Post by Marc LeVine on Jan 11, 2007 19:37:54 GMT -5
Freehold native aims to
take hat world by storm
Fashionable headgear
from iLids now
sported by celebrities
By Clare Marie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — How does a kid from Freehold end up creating spectacular, made-to-order hats that are now topping the heads of celebrities like Madonna, Pamela Anderson and musician Tommy Lee?
Freehold native Kristen Winnicki, 28, who now lives in Los Angeles, isn’t quite sure herself. All she knows is that the Internet-based business, iLids, that she and her friend and partner, Lisa Wilson, started a year ago is keeping both women pretty busy as they wait in line for acting auditions, return calls and all that other "stuff" actors have to deal with.
The two aspiring actresses have found a way to earn a living while they wait to "make it" in the entertainment industry.
According to Winnicki, who graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1992, she attended the University of California at Santa Barbara as a pre-med student. Graduating with a degree in bio-psychology, somewhere along the line Winnicki switched gears. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the field of entertainment. It was there she met Wilson.
Winnicki took a job at a talent agency in between acting jobs which included a role on the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hang-time. Most recently, the young actress landed a recurring role on the UPN television series Shasta McNasty, although the show has since been canceled.
Her partner, Wilson, 26, a native of Michigan, was busy working at an advertising agency. The two women decided that working together, they could start a business, get the credit themselves and "call the shots" while waiting for their turn at the big time.
The idea of creating hats came into play when Wilson took a job at a trade show. She was wearing one of the company’s hats that she was representing. Winnicki said the rhinestone trend was just under way.
"People just loved the hat," Winnicki said. "We thought if we could make hats that were better, cuter, prettier and even customize them, we might really have something."
They did just that.
Winnicki said she and Wilson started the business on a very low budget, with no storefront and only Internet clientele. They set up a Web site and bingo, they were in business.
"We pooled the resources that we had derived from all our past jobs and we learned whatever we needed to learn, then asked a lot of questions," Winnicki explained.
The Internet, although providing business, was "too slow" for the women, so they opened up a one-room showroom-office. The bulk of their business now comes from doing it the old-fashioned way — trial-and-error marketing. The women pound the pavement, selling their wares from boutique to boutique, and to date they have lined up more than 30 boutiques willing to sell their head toppers.
The head gear comes in any number of shapes and designs, any of which can be customized and tailored to be one of a kind. Winnicki said that shoppers can choose from more than 100 styles of hats to suit their own personalities. Customers are able to choose a hat style and then decide whether to dress it up with studs, rhinestones, buttons, feathers or embroidery.
The Los Angeles-based company has been dubbed "the hottest spot on the bod." Children’s designs start at about $20 with "bucket"-style hats beginning at around $40. The most expensive hats in suede or leather run about $110.
The partners have gained notoriety by taking a leap of faith and approaching celebrities at clubs and outings in Los Angeles. In fact, according to Winnicki, Madonna owns a crocheted head rag covered with Swarovski crystals, and Pamela Anderson wears a wide-brim straw Pretty Woman hat with crystals and feathers. The women are also working with Carmen Electra in designing an iLids especially for her. Some other celebrities wearing iLids headgear are Lisa Hartman-Black, Patricia Arquette as well as band members from Counting Crows and Incubus.
iLids also designs a "stash it" pouch, which attaches to the inside of the hats to hold valuables. Winnicki said this makes it unnecessary to even carry a purse. Everything you need is right under your hat.
Winnicki is enjoying both the creative process of making the hats as well as the lifestyle it allows her to live.
"I knew I had a talent for being creative and for running a business," Winnicki said. "I knew I wanted to contribute to society, enjoy myself and earn a living at the same time. iLids has given me an outlet for all of those avenues and still allows me the freedom to work as an actress. I enjoy making people look good and feel great."
Looking good and feeling good about yourself are two things the women take very seriously. When Winnicki said she wanted to "give back to the community," she meant it. For every 20 hats sold, iLids donates one hat to the American Cancer Society. So far, their company has donated more than 50 hats as part of the society’s program called Look Good, Feel Better.
"The program teaches women who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment how to use makeup and hats and bandannas to help them look good and feel better about themselves," Winnicki explained.
The pair has also developed a line of hats and bandannas called American Pride. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the young women donate 10 percent of the line’s sale proceeds to the American Red Cross.
Winnicki said she would love to see iLids make an appearance on the East Coast, and she’s working on that idea. When she comes home, she takes certain items with her and doesn’t have any trouble selling them, but she’d really like to be able to have people see the whole line in person.
More information on the business is available at the Internet Web site www.HOTiLids.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-93iLids.
