All You Need is Love…and Activism

As actors, we can use our platform and our voice for good. Torrey DeVitto, who plays Natalie Manning on Chicago Med, is a shining example of that.

Hi Torrey! First, congratulations on such a great role on Chicago Med. It’s been a few years. Do you feel like a true Chicagoan yet?

“Thank you! Playing this role had been an absolute dream for me. I am always so honored to play the storylines our writers create for my character, Natalie.

Getting to live in and explore Chicago during this process has been absolutely incredible. I do feel like this has become a home for me. I love how connected this city is. I always feel like there is something artsy and creative going on in this city. I’m going to miss it when this whole experience is over!”

What’s the most Chicago thing you’ve done?

“The most Chicago thing I have done is eat my (veggie) hot dog with no ketchup, only mustard.”

Yum!

It’s awesome to see you using your voice for good. You’re always posting about the organizations you’re involved with. What are some of your favorite organizations you partner with?

“I’ve been working as an ambassador for the NHPCO (national hospice and palliative care organization) for almost ten years now and have been a hospice volunteer doing inpatient care for that long as well. I also just recently joined RAINNs leadership council and am working as an ambassador for the national women’s history museum and work closely with an organization called ImAlive, which is a suicide and crisis intervention organization. I’ve done a lot of work with PETA and the Humane Society of the United States and have currently begun working and supporting an incredible organization called Safe Bae.

Did you reach out to the organizations or did they contact you?

“I reached out to most of them. I know what my passions are and what my intentions are through my work in this industry. Because of that I’m always trying to find organizations who are aligned with those views and who I get inspired by and feel like I could really offer something to through my support and showing up.”

Have you always considered yourself an activist?

“Yes, very much so. I feel that with the state of the world everyone should be an activist. We need more activism!”

I agree! Was there ever a time you were afraid you’d lose fans by speaking your truth?

“No. To be honest, when I started speaking up and still to this day, whenever I speak up, it’s always coming from a place of love. Love is the driving force of all things, so I always make sure to center myself before saying or posting anything and make sure that where I am coming from is love. Knowing that, I’ve never been worried about putting my voice out there.”

Beautiful. Has there been any backlash, and if so, how have you handled the naysayers?

“Oh my God, yes. So much backlash. I get unfollowed and nasty comments thrown at me on social media all the time because of my views and inability to stay quiet on certain subjects. Which I am totally fine with because If you’re spreading hate, then I don’t want you following me anyways! I also try not to really read the comments anymore. Anyone who is mean or bullies behind a screen is going through their own stuff and that’s on them. Their comments are not a reflection of me nor are they for me to take personally. I find it to be really unhealthy to look at the bad or even the good comments on social media. When I do cave in and look, it just makes me really sad that some people have so much hate in their hearts.”

What advice do you have for aspiring activists in the industry?

The best thing you can do is continue to do you and send out love. Never let hate shut you down. Any time I feel down I remind myself, in every situation, only the love was real. Focus on that and continue doing the work that you know matters.

It can be tiring. How do you avoid burn out? What kinds of self-care techniques do you use?

“I meditate everyday. At least 1-3 times a day. I don’t know what I would do without it! Or actually I do know, because before I started meditating I was an anxious mess! I make sure to carve out quiet time on my days off. Being quiet is so important for me, especially after a busy week. Just sitting with myself or delving into a good book, getting a massage or facial, getting an energy healing or Reiki session in, these are all ways I make sure to take care of myself. Self-care is so important.

Thanks so much, Torrey. You’re an inspiration to us all!

Now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. How are you an activist in your life? What do you care about?