Is it true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? A valid question, the answer is yes it is because as it turns out the standards for beauty is not always the same to every culture or individual for that matter. With that mind, it is unfortunate that society puts pressure on us to look a certain way, often times doing so with standards nearly impossible to attain. Involved in entertainment since she was a young child, Actress/Musician EG Daily is all too familiar with this harsh reality.
Highly accomplished, and equally diverse, Daily has done everything from star in popular feature films such as 1984’s Streets of Fire to 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure to bring animated characters to life with her voice such as the adorable Tommy Pickles on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats. Equally sharing a love for music, Daily continues to write and record, most recently releasing her latest single/music video “So Pretty.” A song that talks about the vanity of society, it is something everyone can relate to. Taking the time to chat about the song, Daily sat down for an interview covering everything from her career in film to working as a voice-over actress.
Cryptic Rock – You have been involved in entertainment professionally for over four decades now. Starring in a list of memorable films including 1983’s Valley Girl and 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, you have also been very successful as a voice actress. First, briefly tell us, what inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?
EG Daily – The arts I guess kind of pursued me! I felt like school and learning was difficult for me cause of some very common learning challenges. The arts just worked a different kind of brain… less threatening and more natural… from dance, music, composing, and later acting.
Cryptic Rock – Very interesting to hear how you would find a calling in such a manner. Mentioning just a few of the many films you have been a part of, you have had the chance to work in Comedies, Dramas, and even Horror films. Do you enjoy that diversity as an actress to be able to work in various genres?
EG Daily – Oh yeah! I love changing myself up and doing different things! I never get bored!
Cryptic Rock – It is wonderful to have the ability to be diverse. Seeing that you have worked in various genres, do you have a favorite you enjoy most, find the most liberating, or even challenging as an actress?
EG Daily – I think Horror is fun cause you get to play pretend and go into a different realm. I also like the fantasy elements of film in general, just getting to live in a different life than your own for a little bit is awesome!
Cryptic Rock – Yes, that must be fun to break away, even for a little. Interestingly enough, you have offered your voice to many well-known cartoons through the years including Rugrats and The Powerpuff Girls, just to name a few. How did you get involved in voice acting? How would you compare the work to acting in a live action film?
EG Daily – I did a play a long time ago and someone saw me. In the play I was a female wrestler and each round of the play I was a different age! This agent heard me and said, “Your really good with your voice.” The next thing I was being represented by him as my voice-over agent and my first cartoon I ever auditioned for was Tommy Pickles in Rugrats! The rest is history! Voice-over is very freeing cause it doesn’t matter what you look like and on camera you can change your looks around! Its amazing either way! Voice over or acting on camera.
Cryptic Rock – It is great that you have the chance to challenge yourself with both aspects of acting. Beyond acting, you have always been very involved in music. You have written and recorded through the years and found success with it as well. Was music something always important to you and as a form of expression? How does it differ for you to acting?
EG Daily – Yes, music always rocked my world! All of the songs I write are autobiographical. I write what’s going on and how I feel about things so, hopefully, people will relate and feel them too. Music is similar as acting in that it is mostly all about feeling things and relating.
Cryptic Rock – That is what is great about music, it can be interpreted differently by different people and still connect on a personal level. You most recently released the track “So Pretty,” which is much more skin deep than the title may imply. Here, you approach the topic of vanity and the preconceived notions one may have based on another’s looks or simply just judging people by their beauty, or what is considered pretty based on Hollywood and the media’s dictation. What inspired the song?
EG Daily – Being in the entertainment industry my whole life and the constant pressure to make sure I was enough on the outsides… pretty enough… smart enough… sexy enough… cool enough… have the perfect body… enough… I realize its affected most humans… the need to be okay enough on the outsides. It’s a bottomless pit. What we need to do is fill up our insides with self-care, self-respect, self-love, and genuine human connection.
Cryptic Rock – Very true! There are many beautiful people in the world, but beauty is not always what we are taught it is by a magazine cover or a movie. Unfortunately, this has been part of our culture for a very long time. That said, some of these unrealistic images presented to us can be damaging to people of all ages who believe they are not beautiful. Especially impressionable youth. Would you agree?
EG Daily – Absolutely! It’s hard to keep up with a perfect filtered selfie of yourself.
Cryptic Rock – Absolutely. With “So Pretty” out, including a music video that is a must-watch, can we expect some more new music in the future?
EG Daily – Yes! More songs in TV and film as well.
Cryptic Rock – That is something to look out for. Still very active in recent years as a voice actress, you also have starred in some feature films as well. What can you tell us about some upcoming projects you have?
EG Daily – Well Rugrats just got an order for a reboot! That’s amazing! I also do Curious George as the voice of Steve. I’m starring and producing a new show that’s coming soon called Maddie and Friends. I’m also working on more animal rescue and foster. Additionally, I have a voice over seminar you can get on my website www.EGDaily.com. Loving the most, the project of being mom to my incredibly talented daughters Hunter and Tyson.
Cryptic Rock – It seems you keep yourself very busy between work and being a mom. Seeing you have such a strong passion for music, out of curiosity, what are some of your influences?
EG Daily – Coldplay, U2, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Ed Sheeran, and so many more!
Cryptic Rock – That is a great collection of artists that are legendary and diverse. Last question. On Cryptic Rock, we also cover movies, particularly Horror and Sci-Fi. If you are a fan of these genres, what are some of your favorites and why?
EG Daily – I love Rob Zombie movies, they are quite interesting! Also, Rob is a genius, not to mention a cool artist!
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