DANI OLIVEROS

Q&A

GN: Can you share how your journey in the entertainment industry began, transitioning from a model in New York City to an actress in Los Angeles, and what inspired you to pursue acting full-time?

DO: I started off as a dancer. I got into it when I was six years old through an afterschool program and eventually majored in classical dance at a performing arts middle and high school. During summers, I trained with Alvin Ailey in New York City, and at the same time, I picked up a part-time job at Hollister. Hollister used to submit photos of their employees to the headquarters for the handbook, showcasing how to style their clothes. I was selected, and after that shoot, a few friends encouraged me to take the photos to modeling agencies. That led me to move to the city and model full-time.

Eventually, a relationship sparked a move to Los Angeles, where my modeling agency had a commercial division. That’s when I was exposed to acting for the first time. I remember asking, “How do I get into film and TV?” and they just said, “Honey, figure it out.” So began my long journey of "figuring it out." But that was the seed being planted. A total butterfly effect moment.

GN: Your role as Kirsten in Skill House marks a dive into the horror thriller genre. What drew you to this project, and how did it feel to work on a film described as a dark satire of social media and influencer culture?

DO: Coming from a modeling background, there was definitely some resistance when I first started acting. I felt boxed into certain types of roles. But I realized I could lean into that perception and still use it to showcase my range in roles that demanded more depth and versatility. That’s what drew me to this project — it was a story I genuinely liked, with a team I respected, and it gave me a chance to play into type while subverting it at the same time. Playing an influencer in a horror satire forced us to walk a fine line: we weren’t just influencers in a horror movie, but actors playing influencers, commenting on influencer culture itself. That nuance was fascinating to navigate.

GN: How did your background in dance and performing arts influence your preparation for the role of Kirsten, a beauty guru, in Skill House?

DO: My arts background definitely influences how I prepare. As a dancer, I’m trained to analyze every detail — mimicking movements, absorbing nuances. That’s how I approached portraying a makeup influencer. Even though I’m surrounded by that world, it’s never been a space I’ve been a part of, so I had to study it like choreography. It was a crash course in “learning how to play” within a world I hadn’t personally lived in.

GN: Working with notable producers like Ryan Kavanaugh and Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson must have been a unique experience. Can you describe what it was like collaborating with
them and director Josh Stolberg on Skill House?

DO: Working with Ryan, 50 Cent, and Josh was incredible. They’re each icons in their fields, so having them all together on one project was surreal. Our VFX team was also phenomenal. I learned so much — especially about how deep horror requires you to go emotionally. Josh in particular pushed me as an actor in ways I hadn’t experienced before. I honestly credit him for the confidence I have now when I walk into an audition room.

GN: Skill House has been compared to Saw with its intense, trap-filled narrative. How did you approach portraying a character in such a high- stakes, psychological setting, and what Challenges did you face?

DO: No matter how much preparation I did, nothing could really prepare me for what it’s like to perform under “Saw-trap” levels of intensity. I came in with pages of prep, and within the first few hours, realized I had to throw half of it out. You can think you’re ready to react to someone’s head rolling off — but when you see it (thanks to mind-blowing practical effects), it’s a different story. Every single day on set, someone died. There were no easy days. That was the challenge: maintaining those stakes over weeks of shooting.

GN: You've mentioned enjoying a variety of hobbies like sewing, painting, and playing drums. Did any of these creative outlets help you connect with your character or prepare for your role in Skill House?

DO: Before projects, I always try to front-load as much self-care and mental wellness as I can, because I know once filming starts, it’ll be nonstop. That usually involves a lot of hobbies — gymnastics, weight lifting, boxing, swimming, dancing — anything to channel all my built-up creative (and physical) energy. Prep time is my “fun time” before the chaos.

GN: Having started in commercials before moving to feature films, how has your acting process evolved, and what specific skills did you bring from your modeling and commercial work to your performance in Skill House?

DO: Commercials and film are completely different beasts. Commercials feel like extended modeling—holding a certain posture and presence. For film and TV, you have to shed that. Coming from modeling, it sounds silly, but I had to retrain myself not to look into the camera. That instinct was so ingrained. On the flip side, there were movements and physicalities I could bring to my character, Kirsten, that made sense for someone always “on” in front of a camera.

GN: The film's premise involves influencers trapped in a brutal, live-streamed survival game. How do you think Skill House reflects or critiques today's social media culture, and did this resonate with you personally?

DO: Skill House really explores this question of: “How far would you go?” Especially in a digital world where clout is currency. When stakes get raised, how far do people go morally? It’s commentary on how much of our identity exists online, and the blurred lines between authenticity and performance. Personally, I don’t think I’d go very far for views. It’s been a struggle to even convince me to make a TikTok! But the themes of perception versus reality definitely resonated.

GN: Can you share a memorable moment or scene from the Skill House set that stood out to you, either because of its intensity, humor, or the creative process behind it?

DO: One moment I’ll never forget was filming my “big scene” in the movie — the kind of scene every actor gets one of. I came in prepared, zen, headphones in, ready for 13-hour solo days. Josh came up to me and casually said, “Today, you’re going to regret signing onto this movie.” He wasn’t wrong. We didn’t start my monologue at 100%. We started at 150%. Every time we’d change camera angles, I had to start from the very beginning of the monologue and if I didn’t hit the emotional intensity, we’d go back to square one. Over and over. It was brutal, but it was also a breakthrough. Without that push, I wouldn’t have known I could handle it. And for the record — the camera operator passed out during that scene because the blood effects were so realistic. So… yeah. That scene is going to stick with me forever for multiple reasons!

GN: What does Goodnight mean to you?

DO: As for Goodnight — to me, it’s a moment of gratitude. It’s reflection on what went right in the day, what I can learn from, and an acknowledgment that no matter how good or bad the day was, it’s over. Tomorrow is a clean slate. That’s what “goodnight” means to me.

photography & styling: KIMBERLY

hair & makeup: FAYE LAUREN at TRACEY MATTINGLY using CHARLOTTE TILBURY and ORIBE hair products