Kristina Denton: Blending Humor, Heartbreak, and Humanity Through Bold Storytelling

Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.

I’m Kristina Denton, a writer, producer, and actress with a love for telling stories that live in the messy middle between heartbreak and humor. Whether it’s a film, TV series, or my debut memoir You Don’t Know Dick, my goal is to humanize taboo topics and give people permission to laugh in the moments they least expect to.

I believe stories can disarm shame, bridge differences, and make us feel less alone and if I can do that while making you laugh so hard your cheeks hurt, I’ve done my job.

What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?

Great question. I guess I have a knack for finding comedy in situations most people would run from like, say, fixing broken penises while grieving my father. My work blends sharp, character-driven dialogue with a deeply empathetic lens, so you get the bite and the heart.

I write a lot of things that people think are written by men, provocative and rich in shock value. I like to push boundaries and keep people on their toes. My work tends to shed light and flip the script on societal stigmas. I feel a deep calling to shake people out of the cage of their conditioning and find their own perspective.

And because I started as an actor and dancer before becoming a writer, I approach every project from the inside out. Storytelling for me is always about truth, connection, and making sure the humanity is undeniably universal.

Describe THAT moment when you realized you wanted to do what you do now. Who did you tell first? What has it been like since that moment?

According to my mom, I told her I wanted to be an actor at age two, which makes no sense, but here we are. I remember growing up watching movies and television shows sitting on my living room floor. I felt a deep connection to the characters, like they were me and had my same struggles.

I felt understood and like I wasn’t alone. My heart knew that I wanted to give others that same sense of belonging and become a filmmaker. I didn’t study film in college because I didn’t know I could. But on my last day of college, my car was already packed and I drove straight to LA, enrolling in a two-year Meisner acting program.

I didn’t know anyone or anything about the industry and already felt late to the party in my mid-twenties. Since then, I’ve grown and overcome a tremendous amount, both personally and professionally. In that overcoming and healing, I’ve become a better storyteller and, while I don’t wish the instability on anyone, I know this is the only path and there has never been a plan B.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?

My lack of self-worth. I wrote a whole memoir about how it all started. I think not believing I was “worth” much held me back professionally and personally for years, decades even. You have to have so much courage to declare, chase, and overcome obstacles in this industry.

When you get rejected, because you will, there has to be an incredible amount of self-compassion and belief inside that you remain unshakable in your pursuit. I always knew there was no backup plan, but I listened to way too many opinions, didn’t stick up for myself and let the “rules” limit me for years.

I sought business coaches, instead of therapists and yet found myself with the same limited thinking. Once I was finally able to start working on my mindset and healing my past via therapy, self-help books, courses, breathwork, etc.  the opportunities got bigger and I was actually ready to receive them. I encourage everyone to master themselves. 

Your new film Hollywood Grit is out now. What can viewers expect from the film, and what do you hope they take away from watching it?

You can expect a gritty, unapologetic mashup of action, noir, and just enough humor to keep you guessing. It’s the story of a washed-up ex-cop searching for his estranged daughter in the underbelly of Hollywood, with original music, a knockout cast, and plenty of twists. I hope audiences walk away entertained, a little surprised, and impressed by what can happen when you combine passion, resourcefulness, and a cast this good.

What was the most challenging part of writing the film?

We had two weeks to get a first draft done, while I was working a full-time job and preparing to move to Hawaii. The puzzle pieces (budget, location, some cast) came first, and the story had to be built around them. It was like solving a Rubik’s Cube while running a marathon, but I thrive on that kind of challenge.

What was your reaction when you found out that Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl were going to be a part of the project?

Fortunately, they were cast before we started writing, so while I didn’t know them personally, I got to write them in mind and that was a definite pinch me moment. Patrick was my TGIF TV dad growing up, and Linda has this old-Hollywood elegance I’ve always admired. I knew instantly they’d elevate the film and bring a depth to the characters that would make every scene better. I can’t wait for you to see their work…they are so good!

