Our interview with actress Debbie Sherman who can be seen on “The Vault,” “Day of the Dead” and “The Forgiven.”
“The Vault”is a horror/thriller starring James Franco, Taryn Manning and Francesca Eastwood. The film, described as “The Town” meets “The Sixth Sense”, follows two estranged sisters who are forced to rob a bank in order to save their brother, but the bank is no ordinary bank. Sherman plays the character of Lauren.
Sherman will also appear in Lionsgate’s “Day of the Dead”, a remake of the 1975 George A. Romero zombie classic, starring Sophie Skelton and Johnathon Schaech. In the film, a small group of military personnel and survivalists dwell in an underground bunker as they seek to find a cure in a world overrun by zombies. Sherman plays the character of Linda.
Hi Debbie, please tell us a little about you?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me! My name is Debbie Sherman, I am a new actress on the scene. I filmed three movies in 2016 and they are all set to release this year. I love acting and feel so blessed to have shot three movies in my first year as a film actress. I am a mom of two small girls and a wife to the love of my life. I have a travel blog and I am obsessed with being a world explorer. I also own a gym, Crossfit Firestone in Brea, CA and I love all types of fitness. You can follow my journey of acting, travel, fitness, philanthrapy and home decor on my site, debbie-sherman.com.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Work in Progress
Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband, hands down. He is always in my corner and I am always in his.
How did you get started in the industry?
A friend of mine who is an actor introduced me to the producer of The Vault. I had my first role in that film. That was just last year! 2016 was my first year in the industry.
What was your first acting role?
The Vault, which just hit theaters this September. It’s a horror/thriller with James Franco, Francesca Eastwood, Taryn Manning and Jeff Gum. It was a great experience!
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best part is getting to become someone else as a character. I really enjoy the experience of taking on a new persona in each role. The worst part is having to take time away from my kids if I am shooting in a location that isn’t in Los Angeles.
Best advice ever given?
Love yourself and make decisions for yourself and your immediate family, not for others. Don’t live your life in constant fear of what everyone else will think about your decisions. No matter how hard you try you will never please everyone and why should you? Only you have to live your life, no one else, so make choices for you. Always ask yourself am I making this choice because this is what I want to do or am I making this choice to please someone else. This adivice comes from my husband and he is such a great example of this. It is such a healthy way to live and I am working to be more like this daily.
You have been very busy with films, tell us about the film “The Vault?” And your character Lauren.
The Vault is a mash up of horror and thriller fun. It is full of twists and turns and will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the film. I play Lauren, who is an unsuspecting victim of the bank robbery that ensues. She has quite the dramatic journey in this film.
Now tell us about Lionsgate’s “Day of the Dead: Bloodline?”
Being a part of this franchise is such a cool thing. The fans for this film have been so vocal and have really been behind the project. I am so excited for the audience to get to see this horror film that is filled with more zombies than one can count.
And lastly about Saban Films’ “The Forgiven?”
This film is set in post Apartheid South Africa and follows the journey of Desmond Tutu (Forest Whitaker) and the film’s antagonist Piet Blomfeld (played by Eric Bana). This film deals with such heavy subject matter and it wasn’t easy learning more about the Apartheid and all that it entailed for the people of South Africa. This film sheds light on the deep hurts and terrible struggles these wonderful people had to endure.
What has been your most memorable experience from a movie set so far?
I cherish my time from the set of The Forgiven. I am honored to have my name on a movie with such greats as Forest Whitaker, Eric Bana and Roland Joffe. I learned so much from this set and this film and it has grown me as an individual and an actor.
What other projects you have been part of?
I am so excited to share my next project and I will be announcing it soon, so stay tuned!
You look very busy, how’s a normal day in your life?
On a normal, non-shooting day, I am running my girls back and forth to school and after school active. They are both very active. I find time somewhere between all of my mommy duties to run my website, post about travel and acting and work on scripts and lines from up coming filming projects.
