Krysta Rodriguez, Aka Halston’s Liza Minnelli, Was So Inspired By The Show She Redecorated Her Apartment

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Krysta Rodriguez’s recent star turn as the legendary Liza Minnelli didn’t just consume her in the preparation—she took the 1970s disco-tastic vibe from the Halston set right home with her post-production too. Literally! A keen interior decorator, the performer was so inspired by the show that she channeled the mood and aesthetic of Ryan Murphy’s hit biopic into reinventing her apartment. After a dizzying month of press tours and interviews, The Daily caught Rodriguez for a moment to hear what it was like to step into such famous shoes. Take it away!

What’s the response been like since the show?

It’s been crazy! But it’s been great too. You never know how anything is going to be received, and I was taken aback by how many people watched it immediately…even all of my friends! Our cast got together and went out of town the weekend it came out. It’s been fun to go on this ride together with them!

How did COVID disrupt the plans?

We filmed one episode in February 2020, then we came back in September. It was a real break, I didn’t know if I’d remember any of it and the momentum we had built up. But it was a good thing in the end, we could let the characters seep in and let it marinate. Then we were grateful to come back, and we’d gone through something collectively which lent something to the production.

Have you been able to do any in-person press?

It’s been all virtual for the most part. It’s so funny, as we’re sort of living in the half world and tethered to the computer. I’m ready to take some things out on the town again though—it’s beautiful out there!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krysta Rodriguez (@krysta_rod)

What’s your own earliest memory of Liza Minnelli?

You know, sometimes when you have a legend in the zeitgeist, you don’t remember your exact first experience of them, because they’ve always been around. Her material was much more adult, so it took me ’till adulthood to discover it. Her mother’s stuff was more the right age for me when I was a girl who wanted to be in musicals, so knowing who she was as Judy [Garland’s] daughter was my first experience of her. And that’s exactly what she was fighting against her whole life! In my early 20s, I encountered her in her power and in what she does best—her Liza with a ‘z’ special. I was completely floored by it and enamored by her, and it gave me a whole new respect for her. This was a great way to fall more in love!

What was your process like of preparing for the role?

There are recognizable traits, patterns, and movements. I had to map them all out, see which ones served me and which ones did the job which I was sent to do: which is show a performer coming into her own power. I couldn’t be her, but I could be a performer learning the ropes and coming into her own—which is something I had to once do myself. I watched everything I possibly could and there were two things which really served me. One was the timeline: the show is a huge span of time, through many decades, through rehab, many husbands…so it was really important, because we shot the series out of order, to map a timeline of where she was and what she looked like so I could drop in and find those circumstances. It was great to have that access to materials of Liza because normally it’s a fictional character and you don’t have that. The other thing was movement: finding the earnestness in the movement, instead of the imitation. With Susie Meisner, our choreographer and movement coach, we’d walk around the space and find out which parts of the body she was activating when.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krysta Rodriguez (@krysta_rod)

How would you compare this role to what you’ve done in the past? It’s the first time you’ve played a real figure.

Yes, it’s the first time! I did play Wednesday Addams I guess, who’s fictional but iconic! But this is different in positive ways. I didn’t have to do a lot of guess work to do, but at the same time, filling in the blanks comes with a much bigger responsibility. I wanted the two lives to be seamless, taking care of both—the life we know and the life we don’t. It’s one of the first times I really played a woman where theres a lot of growing to be done. She was undeniably charismatic and powerful and owned it in every step. It felt freeing to have the permission to go as far as I could there.

What were some of your favorite pieces to wear in the show?

I loved them all! One of my favorites though was the piece of fabric [Halston] draped on me. It’s the first scene where we really come into our own and you’re watching a girl become a woman immediately, while watching the hands who made it happen do it. Fashion and emotion and creation and friendship and respect collide and come together in real time. That moment of me looking at myself in the mirror was genuine.

What were some of your other favorite scenes?

They were all spectacular, but some were daunting! The ones I loved doing are the ones where we’re having fun, showing that playful relationship. The scene of us after I perform in the club and we’re having a cigarette: it shows that instant connection where they’re closing down the club. I loved that. It was the first scene we shot together. The scene in Versailles too, where I tell him to get back in there and keep the show going. They’re some of my prouder scenes, because you can see who she is as a a person, what she stands for, and what she won’t.

You also work as an interior designer! Have you previously sought inspiration from Halston or Elsa Peretti? Did that design background change how you felt about the role?