Ready for the BIG TIME: An Interview with Kristen Dunst…err, I mean Winnicki
by Matt Harrington, Sourcerunner.com
Monday, September 3, 2001
Ah, yes. Trying to make it in Hollywood. Personally, I'd rather be fed to a pack of rabid wolves than having to tread in these waters. Nine times out of ten that ambitious kid from Anytown, USA comes to Hollywood to "make it big" and is either stuck being a waiter/waitress full-time or back home in a matter of months. However, there are a few brave souls out there who are willing to give it a try, and Kristen Winnicki is one of them.
Born in Freehold, NJ, which is assume is next to Nowhereville, Winnicki was a pretty typical woman who had a desire to give it a go in Hollywood. She comes from a typical family; however, you'd think she's adopted as Kristen claims "people joke I am the mailman's child since I am the only blonde-haired, blue- eyed member of the family."
Although she holds a bachelor's degree in biopsychology, Winnicki decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in acting. To date, she has been a guest star on such shows as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the now cancelled UPN comedy "Shasta McNasty".
In addition to taking on Hollywood, Winnicki moonlights as the owner of HOTiLids.com, an online hat boutique. With a specialty in custom designed hats, this site is the place to go if you want a snakeskin cowboy hat with the words "BIG DADDY" in rhinestones on the back.
I got a chance to sit down with this New Jersey native to find out what life is like for someone trying to get that big break.
SR: To start off, what is Kristen Winnicki up to at the moment?
Winnicki: It's 9:32 am and I just pulled myself out of bed. It's the first time in months that my neighbor's kids haven't acting as my 8 am alarm clock with their screaming. My morning routine is pretty much the same every day. Get a glass of OJ and head straight for the computer. I have three different email accounts to monitor. A personal one that keeps me in touch with all my friends and family back east, one for my online hat boutique, iLids- don't mind my blatant advertising- and one for my acting/modeling career. Once I take care of all the emails, I usually have to place orders for the supplies I will need to design the hats that were ordered. Today I have to call my travel agent to plan my first trip to Europe in late June. Next, I will do my morning workout. A few months ago I stumbled on Denise Austin's 2 half-hour programs, which involve aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. What a great full-body workout for long, lean muscles! Then I will shower, try to make myself up real pretty and head out to a commercial audition with every other beautiful blonde in LA. Tonight I am meeting an old college friend (who was on the show Temptation Island) for happy hour to catch up on all the years gone by. Each of my days is a pretty consistent balance between all the different hobbies and dreams I am pursuing.
SR: You head straight to the computer when you get up. You aren't a closet computer nerd now, are you?
Winnicki: No, I'm not, but I could play one!
My computer is my greatest link to the outside world. I am a lot more open with my feelings when I am writing, so it keeps me close with my friends and family. I also use the 'net to gain info on just about anything that interests me.
SR: You abandoned aspirations of becoming a doctor in order to follow your dreams of becoming an actress. I've often read this to be the case for many successful entertainers. Why do you think this is? Do you think it has something to do with the college age and realizing the importance of happiness in your future?
Winnicki: I don't think I abandoned medicine for acting, I just think I realized medicine wasn't for me at the moment. As much as it fascinates me, I don't feel like that profession is my heart's desire right now. I think I was headed that way just because I had the brains for it, but the passion wasn't really there. I almost wish I had figured that out earlier and saved myself the agony of university level physics and organic chemistry! The medical field is extremely demanding. It has to become your life. I need flexibility in my life. I want the option to explore new avenues, have a truly fulfilling family life one day. Although the entertainment industry is demanding too, it allows for more flexibility and personal growth. Plus something inside me keeps telling me that's where I belong.
SR: You had a brief stint on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." What was that experience like? Is there truly a surreal buzz around Sarah Michelle Geller?
Winnicki: Buffy was an amazing show to work on. I absolutely loved the cast and crew. Everyone was so easygoing and friendly. Plus they used a lot of atmosphere so the set was always buzzing with lots of people and energy. Strangely enough, I never worked with Sarah. All my scenes were with Charisma Carpenter. One episode was actually shot when Sarah was in New York filming Saturday Night Live. It was written into the script that she was turned into a mouse so her absence wouldn't be missed. A few of my friends worked on the show with Sarah. From what they told me, I gathered she is a very down-to-business type person on the set. That would explain her tremendous success.
SR: With a self-proclaimed nickname of the "callback kid" due to your callbacks for most of your auditions, yet being "either too much of something or too little of another thing" to land a lot of those roles, do you find it hurting your confidence at all? Why or why not?
Winnicki: My self-esteem had definitely been on a roller-coaster ride. It is a tough business emotionally. I would get dressed for an audition and think I looked hot, then get to the casting office and see the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. You start to question, "Am I good enough?" Then I would get the callback and smile and think "well, I must be doing something right." Then I wouldn't get the part and think, "I suck!" Usually my manager was able to get feedback as to why I wasn't right for the part and that helps lighten the self-imposed criticism. Sometimes. I am a perfectionist and naturally hard on myself so it can't all be blamed on the industry. Luckily I have a very supportive family and many friends in the industry that can walk you through the tough times. Plus I believe that fate has a plan for me, even though sometimes I feel like I have no ideas what that plan is, and that God truly blessed me with many gifts, that I have no reason to feel down on myself. Sometimes.
