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

Hi Alisha, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am all for taking risks! Its nerve-racking in the beginning but more times then not, it pays off in the end! Taking risks has played a major part in what I’ve accomplished in my career. A risk that really paid off for me was reaching out to “NappyTabs”, a creative director/executive producer husband and wife duo who work for major artists, popular TV shows and more! Ive always wanted to expand from just being a dancer, and they are someone that everyone in entertainment dreams of working with. So I reached out in an email noting my previous experience and asking if they were needing an assistant and they hit me back right away! Soon I was in for an interview, then starting the job! The craziest part is that I went from buying tickets to JLos Vegas Show in September 2018 as a huge fan and dreaming of working for her, to 7 months later, sitting in on her rehearsals with NappyTabs for her world tour and calling it work! Its now been 1 year since ive worked with them and it has been the most EPIC year of my life. Just a few of the amazing experiences I’ve had with them is working on JLos Super Bowl Halftime show, JLos iHeart Radio Fiesta Latina performance, TLC Summer Tour, producing multiple Disney Channel Specials, and so much more! Reaching out to them was the biggest risk with the biggest reward and I will always support people who decide to take risks in their own life!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think what sets me apart from others is the ability to put my mind to something and make it happen. Even if something seems impossible, I don’t like to take no for an answer! I do believe it has gotten me much farther in my career then I could have imagined and is what I feel holds others back in this business. If they cant figure something out or its too difficult, they give up. I feel very proud of myself for all the times Ive stuck with something and made it happen even when it got difficult! You will come across so many set backs in the entertainment business and if you don’t push through, you wont succeed! It definitely took a lot to get to where I am today in my career! The biggest struggle of all was getting my entertainment visa so that I could move from Canada, to Los Angeles and be able to work! It took a lot of time, money and perseverance to get my visa approved and even once I received it and moved to LA, it was a struggle to book jobs! Throughout my first 3 years in LA, I was constantly taking dance classes, going to dance auditions, model castings, and walking in fashion shows in LA, NYC and MIA but it wasn’t enough to keep me afloat and I wasn’t booking the dream jobs I thought I would be. The 3rd year is when I really realized I was potentially interested in working more behind the scenes of productions as I was always interested in seeing all the aspects of jobs I was on. It ended up being the best decision I could’ve made! Then the next struggle came when I had to apply for my green card. Twice as difficult and twice as expensive.. it would have been a HUGE roadblock if it were to be denied. Ive never been so grateful as I was to get that approval notice! That ended up giving me the chance to work the most epic jobs I could have dreamed of and wear many different hats which I couldn’t do with my visa as it is restricting. There were SO many let downs, challenges, and hardships along the way to get to where I am now, and it will never be an easy road but Ive gotten myself to a place where I can live comfortably, pay my bills, all while enjoying going to work everyday! I have recently during this quarantine, decided to really dial into what I excel at, as well as learn as many new things as possible towards my future career goals of starting my own business for a mix of artist development, talent management, and production management. I most recently started working for Kylie Cantrall, a singer, dancer and actress starring in her own show on Disney Channel ‘Gabby Duran and The Unsittables”. Im working on helping to design her merchandise, building a website, editing her photos and videos, and more! Ive learnt so much in such a short time by just being engulfed in her world! Its something I really enjoy and want to focus on with potentially more artists down the line as well! Some amazing artists Ive gotten to work with so far along the way include JLo, TLC, Raven Symone, Kylie Cantrall, Sofia Carson, Meg Donnelly, and more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I always have so much fun when friends come to visit! When It comes to daytime fun with a friend who’s visiting, I love driving with the top down on my car to Malibu or Santa Monica/Venice and hanging at the beach! The drive is so beautiful on a sunny day, and laying out getting a tan is always a good idea! Now nighttime… Im usually quite a home body especially with working full time but I do have a few favorite spots I always make sure to take anyone who comes to visit. My favorite place to go is Saddle Ranch on Sunset Blvd! It is such a chill, but fun hangout spot that doesn’t feel like the craziness of a club but upbeat enough to have a good time! When im in the mood for a club, im always sure to hit up Warwick in Hollywood (they have the best Wednesday night!) and The Highlight Room which is a rooftop club, the nicest place to go on a warm night and see an epic view! Some other staple spots for someone visiting for the first time is shopping along Melrose Avenue or checking out some of the epic palm tree lined streets and taking fun pictures!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t think there’s one specific person in general as many people have helped and supported me along the way but of course my amazing parents deserve recognition as they have always supported me along the way from when I started dancing at 5 and kept going ever since, helped me with my visa, green card, moving to LA and so much more! My grandma who passed away was always a massive supporter, I couldn’t have come this far without her. Ive also had some really great friends and teachers along the way! New and old, younger and older, long distance, etc that stuck with me or helped guide me, even through ups and downs, wins and fails etc. I feel like everyone you come across shapes your journey in one way or another! So shout out to anyone who’s crossed my path and helped on my path to success, Every little bit helps!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alishatallarico/