Debbie Schwartzberg Levy, Exclusive, Talks The Circle 7

The Circle just aired their season Finale for their seventh season. This show has been a huge hit world-wide for the streaming service Netflix. This season kept fans on the edge of their seats especially with the disruptor twist.

Debbie Schwartzberg Levy

Recently Debbie, aka Rachel, sat down with us to talk about the process of appearing on a hit reality show.

Just to recap, Debbie Schwartzberg Levy came in playing as a catfish. She was a joy to watch as she navigated the logistics of playing a 26 yr old.
Why did you want to do The Circle?

It wasn’t my idea to be on the circle. One of my best friends’ daughter and her fiance have been huge fans since season 1 and they called me saying you need to apply. I had never seen the show. I watched a few trailers for a few seasons and thought why not? She facetimed with me to help me fill out the online application. I didn’t watch any full seasons until I made it to the 3rd round of casting!

Can you explain how you got the attention of the Casting Director? Did you submit a video or a bio? What roughly did you include?

The application had a bunch of questions about your life and I just answered honestly. I think the 1 minute video I sent caught their attention.

I was actually annoyed that I had to make a video. It could only be 1 minute. So in one take I made a video and just got on there saying Hey, I’m Deb, I’m awesome and if you don’t like me I don’t care but it’s your loss. Something like that.

Debbie Schwartzberg Levy on applying.

How long after you applied did you hear anything?

I didn’t hear anything for 5 months. When they called I was actually confused and they said, did you apply to The Circle.. and I said Oh yeah, I forgot. I also told them I was busy and couldn’t talk.

Could they send me an email and I would follow up. Yeah, I had no idea what a big deal it was. I got in touch with them days later to set up a zoom.

Once you heard back, what were the next steps?

I had a zoom interview with casting. After the first one, they said they wanted to move me on did I want to go forward and I did. There were at least 5-7 rounds of zoom interviews. In all I think it took just over 2 months from first interview to making the cast.

After learning you made the cast, how long before you left for the show? How hard was it to keep it a secret from your friends and extended family?

UGH that was the worst. I left 6 weeks later. I obviously was able to tell my immediate family and anyone who would likely send out a search party if they didn’t hear from me for days.

There was this tiny circle of people who knew. It’s been so funny how my extended family and friends could not believe I kept this from them for almost a full year! I was very proud of myself lol.

Why did you decide to play as a catfish? I know you said on the show it was your age, were there other reasons? How much prep work went into your role?

I have thought that if I had social media as a 20 something I would have been a great influencer. So, this was my chance to “go back in time” to my 20s. I had my sons help me with acronyms I needed to know and popular slang. Obviously in the beginning of the show all that prep time did NOT help me.

You developed a close bond with the brothers (Gianna), your loyalty to each other was unmatched! How did that affect your game play? Did it help or hinder it?

Debbie  talks loyalty

I keep saying the only alliance that mattered in the end was #Rachanna Look, I knew the only reason I stayed in the game was my Staten Island “girl”.

I owed her for that and my loyalty was the most important thing after I made it though that first blocking. The twins kept my in the game and I am forever grateful. If I couldn’t win, I am so glad they did. And to be honest, it kind of felt like I won too!

When you and Madelyn had to switch profiles, what were your thoughts at first? After the twist was over how did you feel about the job you had done playing Madelyn?

Oh I knew this would be bad me trying to play her. BUT the fact that we both just opened up and shared what we knew and what we had to say was HUGE. Madelyn is really smart and she did a great job as me.

It was fun to watch that since I didn’t see it on the show. I HATED sexting. AND I don’t think I did a great job but it was good enough. The other conversations I had I thought I did really well in so I thought we had a good chance of being saved.

Is there anything you would like to tell your fan about your time on the show? Is there another reality show in your future?

Debbie  Talks Future

I love the entire cast. They are all wonderful. Seeing how much work goes into a show was amazing. The producers, production assistants, lighting, microphones, costumes…all done in the background!

The whole crew just works so hard. I loved how they edits the show too. Think about all the hours of footage they have and to make some of those edits-wow. One of my favs-Jadejha saying espresso martinis are the drink of middle aged women and they cut to me saying I’ve had those, they are good. GOLD!

Any other shows? Huh, well, I refuse to do anything physical so Naked and Afraid is out, LOL. I mean sure, I would do another one, but I’m not sure there really is one for me. I’ll just enjoy watching the rest of my cast get those opportunities and cheer them on!

Photo Credits: Netflix