It is with great pleasure that I present an exclusive interview with the beautiful, ultra-talented actor, model, writer, and producer, Meghan Chadeayne–the self-described “fine arts poseable action figure and eternal art student.”  Star of the cult-classic Naked Zombie Girl, she’s a heroine of horror unmatched among icons of the genre.  (Of course, I must highlight Meghan as the unclothed dispatcher of undead ghouls, unforgettable as a memory of beautiful horror.)  Here, Meghan talks about the origins of her last name, her role as Naked Zombie Girl and Wonder Woman, her latest film Loop Creek, behind-the-scenes moments on movie sets, and more!  A lot more!  And yes, I ask the all-important question I’ve always had about Naked Zombie Girl.  In case you’ve wondered too, you’re in luck.  Meghan Chadeayne, the girl with the bluest eyes ever, with looks and cosplay personas too numerous to count, with talent as powerful and captivating as her beauty, is ready to tell all.  (And since Meghan is a model, we have LOTS of beautiful photos too!  Enjoy!

Chris (SJR): Hi, Meghan.  It’s great to talk to you!  I’ll start with something that always interests me–the origin of a last name, especially when the name is unusual.  So, I want to ask you about yours.  Do you know the origin of Chadeayne?

Meghan: Hi Chris.  Thank you kindly for your time and the interview!  This is such a fun question to start with.  During quarantine last year, I gained a lot of insight into my ancestry through researching my family tree.  I was able to trace the Chadeayne line, which is of French origin, back to Jean Chadeayne, a shipmaster born in the 1560’s. Jean Chadeayne fled the village of Heirs, France during the Huguenot Persecution to Cork, Ireland.  While the origins of my last name are definitely French, I actually have a surprising amount of Irish DNA thanks to my 11^th great-grandfather’s life story.

Chris: You are also a model, and you are most highly photogenic for sure, with more than enough natural beauty for it.  How did you get into modeling?

Meghan: Thank you!  I felt like an ugly duckling a lot of the time growing up.  I was constantly an awkward foot taller than my classmates in grade school.  I had a big gap in between my front teeth and really wild eyebrows.  Somehow, I won a photo contest through a local mall Christmas shoot.  At seventeen, I was scouted by one of those pay-to-play modeling agencies, barely runway height passable at five foot nine and a half inches tall.  My parents made me choose between pursuing modeling or gymnastics. Being the sports girl I was at the time, I chose gymnastics.

When I turned eighteen, I started modeling for local photographers in St. Louis, but was still incredibly shy with my image.  I was aching for adventure, something to get me out of my one-stop light village just east of the Mississippi River.  At nineteen, I raised my right hand and pledged the following years of my life to the U.S. Navy.  From there, I was stationed in central California, after my second (and last) deployment.  It almost felt like instinct to pick up some form of creating again, and modeling was my first avenue for that.

Chris: You star in a new short film titled Loop Creek.  The trailer is very intriguing and well done, definitely making me want to see the movie.  The last words spoken by you in the trailer—“You have nothing left to take from me.”—are most compelling.  IMDb lists the movie in the genres of drama and horror.  When will the film be released, and what can you tell us about it?  A little teaser info about the plot, perhaps?

Meghan: Fingers crossed–Loop Creek will hit the festival circuits in the late summer or early fall of 2021.  Set in the early 2000s, the film follows my character Adele, a war widow, who struggles to find balance between her own mental health and normalcy for her daughter who starts speaking to her father’s ghost.  There’s an underlying theme of grief and regret that plays throughout the film, while still keeping an eerie paranormal vibe.

Chris: In your filmography, IMDb lists a TV movie titled Wonder Woman: Molded from Clay (currently in pos-production), in which you play Wonder Woman herself, Diana Prince.  You are certainly a most appropriate actor to play that part.  Tell us about the movie, when and where we’ll be able to see it, and whatever else.  If it doesn’t give too much away, tell us something about the interesting “Molded from Clay” subtitle.

Meghan: There’s no pressure for an actor quite like playing an established and well-known character, especially one as notable as Ms. Diana Prince.  I was still green into acting at the time I had been cast and let me tell you I’ve never studied into a character’s backstory as much as I did hers at the time.  My comic book collection definitely exploded.

