By Samantha Ewers
The uptight accountant from “The Office” played by Angela Kinsey could not be more opposite from her television character. Her sweet and down-to-Earth nature makes you forget that you are in the presence of a primetime celebrity when you are with her. She teamed up with Publicolor and Post-It Brand to unveil the world’s largest artist billboard made of Post-It Sticky Notes. This presentation and celebration of the junior high/high school students that contributed to this production is being held in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal free for the public to view between August 3rd and August 6th.
I had a chance to sit down with Angela after the unveiling, and it would be an understatement to say that her company is pleasant. She is sweet, gracious, and everything her character on the hit Emmy-award winning show, “The Office” is not. I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions, so without further adieu…
Samantha: What made you decide to team up with the Post-It Brand and Publicolor to raise awareness to this exhibition?Angela: I just really feel we don’t invest enough in the art departments in schools in the US. I grew up overseas and had an amazing art, music, and theatre program. So if I could bring awareness to the arts, I was all for it.
Samantha: How has becoming a recent mother changed you and your lifestyle? As a busy, on-the-go woman in television with an infant, do you find work and home difficult to juggle?Angela: Well, I think all moms ponder ‘how do I have it all? Kids and a career- will one suffer?’ The perpetual guilt you have every time you leave the house- Oh, I think that’s something that has always been a struggle for women. I’m really fortunate because my daughter can come visit me at work and I know that that’s rare. All of my sisters worked, as most families need to be dual income, and they love to remind me of how lucky I am! I feel really fortunate. One thing I found to be unfortunate is that I’m completely unorganized now. I used to have a label maker and a drawer just for ribbons! Now I feel like my house is filled with clutter. I feel like all I do is pick up toys and put them in the basket, and do the same thing over again!
Samantha: Do you find your own persona to be very similar and/or different from your character as “Angela Martin” on “The Office”?Angela: Oh my God, we are totally different. She’s very prickly and judgmental, and I think I’m sort of non-confrontational. I don’t know, I think the one thing I’ve definitely learned over the last couple of years is ‘Give everyone a break, no one is perfect, don’t judge, just take people as they are’.
Samantha: Which cast member of “The Office” would you consider your closest friend/ acquaintance?Angela: Well, my best friend is Jenna Fischer, for real. One of the greatest gifts that show has ever given me is her. We talk every day, no matter where we are. I feel so fortunate to have met her.
Samantha: How do you feel about the Steve Carrell’s departure from the show and how do you feel about the direction the show will take in the future?Angela: Steve is definitely leaving after this year, and we’re going in knowing that, but I’m really going to miss him! Yet, how he will exit will probably be some of the most fun television around. I have no idea what the writers are going to come up with, but I know it’ll be great.
Angela was so pleasant to chat with, I could have asked her questions all day, although I was not the only journalist who was ecstatic to have the opportunity. I do know now that I will definitely see another side to Angela while watching repeats of “The Office” on TBS or the upcoming season on NBC. This show never fails to disappoint, and neither did this event. (imnotobsessed)