Larissa Dali on Acting, Modeling, Writing, Filmmaking, Tyler Perry Studios’ “Ole Gray Mare” & Creating Her Series “Linda”

On this episode we have an incredible guest! We have the multi-talented: Larissa Dali! Larissa, is a multi-talented: actress, producer, model, writer & filmmaker! Larissa, has carved her path through resilience and creativity, with impressive credits spanning: 

-        Tyler Perry Studios’ Ole Gray Mare 

-        The Cleaning Lady 

-        Deadly Escape 

-        A Gettysburg Christmas 

-        Becky 

-        The Omicron Killer! 

Larissa’s fantastic range extends, from grounded drama to comedy, always guided by compassion and storytelling truth, and Larissa now steps into an exciting new chapter as the creator, director and star of the upcoming sensational limited television series: “Linda”! 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Hi everyone, thanks to this episode of Nican Times. In this episode, we have an incredible guest. We have the multi-talented Larissa Darley. Larissa is a multi-talented actress, producer, model, writer, and filmmaker. Larissa has carved her path through resilience and creativity with impressive credits spanning Tyler Perry Studios Old Grey Mare, The Cleaning Lady, Deadly Escape, The Gettysburg Christmas, Becky, and the Omicron Killer. Larissa's fantastic reins extends from grounded drama to comedy, always guided by compassion and storytelling truth. And Larissa now steps into an exciting new chapter as the creator, director, and star of the upcoming Sensational Limited television series. Linda. Welcome to the Multitalented Larissa and thanks for coming on the podcast.

SPEAKER_00 0:49

Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for that introduction.

SPEAKER_01 0:52

You're welcome. Alright, let's jump straight into it. Take us back. You were born in Manhattan and then you grew to Tex grew and then obviously went to Texas with your mother. Tell me about everything relating to that growing up and your family.

SPEAKER_00 1:08

So yeah, moving surprisingly enough, I remember I have a lot of memories of Manhattan and moving to Texas. It was kind of an adjustment, even being so young. But growing up here in the South, I feel like it's given me a great um, I've become a great balance between the the New England and the Southern, Southern hospitality with that like New York drive and ambition. So um I think it really shaped me well. And um I'm I'm happy it happened. So uh with that being said, having ties still and family up in New York and my dad being an artist, that fueled me to pursue the arts, and it's something that I've always, always wanted to do since I was this big. Um, it's something I've always loved and felt called to.

SPEAKER_01 2:02

Yeah, amazing. All right. Tell me about your limited TV series, um, Linda, and everything behind that and inspiration.

SPEAKER_00 2:12

Oh, Linda, yes. So initially it was supposed to be a short film, but in the process of writing it, I kind of just couldn't stop. And I'm actually flushing out even more because of now it being a limited series. So when we filmed it, all said and done, everyone was saying, okay, we're gonna have footage. It's probably gonna be like 40 minutes of footage, 30 to 40 minutes. And I said, Well, then let's do a pilot, let's pitch it as a pilot, and I want to do a limited series. And so now it's stuck in my head that that's what Linda is supposed to be is uh a limited series, but I won't get too stuck on it. I just really would love to see that come to fruition. So we have the pilot, it's in the process of being edited, and um the actual trailer should be out soon. We're gonna shoot the poster this weekend, I think, actually, too.

SPEAKER_01 3:03

Sensational.

SPEAKER_00 3:05

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

All right, looking back at your creator, you've done quite a substantial amount of work now. Um, what's been a pinch me moment that stands out for you so far?

SPEAKER_00 3:18

This year specifically has been pretty monumentous as far as I made my network debut on the cleaning lady. I got to work um with Courtney Glaude and Tyler Perry Studios with Old Gray Mare, that's doing phenomenal in the festival circuit. And because of that, I'm um I got another role working with Courtney next month in a feature film. And then we also did Becky 2 this year. So the continuation of the Becky Saga Lives On, and plus a bunch of other roles sprinkled throughout there, such as Crazy Clowny, um, you know, Deadly Escape premiered. We did the ties this year, trouble. I I can keep going. But my my point is there was some big um markers, if you will, career markers, that I think is just a testament to see what next year has to offer. And I'm very, very excited. So I I don't know if I'm able to pinpoint, but I feel like this year specifically for me has just been a gigantic step forward.

