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

Hi Gentel, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is God and my faith, without those two main things I would not have a successful brand. God has really protected me along this journey and taught me lessons.

Another factor behind my success is the “No’s” that I have received along my journey. Without those “No’s” I wouldn’t have worked so hard to get those “Yes’s”. Working in entertainment may look like glitz and glamour, which it is but it’s also a real heavy grind. If you don’t have tough skin in this industry. Those constant “No’s” will take you down. You have to keep going if this is what you truly love.

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.
It was definitely not easy. I moved to Los Angeles fives years ago with a little bit of savings, and a one way ticket. It’s crazy because I actually met my roommate at the time through Facebook, Alana Gatling. Before moving to LA, I was living in Indianapolis and Alana was already in Los Angeles hosting for a television show and searching for apartments. Luckily we ended up finding one together. When I finally moved into my apartment I still needed to find a job so I could pay rent and survive so I started walking and ubering the streets of LA hoping a restaurant would hire me to waitress. After a couple of weeks searching I finally got hired and making income to live, but I still had to figure out how I was going to get my acting off the ground because that’s the main reason I moved to LA. So I hit up one of my friends from college Katisha and she recommended a few acting classes. I went through the list and found one that intrigued me called The Audition Lab. During my time there I was able to network with my classmates and special guests, The class really helped me build my foundation. I then went on to study with Baron Brown Studios, and Richard Lawsons Master Classes.

Starting out as an actor is hard you really have to build your portfolio with what you have which means making your reels with your iPhone or getting a friend to take your headshots. Those small tools helped me elevate to where I am now. If it wasn’t for my agents submitting me and myself constantly submitting daily I wouldn’t have been able to audition and book these gigs.

I want the world to know you have to start somewhere. Just because your start isn’t where you want to finish you still have to keep pushing because the finish will be what you’ve been manifesting this whole time.

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.
I have a few favorite spots in LA. We would first start at Bluestone Cafe off of the 3rd street for a light brunch or coffee. Then we might slide over to Melrose and go to a couple of shops, go to Donamatrix for a workout, stop by Durango Cantina, hit up the Grove, check out the billboards in West Hollywood, stop at Harold’s Chicken in Hollywood and end the night with Monday Night Vibes Karaoke at station 1640.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have helped me, mentored me, and inspired me along this journey. Growing up I always knew I wanted to be an actor so my mom got me a talent agent around 6 and made sure I was found something I enjoyed. I would love to give my mom, Sharrieffa Barksdale recognition because she has continually pushed me closer to my dreams.

I also want to give recognition to my Alma Mater, Saint Augustine’s University, Regis Brown, Mayon Denton, Arthur Muhammad, my mentor Erika Alexander, Antina Campbell, my family, friends, sorority sisters. (Sigma Gamma Rho), Miss Black California family, my 247LiveCulture family, my agent, Fame Talent, Jcfilms, In The Spirit Productions, and God. There are so many people who have helped me get and become the person I am today. I couldn’t name everyone but trust me you are not forgotten.

Website: https://gentelsharrie.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gentelsharrie?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Twitter: gentelsharrie

Other: http://imdb.me/gentelsharrie

Image Credits
Blue Dress Photo: Karim Saafir Red feather dress: Leon Bennett (Getty Images) Black and silver dress: Crystal Drew

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