By Bridget Campos
Actress Angela Kinsey from the hit television show, The Office, has over the years kept fans both annoyed yet entertained by her character, Angela Martin, an uptight, belittling accountant who only shows any ounce of happiness when it comes to talking about her cats.
Of course, Kinsey’s television character is a far cry from who she is in real life, a cheerful and caring person, especially when it comes to parenting her four-year-old daughter, Isabel. TheCelebrityCafe.com spoke with the actress about her next TV project following the ending ofThe Office and her work as an ambassador for Citrus Lane, a care package company that specializes in delivering various kid-friendly products to families with infants and toddlers.
TheCelebrityCafe.com: What are your thoughts about The Office coming to an end after nine seasons?
Angela Kinsey: Oh my god, Bridget, it is very bittersweet. I love so much the group of people that I’m working with. They really are like my extended family. We are all very close. I’m going to miss them so much. On that end it’s kind of sad. It’s been a lot of fun playing Angela Martin, no matter how weird and persnickety she is. But at the same time for the integrity of the show and the storyline, I feel it is time to say goodbye.
TCC: What is the one thing you will miss about playing your Office character, Angela Martin?
AK: Well, it’s always fun to play the bitch. I personally have sort of a hard time telling people off. So it’s nice to play someone who is very bold and could care less what others think about her.
TCC: Do you know what can fans expect from the show’s very last episode?
AK: We’re still halfway through the show. I actually don’t know what the final episode will be. They’re still working on that. But I think this season is turning out to be really great because there are a lot of characters having these big crisis moments in their lives.
My character just figured out that Oscar is sleeping with the Senator, which is going to unravel Angela Martin’s world. Jim and Pam are at a crisis because Jim is getting this job in Philadelphia. Andy is also going to have a big break in his life and so is Erin. All these characters are having these huge moments that are going to play out. I think the show is going to have a great ending.
TCC: I know some former cast members of The Office have left to do their own shows. Even you have one coming up, a sitcom on FOX called Dirty Blondes. What inspired you to create this show?
AK: My show is based off the friendship of my friend, Rachael Harris, and I. We have known each other for 16 years. The show is about two women that are starting over later in life. It’s all about new beginnings, the trials and humiliations, but also the small victories in life.
TCC: When is the pilot expected to air?
AK: I’m not sure. I imagine we’ll shoot the pilot the beginning of next year.
TCC: Aside from working on television projects, you are also a very dedicated mother. What would you say is the most challenging part of being a single parent?
AK: I would love to sometimes have an extra set of hands to help around the house. I don’t know what people’s perceptions are of TV actresses and if they have tons of help around, because I don’t. I sometimes wish my mom or my sisters lived right across the street from me, so they could come over and help me out at dinner time. It’s those kinds of moments that as a parent you really would like to have a little extra help. I think all parents want that.
TCC: So you want your daughter to grow up in an environment just like any other regular family?
AK: Yes, I really want to do it myself. I want it to be my daughter and I. But I do have a lady help us when I’m working and when Isabel’s dad is working. We don’t have an entourage of nannies taking care of everything. We don’t live in the glitzy part of town. We are kind of out in the suburbs. Our neighbors are not actors, but are mostly lawyers, accountants, and school teachers. That’s what I want. I think even in a big city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago you can still find a community that feels like a small town. I wanted my child to grow up in that type of environment.
TCC: What advice would you give on how to have cooperative co-parenting during the holidays?
AK: My ex-husband and I have a really great relationship because our daughter is everything to us. I would say we co-parent very well not only on the holidays, but all year round. We just made this a part of our foundation that will be forever. We do activities together every weekend as a family, just the three of us. Often during the week we take turns helping each other take Isabel to school or picking her up. We’ll even have lunch or dinner together. In fact, we are going to have Thanksgiving together. And we’re planning of doing some activities for Christmas, like going to go see Santa as a family at the mall. This is a choice my ex-husband and I have made and we tend to keep it for the sake of our daughter.
TCC: But what if a person doesn’t get along with their ex? Is it still possible to co-parent for the sake of the kids?
AK: I feel every person’s situation is different. But what can really help the partnership is if you can keep it about your child then it helps smooth everything out.
TCC: Tell me about the holiday care package you created for Citrus Lane.
AK: Yes, I designed a special edition care package for preschoolers between the ages of three to six. I did create the holiday box based on items my daughter likes, but I think boys might like it too. The care package contains items like a tea set by Green Toys. They are a company that makes items out of recycled material. Also, the box contains an Ivy and Bean paper doll set by Chronicle Books. These dolls have clothes that are removable stickers so your can constantly change their outfits. It’s great for traveling because you can easily fit them in a bag. There is also a Sparkle Hearts gift set, which are lotions. My daughter is pretty girly so she’s into this type of stuff that has glitter in it. And it’s also non-toxic. Fruit and veggie snacks are also included in the box from Plum Organic. They are really yummy and chewy. It’s a sweet treat that parents can feel good about putting them in your kid’s lunch box. You also get a cute penguin cookie cutter, which was donated by one of my favorite non profit organizations, Oceana.org. They help in protecting the world’s oceans. It’s good to tell your little ones about ocean conservation and what small steps we can take to help keep marine life safe.
I love being the Ambassador for a great company like Citrus Lane. This group, consisting of moms and parents, research these really good products, making sure they are organic and safe for the environment, and then put these items in a box and ship them to their subscribers every month. These are great care packages that parents will love because they will be getting quality products that their kids will enjoy.