Interview With Tristan - May 21, 2014

***We caught up with Tristan earlier this week and, as always, he willingly took on your questions.  If you have missed any of these fun interviews, all of them are archived on our forum, MacManiaLand.***

In one of your recent interviews with us, you mentioned that you prefer to do full dances instead of the bits and pieces we often saw on DWTS. Which of your most recent dances (from BWAT or another performance) is a personal favorite?
I haven’t danced too much recently to be honest, bar BWAT. There is a number that I do with Kym – “I’ve got Rhythm/Singin’ In The Rain.” It’s a pretty fun dance to do – it’s a real 'Kym' dance – haha! For those who have seen it you will know why! Also I have done a Tango with Anna which I really like doing. I don't remember too many dances off the top of my head to be honest.  I do them and then forget them usually.

What is the most difficult dance (or most difficult dance to learn) that you have performed professionally?
Over the last few years maybe some of the opening numbers for shows have been quite difficult only because they have been different styles that I’m not too familiar with - not that they are too hard to learn or anything but sometimes I don't feel comfortable doing moves that I can't relate to things I would generally do. That’s what I usually do when I’m dancing - I put the steps and stories into a context that makes sense to me and an analogy where I know exactly what I’m doing if that makes sense.

In Ballroom With A Twist in Kitchener, Ontario you performed with the symphony. Had you ever done a show like that previously, and what was the experience like this time?  Did you guys have to make adjustments of any type during rehearsal or during the show itself?
One of my first BWAT shows was in Utah to a symphony orchestra and it’s amazing. I love it. Things sound a wee bit different for sure, just like DWTS I guess sometimes. But it’s great for a change and you can get into the music a bit more when you see it happening around you. It seems more natural to dance to musicians than to tracks for me. I really enjoy it, and I wish we could do it all the time. With the symphony as well what differs is that they are on stage.  All of them! The band on DWTS are all the way back behind the walkway so the connection is different - still amazing but nothing like being in the middle of it!

Tahyna recently posted some behind the scenes photos from OREN, and there were a couple of you.  Not that we're nosy or anything, but what has been your role thus far in the film? What were you doing in the photos? (if you’ve even seen them)  Was that part of a scene?
I haven't seen all the pictures from OREN so I’m not too sure which ones there are but I was on set for the day before I went to Canada so it could be either or either. I throw my mug into the film here and there but I’m not reading lines or anything. I’m a reference more than a character if you like. I guess in television and film you shoot a lot a lot of footage that sometimes make its way in and some doesn’t - be it time constrictions or sometimes things just don't sync up the way you want them to and the way the story wants them to. It was a great day and I loved watching how it all came together. The missy done a great job and I’m very proud of her and can't wait to see the final edit.

In addition to dance, your passion is football. When did you first start playing and would you share some of your favorite football memories with us?
I love football I don't know what age I started but I have always played and I am back playing in a league here in LA which is great. I would play professionally if I only had the talent – haha! I absolutely can't get enough of it. We had a super team when I was in my teens. We had a team where we were all mates and we done tours of England and I seem to remember we used to beat everyone. Then we had a School Of Excellence in Bray for a team in England called Newcastle United that we got accepted in. That was a long time ago and it came to a stage where I really had to stop playing with my knees and what not but I went back playing a few months back so that’s what fills my Monday nights and Saturdays now when I’m not traveling. 

You have mentioned that you are a James Dean fan. What is it about his work that you find so interesting and/or appealing?
Yeah, I’m a big fan but I tend to be for a lot of people who are that bit different. I’m sure there were better actors at the time and I guess because I wasn't around I don't know how much of his ways were just to get attention or not but I like the way he took a different route to everything and he stuck to how he wanted to do things.  He was obviously very talented and sometimes you get away with things when people are desperate for you, but to me it seemed as though he stuck to doing things the way he wanted but always got on with the job. He did what he wanted in his free time and never let it affect his work. It was such a revelation maybe because he didn't follow the 'path' that people do. There are so many people who are afraid to do things their own way. You hear it all the time - people walking on eggshells, complaining, and sly talking about people and then hide it all when certain people are around. It’s disgusting but it seems like everything he did was with his characters in mind and for the good of his work. I like when people do things their own way instead of the way other people want them to do it.

