‘Winning Time’s Carina Conti: Getting ‘vote of confidence’ from Paula Abdul was ‘best surprise’

Carina Conti plays a young Paula Abdul early in her career on HBO’s “Winning Time.” HL spoke SPECIFICALLY to Carina about Paula’s “courage”, why she was initially “shy” about catching up with the pop legend, and more.

Paula Abdul is the last star to fall on my fold time to win† Karina Contic She plays a young Paula who is just starting out as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers. Paula would eventually become the Laker Girls’ main choreographer and become a music and dance sensation.

Carina JUST spoke to HollywoodLife He said meeting Paula was one of the “most humiliating experiences” for him. The actress/dancer admitted that she was initially “pretty shy” about communicating with Paula, but meeting her by chance and then getting her “voice of trust” meant everything to her. Read our full questions and answers below:

When you started reading this chapter, did you know it was for Paula Abdul? Was it just for a Laker Girl? Tell me about the selection process.
Carina Conti: I knew from the start this was for Paula Abdul. They never used codenames, they were never vague about them. It actually helped a lot because I could start researching right away to figure out how to wear my hair, what kind of dress I could wear, her makeup and everything in between. I guess it would have been a very different audition if I hadn’t known because I really went out of my way to adapt it the way I thought it would be at the time.

When it comes to research, she started out as Laker Girl and has since become a global icon. Where did you start and what was most useful to you?
Carina Conti: Getting to know Paula has been one of the most humiliating experiences for me ever. The more I learn about her, the more I respect her, the more I admire her, and the more I want to be like her because she was only 18-19 when she auditioned for Laker Girls. It’s not the first time. He had to audition three or four times a day to get on this team, and the way he says who he is… he’s exactly the kind of friend I’d like to have as a real person. I wish I had that kind of courage, that kind of determination, that kind of confidence, that kind of rejection in that moment. can you imagine She is truly wonderful and has always been special.

You really need to have a healthy level of confidence to keep doing this over and over and get rejected. But you also need to be knowledgeable in your abilities and skills to know that you are worthy of being there.
Carina Conti: I think it really depends on that and that’s the beauty of this show. This is really just the powder keg of such people. People who are exceptional at what they do and believe in themselves because they are exceptional at what they do. You can see all these people coming together and fighting for the chance to do what they do.

Have you seen what the Laker Girls training is like? Did anything catch your interest?
Carina Conti: There is this video on YouTube. It’s almost a documentary, but I think it’s a really special rest. It includes the Laker Girls and I think it’s 1980. It’s fascinating because they’re all professional dancers. The rehearsals were either free or minimally paid gigs, and you worked hard. All these dancers, the testimonies are so passionate and loving, and then you see each of them doing the type of dance that has their strong points. Like a contemporary dancer. He is like a traditional Chinese dancer. They are diverse and very talented. It’s humbling how hard they work for such a small reward.

What is your background in dance and what is your expertise?
Carina Conti: I’ve been a dancer my whole life. I grew up with classical ballet. I did this until I graduated high school, and got into competitive hip-hop until college when I moved to Los Angeles. I played mostly jazz funk, heels. I want to take ballet lessons again. I am very grateful that I have a background in this, because technique always comes back in ballet. It would be a huge challenge for me to get him back into the mix.

Paul recently Speech and by chance we saw that awesome video where you talk about meeting him and his reaction. Have you spoken to him since the premiere of the show? What was your relationship with him?
Carina Conti: I guess I was a little shy because I admire him so much. Actually I wasn’t sure because as far as I know it’s not a licensed show. I didn’t know what he was thinking, so I was a little hesitant to contact him. I was just trying to get rid of absolute respect and absolute humility. Meeting him by chance months ago was just a blessing. It was completely random and I felt so grateful that he took me this way. And finally I really feel your reaction Speech It was the best surprise. I just listened in my room. I just sat there for a moment and then laughed until I cried because I didn’t realize how nervous I was trying to gain her trust. This was very important to me and I didn’t think it was something I could achieve. It wasn’t something I trusted, so it was the best surprise.

During this journey he played, there might be something you discovered about him, maybe something you didn’t know about and maybe you didn’t realize before?
Carina Conti: He is a really hard worker. Incredibly motivated. It has a lot of discharge and that’s one of my favorite things about it. It’s something I know myself and I’m very proud of. The way she fought for her spot on Laker Girls is phenomenal. Despite being one of the youngest members and possibly the shortest member, the way he’s become chief choreographer in the year he’s been on the team… is phenomenal. The way she sings after being criticized is outstanding. Unbelievable.

As a dancer who has witnessed countless choreographic routines, how did you feel from a dancer’s point of view compared to the Laker Girls routine? Are you their fan?
Carina Conti: I think you should embrace that era with all your heart, because what Paula was doing was so new for that era. It was cutting-edge. Inside, he had an idea of ​​what was going to happen. She helped define what the next dance era would be like, and that’s how she became the Jacksons’ choreographer. She became a trendsetter by simply following what was in her heart, so I embrace the choreography with the same cheek and joy that I dreamed of.