Meet Jennifer Gionfriddo | Actress, Model, Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Gionfriddo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, why did you pursue a creative career?

When we’re young, we’re always presented with the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ My answer was always to be a singer and an actress. Somewhere between being a child and turning into an adult, I lost the permission I gave myself to do just that and instead sought to obtain a “real job”. But no matter what jobs I pursued, I continued to find myself excitedly and passionately doing one-off creative projects – things people would naturally approach me to collaborate with them about like promo modeling, backup singing. It wasn’t until after college and pursuing multiple careers that I could not see myself doing day-in and day-out basis for decades to come that I finally gave myself the permission once more to pursue the things I love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My background is Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Italian and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas. In middle and high school, I performed in front of the school on a frequent basis. I have memories of singing solos and duets in choral concerts, singing competitions, singing the Star-Spangled Banner on the football field right before the game started, singing solos in my church every Sunday, mid-night mass, so many great memories! When I started college, although I was studying Biochemistry I continued to find myself doing collaborations. For example, I was approached to model for a local recording studio and be their model on their pamphlets wearing headphones and singing in their studio. I also had several photographers approach me for trade-for-print opportunities, and that’s when I learned how much I love the creative process of putting together a photoshoot and the art of modeling. It was so much fun for me that eight hours could fly by and I’d be shocked at how much time had passed because I didn’t even notice – I was having so much fun coming up with concepts – picking outfits, creating makeup looks and hair styles, playing with lighting, learning to pose. I found all of it fascinating and loved it. Modeling eventually led me to signing with a modeling agency, booking featured commercial work with celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, landing a cover model opportunity with Road Iron Magazine. My modeling work led me into new areas of opportunity like placing in a beauty pageant as Miss Photogenic in the Georgia Latina Pageant, and that opportunity led me to booking a role as Jennifer Lopez’s Photo Double and Stand-In in Viola Davis’ film, Lila and Eve. After being on set for two weeks, I realized I wanted to pursue acting. I then started training and have booked roles in multiple short films and acted in multiple plays throughout Los Angeles. After graduating college, I started working in digital marketing, but it wasn’t until recently that I made the challenging decision to leave marketing entirely (a career of 10 years) and dedicate all of my time to pursuing acting, modeling, and singing.

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is re-shaping the way I think about failure – previously, I would limit opportunities for myself out of fear of failing. I now associate failure with not trying – if I don’t even try, then I’ve failed. So, it’s not necessarily about getting the opportunity – it’s the pursuit, the willingness to submit myself for that role, send that email to that agent, send myself in for consideration of that opportunity that makes it a win – because it’s only then that doors can open up. The worst that can happen is nothing comes of it.

The second biggest lesson I’ve learned is the value of learning to let go of judgment – starting with ourselves. It’s the things we say to ourselves that either hold us back from accomplishing our goals and dreams, or open the flood gates to them. Many times we aren’t even aware of how judgmental of ourselves we are being and can be pretty mean to ourselves. It’s letting go of that inner critic that will free you from all of your limiting beliefs to be able to freely go forward in life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite places in LA is the Huntington Library and Gardens; it feels like a completely different world from much of LA, with multiple types of gardens to wander through. Traveling down the coast is big for me; a lot of my favorite places are actually in coastal Orange County. My favorite place to have breakfast is on the beach at Beachcomber located in Crystal Cove – it’s a place that looks like it’s right out of a storybook, with the waves crashing on the shore right in front of the restaurant patio, rock formations, cliff formations. It’s absolutely Idyllic and their fruit crepes are out of this world delicious! I’m also a huge fan of french bakeries in general – Moulin which has locations throughout Southern California, Pandor Artisan Bakery which has a few OC locations, so many delicious, amazing options. The food scene is amazing, and endless! Must-visit locations are definitely the beaches – Crystal Cove and Treasure Island are a couple of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen, and warrant a weekend trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would like to dedicate this to my Husband, Chris Phillips! With my changing careers from marketing to full time acting/modeling/singing to moving across the country together from Atlanta to Los Angeles, he has been by my side, through it all, helping me navigate the complexities of the choices made, all willingly and lovingly, and I’m so incredibly lucky to have him in my life.

I would also want to do a shoutout to my mother, Amy Renfroe, who has been my biggest cheerleader through it all. Her enthusiasm and belief in me has helped me to pull through times when I lost believing in myself. I know I would not be nearly as happy, fulfilled, and pursuing my purpose in my life if it weren’t for my dear mother.

I’d love to recognize my commercial agency, Luxe Talent Agency, took me on as a client and took a chance. And my agent, Jason Hilton, sends me so many opportunities – I’m truly grateful for all the hard work they do for me!

Lastly, the school/theatre I’ve trained and performed in for the last 4 years most definitely deserves a shoutout, and that is Ruskin School of Acting/Ruskin Group Theatre. The work they do at that school is truly transformational, deep, Meisner work that has made me a better actor, and living a more authentic life overall, unapologetically. And, there are opportunities to act in Ruskin Group Theatre’s Monthly Cafe Plays. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in those and met so many incredibly talented and lovely people, with newfound friendships that I will always cherish.

Instagram: instagram.com/ladygionfriddo

Other: imdb: imdb.me/ladygionfriddo