It is a slow, breezy Saturday afternoon as I walk into Simply Coffee, a quaint little coffee shop nestled in the heart of Magnolia Park in Burbank. Jamie Bernadette is already sitting down at a small, tree-stump-like table and greets me with a warm smile as I walk through the door. She exudes an irrefutable radiance and I immediately know that she is the actress in the room. As we grab our drinks and head outside to the patio, we pass by a couple of bouncy little dogs and their owners. It is the quintessential southern California scenery, which is a bit ironic seeing that I am about to interview an actress primarily known for being a “scream queen.”
When I ask her opinion about being labeled a scream queen, she laughingly responds, “I don’t mind being called that because I love horror!” Ms. Bernadette hails all the way from the small town of Kankakee, Illinois: population 27,000. Upon graduating high school, she took all of four days to come to the conclusion that she was ready to pursue her childhood dream of becoming an actress and move to Los Angeles. With only $600 to her name, Jamie packed up her things and headed west. |
Along with being an overall fan of the genre, Bernadette believes that horror deserves far more credit than it generally receives. She resents the notion that horror is somehow a “lesser” genre. I can feel her enthusiasm as she opens up in saying: “People always ask me when I’m going to get out horror as if it’s something bad to be doing, and I totally don't understand that. I love the genre. It’s the toughest acting that I’ve ever done." Bernadette’s passion for the genre is contagious. I find myself beginning to rethink my own perspective mid-conversation. Continuing on with a potent tone, Bernadette indicates, "You have to be in constant terror and grief, and it’s extremely physical. I don’t understand why it’s not more appreciated.” |
As we wrap up our lovely Saturday afternoon coffee, a little girl glances over at our table, grinning from ear to ear. I am reminded that, much like Jamie, this little girl will carry a dream of her own someday. In response, I ask that Jamie give advice to other young female actresses looking to acquire her level of success. “Do everything you can get your hands on. Don’t be too picky at first. Get experience before you get choosy,” shares Bernadette. “But most importantly, be the cause and don’t let others affect your outcome. You make your own future.” |
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