Juliette Danielle discusses starring in 'The Room', thoughts on Huntsville, new Kickstarter

In 2003, an amateur filmmaker named Tommy Wiseau introduced the world to one of the most bizarre movies no one was ready for. "The Room" was considered so bad, it almost nosedived into obscurity upon release. However, through a twist of fate, its own ludicrousness and unconventional mythology turned it into an almost overnight sensation. Since then, it's become a part of pop culture history as what many deem as one of the worst movies ever made.

Wiseau's romantic drama remains celebrated today for its ineptitude. The inane writing, laughable acting and numerous nonsensical (and inexplicably abandoned) subplots rank among its multitude of questionable directing decisions. Entertainment Weekly famously referred to it as the "'Citizen Kane' of bad movies." This notoriety has only helped endear it to its fans so much that midnight screenings still sell out around the world.

The making of "The Room" was recently documented in a memoir by Greg Sestero, one of its lead actors. The book, titled "The Disaster Artist," is currently being adapted into an upcoming biopic directed by and starring James Franco.

"The Room's" fans are as adamant as ever, so cast member Robyn Paris launched a Kickstarter campaign to give them a treat: a humorous mockumentary of what happened to everyone after the bungled attempt to make what they assumed would be a serious movie. Several of her co-stars, except Wiseau, are on board. See their video and Kickstarter page here.

One of those cast members is Juliette Danielle, who played the female lead as Wiseu's fiancee in "The Room." Danielle spoke to AL.com about the Kickstarter plus some other thoughts about the B-movie role she'll always be hailed for. Danielle is no stranger to Alabama. Since "The Room" finished filming, she's continuously worked in commercial real estate when off camera. She's visited the Huntsville area several times to help with marketing and special events. She said she still keeps in touch with friends in the area.

For those who haven't seen "The Room," how would you describe it?

It's the new generation "Rocky Horror Picture Show" that is so bad, it's good.

Could you sum up how you got started in acting and what led to "The Room" audition?

I moved to Los Angeles with my mom and sister in 2001. I jumped into acting was very new when I auditioned for The Room. At the time, I did not realize how bizarre those auditions truly were.


I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. The first time I saw the movie was at the premiere. That was a mistake.

(Contributed by Juliette Danielle)

How has it been living with "The Room" legacy?

At first I wanted to deny it ever happened and disappear. But oddly, social media is really what coaxed me back out and made me realize that this movie brings people together and makes them happy. It's such an ingrained part of my life now that I can't imagine not having this experience. I wouldn't be the same person without it.

So when Robyn came up with the Kickstarter I really wanted to make sure it's a chance to hear from me now that I'm old enough to have a chance to talk about how I really feel about it. When you're younger you just want to cry about it and hide. And you can only cry about it so many times before you're like, OK, this is part of my life now.

How do you feel about what the movie's become as opposed to what you thought going into it?

Going into it I think we realized there were obviously some issues. The way the script was written, the fact that some of this stuff just didn't make sense. But we never had the entire script. So I kind of always brushed it off as "Oh people are not going to see this film" so it was such a surprise when not only did people see it they continued to see it again and again. At some point I kept thinking it would just die off as it should have (laughs) but it never did. It always gets a second wind.

Your website indicates you left public image for a while but now are back and embracing "The Room." Can you talk about that?

Oh yeah. At first, I was so embarrassed about it. I was told the nudity would be tasteful. Every time a friend or coworker would find out about it, watch it and then come loudly tell me about it, I would cringe in agony. But now? It is what it is. It's a part of me. I also use it as a platform to talk about women's body image. We need to get real about what women look like and stop feeling bad about our imperfect bodies.

How did the Kickstarter campaign get started?

Robyn is the mastermind and the engine behind this Kickstarter. She's such an excellent writer. The script is great. It's funny. She really gets comedy. So I'm really excited for people to see the finished product because it's going to be the most professional thing that you've seen "The Room" actors in.

You guys have already met your goal so is the mockumentary definitely a go?

We still need to push to achieve the sweet stretch rewards. There are also some other things we want to do that can only happen if we go above and beyond our goal. I'm excited.

It was really cool to see all you guys together. Have you all kept in touch over the last decade?

We sure have. We love each other and I'm so thankful we've been able to keep in touch, despite some of the cast members moving out of LA. When we all got on set to film the Kickstarter video, we had the best time.

Your non-acting work has brought you here to Huntsville. How was your experience here? Can you share your thoughts on the city and people you met?

I love Huntsville. I'm a Southern girl at heart. I am originally from Texas, and as much as I try, Los Angeles still doesn't feel like home. So it was a breath of fresh air to be around some nice people for a change. I'd come back to Huntsville any day. As soon as I get there, people are just so nice and normal, which is what I grew up with. People I live with now in LA are just not normal (laughs).

Here's another Alabama/B-movie coincidence. I heard in an interview you saw "Troll 2" with George Hardy. How did you meet him? (Hardy is a dentist in Alexander City and starred in "Troll 2" in 1990)

George Hardy is the salt of the earth. His smile is infectious and he is the best hugger. I met him when he was in Los Angeles. We filmed a scene together, along with Alan Bagh from "Birdemic," for "Ghost Shark 2: Urban Jaws." He invited me and the others to go watch a double feature of "Troll 2" and "Best Worst Movie" with him that evening. I think the scene we shot together got cut, but I made a friend for life that day.

What was your reaction when a movie about "The Disaster Artist" was announced? Do you know who will play you?

My first thought when I hear something new about "The Room" is always "This movie is never really going to die, is it?" I know who I would like to play me: Kate McKinnon from SNL. I can't wait to be able to sit in the theater and watch it.

What's your favorite gaffe when you watch "The Room" now?

Well, first of all, I never watch the movie now. But I have seen it about five times and my favorite gaffe is easy to choose. My neck bulge! Can I just tell you that I've spent hours in front of the mirror trying to replicate that on purpose? I have no idea what was going on.

What would your advice be to young people who want to break into the movie business?

Acting is for life. Most of us act and do something else. If you're just trying to make it big, you're going to end up being an incredibly jaded and most likely, unemployed, person. But if you are really going to move out to LA and give it a try, I'll tell you the only advice you really need: Don't listen to anyone. March to the beat of your own drum. Be you. Speak up for yourself. Don't take no for an answer. Show up. Keep showing up. And lastly, don't get down on yourself. Find something that fuels your creativity.

(Contributed by Juliette Danielle)

Would you recommend they go to Los Angeles?

I think it depends. There's a sweet spot in a person's age. It's like, if you're a little starlet and you really, really want to make sure you try it so you don't regret it later in life, yeah you should go when you're 18 or 21 or whatever. And if you haven't made it by the time you're 25 you should relax a little bit.

Tommy seems extremely eccentric during public appearance. Was that how he was on set?

That's really just who he is. From the minute I met him he was always just unlike anybody I've ever met in my life. He really is such a nice person though. He's a good friend to have. When you're on the set, people get stressed obviously just like anybody. But every time I see him at a screening or something he always gives me a big hug. He's always nice. "How are you doing? How's your mother?" in that adorable accent, right? (laughs)

If Tommy ever made another movie would you do it?

Oh heck yes, but fully clothed. I would enjoy every minute. I would record everything.

What projects are you working on now?

If you want to see more of me, you can check out "The Trouble with Barry." "Red Bluff" should also be out soon. Oh, and the mockumentary.