Meet Maxie Solters | Entertainment Professional & Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maxie Solters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maxie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My whole career focus used to be acting…running around to auditions, getting endless headshots, sending postcards, doing drop-offs, casting workshops, etc. I eventually grew tired of being on someone else’s schedule and decided to put my career into my own hands. I created and produced my own content which gave me the opportunity to play the roles I wanted to play. I even negotiated my own distribution contract for my short form web-series, Climax: The Series!. Creating something that was completely my own was so much more rewarding than just saying one line, or one word, on a network tv show. I remember driving across town in hours of traffic to audition…once the whole role was to say “hi” and I event spent time rehearsing how to say my one word! I just couldn’t do it anymore. It wasn’t fulfilling creatively or artistically. I was so much happier being in charge of my career, my time, and my life. A few years later, I began doing voiceover work, which I absolutely LOVE. It’s such a freeing type of art and it’s incredible to be able to audition and do jobs from my home studio (aka my closet).
Though I wanted to continue my creating, acting, and producing, I eventually began working in entertainment PR to support my craft. Turns out I really enjoy the publicity world as well and I’m pretty great at it. I realized I didn’t have to dedicate my time to only one thing and figured out a balance of passion projects and day job commitments. I truly feel more fulfilled than ever before.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started working with V-Day International, founded by Eve Ensler, in my junior year of college at the University of Southern California. I had no idea what a huge impact the organization would have on my life. I grew up in a pretty sheltered environment, mostly with kids similar to me; never really “exposed” to the world. In college I was part of several women focused groups with the goal of empowering us to be comfortable with who we are and never apologize or “dim our light” in any circumstance. I never questioned my strength or who I was, but being surrounded by such encouragement gave me more confidence to really dive into that part of myself. During my senior year, I had the opportunity to plan a special performance of The Vagina Monologues as part of Eve Ensler’s “Turning Pain to Power” tour. We hosted Eve and Nobel Peace Prize winner and world-renowned gynecologist/human rights activist from east DRC, Dr. Denis Mukwege, and had attendees from all over the world. This incredible event only made me more excited to continue my work with this movement.
After graduating college, I started my own local campaign, V-Day Studio City, producing and performing in The Vagina Monologues on an annual basis (pre-pandemic), to raise awareness and funds to stop violence against women and girls.
I became very open and comfortable with my sexuality and found myself being the go-to person for my friends to talk to about sex, relationships, women’s issues, and all the things. Inspired by feeling like somewhat of a “therapist,” I created my short form web-series, CLIMAX! The Series, about a sex therapist who restores and enhances her clientele’s sexual energy with methods mostly involving vibrators. After researching many different distribution strategies, I ended up partnering with the nation’s largest marketer of adult products, Adam & Eve, to release the web-series.
In addition to these projects, I served as one of the lead Los Angeles coordinators for One Billion Rising, a global campaign founded in 2012 by Eve Ensler, to end rape and sexual violence against women. The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, or about one billion. Our “risings” included flash mobs of Debbie Allen’s choreography to “Break the Chain,” performances by some of the jazz community’s top talents, and speakers such as Jane Fonda, Dermot Mulroney, Pamela Adlon, Frances Fisher, and more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many things to do in LA that it’s hard to narrow down the itinerary to just a week! Of course, since the pandemic, my list has gotten a lot shorter, but for the sake of keeping it fun and interesting…let’s imagine an itinerary sans Covid. The beach is a must…I love Playa Del Rey for a mellow day by the ocean and Venice boardwalk has great people watching and really cool one-of-a-kind stuff to buy. Visiting Malibu Wines is great if you’re down for some afternoon vino. Point Dume has an awesome “hike” (my kind of hike which is mostly flat and pretty short) up from the sand with incredible views of the ocean, especially at sunset.

If we’re feeling active, I’d suggest a bike ride at the beach or even in the valley (my neck of the woods) at the Chandler Bike Path.
Pre-pandemic I was a frequent movie-goer at my theatre of choice, Arclight Hollywood. I haven’t given up hope that it’ll reopen someday soon!
I recently discovered the walk around Lake Hollywood which is a perfect mix of activity in nature and relaxation. We’ve even come across deer on the path (which is very cool for an animal lover like me…I made the decision to be veggie when I was four)!
LA has so many theme parks but if I had to pick one, Disneyland is definitely a must. Who can resist the happiest place on earth?
And at the end of the day it’s really all about great company…one of my favorite things to do is hang out with my puppy at the pool with a glass of champagne, and enjoy some much deserved R&R with friends & family.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been inspired by many individuals and movements/causes in my life. My mom is my rock and my best friend. She’s supported me since day one; encouraging me to follow my dreams and passions and telling me that I am worthy and valuable just as I am. My dad also shared in this notion, as well as my family, and that confidence was instilled in me at birth. I feel incredibly fortunate to be supported in such a strong way and be surrounded by people who are my biggest cheerleaders and lift me back up when I fall. I’ve also had the privilege of encountering a multitude of strong, powerhouse women who made me want to be the best version of myself. Through my work with V-Day International, One Billion Rising, and The Vagina Monologues, I’ve gained sisters from all walks of life who are quite honestly “forces to be reckoned with!”

Website: Personal Website: www.maxiesolters.com / Climax! The Series Website: www.climaxtheseries.com

Instagram: Personal IG: @mostmaxie / Climax! The Series – Meme IG: @drdickmann

Youtube: Personal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaxieSolters / Climax! The Series YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrDickmann

Image Credits
Heart background photo – Debra Graff
Hot tub photo with dog / both close up photos – Lauren Rodriguez
MTV VMA with space man statue – Brooke Paller