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress? And why?
I adore Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker. They are both so flawless and fearless and those are qualities I aspire to have and want my girls to look up to.
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
My cell phone, lip gloss (it’s rare to catch me without a glossy lip) and water (staying hydrated is key to life).
What music do you like?
I am pretty all over the place when it comes to music. My favorite artists are Ed Sheeran, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Taylor Swift, Adele, Dashboard Confessional and Michale Buble.
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
Relaxing on a beach with my family would be my top choice!
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love poke. It is so delicious and super healthy, win-win!
And your favorite cheat food?
Choosing just one is tough, so I’m going to list a few: nachos, pizza, cookies and homemade pasta.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself wiser, more giving and loving. For me, success isn’t measured by what I have or haven’t achieved because there will always be more to achieve and do. I am focused on learning to love with a fuller heart and give with hands that are more open. I work on these muscles just like I work on my physical muscles. I am a masterpiece and a work in progress all at the same time and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Do you support any charities?
I have had the honor of supporting some very wonderful charitable organizations.Visiting and donating to orphanages is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. While in Cape Town filming ‘The Forgiven’ I had the opportunity to visit The Siyaphambili Orphanage just outside of Cape Town. Many of the children at this orphanage have HIV. I promise you this, these children are the most radiant, appreciative kids on the planet. I was inspired by their beautiful spirits and their overall zest for life. I invite everyone to visit http://siyaphambili.org.za to learn more. Another great orphanage that I support is The Light House Children’s Home located just outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand. I met founder and caretaker of this home, Terra Yito. She is a Southern California native (where I am from) and she founded The Lighthouse in 2009. She has built a beautiful facility for these abandoned, orphaned and/or impoverished children. Many of these children have parents who are in jail, parents who were trafficking their children or have no parents at all. The Light House is a safe place where they have the opportunity to go to school, feel loved and safe and pursue dreams that might otherwise have been impossible. My husband and I will be supporting Terra in her efforts to care for these children and more. She has hopes of opening another facility. The Light House Children’s Home has made such a radical change in these children’s lives, and it comes full circle as spending time with these children has made a radical change in my life. Please visit thelighthousechildren.org
I am also very passionate about putting a stop to human trafficking and rehabilitating the victims (some just children) of this horrific crime. Daughters of Cambodia is another organization that is doing great work in the human trafficking space. This organization is changing lives for victims of human trafficking. This doesn’t just happen in other countries, it is prevalent here in the US as well and hits very close to home in Los Angeles. I have spent time raising money and donating to the rehabilitation of victims of this horrible time. Daughters of Cambodia empowers girls trapped in sex trafficking to start a new life. They offer job training and employment to these women and girls. They also offer education, social programs, counseling and much more. They are currently expanding to the Philippines and Australia. For more information or to donate you can visit daughtersofcambodia.org
Another company that I am proud to be involved with is Compassion Physical Therapy (compassionpt.org). Natalie Winblad, one of the organizations founders, has created a place where people with severe physical ailments can come and receive free treatment. They currently have facilities in Kenya and in Mexicali. Compassion PT has a mission to join with existing clinics in underserved parts of the globe and bring much needed physical therapy whilst training and employing local therapists to provide care. You can find information and links to all of these charities and more on my website (debbie-sherman.com) under the loving people section.
Where we can follow you?
Twitter: DebbieSherman33
Instagram: debbiesherm
Facebook: thedebbiesherman
IMDB: imdb.me/debbiesherman
Snapchat: debbiesherm
Pinterest: debbiesherman
Web: debbie-sherman.com
Favorite Music: Pop
Favorite Quote: “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Favorite Holiday Destination: Paris
Favorite Restaurant: Javier’s in Newport Beach
Favorite Drink: Orange Juice
Celebrity Crush: Reese Witherspoon
Favorite Song: The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
Favorite Sports Team: Miami Heat
Favorite Movie: Overboard
