Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Amaya.
Vanessa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and have been acting since I was only 6 years old. I have always known what I had wanted to be when I grew up, even as a small child. My journey started at a very young age at the local Town and Country Playhouse which has now been converted into the Queensbury Theatre. I participated in numerous performances during my youth there and was fully able to discover my passion for the arts. Shortly after graduating from Saint Pius X High School, my love for theater grew into a love for film and television as well. I have had the opportunity to be in multiple television commercials, TV shows, as well as a few large feature films. I have been featured on The Travel Channel, ABC Family, Comedy Central as well as ID. My most notable performance was portraying Felicia Ruiz in the Investigation Discovery series – True Crime with Aphrodite Jones. My passion for the arts is not limited to working on and off screen, I also love to write and travel. Traveling has been another large passion of mine, and launching my own platform where I can engage with other adventurous souls has been something I have wanted to do for years. “The World Ness Traveled” a travel and lifestyle blog written and edited by me, went live officially last Friday. I could not be more excited to share all of my tips, tricks, and knowledge with the world. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family that has not only supported me, but has provided me with the positive mindset that ‘you can accomplish anything you set your mind to’.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be completely transparent, anyone who is looking to have a career in the entertainment industry is going to encounter their fair share of ups and downs, myself included. Rejection is one of the most notable bumps. As a child, you really learn to build thick skin, but you also begin to develop a sense of character. Walking into an audition you are at your most vulnerable, you are allowing a panel of people to completely dissect you from head to toe. Putting yourself out there is never easy, but I can say for sure that I have never regretted it. I have walked into auditions thinking I was totally wrong for the part and then booking it, and I have walked into auditions thinking I was perfect for the role and never hear back. You have to keep working hard, and never let your fear influence your ability to be great! My advice for anyone just starting out, especially young girls is to never give up, and stay positive. It is so easy to let the girl next to you get inside of your head, always remember that you are just as unique, you are just as beautiful, and you have something just as incredible to offer. There will be people who are wanting to see you succeed, and then you will have those who envy your ability to stand and be seen. Always stay true to your heart.
what should we know about The World Ness Traveled? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a television and film actress best known for my appearances on Comedy Central, Investigation Discovery, ABC Family, and the Travel Channel. I have also appeared in numerous feature films which can be found on my IMDB profile. I am also the creator, editor, and writer of the Lifestyle and Travel blog ‘The World Ness Traveled’. I am a creator and an artist and love being able to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
The biggest piece of advice I can give someone just starting out is to “never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”. Putting yourself out there for the world is undoubtedly one of the scariest, yet more rewarding things I have ever done. Once I was able to put the fear of what others would think of me behind, I was truly able to thrive. As difficult as it may be at times, always keep your head up and always take the high road when possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theworldnesstraveled.com
- Email: theworldnesstraveled@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Vanessa__Amaya
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/VanessaMichelleAmaya
- Twitter: Vanessaaa2
Image Credit:
Brian Holland
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