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A Conversation with 90210’s Brandon Michael Vayda
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Few television shows have produced the kind of following of the soapy, hormone driven, “
Mike Parker – You started out in show business as a little kid doing print work for companies like Mattel and
Brandon Michael Vayda – Pretty much. I did it for a couple of years as a kid, but we moved to
Parker – I understand you were a pretty decent athlete during your high school years; that you even considered going pro?
Vayda – Growing up I really wanted to be a pro baseball player. I was pretty good at sports and I still am. As recently as 2003 or 2004 I was still pursuing my dream of being a pro baseball player. I would drive up to LA to audition and I started getting some parts, but then baseball season would come around and it was decision time. I got injured playing ball when I was 16. Then I got hurt again when I was 18. When I hurt myself for the third time, my mom said, ‘You know, you might want to consider acting.’ That’s when I started going to acting classes hard core. That was when I really started pursuing entertainment full time.
Parker – Did you ever try any other type of job outside of the entertainment industry?
Vayda – I worked at the Gap for about three weeks, but I wasn’t very good at it.
Parker – You’re big break come when you scored a part on The OC.
Vayda – It’s funny, when I booked The OC I was the first person ever from
Parker – Tell me about Mike, the role you play in 90210.
Vayda –Mike is a funny guy. He is one of the ringleaders of the popular kids. He’s grown up with everyone and everyone cares about what he thinks. He’s one of the guys that is part of that young popular group that is prevalent in high school. He was hard nosed in the beginning, but now he’s in a lot of the comedic scenes in the show. Like all the characters on 90210 Mike has many layers and you get to see him unravel from time to time. He is humorous, outgoing, talkative and very friendly toward all his friends.
Parker – So, what’s this I hear about you and the upcoming flick, “The Ghost Riders?”
Vayda – I gotta see what’s going on with that. There are a couple of other projects that I might be up for as well, but right now 90210 takes most of my time.
Parker – Your sister, Krystal, is also an actress. Does it help to have someone in the family who understands what you go through in this industry?
Vayda – There have been a couple of times when the competitive thing has risen up. But over all it is great to have another actor in the family. She has always been there for me during the down times. You have to react to a lot of adversity in this industry and having a family member who understands that is a good thing to have. She has definitely been a positive influence on me. She is a very talented actress in her own right. I think she is going to have a great career.
Parker – Last words?
Vayda – A lot of people don’t know that we are all friends on the show, that we all get along. All those rumors about strife on the set, they are not true. Everyone acts professionally and I am glad to be associated with so many talented people. I am very fortunate to have that opportunity. It is the dream job.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Vayda – The ocean.
2. What makes you happy?
Vayda – My family. My dogs. And working.
3. What makes you angry?
Vayda – Naivety.
4. What is the secret of success?
Vayda – Everyone has their own definition of success, but for me it is being yourself and not changing who you are.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Vayda – Somebody cool, like Charlie Chaplin.
6. What is written on your tombstone?
Vayda – Live
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Vayda – You lived life the way it was intended. You followed your dreams and didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
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