by Jennifer Jonassen

disFIGURED the movie, Written, Directed and Produced by Glenn Gers, Co-Stars Deidra Edwards and Staci Lawrence... 2 graceful women struggling with weight issues from 2 different perspectives.  What a pleasure it was to sit down with Deidra for a heart-to-heart about her experience and thoughts on this dynamic, thought-provoking movie...

Jennifer Jonassen: Tell us about the big disFIGURED première!
 
Deidra Edwards: It took place at the Santa Barbara International Film Fest and it was a dream come true. This is my first feature film, my first lead, my first everything. I have been out here a long time, and this is my first break. It was the first time I saw myself on the big screen.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: What was that like?
 
Deidra Edwards: Well you know you never know how you will feel about seeing yourself on the big screen, but I was relieved... I knew that is exactly where I'm supposed to be. Finally! It took me a really long time to get my break.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: Because you didn't sell out.
 
Deidra Edwards: It took me so long when I got out here. I know I have to pay my dues, but I have to be able to sleep at night. I will never, ever be the girl shoveling food in her face for a joke. Ever. It was a long time until I got this break because the things that were offered me were those awful stereotypical roles or I was being offered roles that were 20 years older than me. I was so thrilled to get this opportunity.

View the "disFIGURED" Trailer
 


Jennifer Jonassen: This is why I've wanted to interview you for so long. We are kindred spirits! I was so envious of the love scene you have in the movie. Gorgeous!
 
Deidra Edwards: These roles are not out there. They are not written.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: No it doesn't exist.
 
Deidra Edwards: Glenn Gers, Writer-Director, says that there really isn't another scene like that in another film.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: I can't think of any.
 
Deidra Edwards: I am alternately very, very proud but still kind of horrified too that I did it. It can be shocking to see yourself in that situation on screen.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: Tell us how it all began.
 
Deidra Edwards: It's so interesting to me that this is the film that I got a big opportunity in because all it talks about is that subject. Ironically, it's the subject I am trying to separate from the acting world but what a great story.

When I read this script, well even before I read the script, the character description of Lydia in the breakdown, I couldn't believe it... the character is very overweight, intelligent, graceful, sensual; like a woman. I read the story and it really moved me. It was real and human and everything in it is truth and I felt so moved to tell the writer thank you that this exists at all in Hollywood. In fact the writer's representative information was on the script and I wrote Glen a thank you note and dropped it at his agent's office. Never expecting to hear anything ever, he emailed me and we began this dialogue. He asked me to go to lunch and I remember being so excited that I was going to get to have lunch with the writer, when do you get to do something like that? We were talking about Darcy and Lydia and somewhere in that conversation I started referring to myself as Lydia. But then he said realistically speaking they were looking for big names etc. So I said to him there's no name for the fat girl so get a name for the skinny girl instead!
 
Jennifer Jonassen: I love it!
 
Deidra Edwards: He said he couldn't promise anything but an audition. Then a whole year goes by. They had to push it back an entire year. He called me back four times! He said he just wanted to make sure that 'what he was seeing he was really seeing'.
 
Jennifer Jonassen: But he must've known all along you were the one.