Angela Mavropoulos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Angela, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I’m a multi-hyphenated filmmaker and musician, and one of the biggest misconceptions about this industry is that success happens overnight. People often see the end result; be it a viral song, a hit film, a festival win; without realizing the years of dedication, persistence, and self-funding that build up to those moments. Even a three-minute music video or a short film can take thousands of dollars and countless hours of sacrifice. What looks effortless on the outside is the product of discipline, resilience, and passion.
Another misunderstanding is that being an artist is all about inspiration or talent. In reality we also have to be entrepreneurs; managing contracts, marketing, funding, and strategy while still creating from the heart. True success isn’t just about going viral; it’s about longevity, consistency, and the ability to keep reinventing yourself. While the spotlight may shine on one person, film and music are profoundly collaborative. Every project is a team effort that brings together many voices and talents. Some of my closest and dearest friends are from being on sets and continuously hiring each other on projects.
The part that often goes unseen is the personal sacrifice: late nights in the studio, months on set, financial risk, and the vulnerability of putting your work into the world. But that’s also what makes this life so meaningful. It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. And despite its challenges, the reward is creating something that connects with people, inspires them, and maybe even outlives us.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Angela Mavropoulos, though many know me by my artist name, Blackbird. I’m a multi-hyphenated filmmaker, musician, producer, and actor originally from the island of Cyprus, now based between Los Angeles and my home island. My work lives at the intersection of culture and storytelling, blending Mediterranean and Byzantine influences with contemporary Western pop in my music, while also creating films that explore themes of self-discovery, identity, and belonging.
After the success of my first production company Thicc Boy Productions, in collaboration with my long-time friend Mason Greer, I recently founded Blackbird Studios, a high-concept production house that will be based in Cyprus. My vision is to build a creative hub that bridges international quality with local culture. The studio is designed to produce everything from music videos, photoshoots and films to large-scale productions, while also serving as a home for artists who want to tell authentic stories rooted in their heritage but aimed at a global audience.
As an artist, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for both my music and films, winning awards for Best Song, Best Female Vocalist, and Best Actress, and performing at venues like The Mint, Paramount and Hotel Café in Los Angeles. What makes my work unique is this blending of mediums. I don’t separate music, film, or performance, but weave them together into one body of art.
Right now, I’m focused on growing Blackbird Studios into an international creative powerhouse based in Cyprus, while continuing to develop projects that merge personal stories with universal themes. At its core, everything I do is about connection, giving audiences not just entertainment, but something they can feel deeply and carry with them.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my parents. From a young age, they taught me the value of honest work. If I wanted something, I had to earn it myself. Even though I grew up in a privileged home, I was never given instant gratification like I see so often today.
They also taught me resilience and self-sufficiency. Sometimes to a fault, because I rarely ask for help. But if I don’t know how to do something, I’ll soak up every bit of knowledge until I master it.
My parents never really treated me like a child. They spoke to me as an equal and included me in everything, even gala events, and wouldn’t attend if I wasn’t invited.
Seeing them now inspires me even more. They continue to work hard and stay active, which I truly believe keeps them young. I can only hope to be like them when I’m their age.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self and sometimes my current self to stay patient and keep trusting your gut. Work hard, and know that even when you fall, every fall will give you the strength to rise again. Don’t let other people’s words cut you down, instead, take them as perspective, something to learn from, but always make the final choice your own.
Stay true to who you are, because the right opportunities and people will find you when you stand in your authenticity. Choose positivity over negativity, because carrying the weight of the negative is far too exhausting. And above all, don’t change for anyone. Just refine the light you already have. The right people will love you for your true self, not for a mask you put on.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
As an islander, I carry with me an ancient culture that risks being forgotten, and I protect it at all costs. Young generations today are so much more eager to grow up and move quickly in an ever-changing environment, they forget to take time and smell the roses (genetically modified or not).
Changing my hub to Cyprus from Los Angeles was my way of returning to authenticity, to the sea, to mythology, to the values that shaped me.
Being Cypriot means honoring family, heritage, and traditions passed down through generations. These are the values I will fight for, and they are the heartbeat of my art. Through every film and every song, I work to preserve and share them with the world so that future generations never lose sight of where we come from.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived boldly and fearlessly, chasing my dreams. That I wasn’t afraid to take risks, start things from scratch, and create a life that felt truly mine. I want them to remember me as someone who inspired others to believe in themselves, to be brave enough to follow their passions no matter where they did.
Through my art (all forms) I’d like people to say that I made them feel something. That I cared deeply, loved fiercely, and always stayed true to who I was, even when it wasn’t the easy choice.
Most of all, I hope they say I left the world a little more beautiful, a little more honest, and a little more connected than I found it. We live such short lives that sometimes there isn’t enough time to think negatively and pessimistically. If I am going to leave a mark, it better be a smiley face emoji.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelamavropoulos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.blackbird/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-mavropoulos-1a85b4160/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/a.blackird
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ablackbirdmusic
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q0eFvLI2Q7Ui6LZ1Ig69K?si=6IcfMxe2QNCR_8VsRcii8w
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blackbird/1681708096
Image Credits
Whisky A Go Go pictures – Mathias Fau
S’agapo Music Video BTS – Vince Maui
Headshot- Dante Yore
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
