Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Rizzi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
At 15, my world stopped when I heard the news. Killian, a colleague of mine, had suddenly passed away in a plane crash.
Shy, sweet and studious young Laura couldn’t believe it… I’d never known loss in my life until that moment. How do you make sense of someone dying so young, especially when they’re your age? The school went into deep mourning. Unprocessed pain led to quieter hallways and classrooms. Then 6 months later, it happened again. Another classmate, a young boy, was suddenly killed in a skiing accident. It was too much… Overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to express or process the grief, and neither did anyone in the conservative environment that surrounded me. Grief became too familiar, and so did silence.
As the school year came to a close, the Principal asked me to honor his passing by singing in front of the student body. He’d heard I had a talent for singing, but I was a timid novice and I’d never done anything like that. Could I?
I stared out at a sea of black & blinding lights. I took a deep breath, swallowed my fear, and let the music move through me. I can’t recall what happened… Afterwards though, a friend approached me – “We were all crying…even his parents…Thank you.”
That year was a blur in many ways, but one truth became abundantly clear. Music helped us heal that day. It healed me. I had been given a gift that broke the silence. Somehow, I’d done some good in the midst of all that grief. I knew then and there I wanted to keep doing that for the rest of my life. I became a professional actor/singer, still on a mission to simply make the world a bit brighter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve learned it’s a cutthroat world – moving to a city at 18, all alone, will teach you that quickly! As a young woman, it’s often difficult to feel safe, seen, or respected, especially in the competitive artistic landscape. But I’ve learned that even though challenges are tough and very real, they’re not insurmountable. Every challenge can be overcome with faith, courage, tenacity, and unfailing optimism. I believe that optimism and hope are our greatest weapons against despair, and I love telling stories as an actor/singer that remind people of this.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Hope is a big thing for me as an artist – finding light in the darkest of times. You can see that theme in both of my most recent films “Something Blue” directed by Mariana Barbosa and “Halloween Collection of Evil” directed by Chris Abaya. One is a sweet, Woody Allen style film that highlights the unspoken joys and heartbreaks of female friendships, and the other is a dark horror film which is an homage to the classic “Halloween” franchise. Vastly different! But in both, I portray characters fighting for hope to stay alive. Both films have received multiple nominations and even garnered awards, and I believe that universal theme is a big reason why.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When you’re a young artist, a mentor is your lighthouse! The storm of life is so full of unknowns, and I consider it a major blessing to have someone lighting the way. My advice to young professionals, in any field, is to get off your phone, socialize, and meet people! I’ve been honored with so many incredible opportunities and have been guided by amazing mentors because I chose to take a chance on life. You want to know the best part? People want to be part of your story and help you. Let them. Don’t be shy, ask for help! A mentor who especially comes to mind in writing this is the wonderful Adrian R’Mante – thank you for being a lighthouse!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laura-rizzi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura__rizzi/
Image Credits
Mariana Barbosa
Kyle Doughty
