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

Hi Melanie, why did you pursue a creative career?
I actually stumbled upon it by accident! But once I started it, I never looked back and I knew I found my calling! I began my social media career when I was 9 and started off doing basic dancing reels that were trending. Little by little I started doing dancing reels that were more challenging and difficult. This is also when I found myself being more creative in the art of acting. I started doing acting reels, and most of them were comedic videos. I began to take acting classes and began doing more serious work like auditioning for shows, movies and commercials. I signed with rage models and talent when I was 9 and really started to fall in love with acting. This is also when I started to really push myself with both acting and dancing, as it became my dream to be on television! My first actual dance class was when I turned 10, on my exact birthday. Ever since then, I just fell in love with the art of dance! I started noticing that I was getting better at it and was submitted by my agent for my first dance audition, and I booked it! It was for a national dancing Walmart commercial. At the same time that I was filming my first ever commercial, I had posted a funny Ross “commercial” on social media that went viral! It’s currently at 7.3 million views and has helped me gain followers. I am continuing to push myself in both acting and dance and I have to say that I can feel my dreams becoming a reality as long as I stick to it and never give up! And THATS ultimately my goal! To motivate and inspire others to never give up on their dreams and to just stay focused. Hard work will always win! My parents always tell me that as long as I work hard, and if I have my heart in the right place, then I will be successful in any aspect in life! And even though I just turned 11 years old, that’s exactly what I intend to do!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my social media career when I was 9 and started off doing basic dancing reels that were trending. Little by little I started doing dancing reels that were more challenging and difficult. This is also when I found myself being more creative in the art of acting. I started doing acting reels, and most of them were comedic videos. I began to take acting classes and began doing more serious work like auditioning for shows, movies and commercials. I signed with rage models and talent when I was 9 and really started to fall in love with acting. This is also when I started to really push myself with both acting and dancing, as it became my dream to be on television! My first actual dance class was when I turned 10, on my exact birthday. Ever since then, I just fell in love with the art of dance! I started noticing that I was getting better at it and was submitted by my agent for my first dance audition, and I booked it! It was for a national dancing Walmart commercial. At the same time that I was filming my first ever commercial, I had posted a funny Ross “commercial” on social media that went viral! It’s currently at 7.3 million views and has helped me gain followers. Not everything has been easy, it’s actually been so hard to accomplish all of this as my family and I are currently homeless. We are living in a shelter called HOPE the mission. We were kicked out by my grandma and left to look for housing suddenly. My dad lost his job and had no money for anything. We lived in our mini van for a few days before a literal miracle came into our lives. A teacher at the school I go to knew our situation and decided to do whatever she could to help us. We were eventually introduced to someone important at the shelter we are in now and were finally housed after two weeks of living out of our car. I am continuing to push myself in both acting and dance and I have to say that I can feel my dreams becoming a reality as long as I stick to it and never give up! And THATS ultimately my goal! To motivate and inspire others to never give up on their dreams and to just stay focused. Homelessness doesn’t have to mean helplessness. Hard work will always win! My parents always tell me that as long as I work hard, and if I have my heart in the right place, then I will be successful in any aspect in life! And even though I just turned 11 years old, that’s exactly what I intend to do!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite things to do out here that visitors would love to visit would definitely be both Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain! They are both filled with so much fun and joy and can make any visit down here worth your while. There is also many parks they can visit, one in particular is called Balboa Park, where you can enjoy the lake from paddle boating to fishing. You can bike around the park for a beautiful view that’s so calming and then they have what’s called the Japanese garden! It’s so beautiful and literally makes you feel like you’re in Japan, it’s definitely a hidden secret to visit out here in the San Fernando Valley part of LA. And lastly for dancers, the best studios out here to enjoy are Millennium Dance Complex, the Sixth Compound and The Playground LA! All of which whom have the Best Choreographers in all styles of dance! The entry fee is affordable and you get to learn choreography and combos from the Best of the Best!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family! Especially my mom and dad! They have always been there for me and have given me the chance to take advantage of every opportunity I can get! They have taught me the meaning of hard work and without them I am not here speaking to you in this interview. They are also very strong in making sure I stay humble and be grateful for every blessing that comes my way! I also want to give credit to my agent JoAnne Smolen and everyone at Rage models and Talent! They have been there for me and my family every step of the way! With guidance in the industry, to just simple phone calls to see how we are doing. They have definitely became more like family to us! Finally I want to give credit to my mentor Phil Wright and everyone at CNU(chicken nugget University). The guidance and advice we receive from him will stick with us forever and we are forever grateful for him! The opportunities and education he has been able to provide has given us an advantage in the industry that can only be given by him. But most of all, the family atmosphere he has been able to create throughout his education with all the dancers has been the greatest blessing! We are so thankful to have him in our lives!

Instagram: Melanie_herrera1215

Image Credits
The Actors Collective

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