Interview and Photos by Jorge Lara

To conclude the year here at VIM Magazine we are sharing an interview with social activist, television star, photographer, and model Hollie Winnard. Hollie grew up in the New England area where she studied theater and art and which prepared her for a career in television and movies, featuring in shows such as Rules of Engagement, Beauty And The Geek, and How I Met Your Mother.

We catch up with what’s she been up to, talk about what she thinks about production studios moving to Vegas and ponder about the past year in politics.

VIM: Hello! You were one of our first interviews for VIM Magazine. It’s been awhile since our last interview. What have you been up to since?

HOLLIE: Since our last interview, I’ve been staying busy with a mix of activism and personal growth. It’s interesting to look back and see how relevant our previous discussion still is today. I’ve deepened my involvement in activism, even traveling abroad to gain a broader perspective on what our country is getting wrong and how we might work toward solutions. On the professional side, I’ve also been growing my photography business, which has been an exciting and rewarding journey.

VIM: I just got back from the 9th Annual Eccentric Artists Shameless Plug Art Festival where they they had a filmmaker panel featuring Noel Calizo of SPCKRFT, Danette Tull of the Nevada Film Office and other local luminaries. What do you think about Warner Bros opening a production studio here?

HOLLIE: Is it really happening? If so, I think it’s an exciting development! As an actress living in Las Vegas, the idea of a movie studio moving here feels like a game-changer. It could bring incredible opportunities for local talent, like more auditions and networking right in our backyard. Vegas has so much untapped potential when it comes to the entertainment industry, and having a studio here could really put the city on the map in a new way. I’m looking forward to seeing how it might transform the creative scene and open up doors for myself and others in the industry.

VIM: It’s been quite a month, politically speaking. Our last interview was when Bernie Sanders was running to be on the Democratic ticket for president and we all learned how that went. Seems like the Democratic Party has not learned from their past mistakes. Whatever happened to having a primary?

HOLLIE: Honestly, I don’t like saying “I told you so,” but it’s frustrating to see where we are now. The last eight years—and likely the next four—could have been so different if we weren’t dealing with a corrupt system. Sanders having the election essentially stolen from him in 2016 set the tone for so much of what we’re dealing with today. While I think it’s good that more people are finally acknowledging what happened, it feels too little, too late.

What’s even more disheartening is how the Democratic Party hasn’t learned from their mistakes. Instead of addressing the systemic issues that alienate voters, they’ve doubled down on the same practices that led to this mess in the first place. Not having a primary in 2024 is just another glaring example of how broken and corrupt the system has become. We’ve moved so far away from a true democracy.

I’m especially disappointed that Nevada rejected ranked-choice voting. It was such a missed opportunity to empower voters and help fix a system that’s failing the people. If we keep ignoring these necessary changes, the cycle of frustration and disillusionment will only continue.

Check out our past interview with Hollie here: https://www.vimmag.com/blog-1/2016/4/10/holly-winnard