Lyle Menendez Actor Nicholas Alexander Chavez on His ‘Monsters’ Audition With Cooper Koch: ‘It Felt Electric Right Off the Bat’

As a seasoned actor who has delved into the dark and complex world of the Menendez brothers for the gripping Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”, I can confidently say that this role has been an extraordinary journey for me, one that has tested my acting abilities to their limits.


According to Nicholas Alexander Chavez, the last audition he attended for the role of Lyle Menendez in “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, was unlike any other auditions he had previously experienced.

Chavez explains that his readiness for the Netflix series was built upon consuming as much information as possible about the siblings and their two court cases. The Menendez brothers are now imprisoned for life without the chance of parole, having been convicted of the first-degree murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989.

Last month, just before Netflix premiered the series, Koch had a phone conversation with Erik. This was followed by a visit to Erik and Lyle in prison, which was accompanied by Kim Kardashian. Contrary to this, Chavez, similar to Murphy (the show’s co-creator), has no intentions of doing such a thing.

As an actor, you often find yourself drawn to a certain morbid fascination with the individuals you portray. After immersing myself in their lives and circumstances for six months during this project, I’ve come to realize that there is a part of me that yearns for more. However, as an artist, I understand the need to let go once the character’s story is told. This detachment is crucial to my craft, and I strive to maintain it.

Regarding whether the brothers should get another trial, Chavez merely comments, “There’s been much debate on this topic. I’m eagerly waiting to see how things unfold. I believe it’s for the U.S. judicial system to determine if they deserve a retrial.

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During the production of “Monsters,” Murphy had already cast Chavez in his separate series on FX, titled “Grotesquerie.” As Murphy explains, during the final weeks of filming “Menendez,” he was also working on “Grotesquerie.” The night they wrapped up “Menendez,” Murphy remembers being driven to a hotel near the “Grotesquerie” set and immediately starting work the next day. He filmed for five consecutive days, making it a seamless transition from one project to another. It’s been an exciting journey for Murphy to witness Ryan’s creative vision unfold in two distinct worlds, as they are quite different.

In “Grotesquerie,” NFL star Travis Kelce embarks on his acting career for the first time. His co-star, Chavez, praises him as being incredibly charming, charismatic, and surprisingly grounded. It’s evident that this man excels not only on the football field but also off it, demonstrating exceptional teamwork skills. Kelce entered the set collaborative and performed with self-assuredness. To be frank, I was astonished to learn that he had no prior acting experience.

He muses, “Well, let me put it this way: Taylor Swift’s tunes are catchy as can be, and they make me want to dance every time I hear them. She’s got such an energetic stage presence.” So, in essence, one could infer that he might just be a fan of hers.

He considers, then adds, “OK, fine, “I’m a Swiftie.”

Lyle Menendez Actor Nicholas Alexander Chavez on His ‘Monsters’ Audition With Cooper Koch: ‘It Felt Electric Right Off the Bat’

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2024-10-01 21:16