Your role as Pennsatucky in OITNB is so distinctive, it’s how most know you, I would think. You have done so much else; acting, DJing, sing- ing, I didn’t realize how much. I loved learning that you were the singer on “The Wreckoning.” It has always been one of my favorite dance tunes. Was that song your first chart topper? Really? I love that, thank you! “The Wreckoning” was the first. It was with my band Boomkat and my brother, it was our first big release. After that, I had a song on the 8 Mile movie soundtrack, then there was some EDM stuff after that, as well. I’ve
always loved EDM, even before it was known as EDM—even though now I have to call it that! (Laughs) I love it. How did you come by your role forOrange Is The New Black? My manager called and said that there was this interesting situa-
tion, a role that came in as an offer. When he mentioned it though, he had this funny tone in his voice, “It’s an odd, really bizarre character and it’s a ‘Netflix Original Series.’” I thought it was cool. I’m the kind of person who will always take a risk, in order to create something new. It might be a little weird or something that nobody else is doing, but for me, it’s exactly the kind of role I like… and for that matter, the kind of people I like to be around. Risk takers, pioneers, that sort of idea—edgy, creative, ballsy, those kinds of things. Did you have any idea that the role was going to continue? I feel, like my manager said, what is probably the most politically
correct thing that you can say to a client (laughs), “And it could be- come recurring.” He said that I had to make myself a “local hire” in New York. I had no idea what that meant. Basically, I had to find a place to live in the city, which I thought was going to be really easy and it wasn’t. Did anyone really have any idea of how crazyOITNB was going to become? I came in around the sixth episode of season one, so I hadn’t been
around to see the excitement or feel the energy of the girls or the show. Hustle and Flow was sort of a breakout for me, but even then, I can’t say I’ve known that something was going to be a success. To be completely candid with you, I was on set and thought, “What are we making? What the heck is the tone of this show?” I don’t know that any of us really understood what was happening, which, is a big part of the magic of it, I think. I can’t imagine how much of an adjustment it must be to be a part of that kind of success. It must be intense. I’ve been doing this for a while now, since I was 18 and I’m now
in my 30s. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and have been a part of small things and some huge films, but this is on a whole other level. This is definitely a high point. But like my mom always says, “Don’t get to high on the highs and don’t get to low on the lows.” I have the experience to know that this is a phase—it’s a wonderful phase, but it will change. Hopefully, it will open even more doors to the things that I want to do and to different types of roles that I’d like to play. It’s definitely brought a new awareness to all of us on the show.
I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of Taryn Manning —if we’re lucky.
Orange Is The New Black is a Netflix Original Series, catch all three seasons at
netflix.com. Keep up with all things Taryn Manning at
tarynmanning.com. She will be appearing in San Diego at the Pride Music Festival in Balboa Park on Saturday, July 18, for tickets and more information go
tosdpride.org.
JULY 2015 | RAGE monthly 53
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