Q: Your character, Carlene, is a good Christian belle, so to speak, but she has all the makings of one of those women we love to hate.
A: I know! She’s like the villain that prays for everybody. She’s really fun. I always look for roles to be different from something I’ve done before, like what I did on Pushing Daisies or Glee or West Wing. This is yet another different kind of part, and that’s the best way not to get pigeonholed as an actor. Truth is, I’m a way more boring person than people would think, but I know I’m a little “not normal.” [laughing] I mean that in the most loving way! So I look for characters who are interesting and come out of left field, and I think you are going to see things from Carlene that you wouldn’t expect.
Q: The show centers on a former mean girl, Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), who returns to Dallas and is reacquainted with the girls she terrorized in high school. Is GCB anything like how it was for you growing up in Oklahoma?
A: This was my world… I’m not gonna lie. I grew up in a very similar place. It was a much smaller town, but I know these women—I know them very well. However, they shall remain nameless!
Q: Carlene’s in the church choir, so luckily we’ll get to hear you sing. Do you ever face any challenges when singing as a new character?
A: I always want to sound like my character. I really want to make it authentic. Obviously, I want to sound good, too. That would be silly of me as a singer to say, “Oh, I don’t want to sound that great,” but I do want to sound authentic to the place my character’s from. If I open my mouth and sing a huge opera note, I think that might be weird. I’m finding Carlene’s voice as we speak, and I think that [show creators] Bobby [Harling] and Darren [Star] will make sure that the singing only happens when it seems right. It’s not going to be every week, but would it be there? You bet! I think it makes sense for Carlene to be in the choir and put herself front and center. And how’s she going to do that? By giving herself the solos!
I went and sang for the Queen in London on behalf of our country
Q: Being such a gifted singer opens doors to some interesting opportunities. One that comes to mind is singing to Oprah last year during her farewell season surprise spectacular.
A: Oh, Oprah . . . oh, yeah. I keep pinching myself about that one. I just have to say, “thank you, God” for the experience. It was a once-in-a-lifetime deal. And right after that, I went and sang for the Queen in London on behalf of our country. So, it’s like, bucket list—check and check! I don’t take it lightly. I’m very thankful.
