Hayley Orrantia: "I cannot eat a meal without a TV in the background."

Forget the typical clothing line or bespoke spirit brand – actress Hayley Orrantia has a far more unique side hustle. 

The actress, most famous for her role as Erica Goldberg in ABC’s longstanding sitcom The Goldbergs, has been looking after her family’s home renovation business. 

"The family business has a lot of my attention right now," says Orrantia. "It’s so different from anything I’ve done before."

It's fair to say Orrantia keeps busy and aims high. When discussing one of her inspirations, the author, TV star and entrepreneur Joanna Gaines, Orrantia notes: "She started as an artist and has manifested an empire. I hope to do the same."

We're certainly not betting against her.  

Life

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

I’ve been juggling a few different projects in the works right now from releasing new music this year to my family’s home renovation business.

I am very excited about both, but the family business has a lot of my attention right now since it’s so different from anything I’ve done before.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

There are so many little accomplishments that I love celebrating and looking back on along my journey.

For example, I am proud of my EP ‘The Way Out’ because I truly feel it captures the essence of what I was going through when I wrote it, both lyrically and sonically.

I’m proud and honoured to be a part of a network sitcom that has lasted eight seasons so far.

I’m proud of our family business and how we have come together in this new way and already made such beautiful work together.

So I don’t know if I can name just one thing.

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?

I have been wracking my brain for a good answer, but honestly, I know that if I changed anything from the past it wouldn’t have gotten me to the place I’m in now.

Even the goals I haven’t achieved yet… I believe that, eventually, I will get my opportunity to step up and I am looking forward to those moments. So I don’t think I would change a thing.

What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?

There are so many things! I want to continue to release music, produce or direct a project, sell a script, create a home design line, act in more projects, etc.

I can only thrive when there are goals in front of me to be achieved so there will always be something else to strive for.

Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?

I look up to strong women who utilize their talents to create new opportunities and defy all odds.

To name a few, I’ve always looked up to Sara Bareilles because of her songwriting ability, which has since spun into writing for a Broadway musical and television series.

But I also look up to Joanna Gaines in a similar way that she started as an artist and has manifested an empire. I hope to do the same.

Tell us something nobody knows about you…

I cannot eat a meal without a television on in the background.

I know, it’s super unhealthy and weird, but unless I’m out to dinner somewhere or have guests over, there has to be a show or movie on while I eat.

Style

What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?

I really don’t have an attachment to clothing so there’s nothing sentimental about it.

But I only exist in Madewell skinny jeans. They’re just stretchy enough, but I LOVE wearing jeans so they are the perfect fit for me.

Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?

My mom gave me her ring that she used to wear as a teenager and I wear it every now and then but only because I don’t want to lose it. It’s a gold simple band with an oval opal inside.

It’s just nice to wear something that was a part of her style when she was my age.

What items do you take on holiday and why?

I have to bring hair ties or scrunchies with me! I also love the Madewell scarves that I can tie around my neck, wrist or hair depending on what I need at the time. They make any outfit cuter.

Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?

Well it was a ring that my Nana gave to me for my 18th birthday but it was stolen from my trailer while I was filming at work. It was silver with a sort of art deco style with diamonds inside.

I have never been able to locate it again and people who have lost an important heirloom like that know the deep pain that comes from losing it.

I get sick even thinking about it years later.

What’s next on your shopping list?

With summer coming up, I am hoping to take advantage of more beach days in L.A. so I will have to find some nice swimwear. It’s always a journey to find the right one!

What would you buy if money was no object?

I would probably donate a lot of it. I have never been one to splurge when it comes to fashion, anyway.