SPEAKER_01 4:22

Impressive. And yeah, you can see you're getting the momentum, and now you're really building. Yes, it's your winning season.

SPEAKER_00 4:29

Yes, we're in a it's a marathon, not a sprint. It's a marathon.

SPEAKER_01 4:34

It really is. It really is. It is what what has been the hardest lessons you've had to learn in your career so far, too?

SPEAKER_00 4:42

Oh gosh, that first of all, like life is short and that uh everything has its season. So um, as far as career goes, that's when I think I this year, even though I'm picking up steam and everything's going really well, I want to make my mark on this industry as not just an actress but a writer, creator. I I really love the storytelling aspect, whatever medium that may look like. So, really kind of putting my my stamp and my flag and saying, okay, I'm here. How can I prolong my career and how can I do what I do best and utilize my platform to inspire others? So, in order to do that, I have to live my truth and really just go for it. But that's been the biggest kind of understanding of this industry and that it ebbs and flows. So, how can I make it consistent?

SPEAKER_01 5:40

Tremendous. And how do you keep grounded?

SPEAKER_00 5:45

Uh, touching grass, actually grounding. Uh no, that's one of the things that's such a great, it's such a great question because as we speak, I'm going through that. I just landed back from New York City from filming last night at about 11 p.m. and had a wake up and had all these meetings today and an audition. And so in between, it's like taking little breaks for myself, making sure I'm staying hydrated, um, deep breaths, just checking out for a second and making sure I'm not running myself rampid. So I have a lot of what I call tools in my tool belt and a lot of modalities that I can reach into my like sack of tricks and be like, okay, let's take three deep breaths. Let's go take a quick walk. Uh, I have a beautiful view of the lake right now, actually. So it's very serene and very calming. So things like that help me stay grounded and keep my peace.

SPEAKER_01 6:39

Thanks for sharing. That's great. And what's the best compliment you've ever received?

SPEAKER_00 6:44

Oh my gosh. Oh, I don't even know. That's so tough. I've never been stumped. What is the best? Um man, I I don't even know. I feel like, okay, what's coming up one of the best compliments, I think had to be this year. And I don't remember exactly what was said, but what around what was said was that my performance in Old Gray Mare, I was complimented by a woman, and she said that it was so transcendent and so moving that she had to take, like, step out and gather herself, and she just thanked me for doing what I do. And that was such a huge revelation to me. Like, okay, you know those moments in life where you're reminded that you're on the right path. That was one of those for me. Where it's if even if you are second guessing yourself in this moment, there's these reminders, and that was one of the universe's like huge reminders. It's like you're doing what you're supposed to be doing. So I feel like that's what came up because that's a very hard question. I'll have to, if anything comes up, I'm gonna be emailing you and be like, no, it's this. Um that's what came to me. That's what needed to be told.

SPEAKER_01 8:12

Yeah, please, yeah, please email me. And then that's that is that is an aha moment. Like, you know what I mean? Like those moments that the universe sends you the signals, and you're like, Yeah, that's it, that's happened. Exactly. I get it. What um what's the best um piece of advice you've ever received?

SPEAKER_00 8:30

Oh, the best piece of advice I've ever received is don't it's remember who you are. And I I think the best piece of advice I'd ever received is that I I and I I say this a lot is stay true to who you are, trust yourself, and lead with an open heart. So I say that a lot, and I don't know if it's because I've received that or if I received that in pieces and kind of put it into now what I like to call like my mission statement. Um, but that that would probably be the best pieces of advice that are now I have chunked into one.

