PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Growing up in the world of performance arts in Germany, Katarina Leigh Waters moved to England to pursue a degree in film and drama. However, this was put on hold when her hobby of wrestling launched into a full-time career when she signed on with WWE. Currently residing in L.A., she has since returned to her love of film and storytelling as a writer and actress, appearing in several upcoming indie features including Todd Bartoo’s directorial debut, Killing Joan. You can read our review of the film right here as well as our interview with the director here. This gorgeous, multi-talented actress generously took a break from her busy schedule to speak with PopHorror about her love for wrestling, film and the arts.
PopHorror: Hi, Katarina! Thank you for speaking with me.
Katarina Leigh Waters: Of course!
PopHorror: So, how did you became involved in the film industry?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I grew up around performance arts. I started acting when I was little, and also performed at my hometown local theater as part of a children’s chorus. Later on, I earned a degree in film and drama at university in England. I moved to London to pursue a career in performance arts as well as wrestling, which kind of took over when I signed with WWE. Once my time with them ended, I decided to go back to my film and theater roots. So, I moved to L.A., where I’ve been since, doing some writing, acting and directing.
PopHorror: It sounds like you’re quite busy! Has film always been something you wanted to do?
Katarina Leigh Waters: Yeah! When I was little, I grew up watching a lot of live theater. My parents had both worked in theater and performance arts. My mother had been a ballerina and my father had been an opera singer. So, growing up, I had been exposed to a lot of theatrical arts, including ballets, operas and plays. So, anything to do with performing and storytelling, I absolutely loved. I also wrote a lot as a kid. I wrote a lot of short stories. So, it’s not necessarily film as a specific medium, but any type of storytelling, performance or creative arts that have always been something I’ve always wanted to do.
PopHorror: So, diving into wrestling, how did you become involved with WWE?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I have been a fan of wrestling since I was in my late teens and early adulthood. At the time, I didn’t know that it was something you could actually pursue or how to go about it. All I knew at the time was the pro-wrestling powerhouse names. When I moved to London to pursue film and theater, I came across a British wrestling show, and I had never heard of such a thing. So, I decided to check it out. I asked one of the performers about how to get involved. Soon after, I found a school and started training once a week. After I had been wrestling through this school for a few years, I noticed that WWE was hosting tryouts, and I decided to go ahead apply for it. After I submitted my information, they contacted me and allowed me to participate in tryouts. I didn’t hear anything, but I had an opportunity to try out a second time, and that is when they hired me.
PopHorror: That sounds like an incredible experience. Were you always planning on transitioning from wrestling to film?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I mean, film was always something I was going to do anyway. Wrestling began as a hobby and side gig, and it just happened to take over because, of course, once you sign with WWE, that is your life. When that ended, I decided to return to the film business by moving to L.A.
PopHorror: So, do you miss wrestling?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I’m still wrestling! (laughs) I’ve taken some breaks here and there, but I’ve been doing a lot more recently in the independent scene. I actually have a match coming up!
PopHorror: That’s awesome!
Katarina Leigh Waters: This way I get the best of both worlds. (laughs)
PopHorror: So, in regards to your upcoming film, Killing Joan, are action and horror films your preferred genres?
Katarina Leigh Waters: To be honest, horror isn’t my preferred genre to watch. As it turns out, a lot of smaller, independent, low-budget films are horror because there is a huge cult following for it. So, I tend to be involved in them more, and they are very fun to do. It’s the same with action films. My background with stage combat and wrestling really makes action films a good fit and enjoyable to do. Action films involve different techniques than wrestling, but they have similarities as far as physicality, attitude and intensity that I really enjoy.
PopHorror: Oh, absolutely. It can’t be too big of a stretch from action films to wrestling.
Katarina Leigh Waters: There are definitely things you can utilize from both worlds, for sure.
PopHorror: With all your experience, is it safe to say that you do your own stunts?
Katarina Leigh Waters: On this level, yes, I absolutely do my own stunts. (laughs) If it ever gets to the point to where they need some very specialized skills that I’m not capable of doing, I wouldn’t. But I do really enjoy it. As much as I am able, I always want to do my own stunts.
PopHorror: What’s the most dangerous stunt that you’ve done?
Katarina Leigh Waters: Most of the stunts I have done involve stage combat. I’ve also done some sword fighting, which could be dangerous if something really went wrong. But the stunt coordinators who I’ve worked with all have been very adamant about safety. Other stunts I’ve done also include some high falls, which aren’t too dangerous since you have a big blow up mat to catch you. You just need to control the way you land. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been in danger in film. That might be a little different in wrestling because there’s no real way of cheating it with camera angles. If you’re jumping off a balcony, you’re jumping off a balcony…and hopefully someone catches you. (laughs)
PopHorror: Have you had any major injuries?
Katarina Leigh Waters: No, I’ve been very lucky. I’ve never had any injury from wrestling or stunts to where I’ve had to go to the hospital.
PopHorror: Considering you’ve been involved in wrestling for quite awhile, that’s pretty impressive!
Katarina Leigh Waters: I’m pretty proud of that! (laughs) I’d like to think it’s due to my skill and not just luck. (laughs)
PopHorror: Going back to Killing Joan, how did you become involved with this production?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I’m signed up through a couple of websites that post acting opportunities, and I saw a listing for Killing Joan. I submitted my picture and resume, and I was called in for an audition. This was something I was really drawn to from the beginning. Killing Joan isn’t just horror. It’s a film with horror elements, but it is also a thriller with a mystical aspect that’s very intriguing. I was immediately drawn to the concept and the characters. I was lucky to get involved.
PopHorror: It definitely does a great job of blending genres and various other elements, for sure. What would you say was the most challenging part of production?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I would say time. When you’re shooting a lower budget film, the most pressing thing is that you don’t have an unlimited amount of hours to do everything. So, it’s crucial that everything is set up correctly and, as an actor, hopefully you nail it on the first or second take because you might not get a third. My role in Killing Joan was smaller, so I wasn’t on set everyday. I’m sure for the people who were on set everyday, there would have been more challenges. For me, though, it was making sure to nail each scene on the first or second take.
PopHorror: I would say you pulled off your role quite well! What was your favorite part of filming this production?
Katarina Leigh Waters: My favorite part is always being on camera. Settling into character and interacting with the other characters. Just living in that different world for a moment is a great experience. The cinematography was also great, and I think that Todd Bartoo, the director, went to a lot of effort of finding the right locations. He made sure the look of the film was really slick with a gritty feel while retaining a professional look. It really doesn’t look like a low-budget set.
PopHorror: I agree. The look of the film is great! Is there anything else you would like to add to our conversation?
Katarina Leigh Waters: I would just like to encourage people to check out Killing Joan! It’s a really awesome film with a great cast. It mixes a lot of different genres, elements and it’s very intriguing. It has romance, darkness, and action that I think a lot of people will enjoy!
To keep up with Katarina’s future endeavors, visit her website Katarina’s Infamy and follow her on Twitter @katarinasinfamy. And, of course, stay tuned to PopHorror for future news, reviews and updates!
