{"id":1240,"date":"2015-07-17T11:43:48","date_gmt":"2015-07-17T16:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/culturated.com\/?p=1240"},"modified":"2015-07-17T12:54:16","modified_gmt":"2015-07-17T17:54:16","slug":"interview-with-kristian-nairn-dj-hodor-in-the-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culturated.com\/interview-with-kristian-nairn-dj-hodor-in-the-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview With Kristian Nairn- DJ Hodor in the House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kristian Nairn<\/a> may not be the world\u2019s most unlikely celebrity. But considering he\u2019s 6\u201911\u201d tall, built more like Andre the Giant than Brad Pitt, and didn\u2019t have an IMDB credit to his name before he was cast as Hodor at the age of 36, few people could\u2019ve predicted he would become one of Game Of Thrones<\/i>\u2019<\/span><\/a><\/strong> biggest breakout stars.<\/p>\n

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Yet if you sit down for a chat with the gentle giant, you immediately understand why Hodor<\/a> has become such a fan favorite. Nairn\u2019s friendly eyes and good-natured personality are matched with a wry Irish humor honed in his native Belfast.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s a depth of character that allows him to speak volumes about the warmth of the mentally challenged Hodor\u2019s heart using one single word\u2013 HODOR. There\u2019s also a palpable positive energy that provides striking contrast to the mud-stained shitstorm that defines the sociopolitical turmoil of Westeros. As Hodor, Nairn is not just the protector for Bran Stark, but a symbol of hope and innocence in a world gone wrong.<\/p>\n

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\"Kristian<\/a><\/p>\n

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Back in Ireland, he\u2019s better known as a DJ than an actor: He\u2019s been spinning records at Belfast’s Kremlin nightclub for more than a decade now. And, until Game of Thrones<\/i> show runners work Hodor back into the mix (more on that in a minute), Kristian Nairn\u2019s DJ career is his primary focus.<\/p>\n

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He\u2019s just released his debut single, and he\u2019ll be performing the “Rave of Thrones” at NYC’s Irving Plaza<\/i> on August 13th. Guests are asked to wear fantasy-themed fancy dress, with those who ignore the dictum risking the wrath of “the Hand of the King.\u201d<\/p>\n

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We recently spoke to Nairn about his DJ career, Hodor\u2019s internal life, returning to Game of Thrones <\/i>and more in this exclusive interview:<\/p>\n

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\"Kristian<\/a><\/p>\n

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I have to start out asking about Game of Thrones<\/i>, since that is how most fans know you. Can you talk about what it was like watching the latest season from the sidelines while Hodor and Bran are out of the picture? Is it emotional for you to see beloved characters like Jon Snow killed off, knowing you might not see the actors who play them as often?<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s definitely emotional.\u00a0Having been a part of something since the beginning, and with the VAST change it\u2019s made to my life as a whole, I definitely have some deep-rooted connections there.\u00a0Right from the beginning, watching cast members be killed off was a bittersweet experience\u2026\u00a0It\u2019s an excellent storyline, but it\u2019s horrible losing a friend from the set.<\/p>\n

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You’ve been DJing in Ireland for many years now, but GoT appears to be your first big acting gig. How did you get the part?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Honestly, I\u2019ve been on the periphery of acting for years, via music and theatre, so I feel it was a natural segue into acting.\u00a0I had an agent through the musical and theatre part of my life, and I got put forward for occasional auditions for suitable parts.\u00a0After being seen by Nina Gold for Hot Fuzz<\/i>, I got a call back 5-6 years later, and I was offered the role of Hodor.<\/p>\n

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