SPEAKER_01 9:10

Yeah, they're ingrained into you.

SPEAKER_00 9:12

Yeah, they are they course through my veins and I vibrate them out, yes.

SPEAKER_01 9:19

Um, and I guess someone similar to Larissa, and obviously the unfortunate stuff with your mother passing away. Um what would be a piece of advice to a young Larissa that um aspires to be someone like you or on the same trajectory and path that you're on?

SPEAKER_00 9:35

Ooh gosh. That even in the hardest moments, there's um there's purpose, there's beauty, that um you can turn the worst day of your life into a learning experience, that everything can be a blessing in some way if you look at it that way. So having that mindset of you get to choose how your attitude and how you feel and what you make of it. You don't get to choose what happens, but you get to choose how you deal with it and what comes of it.

SPEAKER_01 10:11

Yeah, that's great advice. Thank you. And what would you like your legacy to be?

SPEAKER_00 10:18

Oh gosh. I want to be the bridge through storytelling of raising consciousness and vibration. I think that especially now more than ever, we need to have more compassion and understanding for one another. We need to unite and remember what it's means to be human and what the word human and humanity means. So for me, if that means doing things like this and um using my platform for good and sharing love and compassion, whatever that looks like, I want my legacy to be that my stamp, my mark in this world, I helped leave it just a little bit better. Even if it's it's one, two, three people or three, four, five, six million people. It's I want to make sure that what I do is is for the betterment of all of us and that we can connect on that level and rise together, inspire together. So, me living my truth and doing that, I think is the secret, is the key.

SPEAKER_01 11:28

That's incredible. Thank you. That really is, it's really inspiring. Thank you. What actually inspires you daily and motivates you? Yeah, what pushes you every day?

SPEAKER_00 11:41

Well, pushes me every day. Man, that my why, the the what I just kind of told you, it's it really truly means a lot to me to be able to um keep doing what I do and lead through authenticity to inspire someone else to do the same. And no matter what you've been through, no matter what hardship, to be able to be there for one another and inspire someone to grow and to change, it's to carry that why and have that passion and purpose. That's that's what drives me every day. And I really think that um going back to what we were talking about with turning something that could be devastating into a positive, is that I the loss of my mother, I feel, really fueled me to be that person for my little brother and sister, for um, if she was still here, I'd you know, I'd want to make her proud. For for my father that I didn't really get to know, but understood through his artistry brain and kind of free spirit, like being able to connect on that, those are the things that fuel me and wanting to leave that behind. And again, going back to legacy, that that's the my why, my my purpose, my passion doing this really truly fuels me every day.

SPEAKER_01 12:58

Every day, marvelous. And what role you've done a few has been the most meaningful one.

SPEAKER_00 13:05

Oh gosh. It's um it's a tie between Robin and Old Gray Mare, um, because of the kind of the feedback I was telling you, and then Linda um because of her complexities and being able to relate to her and knowing her in a sense, because I created her out of uh pieces of of true and events in my life and others' lives.

SPEAKER_01 13:32

So those are the two. Those are the two. What are something fans wouldn't know about you?

SPEAKER_00 13:42

What are something fans wouldn't know about me? I love these little fun facts. I trained Muay Thai for two years and um actually went to Jordan. It was uh a year really close after my mom died, not even a year after my mom died. I went to the Middle East, and that was the first time I was overseas, and I went for a wedding, and it was really, really cool. But it was with my crew at the time who I trained with. But that's a thing a lot of people don't know about me. I never competed, but I did train for it was like two, two and a half years.

SPEAKER_01 14:18

It's tremendous. Um it sounds like you've done some traveling. Where's your favorite place you traveled to?

SPEAKER_00 14:25

Oh my gosh, Bali, Indonesia. Wow, I love Bali so much. I think I've convinced a a handful of people to make their next trip there because of the way I talk about it. I love it. It's close to your neck of the woods, actually.