You’re also releasing your debut memoir You Don’t Know Dick next year, which dives into your time working at an erectile dysfunction clinic with raw humor and honesty. What motivated you to tell this story, and what has the writing process been like for you?

When I started the job, I thought I was living a dream or a funny joke that I would write a silly workplace comedy about fixing broken dicks. Over time, I realized the real story was what the job did for me. Sitting with men in their most vulnerable moments cracked open my perspective on masculinity, shame, and grief.

I felt like I had this incredible insight that few people have ever had, especially women. While the world was bastardizing men during the MeToo movement, I was getting an entirely different perspective. I felt called to champion the softer and more vulnerable side of men, bridge the gap between the toxic masculinity and toxic femininity cultures and meet in the middle.

Ultimately, the job helped me see my father in a new light after his passing and I was about to forgive him. I felt such relief and healing from that, it felt like I just needed to share this incredible education in case it helps unburden anyone else struggling. 

The writing process has been quite an emotional journey. Both hilarious and gut-wrenching, a mix of laughing at my own awkwardness and facing parts of my past I thought I had already healed. I’ll credit my acting background to knowing that if I’m not digging into the absolute truth of the moment in the most authentic way, I’m not doing my job. So, that has been my mission writing this. Be honest and unapologetic, even if it terrifies me.

What did writing the book teach you about yourself?

Until this year of my life was out of me and on paper, I truly didn’t realize the incredibly wild ride I was on. I think we get so busy surviving in life, we don’t take time to appreciate how far we’ve come or how much we’ve been through. Seeing it all out of me was unreal. I felt proud and sad and in awe of that younger woman. I can’t believe what she went through.

Also, I learned that revealing my most private moments has somewhat liberated me from them holding power over me. I feel like bleeding on the page metaphorically speaking leaves me completely vulnerable for a lot of criticism and judgement, but the freedom of sharing my truth is more important. If it helps one person feel seen, I’ve succeeded.

Has writing the book changed how you approach your personal relationships? If so, how?

After that year at the clinic, there was no way for me to see men the same way. From my male friends to lovers to my husband, I have an incredible amount of compassion for them like I never had before. I see the little boy who’s hurting, longing to be heard or validated behind the bravado. It hasn’t always served me well to be so understanding, but I find myself able to see men as misunderstood, even by themselves. 

If you had to give advice to aspiring writers trying to get their start in the industry, what would it be?

First, become an expert on yourself: your point of view is your currency. Second, treat your career like a business, not just an art form…get a business degree or training. And third, don’t wait for permission. Make your own work, find your people, and keep going even when no one’s watching.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming projects our readers can look forward to?

I have plans to adapt my memoir, You Don’t Know Dick, into a TV series. I also have a contained action-comedy feature that I’m itching to make next. 

If you could look 5 years into the future, what do you hope to have accomplished in your career by that time?

I see myself with a TV series on the air, a podcast based around opening up the male shame conversation from a female point-of-view, multiple books published, and a thriving live show that combines storytelling, humor, and conversation about the things we’re all afraid to say out loud. And hopefully, a healthy balance of making art and gathering new life experiences with my friends and family.

If you had to pick the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could take your career to the next level, who would those 3 people be?

If I could meet Reese Witherspoon, Judd Apatow, and Brené Brown, that would be the dream trifecta. Reese has built an empire out of female-driven stories that are entertaining but also culturally impactful, exactly the space I see You Don’t Know Dick living in.

Judd has this gift of making comedy outrageous and heartfelt at the same time, and I think he’d really get my voice, the way I find humor in the most uncomfortable places. Brené has given the world a language for shame and vulnerability, which are the deeper themes in my work. My book feels like a comedic extension of her mission. Together, the three of them represent the exact blend of impact, humor, and heart that I hope defines my career.

List the direct links/URL to your social media profiles or website:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristina7denton
Website: https://kristinadenton.com