Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Veronica Mars’ Paul Karmiryan

Paul Karmiryan danced his way into our hearts on season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance. It was our first look at one of the many layers to this multi-faceted storyteller’s abilities. Since then, he’s gone on to work alongside Ed Sheeran and star in TV projects including In the Vault, Zac and Mia, and One Day at a Time. This summer, he can be seen starring opposite Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring in the recently revived Veronica Mars. Paul’s character is the mysterious and entitled athlete Alex Maloof who plays an integral role in this season’s plot.

Veronica Mars Questions

PC: Tell us about Veronica Mars, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Paul: Honestly, at first, I had never heard of the show and had no idea what the series was about, but I very quickly became a “marshmallow”! I thought it was so cool that the show had such a strong fan base and that the fans funded the return of the show through Kickstarter! After watching the previous seasons and being a part of this newest season on Hulu, I totally get it. It’s such a great show and I can’t wait for everyone to see the revival! I play the role of Alex Maloof. My character is one of the pieces to a big puzzle in the show. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal much more, and you guys are going to have to watch to find out!

PC: Were there any nerves heading into filming given how dedicated this fan base is?
Paul: I think the nerves didn’t start until I saw the whole cast was involved. There are so many talented human beings attached to this that I had no choice but to be hyper-focused and do the best work I could at all times on set. I’m sure a new set of nerves will come forth right before the show airs and the dedicated fan base starts to hype up the release of the show!

PC: What was it like working alongside the original cast?
Paul: I have so much respect for all of the actors attached to the series. I mean, there are so many talented and experienced people involved! I was lucky enough to work with many of them and absorb whatever I could.

PC: Alex is one of the new characters joining this reboot. What should fans know about him?
Paul: He was described as an entitled star athlete who comes from a wealthy Middle Eastern family. He is the younger brother of a congressman involved in a lot of chaos in Neptune. I feel like audiences will have mixed emotions about Alex, and they will eventually grow to feel for his journey and all that he goes through.

Photo Credit: Smac Mccreanor

Career Questions

PC: You got your start in the industry as a dancer. What has dance taught you that you’ve been able to apply to your acting career?
Paul: It’s definitely taught me to be comfortable with performing, telling stories, and being in front of a camera. Also, it’s helped with being in my body and feeling grounded as a performer. And, of course, dance plays a big role in embodying/physicalizing a character, fine-tuning the character’s mannerisms, and inducing/creating emotion through physicality.

PC: You’ve had tremendous success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that sticks out?
Paul: Definitely what started it all for me were my experiences on So You Think You Can Dance in both America and Armenia! Also, working with Ed Sheeran on his “Thinking Out Loud” music video was huge.

PC: How did you discover your passion for dancing and acting? Is there one that you naturally gravitate towards?
Paul: I started dancing at a very late age compared to most professional dancers; I was seventeen-years-old and in my senior year of high school. I started taking dance classes because of a school project, and then it basically took over my life. I started progressing and placing well in competitions, gaining exposure on various dance shows I was involved with, and meeting amazing and inspirational people. I was also fortunate enough to travel to incredible places around the world!

I have always wanted to act! There was something about telling a story and making people feel detached from their everyday lives that I gravitated towards. I just didn’t know how to take steps into the acting industry until after I started meeting other people in the business who helped guide me.

I don’t necessarily gravitate towards one or the other; I am lucky to have an even balance of involvement in both worlds. Naturally, as an athlete, I won’t be able to be a professional dancer for the rest of my life, but I know it will always be a part of my life one way or another!

PC: Besides Veronica Mars, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Paul: I am currently filming a lead role in Snapchat’s The Dead Girl Detective Agency seasons 3 and 4. You can catch my choreography on season 2 episode 3 of Good Trouble during the big Quince scene! I also just did a music video for an artist that I, unfortunately, cannot reveal the name of. Lastly, you might see me back as an all-star on SYTYCD season 16!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Paul: Any singing reality TV show!

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Paul: Animated kids’ movies

PC: Favorite book?
Paul: The Great Gatsby

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Paul: Hamilton

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Paul: I have a lot of classical music on there.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Paul: The Act on Hulu!

PC: Hidden talent?
Paul: I’m good at riddles, escape rooms, and the Rubik’s Cube.

To keep up with Paul, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch the new season of Veronica Mars now on Hulu!

Photo Credit: Smac Mccreanor