SPEAKER_01 14:41

Exactly. Yeah, definitely. Yeah, it's just a five-hour flight. Yeah, yes.

SPEAKER_00 14:45

Lucky you, it's 27 for me.

SPEAKER_01 14:49

Next time you're gonna have to stop by in um Sydney and then come to LA.

SPEAKER_00 14:53

I will. I would I would love that. I actually was looking into flights last time I was there to to see kind of play with oh, how far is Singapore, how far is Australia? Was like four hours. It was so cool. So it's on my list for sure. To go down under.

SPEAKER_01 15:14

If you weren't in entertainment and doing all those things, what would you be doing?

SPEAKER_00 15:20

I definitely would be in like the healing arts, whether that would be a counselor, a therapist of some kind, or um I've studied a lot of different modalities. So some somewhere in the healing arts or in medicine somewhere. I don't think like a traditional doctor, that's like not not my jam, but somewhere around like health and wellness for sure.

SPEAKER_01 15:47

For sure. And what's a movie that you never get tired of watching?

SPEAKER_00 15:54

Oh my god, it's so so so silly. Uh 21 or 22 Jump Street. Oh, I love I love those movies. They're just so like lighthearted and fun, and the dichotomy between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, it's like it, it's I don't know, it just really makes me laugh. That or um Crazy Stupid Love is another one. I love all the actors in there, and uh the it's heartfelt, it's funny, it's dramatic, it's got all the things.

SPEAKER_01 16:27

So terrific. And what I like that question. Thanks. Um, well, who inspired you when you were younger, like in I guess the entertainment industry that you looked up to? And even better, who even inspires you now that you see?

SPEAKER_00 16:43

When I was younger, um I get this question a lot, and I I the same answers come up, but because it was so impactful on me. I watched a lot of sketch comedy. So I watched um like these sketch comedy shows, all that. Um, the Amanda Bynes show, mad TV, Saturday Night Live. So all the people that kind of went in and out of there. And I was truly inspired by the fact that they were off the cuff and could improv and the physical aspects of like Jim Carrey. A Jim Carrey is a great example, a Robin Williams is a great example. Um just the comedic aspects, but then learning that dark side that they they a lot of them carry to where they have they make light out of life because of the the depth of which they feel. And I think that's so relatable, at least personally. So those are like a uh to name a few that I like grew up with and I just I could I couldn't get enough of. Um Adam Sandler too. I don't I love this, I love the stupid comedies. I don't know why. I do.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Um they're hilarious.

SPEAKER_00 17:59

And then they're hella, it's just fun.

SPEAKER_01 18:02

It's just fun.

SPEAKER_00 18:03

You can just like chill out and laugh at something. You don't have to take life so serious all the time. It's just a really good reminder to be playful. Um who inspires me now are people like um I love like the the triple quadruple threats, like people that are doing multiple things in the industry, like um Reese Witherspoon, Ariana Grande, uh Issa Ray, um who else? I just I was on a roll and I just threw a blank. Um Donald Glover, who is a comedian, an actor, a rapper? Like I think that's so cool to be able to branch out and really utilize the arts today more than ever. I feel like the opportunities are out there to be able to do a lot of crossovers, and I think that's super, super inspiring.

SPEAKER_01 18:58

That's an amazing answer. Very sensitive. Um, how would you describe your personality in one word?

SPEAKER_00 19:11

Goofy, weird, no, eclectic. Eclectic. That's what I'm going with. That's what I said. Eclectic. Cheers.

SPEAKER_01 19:23

And what's the funnest scene you've ever done in your entire life?

SPEAKER_00 19:27

The funnest scene I've ever done?

SPEAKER_01 19:29

No, the funnest thing, like whatever you've ever done. Like traveling could be anything. What's the funnest?