Shot in Huntsville, Alabama, the film’s story intertwines with other DC characters like the Joker, Bat Girl, while exploring Wonder Woman’s origin being “molded from clay” on the Amazonian banks.  As for release, the production has been in the post phase for a bit now, when I get an update, I promise you’ll be the first to know!

Chris: In NZG, you play the part of Barbara, THE Naked Zombie Girl herself–a girl who somehow loses her dress and goes on a bloody, no-holds-barred zombie massacre.  Some such female characters would be portrayed as naked and vulnerable, but you are a most formidable, heroine/protagonist, never flinching in defending yourself, never needing a man to save you.  This is one of the ironic qualities about the role I like so much.  What drew you to the role of Barbara in the film?

Meghan: I very much appreciate the kind words.  Barbara was the most challenging role when it came to ‘baring it all’ for the sake of storytelling.  What I liked about the role, and many kudos goes out to the director, Rickey Bird for this, was that I was given a lot of creative freedom to find who she was.  There’s a lot of rawness in that performance because I personally was coming off of a deployment where I didn’t feel powerful, I didn’t feel like I could ‘take on a hoard’ (of zombies) or save myself.  But Barbara had too, so I channeled all of that pain into creating, or saving her.  Giving her the power, I personally didn’t have.

Chris: I have to ask a particular question about Naked Zombie Girl—one that I’ve had for a long time.  Were you really totally naked in the movie?  (You certainly appear to be.)  In any case, tell us about your experience being totally naked (or darn close to it) in the movie.  Was it difficult, uncomfortable, or challenging in any way?

Meghan: Oh, my goodness, so much of this credit goes to Nick Reisinger, Key SFX Artist and Kelly Henderson, assistant SFX, for that movie magic.  Let’s just say Nick and I are bonded for life; it took hours of prep for the role.  I have eight visible tattoos, including one large ribcage piece that had to be covered with air brush before all the gore.  I kept myself very groomed, so that the barely-there pasties applied to my delicate parts would stick and stay through all the action.

I think the most challenging part of that role comes from an immensely personal place. As I stated before, my second deployment came with a lot of trials and tribulations, I struggle mentally with my own head space, and feeling like my body does not belong to me.  On that set, I had the choice. I had to save Barbara, even if I couldn’t save Meghan.  That made all the difference when it came time for action to be called.

And bless his heart, Rickey did a phenomenal job with making sure I always felt comfortable, that the set was closed except for those who absolutely needed to be there.  I still have my struggles, and to be honest with you, had I not been through the wringer on deployment prior to that film, I probably wouldn’t have said yes to the role.  It was a very ‘F*ck it’ time for me, I was pretty reckless after that deployment.  I still struggle to keep my mental wellness in check from that deployment.  But Barbara, Naked Zombie Girl, will always hold a spot in my heart for letting me attempt to reclaim a part of myself I personally felt I had lost.

Chris: Every movie has some interesting behind-the-scenes stories.  Tell us a story or two from Naked Zombie Girl?  There must be more than a few from that one!

Meghan: There was a running joke on set that director, Rickey Bird, in true 70’s fashion was originally going to give Barbara a merkin, but in hindsight, I’m really glad we went with the teeny-tiny bits that adhered to my skin instead.

Another funny tidbit–I was at the tail end of checking out of my Navy command while we were filming NZG, one long weekend after a Sunday shoot from 5 p.m. – 4 a.m.  I took a thirty-minute power nap and had to drive two hours back to base to begin my workday as an aircraft mechanic.  I was rushing to clean what was left of the fake blood off my body moments before we had our morning formation.

Chris: You have an impressive filmography on IMDb including 12 entries, beginning with a short film in 2014 titled Lamb Feed.  How did you get into acting?  Was it something you always aspired to do, or did it begin later by chance?

Meghan: I think every artist, creator, actor has a back story similar to this: When I was in the 7^th grade, we were putting on a school play.  I didn’t have the guts to audition for this role I really wanted, a zany girl who was convinced aliens were coming.  I was stuck with a two-line character who was only seen once during the whole play.  It really struck a nerve, only because I didn’t have the fortitude to go after what I wanted.  I had so much creative inkling, I was big into poetry, drawing, anime, and any facet of art I could consume at the time.

