We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mélia Lisette. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mélia below.
Mélia, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
There is a blessing and a curse to acting. On one hand, I have the privilege to pretend to be someone else for my job. I get to wear beautiful costumes, do my hair in fun new ways and experience things seventeen year old of me only could have dreamed about. On the other hand, when I have don’t have work and have to sit around sending in auditions and applications on casting sites, I find my mental health tends to suffer. I am not a person that is able to simply sit around and not do something. When it happens, I spiral into the “what ifs” rather than focus on the now. What I’ve discovered is the “what ifs” can inevitably turn into something creative. This last year, I’ve spent the days trapped at home channeling those panicked “what ifs” into writing. I have been very blessed to be surrounded by fellow creatives and with their expertise and love of their respective crafts, I wrote a short film called “Promises, Promises” which was produced and shot this Fall. It’s currently in the editing room and will premiere on the festival circuit soon! Inevitably, my hardest days became something creative I hope others will enjoy and can relate to.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a classically trained actress with a Masters degree from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. While I was incredibly lucky to have studied in London, I’ve found that training more useful in my day to day life. The breathing exercises and interpersonal communication skills taught in my course have became integral to how I approach life both on and off set or stage. Showing kindness and understanding not just towards others, but yourself is absolutely key to success. The hardest part about being you is the fact that you’re the one you have to deal with on a daily basis. Acting provides a way to address that while allowing the freedom to create in an entertainment environment.
I just ended a run of A Christmas Carol at the Penobscot Theatre in Bangor, Maine and have returned to Los Angeles ready to see where 2025 takes me. I’m excited to say “Promises, Promises,” a short written by and starring myself and Lauren Analla, is in the works and will soon be making its way into the world. Directed by KC Schomas, this 1980s LGBTQ period piece is a loving ode to 80s film all while tapping into the struggles of being who we are at the core.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Number One: Who cares? No seriously, that’s the skill right there. Just being able to say “who cares?” and to then go about your day in the way you see fit. We don’t live long enough to care constantly about what other people think of you or how they perceive you. Live your life. If they don’t like it, they aren’t for you.
Number Two: Eat the donut. Again, who cares?
Number Three: Study. Learn. Take the class, learn the new language. If it makes you happy and you feel fulfilled, and you know it’s your calling, continue to learn your craft. Hone it and love it, because if it makes you happy, that’s all that matters.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Understanding that taking a break is okay. Taking time to breathe and allowing yourself a day of peace is okay. Yes, as actors, we are constantly trying to improve upon ourselves and our resumes and reels, but taking a minute and finding peace is necessary too. My darkest days this last year where I was forced to sit with myself and do absolutely nothing were incredibly difficult, but beautifully simple. I had time to breathe, which is not always given in bustling Los Angeles, and found myself struggling to just sit and soak up the sun.
In the end, however, we need to tell ourselves we’re trying our best, what’s good for us will come in time with the hard work we’ve already and continue to put in, and we will feel that wave of sunshine filled success when it finally hits.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melialisette/profilecard/?igsh=MXRhMHA5eTFxdzJ5MQ==
- Other: IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm10152588/
Image Credits
Michael Roud Photography
Bill Kuykendall
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