Check out our interview with multi-hyphenate actress, writer, former competitive surfer Malea Rose who is now also the CEO of her own skincare company Vie En Rose.
She has been working in the entertainment industry for 15 years, acting with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as Halle Barry in Kidnap, the cast of New Girl, Two and a half Men, and Entourage. Other notable actors & directors she has had the opportunity to work with are Vin Diesel, Paul Haggis, Nick Cassavettes, and Jason Lee. She also has experience with writing and producing, being a Showrunner and Casting Director for Fight Club, a live 65-camera PPV Boxing-series, and a docuseries about Jake Paul called Prblm Child.
With a passion and love for skincare and struggling herself with her skin, Malea has since shifted her focus from actress/producer to CEO of her skincare brand Vie En Rose. Her brand centers around luxury, anti-aging products formulated with perfect potent ingredients from science + nature such as CBD and Cannarose (her brand exclusive ingredient.)
Follow Malea @lovemalearose
Hi Malea, please tell us a little about you?
I’m pretty silly most of the time, you must have a sense of humor in life, it’s everything. Super introspective. Can’t decide on anything until I am fully sure it is the right decision. My heart has to be in something. Surprisingly easygoing. Love an adventure. A totally free spirit who hates to feel caged in or put in a stereotypical box. Deeply loving and loyal. Thrive with purpose – and happiest when I’m busiest, but also there’s nothing I love more than being a homebody. I love intelligent people and mindful conversations that inspire me, hence why entrepreneurship has been so inspiring to me. I love challenging myself. I love all the arts and fashion… food. I’m from the North Shore of Kauai. I was a surfer. I had a radio show. I went to clown camp. I’m a theater geek. I want to retire on an Italian winery… I love skincare. I don’t go in the sun, basically. I love my pets more than anything, Monroe and Elvis. My big sister is my best friend, so is my mom, kind of.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Strong, thoughtful, fun.
How did you get started into acting?
From the very first old Hollywood film I saw, probably something with Ann Margaret or Broadway, it was all I ever wanted. I did community Theater on Kauai, then eventually went to Chapman for Theater. I used to drive up from Orange County and work till 6am on music videos as an extra just to get close to Hollywood. I’ll never forget standing on the street in Hollywood one night, I was young, and a producer saying I’d be perfect for a small role in a film he was doing. I kind of rolled my eyes, but inside I was dreaming it to be true. Turns out it was. It was not my favorite movie, but it was an incredible experience and it finally got me my SAG card because I had speaking lines! Wow what a journey it has been since then.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best is booking something you love. The worst is all the rejection and thankless hard work in between.
How do you prepare for a role?
A healthy clear mind is everything. Rule #1 of Stanislavsky’s hierarchy is to work on oneself.
Tell us about your experience on working in big projects like Kidnap with Halle Berry, New Girl, Two and a half Men, and Entourage?
Iconic! Amazing. I love getting to be a part of such historical and syndicated shows. I worked hard for them. Being an actress is a complete sacrifice of any type of normal life. No one gets it unless they have lived it. It’s always a great feeling booking a role after all the rejection. You always have to celebrate those victories. Halle Berry was a dream, with the most beautiful skin I have ever seen. She’s ever prettier in person and so kind. My character had to be so cruel to her, and I hated it! In between takes, she’d be like why are you so mean?! I would want to cry, because I admire her so much. New Girl was such a well-oiled machine, it was so much fun. You really understand when you work with these actors on these types of shows why they became so wildly successful. Every day is a new adventure.
What other projects have you been part of?
I’m currently in development on a project I created now, that goes along with a podcast, a whole new world for me. That’s what most interests me at the moment.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
Ones with depth. I’ll never forget a casting director telling my manager I didn’t have enough “gravitas” for a role I was perfect for. That word has always stuck to me since. I did a lot of work on myself since that day.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Creating projects. I want to tell stories, not just be a part of others. Especially if I’m going to be stereotyped. Also, you get to have an opinion and convey it as a story. There is something more delicate about that.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
If you can do anything else, do it. If not, do you. I wish I had been more of myself when I first started and less of who I thought people wanted me to be. Do the work, and don’t just sit around, create opportunities. Also, have hobbies and skills. The richer your outer life is, the richer your inner life and work will be.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Create! Write. Produce. Do terrible plays with your friends, sign up for UCB and learn improv, do it all. The more aspects of the biz you can learn, the more you can empower yourself in others. Writing changed the way I broke down my acting beats and scripts completely. Also, be smart. This is a business, treat it as such. It is a smaller town than you think.