Fast-forward about a decade, I was at a photoshoot, and a friend who was helping with lighting said I should audition for this local horror film that was being cast.  I thought of fourteen-year-old Meghan, I thought of everything I had been through and seen while in the Navy, and thought, “Well shit, either I’m going to get the role, or I’m going to stick with modeling.”  This time, I got the role.  Which wound up getting me in front of Rickey Bird, which is how NZG came about.

Mind you, I felt I was horrendous at acting on film at the time.  I was operating on sheer instinct, I had zero film acting education.  It took seeing much greater actors than myself and enrolling into acting classes for the light bulb moments to go off, for me to really learn to listen among other nuances in the craft of acting.

And as a lifelong artist, creating is truthfully the only avenue I know how to take to heal and explore myself.  How to build a character through common ground, and springboard off of that, is one of the most exciting parts of bringing a character to life on screen.

The craft of acting is a lifelong journey for me.  I don’t personally feel like you’re ever done with learning, because there’s always something new to be found, a new direction to take, either within yourself or on the character’s path.

Chris: Of the different movies or short films you’ve been a part of as an actor, etc., what is your favorite and why?

Meghan: This may be an odd answer, but my favorite on-set experience was one I had the least amount of screen time or face time in.  In 2019, I spent three weeks background acting as a Russian solider on Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet.’  I spent most of the time masked up, dang near baking in the desert sun, but I was able to experience such a mind-blowing production that it didn’t matter.  I was able to watch Nolan operate from two feet away; I was able to see stunts and FX happen on such a big scale right before my eyes.  It was an awe-struck experience.  Plus, it was truly as if my two worlds had collided, I was lacing up military boots every day to walk onto a 200-million-dollar film set.  Talk about mind boggling.

Chris: Since you’ve starred in quite a number horror films, one would assume that you love horror films yourself.  But do you?  What is your favorite movie genre?  Tell us about why your favorite movie genre is your favorite.

Meghan: I do.  I really do love the horror realm.  Mainly thanks to my stepmom who grew up in the 80s and loved a good slasher, and my grandmother who could name dang near every supernatural or crime thriller that was out there–book or movie.

As I waded more into different films, I’m finding I’m a big art house film fan.  I love the obscure, which I suppose could stem into multiple genres.  I love a film that makes you think or doesn’t have the standard story arcs.  I love a good character-driven plot, or a film that makes you feel connected.  Baby Driver comes to mind right away when I think of those of us that struggle with tinnitus, and, as a viewer, I felt seen.  I think that should be one of a filmmaker’s goals when creating a film–how is the audience going to connect with this piece.

Chris: Of your different professions—modeling, acting, directing, producing, writing (and perhaps something else I don’t know about)—what is your favorite, and why?

Meghan: Someone once told me on my first film set: To survive in Los Angeles, in the film industry, you have to diversify or die.  Lucky for me, my sun sign is Sagittarius.  I took those words to heart, but also found that each craft deserves its own space and dedication to really shine.

I adore each profession for a different, personal reason, but mainly they all flow into the same avenue to craft and experience storytelling.  Whether it’s my body language selling a product or tale through modeling, a character I’m breathing life into, directing other actors, or helping another production get their dreams off the ground, it all roots down into being creative.

That’s what makes me feel fulfilled as an artist, the medium doesn’t matter so much as long as I’m creating.

Chris: If you could work on your dream project, assuming you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?

Meghan: I would absolutely love to be involved with a high fantasy or science fiction film concept.  Something other-worldly or ethereal.  Something that pushes my own boundaries as a creator.  I like dreaming big, but I’m also keen to the devils in the detail. I’m anxious to work with a director or creative that pushes me into spaces I’ve yet to artistically explore whatever genre that may be.

Chris: If you could be the star in the remake of your favorite movie, what would the movie be, and what role would you have?

Meghan: I would love to explore a character like Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, something dramatic or something a bit more vintage and wicked like Barbara Steele in Black Sunday.

Chris: Since Space Jockey Reviews loves horror movies, what is your favorite in the horror genre, and why?

Meghan: I’m a paranormal girl.  While I’m keen to a great slasher flick, the unknown realms have always fascinated me.  There’s so much to explore and so many paths that storytelling can tap into.  I’m a big fan of psychological horrors too!

Chris: From reading your IMDb bio, I know that you are also a US Navy veteran.  Tell us about your experience in the military.  What impact, if any, did serving in the military have on your life?