I think it really gave me such an appreciation for what Halston was able to do in the world and in the culture. He took an era that was a free for all—you could do anything!—and he refined it and made it elegant. He allowed things to be experimental, but tactile and beautiful to look at. I remember walking into his first apartment and saying, ‘I love all of this! This is all back!’ He knew what he was doing and it’s here now. Getting to revel in that and to experience that genius all around, you can’t not be inspired. I immediately went home and redecorated!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krysta Rodriguez (@krysta_rod)

We heard about that! Tell us more…

I love organic lines, neutral palettes, and letting the space sing on its own. I like something very minimal with not a lot of waste. I found this amazing Scarpa sofa with ’70s lines. It’s all tactile fabrics—the rug is very soft, I’ve an incredible photo of Liza and she’s lying on the floor on the carpet. I said that’s the house I want! I tried to create that. It’s the after party, it’s lived in, used, and reveled in. I have orchids everywhere, they’re impossible to keep alive!

Did you get to meet Liza at any stage?

I have met her once before! She came to a musical I was in and gave us all a handshake and said, ”Thank you for your work.” That was my interaction with her and one of the things I loved was that she gave us notes in a way that was very positive. She cares most about the art form and the work. I kept that with me. You’ve gotta do the work…I wanted to leave her alone. She’s been replicated a lot, there’s no-one that could possibly do it as well as she could and I wanted to take that off the plate. Ewan got to meet her and it was formative and important for him to meet her; to tell her that her best friend was in good hands. I haven’t heard anything since the show, but I’m all too happy for that one time to be the interaction which I had with her.

Gossip Girl fans will remember your guest starring role as Jordan Steele—are you exciting to check out the reboot?

I can’t wait! [Writer] Josh Safran is one of my dear friends and I’ve gotten to follow along with the journey of the show and how, as we have matured and the Gossip Girl audience has matured, Josh and his work have deepened. I’m excited for jow much representation will be on screen too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krysta Rodriguez (@krysta_rod)

Do you have any upcoming stage work?

No, not yet! I think everything is about retracing our steps getting to reclaim them again—so I’m happy to wait my turn and see what comes up.

What’s the first thing you want to see when Broadway is back?

So many things! I’d love to go back and revisit a lot of shows my friends are in, see some new stuff, and the new version of Company. Lots of things—anything I can get my hands on! There’s no shortage of theater in New York.

What’s next for you?

I’ve a pilot I was cast in in New York. I’m doing some concerts this summer and I’ll test out some new musicals. I’ve some design projects which have become as important to me as acting. I do have a home in Kansas and a family home that I’m working on with my parents, which is a work in progress and I’m excited to share more about that. I want to work, and also sit back and see what presents itself!

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25 jobs in Toronto you can apply for right now

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Finding a good job in Toronto can be tough but the economy could be turning around as we near the end of the pandemic.

And with time to think during lockdown, about one in four Canadians have been considering a career change. The urge to reinvent yourself is common during times of change and disruption. So if the pandemic has jolted you out of your comfort zone and you’re looking for a change, there are some opportunities out there.

Here are some interesting jobs you can apply for in Toronto right now.

Tech

  1. Turn your Tiktok addiction into a career

The video-sharing, social network service hails from China but the company has several job opportunities in Toronto. Have skills in marketing or sales? Tiktok might be the place for you.

  1. Help develop new games

A passion for gaming could turn into full-time gig with Sledgehammer Games, developer of Call of Duty, who’s looking to build a new Toronto team. They are looking for people who have a background in programming with experience designing games.

  1. Game designer

Another game developer, Gameloft, known for video racing game, Asphalt, is looking for a 3D animator and game designer. You will need to have a passion for free-to-play games.

  1. Work for Apple Canada

Apple has a bunch of jobs posted — from technical specialist to management. Just a note some of these jobs are in the Apple Store so you will need customer service skills as well as a knowledge of the products.

  1. Be a DoorDash engineer

The food delivery service is hiring an engineering manager in Toronto. You will need more than five years engineering experience to snag this job.

  1. Work at Wayfair

This e-commerce giant recently announced plans to hire approximately 1,000 new technologists over the next year alone. Currently, job listings in Toronto include everything from engineers to researchers.

  1. Go behind the scenes in event ticket sales

Vivid Seats, the largest independent online ticket marketplace, sending tens of millions of fans to live events, has several engineering positions open in Toronto.

  1. Uber jobs

You don’t need to own a car for these tech jobs at Uber. The ride-hailing and food delivery company has positions open for software engineers, management and strategic planning.

Media

  1. Create content for blogTO

If you have a nose for news or shine in front of and behind the camera, blogTO has openings for a Managing Editor, Digital Reporter and Social Video Reporters. Come work with us!

