As the Hollywood actors’ strike reached 100 days on October 21st, Greek-born, London-based actress Renel took the initiative to explore various talents, including belly dancing, horseback riding and singing. With degrees in Egyptology and Classical Civilization, her academic background matches her multifaceted abilities.
The strike has paralyzed Hollywood, postponed events, and created uncertainty for industry professionals due to wage disparities and digital platform concerns. Renel’s hope is that her proactive approach to hone skills and expand her portfolio, will set her apart in an evolving industry.
In my first-ever interview with this dynamo, I was able to pull a lot of personal details out of the otherwise reclusive actress. Like all actors around the world, she’s eager to put her range of skills back to what loves the most.
Sarah Ratliff (SR): How are you spending your time during the actors’ strike?
RK: I’m planning to see how the situation progresses. Right now, I’m dealing with a water issue in my apartment building. Once it’s resolved, I’ll leave Greece and head back to London. I’m also actively searching for an agent, and I’m open to working with one from various locations, including the US, UK, Canada or Australia. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for my acting career.
SR: So, it sounds like you’re ready and eager to get back to work. Now I’d like you to put yourself back in the frame of mind when you were a little girl and tell me about your aspirations and what drove you to want to be an actor.
Renel Kiriakos (RK): I used to, because I grew up in an environment that loved all things artistic, not only in Greece but in the UK as well. And the entire world of Hollywood and such, you know? I have the experience because here in Greece, the industry isn’t very big, so we mostly watch Greek TV, Hollywood, and also soap operas from Latin America and other countries. I remember my grandma loved shows like “Mariela del Barrio,” and those were huge hits here in Greece. We watched a lot of Bollywood and Latin American soap operas, especially when there weren’t as many Hollywood shows on TV. And now, of course, we have Hollywood’s big blockbuster movies. They didn’t know me, of course, but we had Greek series as well, although they were smaller. We had good actors, but Greek cinema’s golden era was back in the ’50s and ’60s. After that, it wasn’t as good. I used to watch a lot of British shows too, like “Mr. Bean,” Mind Your Language, and other stuff. I also had a thing for “Charmed.” I grew up in many cities in Greece, but I also had the chance to go to the UK and see things like the Royal Opera House, theatrical plays, and big Hollywood movies like Spider-Man, Twilight and Harry Potter. I was a big fan of Harry Potter. So, seeing all of this inspired me. I got to experience the whole environment and see how things worked behind the scenes, the communication with other people, the change of feelings and personalities. You have to adapt, and it was amazing for me.
SR: Wow, that’s amazing. And tell me, from a very young age, were your parents and grandparents supportive of you becoming an actor?
RK: Yes, my parents were supportive, even though they are not together. In our environment, they were supportive of artistic endeavors, and they appreciated good theater and artists. My father’s side was more inclined toward cultural and spirituality aspects rather than Hollywood and movies. They appreciated things like the Royal Opera. But I loved both aspects, so it was a good blend to experience both worlds. As for my grandparents, I used to live with them in the same house for many years. They were supportive but also a bit worried. People tend to be a bit apprehensive about this career, but they did their best to support me.
SR: They’re your parents and your grandparents, of course, they’re going to be worried about you. And, you know, we hear a lot of not such great things about Hollywood, so it’s natural to worry, but I’m sure they want you to be successful. And so they want you to pursue your dreams, but then, of course, as parents and grandparents, their job is to worry. Okay, and what kind of schooling did you have? Because I think I just read one of your articles that was published over the summer, but tell me about your schooling as far as acting goes.
RK: No, I didn’t go to acting school.
SR: How did you overcome that challenge? Do you have an acting coach?
RK: I used to have an acting coach, Claire Davidson, who is famous for her work in voice acting and presentation. Unfortunately, she’s not working with me anymore. With Claire, we did both stage and screen acting. In Pinewood Studios, I focused more on screen acting.
SR: What’s your ideal role as an actor?
RK: I don’t have a single ideal role; I’m open to a variety of genres. I’d love to be in an action movie like Rambo, a drama, horror, or even a comedy. I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different roles in my training.
SR: Okay, and when you look at who’s acting today or in the past, who do you feel like you have a similar look to, similar acting style? How would you compare yourself to actors of today and from the past?
RK: From my age, I would compare myself mostly to Celine Gomez and Ariana Grande. I don’t see many from my age. From the past, someone who played in Charmed, like Piper, Holly Marie Combs. I also like Thalia from Mexico, a singer and actress. And for those around my age, there’s also Sophia Carson.
SR: Thanks for sharing those names. Now, thinking big, if you could choose to be cast alongside anyone in the industry, who would be the ideal person to work with? Who are your favorite male actors?
RK: I admire Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt. I remember seeing Johnny Depp while I was at Pinewood Studios. I used to sit in a particular spot, and it turns out he used to sit there too.
SR: That’s a great story. Do you still like his work as an actor today?
RK: Absolutely, I still appreciate his work. He’s a talented actor.
SR: And when it comes to acting in American or British films, do you find it easy to adapt to different accents?
RK: I’m comfortable with American accents and have practiced them. I’ll work on fine-tuning my accent and adapting to American roles as needed.
SR: That’s great to hear. You have a versatile and logical approach to acting. Are you comfortable sharing what your parents do for a living?
RK: Sure, my mother is a partner in an athletic company that focuses on media and communication for sports events worldwide, including the Olympics. My dad is an aircraft engineer, primarily working on aircraft maintenance in Greece and occasionally traveling to different airlines worldwide.
SR: How do you handle the pressure to maintain a slender figure, which is a challenge for most celebrities?
RK: The pressure can be challenging, but I focus on staying healthy. I incorporate exercise, such as going to the gym a few times a week and taking regular walks. My diet is balanced, avoiding excessive sweets, sugar, or any specific food in excess.
SR: Do you have a preference for Greek food or food from other countries?
RK: I love trying cuisines from different cultures. Since I’ve spent time in the UK, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various cuisines. I enjoy a variety of tastes and don’t limit myself to just one type of food.
SR: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Is there anything you’d like fans to know about you that I haven’t asked?
RK: I can’t think of anything. I very much appreciate your time as well.
Renel Kiriakos, the London-based actress with a passion for the arts, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her craft. In a time when the entertainment industry has faced uncertainty and adversity, Renel’s resilience and versatility shine as beacons of inspiration. She has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger and more prepared than ever before.
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Sarah Ratliff is a freelance writer living on an eco-organic farm in Puerto Rico.