SR: You played Vern Troyer's (Mini Me) love interest on the UPN comedy Shasta McNasty. Must've been an interesting experience. Care to comment?
Winnicki: It was an extremely entertaining experience. Again I worked with a great cast and crew. Doesn't it seem like people always say that? I guess we are all just so happy to have found work in the industry! Anyway, Vern was amazing. He had to put up with a lot of physical "abuse" on the show. They really played with his size a lot. One scene had him sliding on his belly across the bar into my chest. Luckily for him and for me, they had me wearing a HUGELY padded bra, which softened the collision. They also had a great scene where you see me getting my grove on, then they pan down to Vern holding onto my leg for dear life, with his head banging into my knee. It was really funny. Shasta was a cute show, but I guess it just never attracted enough of an audience to keep it alive.
SR: Speaking of Shasta McNasty, what was it like to work with Cindy Margolis?
Winnicki: Cindy wasn't on the episode I worked on, thankfully. I certainly didn't need to be upstaged by those knockers.
SR: Do you think your knowledge in such subjects as biology and psychology can help you land roles?
Winnicki: I could certainly pull off playing a doctor because of my knowledge of medicine, but my physical appearance doesn't usually point me in that direction. Sometimes I think the less I knew, the better of an actress I would be. Not to say that actors aren't smart, it's just that acting should come from your heart and your instincts- not your head. I think a lot as a human being and that can be a curse for an actor, putting them "in their head" and thus making a performance less magical.
SR: iLids is a website you have started. Tell us a little about it.
Winnicki: My friend, Lisa Wilson, and I started the company a few months back. We are both actresses and wanted to find an outlet where we could earn a living, make our own schedules so we could audition and work in entertainment, and feel like we were doing good for society. Lisa came up with the idea for a hat boutique and from there, the ideas just started flowing. We started from the ground up and have done everything on our own. We both love trendy, hot clothes- duh, we're girls- but I don't like wearing the same cookie-cutter clothes that everyone wears. That's tough when you are on a budget. We decided to make custom-made designer headwear at an affordable price. And for every 20 hats sold, one is donated to the American Cancer Society. Our customers write us saying that people are constantly complimenting them on their headwear and that they love the attention it brings them.
SR: What are you learning about the tough e-commerce industry as you run iLids?
Winnicki: There is a lot to learn and since we are doing it all on our own, we are working harder than ever. Just when we think we have it all figured out, there is another angle that needs to be approached. But like anything in life, I believe you just need to have faith in yourself and work your little butt off until you get there. That's our plan.
SR: What are some projects you're currently working on, or hope to be working on?
Winnicki: I am planning my first trip to Europe so I am weaning myself off from the entertainment industry for a couple of months. Every actor knows that the best way to book an acting job is to plan a trip somewhere, and I really want to get to Europe. I think it will be a huge learning experience for me, which in the end will expand my acting range.
SR: How hard is it to be away from your family? Do you get to see them often?
Winnicki: It is very hard for me to be away from my family. We are close and I have so much fun with them. Luckily I stay in touch with them practically every day by email and at least once a week by phone. I do miss the family gathering though. At least I am able to get home pretty often. Usually I will spend almost a month of the summer in New Jersey and about 2 weeks there over Christmas. A lot of my friends are starting to get married back there so I also get to pop in throughout the year to see everyone. My ideal goal would be to be bi-coastal and have the best of both worlds.
SR: Have people helped give you advice along the way, as you try to make it in Hollywood? If so, is there any piece of advice that really stands out in your mind?
Winnicki: My favorite advice actually came from Bruce Springsteen. It's not that his words were so profound, it's just that they came from, well, "THE BOSS." I had gone to see his show in Anaheim and happened to be picked out of the crowd by his head of security. At first I thought I was being arrested or something. I am from the same hometown as Bruce, so backstage I explained to him how he's such a big inspiration to me. He shook my hand, wished me luck and told me to follow my dreams and never give up.
SR: Has there been a specific time when you were so fed up with Hollywood that you were almost ready to say "I love it?"
Winnicki: That's one of my favorite 4 letter words, actually, so there are numerous times when it slips out relating to the business. It's frustrating because you can be so right for a role but if you are not related to or sleeping with the right person, you often have no shot.
SR: Finally, how do you feel about being confused for Kirsten Dunst all the time?
Winnicki: Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's awkward, and sometimes I use it to my advantage. I just wish the top movie producers would get confused every once in a while!
I wish the same things too. As far as talent goes, Kristen Winnicki has "got it goin' on" as the kids say these days, and she certainly deserves the chance to shine.
