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

Hi Ciera, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose the creative path very young. I’ve been singing/performing and acting since I can remember. My favorite story my parents have ever told me about my childhood is: The story of how they knew I was born to perform. I was in kindergarten in Cincinnati, Ohio at a school called Landmark Christian Academy. Every year, each grade in the school did a springtime performance. My kindergarten class was set to perform a song dressed as little ‘Lambs of God’ and some kids in the performance were given solos. In rehearsal, I was not given a solo but best believe I still knew everyone’s part. So, the night of the performance comes and my class goes up to sing. We were all standing on risers in our costumes. The song goes on and the mic for the solos is starting to be passed around. I just so happen to be standing next to one of the soloists and when the mic is handed to this little lamb she freezes. So I guess I said in my head “the show must go on!” because I grabbed the mic and sang her solo, word for word, bar for bar! After that day my parents said they knew they had to put me in the arts.

I always think of that story when I need a reminder of why I do this. I chose to purse a career as a creative because it’s my medium to express myself and to also help evoke and express emotions in others. My number one goal in this life is to ultimately spread joy and love to everyone I meet and bring that energy into every space I’m in. I feel I do that best when I’m singing someones favorite song, or when I write and perform a song that helps someone through a break up or helps them realize their worth. Truly, if I wasn’t creating in some way shape or form I know I would be absolutely miserable. Music and entertainment is my passion!

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.
Well hey there! I’m Ciera Harding, but my nickname is Cici. I am an Actor, Singer/songwriter and model. I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved around a bunch throughout my childhood. I’ve lived in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Florida. Pittsburgh and now LA! I believe what sets me apart is my ability to do whatever it is I put my mind to and set trends while doing it. My favorite example is, I told my parents I wanted to learn to play the piano and they got me lessons. There was a recital at the end of the year for my lessons and instead of just playing a song I learned, I played and sang ‘Love Song’ by Sara Barellis. No one had ever done that before and my teacher said after that everyone started to follow suit for future recitals! I think if there is anything that I’m most proud of is that I taught myself how to sing. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I took my first group lesson and senior year when I took my first private singing lesson. I believe that there truly is something to being slightly ‘delusional’ about your dreams, because I’m a big dreamer and I shock myself at times about the things I manifest!

I’d like to think the start of my professional career started with my training at Point Park University. Coming into this school, you had to audition to get in and that would determine your scholarship and placement in the program. The program I auditioned for was the BFA Acting Track, the program I got accepted into was the Performing and Practices major which was more a ‘Jack of all trades track’. I was also waitlisted for the BFA Acting Program. About 2 weeks after my school visit, I got a letter in the mail saying I had been moved from the waitlist and I was now in the BFA Acting Program! That was all good and dandy, but they also gave me a low scholarship amount. So, I was going to be taking out a hefty loan to follow my dreams. I believe all of that however, did light a fire under me to be the best that I could possibly be! Every year besides freshman year you were allowed to audition for the school’s play season. And every year besides freshman year I was cast. I am even quite proud to say that my hard work paid off so much that I ended up booking the lead role in my school’s big spring season production of “Vinegar Tom” as Alice. I put my mind to it to do the work and it paid off big time!

As I graduated from Point Park, we had a Senior Showcase in New York to help us find representation as actors. All my friends’ minds were made up and they were all moving to NYC regardless. So, even though LA was where I always told myself I’d end up (even as a kid), I felt the need to move to NYC. Follow the community! I told myself, if I get repped by an agency in NYC that’ll be my decision. I had some meetings and none felt solid. So I started to get a little discouraged and felt like I had failed because I wasn’t ‘good enough’ for these New York agencies. I honestly spiraled a bit after that because I just knew I’d be living in the city that never sleeps. After getting out of my spiral state I redirected my sights on LA! I visited twice before I finally made the decision to move and was fully determined to hit the ground running. Then covid hit… That really put a wrench in my plans but ended up being a great thing because I saved up 14k and moved myself from PA to LA in July 2020!

