Meet Mela Green | Artist

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

Hi Mela, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I moved to Los Angeles 7 years ago. Before that, I had never lived in another country. There had been stays for a few months here and there around the world because of work, but leaving everyone and everything behind to start over long term was something new. The irony is that I never considered L.A as a landing spot for me. I grew up in the theater, working in theater companies since I was nine, so New York or London always seemed like “the place for a theater actor”. But, the universe had different plans for me.
This whole path started with my parents. They wanted to be artists but their parents didn’t support those desires. That at least gave them a model for what not to do with my sisters and me, so I grew up in this very artistic bubble. Musicians, actors, or other kinds of frustrated artists flowed in and out of our home. We would sing, play instruments, and do skits till the late hours of the night. My parents, who had plenty of experience in Ms. economically ~turbulent~ Argentina, understood how important it was for us to build social skills and not marry ourselves to one art medium. When I was working during school, and exhausted from it, they also let me refocus on being a regular kid. Which, I feel very fortunate for because it let me be a collaborative weirdo.

There are so many people that took the time to show me how things are done in this business and gave me an opportunity to make a living as an actor, singer, voice over artist, comedian, etc. For that, Without these people, these experiences, and working my buns off, I wouldn’t be where I am today (sitting on my couch writing this).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
None of this is easy. As an artist, I’m constantly trying to get out of my own way while simultaneously having to present this ‘product’ to the external world. And then you have the other part of life where you’re a human just trying to evolve and better yourself while the world is crumbling. Clearly, I have all the answers. But, there are times when all of this lines up… or merges and you get the right opportunity at the right time. Like a recent project I starred in with Passionflix called Seduction & Snacks that allowed me to flex my comedic chops, show my butt, and prove to myself that I can carry a movie. Seven Sitters In July is also a Web Series I was recently the leading lady in that explores mental health – something I struggle with at times and hope more people will talk about. Lastly, I’m really excited about Electric Easy – a scripted podcast that Kesha stars in. I got to do some weird voices/characters and had loads of fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
FOOD, glorious FOOD. Gjelina. That’s it. Go to the west side. Go there and never come back. Just stay at Gjelina for the whole week. But, also, grab a cup of coffee and donut from Sidecar and stroll the Venice canals. Grab Kogi Tacos – the short rib burrito and anything else. For ice cream, Gingers is great. Something that has blown my father’s head to kingdom come is the veggie chicken at Samosa house. My boyfriend dies for the milanesa at Grand Casino and the jamon y queso empanadas.

I also love the Getty and Griffith park – both free leaving more money for FOOD. Little Tokyo is a great place to spend the day, too. Night + Market Song is a restaurant on the east side you don’t want to miss.

And for nightlife, Button Mash for a beer and vintage arcade games and then anywhere you can dance – The Shortstop, Good Times at Davey Waynes, and Breakroom 86.

One more food reco for good measure: after a malibu hang, go to Agoura Hills and eat the Old Place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout goes to my ‘chosen family” – my closest friends and my boyfriend. They have the pleasure of coping day after day with the emotional crazy critter that I am. And, the best part is: they never run away! No matter how many times I open the door and give them a chance to do so. These amazing humans hold a safe space for me where I can be vulnerable and my true self without judgement. Another shoutout goes to all my fellow actors who I’ve trained, worked, and cried with. Most of these people I’ve met through The Actors Gang, Lesly Kahn, UCB, or on set. I am constantly grateful for their willingness to run lines or self tape at 2am. Lastly, but not least-ly, I wanna shoutout casting directors who care about actors and empathize with the struggle.

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

Image Credits
Jonny Marlow, Nina Papalote