SPEAKER_00 19:35

Oh, the funnest thing I've ever done in my life. Sorry, you broke up a bit. Okay, um, what's the funnest thing I've ever done in my whole life? These are tough, these are toughies. These are toughies. I have crazy things. Okay, what's the funnest thing I've ever done? So I'm kind of like um, I'm like an adrenaline junkie. So things that are fun to me or something that kind of mildly scares me, right? If I'm like slightly scared for my life, it's fun. Or if I'm learning something that's very, very interesting, it's super fun for me. So it involved traveling, and I think um one of them has to be Bollies up there. But then I went ziplining in Tulum, and that was horrifying because I'm I'm scared to death. I just got I just started sweating. I'm scared to death of heights. And when you get up on the zip line, like there's no other way down because you're walking up these stairs in Mexico, like there's no other way down. You're if you're committing, you're committing. Uh, I don't know how they deal with emergencies, but you get on the zipline and they hook you up. But before they hook you up, you there is only you look down, you're like, oh my god, that could be that could be it. So that's up there. And then um water rafting in Bali, you again, you you have to take about five million stairs down, and you get in this raft and you stop. They have these little islands where you stop and you grab a beer with the local. It's so much fun. And by the time you're back, you're like half cocked drunk and you have to walk up five million stairs. So it's kind of like there's a bit of torture in my funnest moments, but that's because it makes it a story where it's very memorable. But yeah, that's a that's a tough, that is a tough question. I've had a lot of fun. How about I've had a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_01 21:32

You've had a lot of fun, it sounds like it. You're living your best life.

SPEAKER_00 21:36

I am. I'm trying. I'm trying to.

SPEAKER_01 21:40

You are fabulous. Uh um what what's been your biggest um accomplishment? When you look back, out of everything you've done, what's the one achievement that really that you've done that you've had?

SPEAKER_00 21:57

Right now, I feel I really do feel like it's it's Linda. I I've had I've I've been a writer for a very, very long time, whether that be poetry, I'm writing a book, I all the things, right? But to have that nudge from Ian Haywood, my partner in Linda, to finish this, to put something together from to from start to finish, and then film it, and then have people come in and believe in it and help and support, I feel extremely not only accomplished, but grateful that this vision is now come to life. And I say that because it's it's one of those things that I can have a million ideas. I do, I have a million creative ideas, and I love that about me. But the follow-through, having that encouragement, that support to put the pieces together and then watch it come to life. I it's amazing. I feel like it's my child. So it it's right now I'd have to say that. And I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes and how audiences respond and and and then writing again. I really, really it's just so so cool.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

Mind blowing. Have you do you have any mentals or have you had any mentors?

SPEAKER_00 23:27

Uh yes. So uh Lakeisha Lemons, who who I am lucky to call a friend, she wrote and directed Deadly Escape. Um, also directed The Ties, which I'm in, and we've worked together a few times, and she was on set with us and is very much there for me when I need or have questions in the industry. And uh I'm very grateful again, building this support team, but she is definitely one of them. And then um, who else would be like a mentor to me in this industry? I mean, I have a lot, again, I have like a lot of great support, but um I feel like Ian would be one as well. Like he really helped flush out the story of Linda, and we're very side by side as far as like partners go and creative work, but yeah, Lakeisha might be at the top right now, she might be winning. I hope she hears this right.

SPEAKER_01 24:29

And what's the biggest risk you've ever taken in your life?

SPEAKER_00 24:37

Jeez. The biggest risk I've ever taken in my life. Oh, that's a good question. I'm trying to think of like a a happy happy risk, because I have some scary, not good story risks that I'm like, I don't want to go there. Um I don't know, would it be silly to say my career path? Because it is, it's it's one of those things that you don't know where it's gonna take you. There is no stability, quote unquote, in this industry. It's you can work super hard and nothing is guaranteed. So uh I'm gonna go with that for now, unless I find a a better, a better answer for you. Man, I'm gonna be writing you. I'm be like, oh, it's a compliment. Oh, I just thought of this. That's what happens. That's what that's what's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_01 25:40

Let's update this. Let's update this.

