Interview with Daphne Zuniga star of "On Strike For Christmas"

I had an opportunity to talk with Daphne Zuniga (of Melrose Place) about her role in Lifetime Movie Network's "On Strike for Christmas" airing throughout December on LMN. Daphne stars in the heartwarming original family movie, based on the novel of the same name by Sheila Roberts. I loved how we shared the same view on today's women having too much pressure to look perfect and the ability to do it all. She told how she likes to meditate, how much she cares about the environment and it sounds like she is quite  opposite from her role as Joy in "On Strike for Christmas."

Daphne isn't married and doesn't have children, and she sounded pretty surprised that the Christmas planning and busy family life shown in the movie is pretty common in many families. Moms are overworked and trying to balance their job, family and everyone's Christmas gift lists, Holiday parties, baking, decorating - and the list goes on. Daphne said that she is an aunt, and was excited to be part of a family movie that everyone in the family can watch. 

Do you think today’s women face too much pressure to be perfect? To look perfect, have perfect homes and careers?

Daphne Zuniga: Societally speaking – it’s been coming for years. If I think of my mother and the liberation of the seventies - women started working and started trying to balance careers and family. It's been really difficult for women to find that balance.  Now I feel like you have to notice your inner perfectionist and let it go and to be willing to be just yourself.  I wish women were able to say to themselves it's enough just to be here and do my best, and wouldn’t that be great if "my best" was enough. And women should have the willingness to ask for help, instead of trying too hard to do it all. 

What was the best part of being in the movie "On Strike for Christmas?"

Zuniga: I was just thinking before this interview how much fun it was to film this movie, and how much I enjoyed the physical comedy part of it, like falling off the ladder. To me it was just play time. The producer of the movie was on the set most of the time, and he brought a great energy, and we all enjoyed making the movie. I liked the way the movie was written and the heartfulness of it. 

What’s next for you? Any big plans?

Zuniga: I’m working on a wonderful series out of a book series, and also a play, which we hope to have first in LA and then in NY, it's a comedy, and I'm very excited about doing theatre again. I stared in theater, and the last one was 3 or 4 years ago.  It’s terrifying, there are no second takes like when filming movies or doing TV, but it’s exhilarating and very rewarding. 

You can read more what we talked about in my additional feature at Skimbaco Lifestyle. 

"On Strike for Christmas" airs on December 9 at 8 pm ET, December 10 at 12am ET and December 24 at 10 pm ET.