Never count out actress Julie Dove! Best known as Days of Our Lives’ fan favorite villain, Connie Viniski, Julie seems to have done it all. Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dreams, she worked in the music industry, taught high school, and did ministry work, but never lost sight of what she truly wanted to do. Armed with determination, passion, and impressive talent, Julie decided to head to Hollywood and has been working ever since, though it hasn’t always been an easy journey. Now, Julie is taking on a new challenge with her podcast called True Texas Crime: The Significant Life of Angela Stevens. The podcast delves into the murder of a teenager that Julie knew from her hometown of Princeton, Texas as well as shedding light on such important topics as emotional abuse and the sexual shaming of women and victims.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS JULIE DOVE IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I grew up in a small town in Texas with big dreams of going to Hollywood or New York to be an actress. I took many detours including two marriages, two divorces, careers in teaching, ministry, and the music industry, but at age 31 I made it to Los Angeles, and I’ve been here pursuing my passion for 23 years. I’ve got much more to accomplish so stay tuned! I think you can never count me out. I’m going to find a way to thrive.
YOU’VE PLAYED A VARIETY OF ROLES, FROM SOAP OPERA VILLAIN TO VOICE ACTING. HOW DO YOU APPROACH SUCH DIVERSE CHARACTERS?
I approach each role as a storyteller. It’s my job to share this person’s point of view and I like to try and give my characters a very unique perspective. I really like to get into their backstory and if it’s not provided for me, I create it myself. That’s something that I was taught by a high school drama teacher, and it’s served me well throughout my career.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE TRUE TEXAS CRIME PODCAST, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE LISTENERS TAKE AWAY FROM IT?
Angela Stevens was a younger schoolmate of mine in Princeton, Texas, as was one of her murderers. She was killed in 1988 shortly after I graduated from our high school. Her horrific death stuck with me all these years and I reconnected with my friend/former student from my teaching days Kari Southard Hargrave. Together Kari and I agreed the time was now for this story. We were inspired to tell the story because it focuses on several women’s issues that have only grown in the 36 years since Angela’s murder. We touch on everything from emotional abuse, sexual shame of young women, shaming of female victims after their death and many more meaningful themes.
My hope with the podcast is that people who listen will reflect on how society judges women and victims and how our justice system works. I also want everyone to know if you are listening, you’re part of helping give a voice to the voiceless.
AS SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE IN BOTH ACTING AND PRODUCING, HOW DO YOU SEE THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY EVOLVING?
I wish I had some insight into this, but I honestly don’t. I hope it evolves towards more US based productions – Los Angeles specifically.
YOU’RE KNOWN FOR GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I volunteer with the NoHo Home Alliance which is a drop-in services center open three days a week for the homeless community in my neighborhood. It’s very important to me. I’ve never been on the street, but I was without permanent housing for a year and moved 14 times during that year with my belongings in storage. I still have some PTSD from that experience so I can’t imagine the actual trauma of living on the streets. It’s a very complex issue, it’s not as simple as getting a job and you can just get a place to live. In Los Angeles if you work a 40-hour week at minimum wage – one of the highest in the nation you don’t make enough income to even qualify to rent a studio apartment.
HOW HAS YOUR TRAINING AT THE SECOND CITY INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER?
I think studying at The Second City Los Angeles was the most important training of my career. My writing has really been influenced by my Second City teachers Alex Baze and Amy Seeley from there that mentored me for many years after leaving. I think my confidence as a performer really grew during my time there as well. The people in my classes were so talented. When you’re on stage with actors like Beth Dover, Brian Farrell, and Eddie Shin (just a few of my phenomenal classmates) you just become better when you can play at that level.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING ACTORS AND WRITERS TRYING TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY?
If you want to work in TV and Film, then watch TV and Film. Watch what came before you got here and what’s happening now. I still meet so many people working in TV that don’t watch it and it is very confusing to me.
I think classes are great. If you can’t afford classes, find other ways to learn about the industry and the people in it by reading books, articles, watch videos, go to events with Q&As and just listen.
WITH SUCH A BUSY SCHEDULE, HOW DO YOU FIND TIME FOR HOBBIES AND RELAXATION?
I think taking time to relax and disconnect from the business is a priority, so I try to make sure and do that at least once a week. I like to have Saturday or Sunday free for just friends, walks, books, or naps!
Having a dog helps me get small breaks each day so I’m also very thankful for that.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON, AND WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?
I am currently working on research for season 2 of True Texas Crime and auditioning for TV and Film. The podcast team is looking forward to giving a voice to a new family who lost someone.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
I’m a huge Trisha Yearwood fan. I’ve seen her in concert more than 30 times all over the US since 1994. I was at the CMA Awards when she won her first ever Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1997, I attended her Grand Ole Opry induction in 1999, and I have many special memories of seeing her.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
@juliedove on Instagram or juliedove.com and my podcast True Texas Crime: The Significant Life of Angela Stevens is available on all podcasting platforms.