I told myself as I was preparing to move to LA that I would never lose sight of why I came and that what most people would do in 5 years I would do in 3. I had a fire under me and was ready to let em rip!! In my first year in LA I had a friend who got me connected to an Executive Producer looking for PA’s on the set of ‘Call your Mother’. I got the job and hit it off with the producer so well that he wanted to help invest in my dreams! While on set, I was able to take some work days and work as a featured background on Call your Mother. Therefore I was able to get my SAG card! So I got my SAG card and my agent within the first year that I was in LA! As I kept working on sets, I made my way to every major lot except Paramount. I turned down to work on the Lizzie Maguire reboot because as cool as it was to be on set, it was also hurting me that I was behind the scenes and not in front of the camera. So I switched gears and became a personal assistant. I did very well in that role and worked for some high profile people but that too became very taxing. Mostly because as a personal assistant you have to know every aspect of your employers life which takes up a lot of space that you’d save for your personal life.

Today, I am focusing on my music a lot more. I’ve been in LA for almost 4 years now and have come to a point where music and writing is making me the happiest in this moment! So I’ve been working on an EP that I will be releasing soon. Still workshopping names, but right now the working title is “Earworms”. I have two singles and a feature out on all platforms that I’m proud of, and want to continue to dive deeper into what I believe I have to offer to this world!

If there is anything I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am all about spreading joy, love and positivity into every person, place or thing I’m near. I am such a believer that you can do anything you put your mind to and that you are the creator of your own destiny. You co-create with the creator of the universe to build the life that you want. I am still trying to uncover the huge “Why?” of why I was put here, but I want to keep observing and writing down into lyrics and poetry the things I discover and hope it helps a friend along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh hey bestie! Spend a week in LA with me. If you’re hanging with me that means we’re doing every possible thing we can under the sun. I’m always down for a good time! So here’s a little itinerary of our week together:

It alll starts at LAX and I know you’re hungry so I want to take you to my fav sammie spot. Bay Cities Italian Deli in Santa Monica and we’re getting the Godmother with the Works and hot peppers! Then we’ll eat outside and then park and watch the sunset on the Santa Monica Pier.

I looove nature so we’d definitely hit one of my favorite trails the Betty B Dearing Trail in Hollywood off Mulholland Dr. and then after we make our way back, drive up a bit and check out the breathtaking view of the city lights at the Mulholland Overlook.

I know we’d have to get our groove on during the week so a couple spots we’d have to stop by are: Bar Lis on Tuesday night, they have a live jazz night with great music and amazing vibes! Wednesday we have to stop by the continental club for some R&B vibes and then head to The Dolly Llama for my fav late night dessert spot. They have the best ice cream and bubble waffle combo I’ve ever had in my life.

Thursday we’d either go to the LACMA or the Getty Museum and ponder some beautiful art and then either go to karaoke at The Good Night OR go to a jam at the Rainbow room

Friday we could see a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown, they’ve got great beers on tap and delicious food brought to you while you watch a film!

Brunch is also a big must on the weekends so on a we’d probably hit up Poppy and Rose in DTLA on Saturday and have the best biscuits and gravy ever and if you’re feeling spicy have a tequila sunrise cocktail and then head to Scum and Villainy for a fun star wars themed bar night because yes, I thoroughly enjoy that haha

Sunday we’d end it with a bang at Castaway in Burbank have chicken and waffles which is scrumptious paired with some tasty bottomless mimosas and walk that all off by walking the strip of thrift stores finding gems 🙂

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to God, my parents and younger brother. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have been enthusiastically encourage by my family since the beginning! My mom always encouraged me to be myself at all times, despite what anyone else has to say.or think. She is a big reason why I am so secure in my sense of fashion, she would constantly tell me to be confident in my choices and own it! My dad taught me to be bold and take calculated risks, which has led me to LA to continue pursuing my dreams. My little brother actually bought me my first microphone, his belief in my talent is something that constantly keeps me going. Big Thank you to them for being my biggest fans! I love you!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardingciera?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciera-harding-7964aa92?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cieraharding?_t=8kPd6bVXIlv&_r=1

Image Credits
Lovingood Media LLC (Lawrence Lovingood) Knotty Shots Photography (Andre)

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