Meghan: Like most veterans, I have my good memories and bad ones from my time serving.  When I joined, I joined to deploy and see what else was out in the world.  My recruiter snagged me on the buddy program, and my best friend and I made the choice to serve together.  (Spoiler Alert: We didn’t get to serve together, but her job allowed her to see where my ship was while I was deploying, and that always gave me a sense of ‘home.’)

I came from a pretty culturally sheltered background, but I knew I had a pair of wings that wanted to fly far away from where I was raised.  I knew signing up I didn’t want a desk job.  I wanted my hands in the grit and grease.  I wanted to learn a trade, hence why I joined as an aircraft mechanic.  I wish back then I would have had the foresight to know what it meant to be a woman in a male dominated profession–what implications that could possibly have.  But I was so damned eager to prove to everyone that I could hold my own in the job.  That I could learn to turn wrenches with the best of ‘em.

My biggest take away from the military was about cooperation and teamwork, every notch in the cog has a job.  Despite my feelings about the military now, at the time it was all about comradery, a family.  You had to have each other’s backs, you had to keep your head on a swivel.  I sincerely feel this is why so many veterans find their way into filmmaking.  On set there’s a familiar sense of comradery to complete a mission.

As for the impact, I mentioned it a bit previously–I struggled, I still struggle with demons from my time serving.  There’s not a day where I wake up and wonder what my personal scars and present life would have been like had I chose a different path. Ultimately, I try not to linger on regret; I don’t always win that battle, but I am learning to be proud of the woman I’ve become despite the adversary and hardships.  I have some people I met in the military I consider closer than family.  The military forged a thick skin, that comes in handy in this industry.

FIVE RANDOM QUESTIONS

Chris: What is your favorite place to go for a vacation (when there is no pandemic, of course)?

Meghan: Maybe it’s the sailor in me, but I’m pretty keen to the ocean.  Some of my favorite places I’ve experienced haven’t exactly been the most touristic hot spots.  I was a big fan of Dubai, India, and Australia.  I’d love to see more of Europe, Ireland, and the Baltic Sea area.

Chris: What is your favorite food?

Meghan: I’m a pretty adventurous eater.  I’m a big spicy food fan.  If it’s going to make me sweat, I’ll definitely try it and probably love it.  Although, my favorite snack is tomatoes, I’ve eaten them like apples since I was a kid.  Cut ‘em up with some avocado and tajin, so good.

I used to be a big beef jerky fan, deer smokies, steak or carne asada.  Now I try to er on the healthy side and limit my meat intake.

Chris: What is your favorite song?

Meghan: How do I choose just one?  Impossible.  Music has always been a serious staple in my life.  I love when a song makes you shiver.  I tend to have an eclectic music taste that varies with my mood.  Right now, “Pretty Little Life Form” by Valley Maker and “Santa Monica” by Honus Honus have been at the top of my rotation lately.  “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by The Animals I feel is like a theme song of sorts.  When I’m feeling down, I play “Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson or “You are my Destiny” by Paul Anka.  They were a few of my grandma’s favorites.  The Paul Anka song always gives me forbidden spy-film vibes.

Chris: What pets do you have?

Meghan: I have a six-year-old Pit Bull mix named Zelda, after Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda, but she behaves a lot like Zelda Fitzgerald. It’s why we get along so well. I’m a big advocate for bully breed dogs.

Chris: What famous person would you most like to meet and why?

Meghan: I wish I would have met David Bowie.  I would like to ask him questions about the universe.  I wish to meet Kate Winslet or Drew Berrymore, because they basically raised me in formative years, and I’d like to thank them for that.  I wish I could have Snog Aalegra sing to me personally.

I’m really bad at picking these ‘just one’ questions, huh?

Chris, it’s truly been a pleasure to connect with you and share some brain juice.  I appreciate your time and energy spent with me.  It’s been great to chat and share with you.  I’m looking forward to the next time we get the chance to catch up!

Chris: You are most welcome, Meghan!  And a big thanks to you too for one of the best, most insightful, candid interviews ever at Space Jockey Reviews!  I will certainly keep readers updated with the latest about Loop Creek, along with all else you do.  And I’m sure that will be a lot.  For you, I see, creativity is like the universe–expanding, limitless, and beautiful!

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Stay tuned as SJR follows Loop Creek and all the latest from Meghan!

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