With a class act like her, if she doesn't succeed, something must truly be wrong in Tinsel Town. And if she doesn't, at the very least you could help a girl out and go on over to www.HOTiLids.com and buy that customized hat I told you about.
2001 SOURCERUNNER
Exclusive Interview by
Kristen is an actress/model who has unlimited potential and drive and the talent and intelligence to succeed. We are fortunate that she was able to take a few moments out of her busy schedule to speak with us. Here is what she had to say.
DG: We understand that you have a strong academic background, but something made you leave the academic track and get serious about acting and modeling. Please give us more detail about your change from the academic world to acting and modeling.
KW: When I was young, one of my favorite past-times was to tape record my friends and me acting out children's books. We would create different voices for each character. That was my first experience with "acting" and I loved it. As I got older and I excelled in academics, I realized I had the potential to become a doctor. To me, that was a real profession, where acting was merely a hobby. I was in my 3rd year of college, studying bio-psychology, when I realized that just because I COULD become a doctor, didn't necessarily mean I WANTED to become a doctor. It just so happens that about that time I met a Los Angeles talent manager who nudged me to follow my hidden dream of acting.
DG: How have you trained as an actor?
KW: I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in bio-psychology from the University of California of Santa Barbara. Upon moving to LA, I attempted to study various methods of acting with some of the most prestigious teachers. I felt the acting classes took away my spontaneity instead of helping to develop my craft. Today, my roommate and I are holding "actor's evenings" at our house weekly, where fellow actors get together to run lines and do improv exercises. It's a more relaxed environment where I am able to keep practicing my craft.
DG: Have you had a lot of acting experience during your childhood and throughout college or are you a natural?
KW: Believe it or not, I was only in one play in my lifetime. It was Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I played the male character, Lysander. Professionally I have worked on TV shows such as "Hang Time," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I played Vern Troyer's (Mini Me) love interest in a short lived comedy called "Shasta McNasty." I was recently up for the role of Susan Luci's daughter on "All My Children" but didn't end up booking the job.
DG: What are your modeling statistics? Have you had any recent modeling jobs of note?
KW: I am definitely not a runway model at 5'6" but I do a lot of fitness and swimsuit modeling. My measurements are 36C, 26, 36. My most recent print work was for a new magazine called "21 Los Angeles" and "YONKA Day Spa."
DG: What do you like so far about the acting and modeling professions? What don't you like about them?
KW: With regards to acting, I do not like how difficult it is to get your foot in the door. You can be so talented and dedicated, but if you do not know the right people, it's hard to get a fair shot. Acting is one of the only businesses where training and a degree do not really mean much. As far as modeling is concerned, it's bugs me that you have to be at least 5'9" to get the best jobs, paying the best money. The majority of the population is not 5'9".
(We at Discovergirls don't think that Kristen will have a problem getting the best jobs.)
DG: Do you have any unusual hobbies?
KW: On a recent date, I went to the firing range. Call it beginner's luck, but I hit a bull's eye on one of my first attempts. I am not a supporter of guns by any means, but in a recreational environment, it was a definite rush.
DG: What is the strangest thing that ever happened to you?
KW: I get confused for Kirsten Dunst ALL the time. It certainly doesn't help that our names are so close either. The first time it happened I didn't know what was going on. The person was soooo excited to meet me. By now I am used to it. I even got my picture in US WEEKLY with Heather Graham, Molly Shannon and Tricky, because they thought I was her!
DG: What are your aspirations, and where do you see your career going in 5 years?
KW: I own a hat company (Click here to visit Kristen's Store - iLids!) so my time will probably still be split between acting, modeling and running a business. I can't say what the future holds but I do know I will be doing something I love, surrounded by people I love.
DG: Who are your role models?
KW: I really respect strong, independent women. I think people like Oprah and Britney Spears deserve all their fame and fortune because they have worked so hard to follow their dreams.
DG: What is your exercise schedule like? Do you have a special diet plan?
KW: I work out like crazy. My health is my number one priority. I vary my routine to obtain the maximum results, but every day always includes some kind of cardio (like running, aerobics, hiking, Tae Bo), some sort of weight training (like Pilates or using free weights) sit-ups, and some sort of stretching (like Yoga). I also get regular massages. As far as eating goes, diets NEVER work. They never will. Our bodies are designed to eat a combination of proteins, fats, carbs, fruits, veggies, etc. As long as you eat a balanced diet (everything in moderation) and exercise, you should be fine. I eat what I like but I eat to live, I do not live to eat. I do not smoke and I avoid caffeine (except chocolate)!!
DG: Do you have any advice to teenagers with dreams?