  1. Work in publishing

Canada’s largest book publisher has positions open in Toronto. Penguin Random House Canada is looking for an executive assistant to the CEO and a temporary imprint sales manager.

  1. Netflix is hiring

One of the world’s largest streaming entertainment service recently announced it had selected Toronto for its new Canadian headquarters. More jobs should be coming soon but for now, there is a job listed for a corporate tax manager.

Public relations

  1. Join Creator Toronto

Creator Toronto is a small startup clothing brand based in Toronto, looking to expand. Those new to the job market might want to check out these content creator and digital marketer positions.

  1. Work for Embr

One of Canada’s fastest growing promotion and experiential marketing agency, Embr, is hiring an operations coordinator based in either Toronto or Vancouver.

Work with animals

  1. Help wildlife

Known for rescuing wild animals in and around Toronto, the Toronto Wildlife Centre needs a digital content coordinator. This organization is dedicated to educating the public on wildlife issues and you could be part of their team.

  1. Pet detective

Posted as a pet detective, this job with Blue Buffalo, a global pet food company, is really a part-time position promoting the brand in pet stores but perks include being around animals and getting pet adoption reimbursement.

  1. Toronto Humane Society jobs

While they don’t pay much, if you love animals, working with the Humane Society could be rewarding. They are currently looking for pet support agents who will primarily be responsible for day-to-day retail sales and adoptions, as well as the food bank and insurance programs.

Arts

  1. Storyboard artist for films

Snapz Productions is looking for a storyboard artist who can translate the script and directors vision into pictures.

  1. Illustrator

Create graphic elements and content for Nevvon, a global healthcare education company with an e-training platform designed to simplify mandatory annual education for caregivers.

Retail

  1. Work with crystals

Happy Soul Crystal Shop in Toronto is looking to hire three full-time retail staff, one inventory product assembler associate and one promotions marketing associate/assistant. This is the perfect job for those interested in crystals and spirituality with minimal experience.

  1. A career at Holt Renfrew

The Canadian luxury department store chain has several jobs listed including production assistant, sales associates, beauty advisor, concierge and personal shopping assistant. There’s even a vice president position based in North York, which pays $200,000-$260,000 per year.

  1. Jewelry jobs

Luxury of online jewelry store, Mejuri, has multiple jobs in Toronto including sales associate/stylist, customer service rep, store keyholder, photo producer, content writer, IT support specialist and email marketing manager.

  1. Be a beauty specialist

The French fashion house, Chanel, has jobs in the Toronto area including fashion advisors, beauty specialists and a boutique director.

Other cool jobs

  1. Flight coordinator

You will need customer service experience for this job as a flight coordinator with Chartright Air Group. Job tasks include monitoring flights to ensure safe and timely departures and arrivals and operating as a communication hub between clients, flight crew and management.

  1. For food-lovers

CozyMeal has openings in Toronto for food-lovers and beer/wine connoisseurs. Jobs include wine or brewery tour guides.

  1. Work for democracy

The next provincial election is coming up in 2022, which means there is work to be done to get ready. Elections Ontario has several positions including election clerk jobs, paying $37/hour, to work on specific electoral districts.

氣質首飾品牌 Mejuri：不張狂的低調優雅，適合為日常穿搭帶來精緻質感。

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想要具有個人的氣質魅力除了需要選對適合的服裝，些許到位的飾品點綴，也同樣是穿著打扮不經意的重要細節，如果你也在尋覓一款獨特的小眾飾品，除了瀏覽過去 POPBEE 為大家介紹的日本小眾首飾「l’oro」、來自台灣的獨立品牌「Cloud By Cloud」之外，這個來自多倫多的人氣輕奢品牌 Mejuri 絕對會投你所好！

Mejuri 由 Noura Sakkijha 與 Maj Masad 兩位創辦人在 2015 年成立於加拿大多倫多，兩人分別以自身的品味和觀點替都會女生設計適合日常配戴，卻不失精緻度的首飾，同時價格也非常平易近人，Mejuri 認為珠寶該成為生活的一部分，而無需等待特殊日子時花高價購入，整個品牌的風格頗有法國女人的愜意與優雅。

雖然價格可以輕鬆負擔，但 Mejuri 卻致力於提供和奢侈品牌相同的高級材料與製作工藝，並且在包裝等細節上從不馬虎，就算是每天配戴的飾品也維持著簡約而不失質感的體驗，結合來自多位珠寶設計師的創意發想，Mejuri 款式推陳出新的速度比許多大品牌更加頻繁，而每個系列的小量生產也讓購買者並不容易撞款，再加上許多 KOL 的推波助瀾，也難怪讓 Mejuri 成為許多時尚女生默默收藏的鍾愛品牌。