Meet Melanie Gillott | Actress, Singer, & Songwriter

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

Hi Melanie, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
A quote that is meaningful to me is from the legendary Carol Burnett, “If you’ve got a dream you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” Carol Burnett inspired me to start acting after I had discovered videos from “The Carol Burnett Show” on YouTube. I was in awe of her talent, charm, and how she could connect with audiences. When I was fourteen years old, I wrote a letter to her asking for advice as an aspiring actress. To my amazement, a couple weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from Carol Burnett herself. She was so encouraging towards me and despite the many ups and downs I have faced, that letter has symbolized hope that I could someday make my dreams come true. Nearly a decade later, I am a professional actress and singer. I have never personally met Carol Burnett but anybody that I have ever met who either knows her or has met her has said the same thing: Carol Burnett is one in a million. I hope that as I get older, I not only grow into a performer like her but a woman like her as well. I’m so grateful for her taking the time send a letter of encouragement to a little girl in Pennsylvania with a dream. I hope that I can be the person that inspires people to pursue their dreams as well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Coming from a musically inclined family, from an early age I knew I was passionate about music and the arts. My childhood was really defined by my creativity. I spent countless hours singing, diving into books, and writing my own short stories in the sanctuary of my room. Those were the activities that brought me joy and helped shape who I am today. Throughout my childhood and high school years, I was active in my school’s music department, performed in numerous community theaters and cabarets, and studied voice and acting at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Academy. After I graduated high school, I moved to Los Angeles where I continued studying voice and acting earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting-Performing Arts at AMDA College of the Performing Arts. Upon graduation, I have worked as an actor and voice over actor and started releasing my own music. That foundational love for music, combined with the formative years I spent immersed in theatrical performance, naturally paved my path into wanting to pursue a career in the arts. I’m also very grateful for my parents, teachers, and peers who have helped me get to where I am today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I feel so grateful to live in a city that is full of different experiences and opportunities. I am a movie enthusiast, so I would definitely be driving around to see where all the different studios are located! If you love films as much as I do, I would recommend taking a tour at Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, or visiting the Academy Museum. I also love music so I recommend visiting Amoeba Music and there are always concerts happening here as well. If you like visiting theme parks, I also would go to Universal Studios Hollywood– the Studio Tour is my favorite! I also love driving the Pacific Coast Highway because the scenery in Malibu is breathtaking. Some of my favorite places to eat include: Mel’s Diner because it’s iconic and has been featured in many films, the Beachwood Cafe, Trejo’s Tacos, and of course it wouldn’t be a trip to LA if you didn’t visit In-N-Out Burger.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I will never have the words to express how grateful I am for my parents. From driving me to rehearsals, coming to all my shows, to helping me move all the way across the country to Los Angeles to pursue my career, I can’t express enough how grateful I am for their support. I feel so blessed to have parents that have supported me in my artistic endeavors. To my parents: thank you, thank you, thank you.

Website: https://www.melaniegillott.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniegillott/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-gillott-bb4231216

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melaniegillott?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melaniegillottofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrAAMppchyx5WVnxMbWWew

Image Credits
Jeff Ellingson