KW: Listen to your heart. Be honest with yourself and others. Be a great friend to others and especially to yourself. Ask for what you want- you never know when someone will say "yes." Learn from every experience. Only you have power to control your moods and thoughts - why not make them positive?
take hat world by storm
Fashionable headgear
from iLids now
sported by celebrities
By Clare Marie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — How does a kid from Freehold end up creating spectacular, made-to-order hats that are now topping the heads of celebrities like Madonna, Pamela Anderson and musician Tommy Lee?
Freehold native Kristen Winnicki, 28, who now lives in Los Angeles, isn’t quite sure herself. All she knows is that the Internet-based business, iLids, that she and her friend and partner, Lisa Wilson, started a year ago is keeping both women pretty busy as they wait in line for acting auditions, return calls and all that other "stuff" actors have to deal with.
The two aspiring actresses have found a way to earn a living while they wait to "make it" in the entertainment industry.
According to Winnicki, who graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1992, she attended the University of California at Santa Barbara as a pre-med student. Graduating with a degree in bio-psychology, somewhere along the line Winnicki switched gears. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the field of entertainment. It was there she met Wilson.
Winnicki took a job at a talent agency in between acting jobs which included a role on the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hang-time. Most recently, the young actress landed a recurring role on the UPN television series Shasta McNasty, although the show has since been canceled.
Her partner, Wilson, 26, a native of Michigan, was busy working at an advertising agency. The two women decided that working together, they could start a business, get the credit themselves and "call the shots" while waiting for their turn at the big time.
The idea of creating hats came into play when Wilson took a job at a trade show. She was wearing one of the company’s hats that she was representing. Winnicki said the rhinestone trend was just under way.
"People just loved the hat," Winnicki said. "We thought if we could make hats that were better, cuter, prettier and even customize them, we might really have something."
They did just that.
Winnicki said she and Wilson started the business on a very low budget, with no storefront and only Internet clientele. They set up a Web site and bingo, they were in business.
"We pooled the resources that we had derived from all our past jobs and we learned whatever we needed to learn, then asked a lot of questions," Winnicki explained.
The Internet, although providing business, was "too slow" for the women, so they opened up a one-room showroom-office. The bulk of their business now comes from doing it the old-fashioned way — trial-and-error marketing. The women pound the pavement, selling their wares from boutique to boutique, and to date they have lined up more than 30 boutiques willing to sell their head toppers.
The head gear comes in any number of shapes and designs, any of which can be customized and tailored to be one of a kind. Winnicki said that shoppers can choose from more than 100 styles of hats to suit their own personalities. Customers are able to choose a hat style and then decide whether to dress it up with studs, rhinestones, buttons, feathers or embroidery.
The Los Angeles-based company has been dubbed "the hottest spot on the bod." Children’s designs start at about $20 with "bucket"-style hats beginning at around $40. The most expensive hats in suede or leather run about $110.
The partners have gained notoriety by taking a leap of faith and approaching celebrities at clubs and outings in Los Angeles. In fact, according to Winnicki, Madonna owns a crocheted head rag covered with Swarovski crystals, and Pamela Anderson wears a wide-brim straw Pretty Woman hat with crystals and feathers. The women are also working with Carmen Electra in designing an iLids especially for her. Some other celebrities wearing iLids headgear are Lisa Hartman-Black, Patricia Arquette as well as band members from Counting Crows and Incubus.
iLids also designs a "stash it" pouch, which attaches to the inside of the hats to hold valuables. Winnicki said this makes it unnecessary to even carry a purse. Everything you need is right under your hat.
Winnicki is enjoying both the creative process of making the hats as well as the lifestyle it allows her to live.
"I knew I had a talent for being creative and for running a business," Winnicki said. "I knew I wanted to contribute to society, enjoy myself and earn a living at the same time. iLids has given me an outlet for all of those avenues and still allows me the freedom to work as an actress. I enjoy making people look good and feel great."
Looking good and feeling good about yourself are two things the women take very seriously. When Winnicki said she wanted to "give back to the community," she meant it. For every 20 hats sold, iLids donates one hat to the American Cancer Society. So far, their company has donated more than 50 hats as part of the society’s program called Look Good, Feel Better.
"The program teaches women who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment how to use makeup and hats and bandannas to help them look good and feel better about themselves," Winnicki explained.
The pair has also developed a line of hats and bandannas called American Pride. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the young women donate 10 percent of the line’s sale proceeds to the American Red Cross.
Winnicki said she would love to see iLids make an appearance on the East Coast, and she’s working on that idea. When she comes home, she takes certain items with her and doesn’t have any trouble selling them, but she’d really like to be able to have people see the whole line in person.
More information on the business is available at the Internet Web site www.HOTiLids.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-93iLids.