SPEAKER_00 25:41

Yes, and we'll have to update. We'll do a part two. Better, bigger, better, bolder.

SPEAKER_01 25:47

For sure. What's one dream you still haven't chased yet?

SPEAKER_00 25:51

Oh, what's one dream I still haven't chased yet? Um, this is gonna sound silly, but because it's a dream I have, but it's not I haven't put much effort or passion behind it, but I want to learn how to sail. I would love to learn how to sail and be able to like sail somewhere significant where I went from like a pirate. I might have been a pirate in my past life, who knows? Because I'm like, oh, I think that'd be so cool. And people are just kind of look at me sideways, like, why? I don't know. The open water is terrifying, and facing your fears is I don't know, it's a part of life to me. So I I'm gonna I'm gonna stick final answer.

SPEAKER_01 26:51

If you could spend the day in someone else's shoes, and it could be anyone on the planet, who would it be?

SPEAKER_00 27:01

Ooh. Wow. Anyone on the planet, who would it be? I get one day and someone else's shoes. Okay. Beyonce. I want to know what it's like to be queen.

SPEAKER_01 27:30

Nice, nice. What are your what are your hobbies and passions you like to do away from the entertainment industry? Like when you go downtime.

SPEAKER_00 27:41

Right. I love uh I take dance classes, uh, I do boxing. Um, I I think I already mentioned this, but I write poetry, I paint, I study something called human design, which I'm really, really into. Uh I'm in a plant medicine community. I love to read. I love fashion. Um, I love games. I'm obsessed with board games. I just was on a set in New York, and every night we at the Airbnb we um we played games and it was one of my favorite parts. I was like, it's game time! I am a freak about games. Um yeah, to name a few. I'm a multi-passionate individual, for sure. Uh, podcasts, I already said reading, but uh, anyways, I'm listening to some good books right now.

SPEAKER_01 28:34

Sounds like you're a jack of all trades.

SPEAKER_00 28:37

I, you know, a jack of all trades, trying to be a master of this one, so working. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 28:46

And what does success look like for you in one word?

SPEAKER_00 28:57

What does success look like for me in one word? I feel like it's a feeling. And success feels like security, but there's another word for it. I'm trying to get there. It feels like it won't come out. I'm ability knowing truth and knowing success is authenticity. That's what it is, authenticity.

SPEAKER_01 29:50

I love that, that's amazing.

SPEAKER_00 29:52

It took me a minute to try to spin around, but we got there.

SPEAKER_01 29:58

Yeah, killed it. If you were 18 again and you could change anything, it could be personally or professionally, what would you change?

SPEAKER_00 30:08

If I could change what what was the the first part of the question?

SPEAKER_01 30:12

If you were 18 again and you could change anything, it could be personally or professionally, what would you change?

SPEAKER_00 30:19

If I was 18 again and I could change anything personally or professionally, I would go back and change have um going down a few paths that led me astray, trusting the wrong people. So I'd go back and I would I wouldn't take people at face value. I would trust my gut and be like, eh, maybe not. I would go back and tell myself, hey, don't do that. Don't trust this person, trust this person, or do this instead. Because yeah, not everyone's out for your best interest. And that was a lesson I had to learn.

SPEAKER_01 30:56

Yeah, for sure. There's some bad people out there.

SPEAKER_00 31:01

Yeah, there unfortunately there are, yes.

SPEAKER_01 31:05

Marissa, thank you for coming on the podcast. I do appreciate it. It's incredible everything you've done. I've really thoroughly enjoyed interviewing, and I wish you nothing but the best in the future.

SPEAKER_00 31:16

Thank you so much. Thank you for having me. And I love your your your uh hat of questions, your bowl, your cauldron, whatever you want to call it, because those are fun. I've never gotten some of those, and I really, really enjoyed that.

SPEAKER_01 31:30

Amazing. Thank you.