What movies scare you, make you cry, and/or give you belly laughs?
Same as everyone else, I guess. I get amped up with strong characters, and I get emotional when nice and sad things happen – hahahahahha.  I’m not the best for scary movies, to be honest. I don’t like them, but I can watch with them with easily scared people. I don't like being the only scared one in the room – ha. I love movies that are historical, although it’s very hard to find an accurate one but they always seem to make me read up on them, and I like that.

In an earlier interview, you mention you had done some climbing and camping. Do you have any camping spots you have especially enjoyed and do you have any “interesting” camping stories to share?
Yeah, I have some favorite places in Ireland for sure but I have some of my own places that I like to go off the trails that I’ll keep for myself. I’ll probably try go camping this week or next so I’m on the lookout if anyone knows any secret spots.

Are you a daredevil at all? Have you been tempted to try (or have you tried) skydiving or bungee jumping?
I’m not a daredevil, no, but I love climbing things and I don't mind jumping off either. I have always wanted to skydive and had one booked before but I had to miss it for work. I’m not into bungee too much. I don't mind jumping - I just don't like bouncing back up again. I love the feeling of standing on the edge of cliffs. There are loads of places like that in the Wicklow Mountains where I’m from. It’s an amazing feeling. I’ll do most things when the adrenaline is going.

Is there someone in the entertainment business that you have not yet met but would like to?
Jimmy Fallon. I just think he is hilarious, and he seems cool.

If you could try out any job for a day, what would it be? Why?
I have always wanted to work for the fire brigade and tried to sign up a few times when I was younger so I would love to be a fire fighter. I’d like to think that I could join the team one day. I’d be happy to do anything to help.

Are there any phobias we should know about?  (heights, spiders, snakes, MacManiacs….)
I have no phobias that I know of, no.

Let’s supposed you were without your cell phone for a month.  Would that be a good thing or could it get ugly?
I have gone months without my phone, and it’s the happiest time of my life. I hate it [the phone]. I get in trouble a lot for not answering it or forgetting it. I kind of have to have one for work and stuff, but I’d be happy if they put a ban on them maybe then people will stop taking those stupid selfies! When I go to Australia or Ireland I have no international service on my phone so it’s a great excuse to not use it. I know where my friends live so if I want them I’ll go see them, and I know them enough to know the places they may be if I really need to see them.

Now for the easy stuff – or as you called it last time “quick fire round questions”:

Favorite book
One of my favorite books is The Contractors by John B. Keane who also wrote The Field. I also like The Tain, another Irish book.

Favorite restaurant (anywhere in the world)
I don't really have a favorite restaurant but there is a Thai place in LA where I met Tahyna that I will never forget and they have good food as well. There are a few bars in Ireland where me and my mates go when I get home that do great food. I don't go to too many restaurants.

Favorite thing to do when not playing football or dancing
Going walk about and exploring

Favorite dessert
I make a mean Banoffee Pie.

Favorite cartoon/animated character
Peter Griffin

Favorite household chore
I like cleaning up and throwing away empty packets – it’s weird!

Least favorite household chore
I could do without washing the floors or the dog! 

Favorite meal that you have cooked
I like cooking lamb stew or Shepherd’s Pie. I like comfort food.

Favorite meal that someone has cooked for you
Tahyna makes the best Carbonara. She is a genius in the kitchen. I’d eat whatever she makes but she always tries to sneak in healthy things she knows I don't like - hiding healthy food under nice food!!

Favorite “Pike MacManus” story
Pike is a lunatic! He is scared of every other dog and he doesn’t know how to run and look behind at the same time so when dogs chase him he tumbles a lot.  He is very brave if he is standing behind us or between our legs. I think he may have p"&#ed on Sasha’s face when he was playing with him but I told him to do that!