I knew what I wanted to do was to come to LA/Hollywood to follow my dreams and act. It’s something I was certain of doing since the early years of life, but actually believing it was something I could do was a different story. I later discovered that my thoughts have great power….because in only about 6months of me seriously knowing and believing LA was the place I needed to be, it happened for me. I spoke it into existence. I knew everyday that making the move was what I needed to do to accomplish and achieve what I wanted to do in life, and I kept telling myself that in order to be great, you have to make great sacrifices. The universe kept bringing so many great people into my life who were preparing me for my journey w/o me even realizing it until after the fact. The signs are always there. It’s just up to us to see them.

After seeing the signs – finally realizing the journey was/is about to unfold right in front of me – AND accepting it, I was landing at LAX with a good portion of my belongings. It didn’t start out easy, and it still isn’t easy. Understand that I’m a born and raised Queens New Yorker.its in my blood – not that this limits me or that I haven’t traveled and experienced being outside of NYC – but I was coming to live 3000 miles away from all I knew as a home, all my family all my friends. It was tough initially and it still is 6months into living in LA, but there’s a bigger picture, a bigger goal for which I’m aiming.

I wish there was a blueprint that I could give you that would help anyone follow their dreams and pursue whatever it is their heart desires, but it’s solely up to you, the individual. Anything worth obtaining is never easy to get. My tips would be to continue in your journey and don’t let ANYONE discourage you. You will always hear 100 no’s before you hear your first YES. Some people don’t make it to that 100th NO… they give up. For me, quitting is not an option. As hard as the road gets and as OFTEN as I miss home, I know for me this my DREAM.

This may sound cliché but the advice that I’d give to anyone would be all that glitters is not gold. LA is the land of make believe – everyone wants to be something they’re not, but who am I to judge. I’m not taking it personally…I try not to. Maybe it’s their own way of “Speaking it into existence”.faking it till you make it. I don’t know what you call it, but I do know you have to be hungry. Actually that’s an understatement.you have to be ravenous.

Though you may have an agent, a manager, or a publicist, YOU still have to put in your own footwork. You have to be responsible for making your own way – going to workshops, selling yourself, being in people’s faces, networking. You have to be a mover and shaker.

Also, a big part of being a mover and shaker in this industry is staying in touch with REALITY! Reality is everything. It’s okay to dream big, and reach for the stars but you have to honestly respect the reality of things. If you keep going up for Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington and Will Smith roles but you’re not putting the time into yourself to be that great, you’re not training, studying, doing your “two a days”.then you’ll drop the ball when it’s thrown your way, and it’s really that simple. It may come off as harsh, but this business is harsh. If THAT reality scares you then this may not be the business for you.

I’ve not had many experiences with Hollywood to write a book on it. I go to my auditions, my classes, maybe a party or two here and there, but parties cost…and right now that’s not my focus. I once heard this from an old associate of mine, “Id rather go to 1 party and talk about the 20 jobs I did, than go to 20 parties talking about the 1 job I did.” I believe this may be a quote from someone else, but the message behind it was so deep that it stuck with me.

That’s exactly how I feel. I have my own journey so my experiences will be unique. That’s what make them mine, and I’m open and ready for that. I’m learning how to embrace change, which is a beautiful process. I’m thankful for the people who I can call friends in my life.you’ll need a friend or two in this cold world, when not a person in the “entertainment world” cares about you. When you’ve heard your 98th NO, and you’re ready to quit, that will be the time you’ll need them the most. And even then be thankful for the journey…you made it this far.