. Not only did I organize their entire bedroom, but I’d create backstories for the Barbies complete with character breakdowns on a sheet of paper. By the time I felt like the set-up was just right to start playing, their mom would say it was time for me to go home. My friends were always so bummed because we never got to play, but I was just stoked to leave their rooms so organized (I’m sure their parents were, too)! I’m also very fond of the bond I have with all of my siblings, ever since we were kids. We had each others’ backs, and continue to look out for one another as adults (I love seeing that all my nieces and nephews have that, too).
Contact Info:
- Website: rosaliemcintire.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rosalie.mcintire & @letterkisser
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosalieMcIntire/ & https://www.facebook.com/letterkisser/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosalieMcIntire
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/
letterkisser & For Women Breaking Plates: https://www.facebook. com/events/220574485776846/ for those without Facebook: https://wbp. planningpod.com/?fbclid= IwAR39CqgW_ZRRD_X_- Wwl0qsIl2NJPwb8vKPLWqyqBYhkUYJ bYw73HU2ub1A
Image Credit:
Paul Smith Photography, Sean Crampton, Johnny Otto, Lifetime Movie Network
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