Meet Amairany Solano, Chris Nelson, And Nik Jermaine | Crazy10 Entertainment

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amairany Solano, Chris Nelson, And Nik Jermaine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amairany Solano, Chris Nelson, and Nik Jermaine, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Chris: The secret? It’s passion. As our motto states: we are “dedicated to telling different stories through various mediums,” which fuels the unwavering love and dedication we have for storytelling. Pushing new boundaries; exploring new creative paths, and connecting with people through these stories on a deeper level.

Amairany: I think the most important factor to our success is the commitment and love we have for sharing different stories. As a team, we each have stories to tell and these stories continue to inspire us to pump out new projects.

Nik: We’ve also adapted to an attitude of just going for it. While planning is definitely part of a successful project, we can’t get anywhere without jumping into it. Hesitation can hold us back, and we never truly know if a project will work unless we give it a try. It may not be perfect, but we can take the imperfections as lessons and improve on it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Nik: Crazy10 was initially founded because we wanted to see people that looked like us playing roles that they may not traditionally be cast in. We wanted to be in control of our stories, so producing our projects ourselves has been the biggest challenge. We’ve had to get creative with how we make our projects – our first short film Grief was produced in a few days on absolutely no budget. Having each other to bounce ideas off of whether it be story ideas or ideas on how we can make something happen has been a huge factor in our projects being able to move forward. And with every project, we’ve met and worked with amazing people – we want to continue telling stories with them as well as growing this community we’ve found.

Amairany: Our art has been released in different mediums, most recently 2 seasons of an audio drama, a short film, and we are currently working on Simply Maria or the American Dream by Josefina Lopez that will participate in the 2025 Hollywood Fringe Festival. I think what sets these projects apart is our commitment to telling the stories as authentically as possible. Majority of the time, our projects are almost entirely self-produced, this allows us the creative freedom to push for projects that may push the boundaries but remain authentic to the story being told. I think we are where we are today professionally because we have learned to trust each other and be there for one another as a team. As our Creative Director, Nik has done a wonderful job by setting the tone as a team of, “Communicate what is going on and we will support each other where someone may fall short”. Our biggest challenge is setting the funds aside per project, on occasion we have to push projects even further to allow time to save or we have to prioritize which projects we can or can’t do. As it is a challenge, what is art without a little resistance? This leads to us having to think of creative solutions and think outside the box for certain pieces that may not come easily. We have learned many lessons like, always scout the neighborhood when finding a recording studio and definitely don’t book a time slot where the neighboring clubs are holding events, Facebook marketplace has become our best friend for items needed, you do not need the new and shiny item when it can be thrifted, and when in doubt-take a deep breath and trust in yourself. I want the world to know that we are 3 people that practice kindness, empathy, and want to create a safe space for people that look like us to make art.

Chris: What I think what sets us apart is our intriguing approach to storytelling, and the commitment and passion that is driven through our creativity. We aren’t afraid to take risks or push creative boundaries to connect with hearts, creating a meaningful, emotional impact. But most importantly, we have each other and the many that we have worked with, or know about our projects.

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.
Chris: There is a bar called Zero Lounge in Hollywood. They usually throw some really fun events, like the Sonic rave I went to. You’re welcomed into this futuristic and cozy atmosphere where it feels like you traveled back in time when you walk in. They usually have some amazing DJ’s there too which I like to pop in and check out who’s jamming on stage some nights when I’m out. Ever since that Sonic rave, I love to pop in and spend some time jamming to music. Even the owner and staff are super down to earth and great. I recommend it.

Amairany: My hobby is eating at restaurants, I love trying new foods all the time! These are my go-to spaces:

Chris’ KBBQ in Pasadena, I bring family and friends here all the time. The banchan is always delicious, the waiters are always friendly, and the music is straight out of my early 2000s playlist.

Maestro in Downtown Pasadena, I would recommend their aguachiles oysters, lamb shank, and El Maestro cocktail drink. For dessert their tres leches carrot cake is divine. They are by reservation only, but they do have a bar you can order drinks and appetizers from. This is a great place for quiet dining, in the evening the lights are dim and the tables are just far away enough from each other that you can enjoy a pleasant meal and private conversation.

Nik: I’ve been obsessed with Luv2Eat Thai Bistro in Hollywood lately. The jade noodles with BBQ pork, crispy pork, and roasted duck are amazing. I think the best part of LA is that there’s always something new to try – honestly figure out what you feel like doing first and then do a quick search on Yelp or Google. You never know when you’ll find a new favorite spot!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Nik: Obviously, Chris & Amairany have been huge in supporting me and the growth that we’ve experienced as a team.

Chris: I want to shout out Nate (Adrunkderp). He has been a bud of mine for a few years now, and along with Crazy10 and my family, have been the biggest inspiration for me to never give up on my goals. From being an amazing DJ and Music Producer, Nate has an amazing talent to create some of the best music I have ever listened to. Both optimism and creative flow shows in his work, seeing him have fun during the process of making a beat is a key reminder to myself, You’re supposed to have fun with this and enjoy it, not stress about it.

Amairany: I want to shout out to my husband, Joshua Alvarado. He and I met in our high school theatre class and connected immediately because of our passions in the arts. He continues to support my journey in pursuing passion projects and oftentimes is more than happy to lend a hand with advice, design, or building props. He has been my rock from my lowest times and my biggest cheerleader in my great times. Without his continued support, I’m not sure where I would be in pursuing my creative pursuits. Josh, thank you for your unwavering support, being my bouncing board for new ideas, and ultimately being my lifetime partner. I love you, no matter what.

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Image Credits
Nik Jermaine