Ready for the BIG TIME: An Interview with Kristen Dunst…err, I mean Winnicki
by Matt Harrington, Sourcerunner.com
Monday, September 3, 2001
Ah, yes. Trying to make it in Hollywood. Personally, I'd rather be fed to a pack of rabid wolves than having to tread in these waters. Nine times out of ten that ambitious kid from Anytown, USA comes to Hollywood to "make it big" and is either stuck being a waiter/waitress full-time or back home in a matter of months. However, there are a few brave souls out there who are willing to give it a try, and Kristen Winnicki is one of them.
Born in Freehold, NJ, which is assume is next to Nowhereville, Winnicki was a pretty typical woman who had a desire to give it a go in Hollywood. She comes from a typical family; however, you'd think she's adopted as Kristen claims "people joke I am the mailman's child since I am the only blonde-haired, blue- eyed member of the family."
Although she holds a bachelor's degree in biopsychology, Winnicki decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in acting. To date, she has been a guest star on such shows as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the now cancelled UPN comedy "Shasta McNasty".
In addition to taking on Hollywood, Winnicki moonlights as the owner of HOTiLids.com, an online hat boutique. With a specialty in custom designed hats, this site is the place to go if you want a snakeskin cowboy hat with the words "BIG DADDY" in rhinestones on the back.
I got a chance to sit down with this New Jersey native to find out what life is like for someone trying to get that big break.
SR: To start off, what is Kristen Winnicki up to at the moment?
Winnicki: It's 9:32 am and I just pulled myself out of bed. It's the first time in months that my neighbor's kids haven't acting as my 8 am alarm clock with their screaming. My morning routine is pretty much the same every day. Get a glass of OJ and head straight for the computer. I have three different email accounts to monitor. A personal one that keeps me in touch with all my friends and family back east, one for my online hat boutique, iLids- don't mind my blatant advertising- and one for my acting/modeling career. Once I take care of all the emails, I usually have to place orders for the supplies I will need to design the hats that were ordered. Today I have to call my travel agent to plan my first trip to Europe in late June. Next, I will do my morning workout. A few months ago I stumbled on Denise Austin's 2 half-hour programs, which involve aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. What a great full-body workout for long, lean muscles! Then I will shower, try to make myself up real pretty and head out to a commercial audition with every other beautiful blonde in LA. Tonight I am meeting an old college friend (who was on the show Temptation Island) for happy hour to catch up on all the years gone by. Each of my days is a pretty consistent balance between all the different hobbies and dreams I am pursuing.
SR: You head straight to the computer when you get up. You aren't a closet computer nerd now, are you?
Winnicki: No, I'm not, but I could play one!
My computer is my greatest link to the outside world. I am a lot more open with my feelings when I am writing, so it keeps me close with my friends and family. I also use the 'net to gain info on just about anything that interests me.
SR: You abandoned aspirations of becoming a doctor in order to follow your dreams of becoming an actress. I've often read this to be the case for many successful entertainers. Why do you think this is? Do you think it has something to do with the college age and realizing the importance of happiness in your future?
Winnicki: I don't think I abandoned medicine for acting, I just think I realized medicine wasn't for me at the moment. As much as it fascinates me, I don't feel like that profession is my heart's desire right now. I think I was headed that way just because I had the brains for it, but the passion wasn't really there. I almost wish I had figured that out earlier and saved myself the agony of university level physics and organic chemistry! The medical field is extremely demanding. It has to become your life. I need flexibility in my life. I want the option to explore new avenues, have a truly fulfilling family life one day. Although the entertainment industry is demanding too, it allows for more flexibility and personal growth. Plus something inside me keeps telling me that's where I belong.
SR: You had a brief stint on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." What was that experience like? Is there truly a surreal buzz around Sarah Michelle Geller?
Winnicki: Buffy was an amazing show to work on. I absolutely loved the cast and crew. Everyone was so easygoing and friendly. Plus they used a lot of atmosphere so the set was always buzzing with lots of people and energy. Strangely enough, I never worked with Sarah. All my scenes were with Charisma Carpenter. One episode was actually shot when Sarah was in New York filming Saturday Night Live. It was written into the script that she was turned into a mouse so her absence wouldn't be missed. A few of my friends worked on the show with Sarah. From what they told me, I gathered she is a very down-to-business type person on the set. That would explain her tremendous success.
SR: With a self-proclaimed nickname of the "callback kid" due to your callbacks for most of your auditions, yet being "either too much of something or too little of another thing" to land a lot of those roles, do you find it hurting your confidence at all? Why or why not?
Winnicki: My self-esteem had definitely been on a roller-coaster ride. It is a tough business emotionally. I would get dressed for an audition and think I looked hot, then get to the casting office and see the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. You start to question, "Am I good enough?" Then I would get the callback and smile and think "well, I must be doing something right." Then I wouldn't get the part and think, "I suck!" Usually my manager was able to get feedback as to why I wasn't right for the part and that helps lighten the self-imposed criticism. Sometimes. I am a perfectionist and naturally hard on myself so it can't all be blamed on the industry. Luckily I have a very supportive family and many friends in the industry that can walk you through the tough times. Plus I believe that fate has a plan for me, even though sometimes I feel like I have no ideas what that plan is, and that God truly blessed me with many gifts, that I have no reason to feel down on myself. Sometimes.
