Jessica Morris is an Emmy-nominated film and television actress. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida and is best known for her recurring role as Jennifer Rappaport on the hit ABC show One Life to Live. Jessica Morris is an incredible role model who is dedicated to her craft; enjoy getting to knew her better through ELYSIAN’s 22 Questions. Without further ado: Jessica Morris.
1. What is one thing you can’t live without?
Love.
2. Why is it important for women to support women?
Over time, society has put a lot of pressure on women to look a certain way, to act a certain way, and to have a certain kind of life. Social media and beauty filters can cause women to feel that they need to compare and compete with other women. We are still fighting to have complete equality in the workplace and at home. We are stronger together. We will accomplish more if we join forces, rather than allowing ourselves to be pit against one other.
3. If you could spend the day with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Spending the day with Jesus would be illuminating.
4. What has been the most rewarding project of your career?
I’m still waiting for that one. The best is yet to come.
5. When were you happiest?
Today.
6. What is the worst job you’ve done?
I was a waitress for a while, but I was terrible at the job. I found it very challenging to deal with all the different personalities. Also, I had the experience of being a Nyotaimori model, where people would eat sushi off of my body. That was slightly demeaning, but at least I could eat some of the fish when nobody was looking.
Photo courtesy of Josh James, joshjamesphotography.com.
7. Where is one place in the world you would love to visit next?
I would love Italy! I’m trying to find the right time to check it out. The food, the land, the architecture, the shopping, the wine, it all seems heavenly.
8. Jessica Morris, how do you relax?
Hang out at the pool with my boyfriend.
9. What is your daily skincare routine?
I exfoliate, moisturize, and then I use collagen eye patches.
10. What is your most cherished beauty product?
Some crazy expensive eye cream that I got suckered into buying.
11. Favorite accessory and why?
I don’t wear very much jewelry. I love having nice handbags and purses. I just got an adorable Kate Spade laptop bag, and I feel so grown up when I carry my computer around now. It was a gift to myself for a couple of writing jobs that I recently got. It’s my official professional writer bag.
12. What is your favorite high end brand to splurge on?
I don’t necessarily have a go-to. I like to shop for designer consignment such as The RealReal. Finding a good deal on a luxury item is such an adrenaline rush for me.
13. What is the biggest misconception about your profession?
That it is always glamorous, most of it is not at all! It involves a great deal of hard work, on set and in between jobs. Even the red carpet events are work and can be fun but awkward at times.
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
That’s awesome! It was a blast! So fun! I guess it’s not bad that I overuse positive words, but I catch myself saying them too much in interviews.
15. What trait do you most admire in others?
Generosity and the ability to make people happy.
16. Who would play you in the film of your life?
I think that Chloë Grace Moretz has the range to be able to play Jessica Morris – to pull off the highs and lows of my life. We have similar ancestry and coloring. Plus, she is younger than me, so that would work because I would want her to be able to play a younger version of me for much of the film. Then the makeup team could age her a bit for the older years.
Photo courtesy of Josh James, joshjamesphotography.com.
17. How would you like to be remembered?
I hope that I inspire and encourage others to believe in themselves and to go after their dreams. I want to be remembered as someone who has passion and who loves with her whole heart.
18. What led you to enter the horror film industry? Are there any particular movies or actors that inspired you?
There wasn’t anything in particular that led me to doing horror, I just keep booking those types of roles.
19. What was it like working with esteemed filmmaker Tom Six?
He is quite an original gentleman who wears a snazzy suit and hat to set every day. His mind is an overdrive with interesting ideas, and he is dedicated to making a unique statement with his films. I admire that.
20. In your Instagram bio, you describe yourself as both an actress and writer, can you talk about those dual roles?
I started writing screenplays a few years back and quickly discovered a love for it. As an actress, I have read so many scripts over the years that it felt kind of like second nature once I began. I have sold a couple of scripts. I have sold a couple of scripts. My first is about to get greenlit, and two that are in pre-production. I’m excited about this opportunity. I sincerely hope that it opens many more doors for me in that area. Writing is a fantastic creative outlet for me.
21. Can you talk about the Celebrating Women in Film and Diversity in Entertainment Event? Why is this issue important to you?
Women have so much to offer the film industry, and I’m ecstatic to see more and more female producers, directors & writers.
22. What was it like being nominated for a Daytime Emmy?
It was an honor to the entire cast and crew to receive the nomination for the Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series for “Ladies of the Lake.” All of us – Michael, Barbi Caruso, and Kyle Lowder, jumped into this series with gusto and wanted to deliver an entertaining show. We thoroughly enjoyed making the series, and any recognition was the icing on the cake.