Now tell us about your skincare brand Vie En Rose?
Vie En Rose is an ultra-clean, luxury CBD line. I formulated for 2 years; my products are absolute perfection.
What is different from your brand/products to other ones in the market?
CBD is the best ingredient and the hardest to market. Why doesn’t anyone ask more questions about this? It fights inflammation which is the cause of almost every bad skin problem. Even if you took it out, my formulations, which I spent 2 years perfecting, are unmatched. My ingredients are superior, plus it smells like natural heaven. Clean beauty at its best, that actually shows results and increases collagen.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful business in a very competitive market like yours?
Distinguishing yourself from everyone else, so there’s no competition.
Why did you decide to be an entrepreneur?
It’s either in you or it’s not. I’ve been working my whole life, even as an actress I had to work odd jobs. I ran an underground celebrity poker game, worked at Fatburger Corporation, was a Beverly Hills Dentist, personal assistant, the list goes on. This is my new favorite role as CEO and also the scariest.
How often do you create new collections? And what comes to mind when you think of the next collection?
I have so many new amazing products to launch! I’ve been using them all for the past couple of years… I’m addicted and my poor lab has to keep making samples for me, cause everything else makes me breakout.
How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal. Sisterhood. Funny. Mischievous. Best adventure buddy and best to bounce idea off of or write their text messages for them.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
The Best Things Come in Waves?
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Be confident. There is nothing more beautiful. Stand up for yourself. Don’t be afraid to take up space. Life is a rollercoaster, there will be ups and downs, but that’s why we can appreciate the ups.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
“Enders Game,” because the author is brilliant and I’m a sci-fi nerd. Also, to keep things focused, “Shortcut Your Start Up” by my good friend Courtney Reum is great. He has served as such a helpful sounding board as I’ve built my business Vie En Rose.
What’s next for Malea Rose in the last months of 2022 and for 2023?
I will be grinding away on Vie En Rose, creating cool collabs, launching new products, and I wouldn’t mind CBD not being considered a “high risk drug” anymore! I just started retailing at the iconic Fred Segal and Mis Behave Beauty Bar at Resorts World Hotel in Las Vegas and will be expanding into much more spas/retail in 2023. I love getting creative, so keep an eye out.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Smoothies. Salads. Anything from Kauai.
And your favorite cheat food?
Donuts, chicken fingers, pizza, chips, fries, fried everything… I love food. This is me daydreaming by the way.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Felling fulfillment and purpose. Being present and ok in.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
F Scott Fitzgerald, so many questions. Thalia Massie, what actually happened to you that night?
Best advice ever given?
Walk into every room with your head held high like Grace Kelly.
Do you support any charity or foundations?
I just started working with the coolest NBA league that Metta World Peace founded called XvsX sports. It’s all about equal pay for female athletes and equal opportunity. It’s also a badass basketball league full of beautiful multi-talented women. A lot of female led foundations, domestic violence, animal charities…
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Fulfilled, happy, healthy, surrounded by love, creating things.
Favorite song? Why?
I can’t just pick one. Music is holy to me. I grew up in a radio station and knew Bob Marley lyrics before I could talk. I like all genres, too. I’m all over the place with my music ADD.
What do you think of Social Media?
Hate it.
Where can we follow you?
Follow me! Insta and TikTok @lovemalearose @vieenrosebeauty
Book: Girl on the Train
Quote: Don’t tell me what was said about me, tell me why they were so comfortable to say it to you – Jay Z
Movie: Just Friends, Blue Jasmine, Clueless, There Will Be Blood… I’m all over the place.
Tv Series: Game of Thrones. Seinfeld.
Favorite Food: Sushi/Anything from the Hanalei Dolphin on Kauai
Travel Destination: Kauai. Italy. Cabo. France. NYC. Miami… I love to travel.
Sports Team: Lakers! Duh. And I’m a Giants girl, sorry LA.