SR: You played Vern Troyer's (Mini Me) love interest on the UPN comedy Shasta McNasty. Must've been an interesting experience. Care to comment?
Winnicki: It was an extremely entertaining experience. Again I worked with a great cast and crew. Doesn't it seem like people always say that? I guess we are all just so happy to have found work in the industry! Anyway, Vern was amazing. He had to put up with a lot of physical "abuse" on the show. They really played with his size a lot. One scene had him sliding on his belly across the bar into my chest. Luckily for him and for me, they had me wearing a HUGELY padded bra, which softened the collision. They also had a great scene where you see me getting my grove on, then they pan down to Vern holding onto my leg for dear life, with his head banging into my knee. It was really funny. Shasta was a cute show, but I guess it just never attracted enough of an audience to keep it alive.
SR: Speaking of Shasta McNasty, what was it like to work with Cindy Margolis?
Winnicki: Cindy wasn't on the episode I worked on, thankfully. I certainly didn't need to be upstaged by those knockers.
SR: Do you think your knowledge in such subjects as biology and psychology can help you land roles?
Winnicki: I could certainly pull off playing a doctor because of my knowledge of medicine, but my physical appearance doesn't usually point me in that direction. Sometimes I think the less I knew, the better of an actress I would be. Not to say that actors aren't smart, it's just that acting should come from your heart and your instincts- not your head. I think a lot as a human being and that can be a curse for an actor, putting them "in their head" and thus making a performance less magical.
SR: iLids is a website you have started. Tell us a little about it.
Winnicki: My friend, Lisa Wilson, and I started the company a few months back. We are both actresses and wanted to find an outlet where we could earn a living, make our own schedules so we could audition and work in entertainment, and feel like we were doing good for society. Lisa came up with the idea for a hat boutique and from there, the ideas just started flowing. We started from the ground up and have done everything on our own. We both love trendy, hot clothes- duh, we're girls- but I don't like wearing the same cookie-cutter clothes that everyone wears. That's tough when you are on a budget. We decided to make custom-made designer headwear at an affordable price. And for every 20 hats sold, one is donated to the American Cancer Society. Our customers write us saying that people are constantly complimenting them on their headwear and that they love the attention it brings them.
SR: What are you learning about the tough e-commerce industry as you run iLids?
Winnicki: There is a lot to learn and since we are doing it all on our own, we are working harder than ever. Just when we think we have it all figured out, there is another angle that needs to be approached. But like anything in life, I believe you just need to have faith in yourself and work your little butt off until you get there. That's our plan.
SR: What are some projects you're currently working on, or hope to be working on?
Winnicki: I am planning my first trip to Europe so I am weaning myself off from the entertainment industry for a couple of months. Every actor knows that the best way to book an acting job is to plan a trip somewhere, and I really want to get to Europe. I think it will be a huge learning experience for me, which in the end will expand my acting range.
SR: How hard is it to be away from your family? Do you get to see them often?
Winnicki: It is very hard for me to be away from my family. We are close and I have so much fun with them. Luckily I stay in touch with them practically every day by email and at least once a week by phone. I do miss the family gathering though. At least I am able to get home pretty often. Usually I will spend almost a month of the summer in New Jersey and about 2 weeks there over Christmas. A lot of my friends are starting to get married back there so I also get to pop in throughout the year to see everyone. My ideal goal would be to be bi-coastal and have the best of both worlds.
SR: Have people helped give you advice along the way, as you try to make it in Hollywood? If so, is there any piece of advice that really stands out in your mind?
Winnicki: My favorite advice actually came from Bruce Springsteen. It's not that his words were so profound, it's just that they came from, well, "THE BOSS." I had gone to see his show in Anaheim and happened to be picked out of the crowd by his head of security. At first I thought I was being arrested or something. I am from the same hometown as Bruce, so backstage I explained to him how he's such a big inspiration to me. He shook my hand, wished me luck and told me to follow my dreams and never give up.
SR: Has there been a specific time when you were so fed up with Hollywood that you were almost ready to say "I love it?"
Winnicki: That's one of my favorite 4 letter words, actually, so there are numerous times when it slips out relating to the business. It's frustrating because you can be so right for a role but if you are not related to or sleeping with the right person, you often have no shot.
SR: Finally, how do you feel about being confused for Kirsten Dunst all the time?
Winnicki: Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's awkward, and sometimes I use it to my advantage. I just wish the top movie producers would get confused every once in a while!
I wish the same things too. As far as talent goes, Kristen Winnicki has "got it goin' on" as the kids say these days, and she certainly deserves the chance to shine.
With a class act like her, if she doesn't succeed, something must truly be wrong in Tinsel Town. And if she doesn't, at the very least you could help a girl out and go on over to www.HOTiLids.com and buy that customized hat I told you about.
2001 SOURCERUNNER
Exclusive Interview by
Kristen is an actress/model who has unlimited potential and drive and the talent and intelligence to succeed. We are fortunate that she was able to take a few moments out of her busy schedule to speak with us. Here is what she had to say.
DG: We understand that you have a strong academic background, but something made you leave the academic track and get serious about acting and modeling. Please give us more detail about your change from the academic world to acting and modeling.
KW: When I was young, one of my favorite past-times was to tape record my friends and me acting out children's books. We would create different voices for each character. That was my first experience with "acting" and I loved it. As I got older and I excelled in academics, I realized I had the potential to become a doctor. To me, that was a real profession, where acting was merely a hobby. I was in my 3rd year of college, studying bio-psychology, when I realized that just because I COULD become a doctor, didn't necessarily mean I WANTED to become a doctor. It just so happens that about that time I met a Los Angeles talent manager who nudged me to follow my hidden dream of acting.
DG: How have you trained as an actor?
KW: I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in bio-psychology from the University of California of Santa Barbara. Upon moving to LA, I attempted to study various methods of acting with some of the most prestigious teachers. I felt the acting classes took away my spontaneity instead of helping to develop my craft. Today, my roommate and I are holding "actor's evenings" at our house weekly, where fellow actors get together to run lines and do improv exercises. It's a more relaxed environment where I am able to keep practicing my craft.
DG: Have you had a lot of acting experience during your childhood and throughout college or are you a natural?
KW: Believe it or not, I was only in one play in my lifetime. It was Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I played the male character, Lysander. Professionally I have worked on TV shows such as "Hang Time," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I played Vern Troyer's (Mini Me) love interest in a short lived comedy called "Shasta McNasty." I was recently up for the role of Susan Luci's daughter on "All My Children" but didn't end up booking the job.
DG: What are your modeling statistics? Have you had any recent modeling jobs of note?
KW: I am definitely not a runway model at 5'6" but I do a lot of fitness and swimsuit modeling. My measurements are 36C, 26, 36. My most recent print work was for a new magazine called "21 Los Angeles" and "YONKA Day Spa."
DG: What do you like so far about the acting and modeling professions? What don't you like about them?
KW: With regards to acting, I do not like how difficult it is to get your foot in the door. You can be so talented and dedicated, but if you do not know the right people, it's hard to get a fair shot. Acting is one of the only businesses where training and a degree do not really mean much. As far as modeling is concerned, it's bugs me that you have to be at least 5'9" to get the best jobs, paying the best money. The majority of the population is not 5'9".
(We at Discovergirls don't think that Kristen will have a problem getting the best jobs.)
DG: Do you have any unusual hobbies?
KW: On a recent date, I went to the firing range. Call it beginner's luck, but I hit a bull's eye on one of my first attempts. I am not a supporter of guns by any means, but in a recreational environment, it was a definite rush.
DG: What is the strangest thing that ever happened to you?
KW: I get confused for Kirsten Dunst ALL the time. It certainly doesn't help that our names are so close either. The first time it happened I didn't know what was going on. The person was soooo excited to meet me. By now I am used to it. I even got my picture in US WEEKLY with Heather Graham, Molly Shannon and Tricky, because they thought I was her!
DG: What are your aspirations, and where do you see your career going in 5 years?
KW: I own a hat company (Click here to visit Kristen's Store - iLids!) so my time will probably still be split between acting, modeling and running a business. I can't say what the future holds but I do know I will be doing something I love, surrounded by people I love.
DG: Who are your role models?
KW: I really respect strong, independent women. I think people like Oprah and Britney Spears deserve all their fame and fortune because they have worked so hard to follow their dreams.
DG: What is your exercise schedule like? Do you have a special diet plan?
KW: I work out like crazy. My health is my number one priority. I vary my routine to obtain the maximum results, but every day always includes some kind of cardio (like running, aerobics, hiking, Tae Bo), some sort of weight training (like Pilates or using free weights) sit-ups, and some sort of stretching (like Yoga). I also get regular massages. As far as eating goes, diets NEVER work. They never will. Our bodies are designed to eat a combination of proteins, fats, carbs, fruits, veggies, etc. As long as you eat a balanced diet (everything in moderation) and exercise, you should be fine. I eat what I like but I eat to live, I do not live to eat. I do not smoke and I avoid caffeine (except chocolate)!!
DG: Do you have any advice to teenagers with dreams?
KW: Listen to your heart. Be honest with yourself and others. Be a great friend to others and especially to yourself. Ask for what you want- you never know when someone will say "yes." Learn from every experience. Only you have power to control your moods and thoughts - why not make them positive?