Meet Paris Bravo | Actress, Martial Artist and Stunt Kid

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

Hi Paris, how do you think about risk?
Risk Taking is what required in this kind of career path; taking leaps of faith; as well as belief in yourself. My parents believed in my skill sets as a martial artist and constant training in the performing arts; they literally sold everything we owned to move to California to train in Martial Arts and Acting, We moved 3,000 miles away – across the country to Los Angeles. We did not have a know anyone; my parents didn’t even have a job. We arrived to LA on a huge risk!

Taking as risk and jumping into your dreams is the only way to go! Without perseverance and determination, you will never live your dreams and accomplish your goals!

The biggest role with risks in filming for Between Worlds as Young Julie, was an underwater scene at Tank One in Signal Hill. Where I was pulled down into the water – to look as if I was drowning – then come back to life after I have been in between worlds and swim 16 feet back to the top weighted down. The intro scene to the movie was incredible!

Risk from Producers Ante Novackovic, Rob Simmons and Jared Safier taking a huge risk on me for the role of “Abby Walters”. I was seen in a movie called “Bad Therapy” with Alicia Silverstone. Ante pitched me to his team and the rest is history. My parents risking their jobs to be with me on set for three weeks while filming Christmas vs the Walters in NY during the pandemic. This was an amazing experience to film across the country during the pandemic. CVTW was a movie that I truly believed in. Relatable and forgiving family to keep each other togther. The risk of my mom taking off three weeks to not only film this movie was not only rewarding as an actress, but I became even closer with my mom. We made lots of memories in NY, from filming the movie in a Blizzard, eacting piza in Brooklyn to visting the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Being and becoming Paris Bravo started gowning up in Orlando, Florida. My parents were super supportive of my self, my brother and my two sisters, We were allowed to try sports or clubs, but had to finish what we started,
At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a performer/actress. At age 4 I would follow along with my siblings to after school martial program at AMAA.

I am a girl who loves to be athletic. How does wanting to be an actress and be athletic meld together?
Becoming an Actress +Stunts= Action Actress. Having these skills sets me apart from most actors; is that I can act, perform martial arts, weapons, be set on fire, I can fight, run fast; etc. I can sing and dance as well. I want to learn/train as much as possible to be the entire package that a Director will need in a project.

Training and auditioning is NOT easy. I have had to make a decision at a young age to out my career first, I train or work in a lot of cases instead of sleep overs or be at holiday family gatherings. Lots of bumps, bruises, memorizing scripts. Self Tapes due – that you must finish by dinner. Life can be crazy, but its all about priority.
When you receive an audition, it is an honor. There is so many talented actors in this industry – to even get an audition is huge! Let alone a call back or book a job. Literally, you can audition 100 times, and always get a NO.

You overcome any challenge, by worker harder and pushing yourself to be the best. Also networking yourself whether in person or creating a brand on social media. My career journey was with all of the help, encouragement from my instructors, mentors, my family, my agents and managers as well as industry professionals that believe in me as an actress. All of my supporters have guided me to the correct people, instructors or even recommended me for a project,

I have learned so much. From safety on set, to obtaining your work permits, needing a coogan account, SAG -AFTRA Union representation. I have learned to remain humble and just be me. Don’t rush the process. The biggest lesson that finally built some confidence in me as an actress, was the day I realized – It is not me. Why I didn’t book a job: It could be: I don’t look like the parents. Im too tall, I could be too short or not the right color eyes. The client may need another look or skill set. It may not be your acting – or you bombed an audition. Things move fast and on the spot in an audition or on set. You must be ready to move and be flexible in this industry!

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.
If I had a friend that would come to Los Angeles for a week – we would EAT and EXPLORE!

Breakfast at The Griddle Cafe’ on Sunset for the largest, fluffy gourmet pancakes. So many different toppings!
Check out Grand Park in DTLA , Santee Alley and see a movie at the Alamo Draft House Cinema.
Off to see the sunset driving to Mailbu and finish with dinner at Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Café.

The next several days – site seeing. Heading to Santa Monica Beach, soak in some rays. Walk to the Santa Monica Pier. Eat and ride the rides; especially the Ferris Wheel. To over look the beach, ocean, evening lights and the wind in your hair; is one of the best experiences!

Taking a full day at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is a MUST! Beautiful beach, no waves. A lil restaurant with juicy burgers and treats. You can rent kyaaks, go on the water toys, rent a paddle boats, and paddle boards, Food trucks, have a picnic – play in the water. Relax and recharge kind of day.

Definitely would go to see and take pictures at the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, buy a bunch of lil LA/Hollywood treasures. Eat street food end the night at the Griffith Observatory.

So many amazing places to explore – from Solvang to San Diego. We would just run up and down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible; signing and eating from sun up to sundown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to SHOUT OUT several people in this interview that have been crucial to my development, training, and career , First I would like to thank Caitlin DeChelle for being a prominent role model to little girls in martial arts. I saw Ms. DeChelle on the big stage at NASKA. I wanted to train hard to perform and be as fierce as her. I would like to shout out Master Mike Chat, for giving me my voice, strength, courage to perform and technique, in martial arts.

My mentors Philippe Vonlanthen, LaFaye Baker, Tony Snegoff, Hayden Lam and Austin Durden for guiding and training me in the stunt world. These mentors look out for my safety and make sure that I am being trained correctly as I grown in learning these tough challenges that come with stunts. Michael Philip, owner and instructor of Joining All Movement. Providing training, multiple classes under one roof, pushing me and encouraging me to grown in my training abd skill sets.

I want to thank Aqua Talent Agency; Blake Viglione and Courtney Peldon and Sherry Kayne of Moxie Artists Management for believing in me for the last 6 years; commercial and theatrical. Pitching me and representing me to all that will listen!

Tyrone Tann for always supporting me, having me on his radio show (Stauros Entertainment TV) to promote my projects, promoting me on his social media. Being there for family events, a friend that became family. A person that keeps me in check and encourages my faith to be strong. Encouraging me to keep being me and not to let the industry change me. Be Humble and Be in Christ.

A very special thank you to my parents for helping crush my dreams. All of the self tapes, late nights learning lines, driving to auditions and taking off work to be with me on set. My parents work full time jobs, yet find time to get me to all of my training and be the most supportive parents in the world. Thank you to my parents employers that allow them to take time off to be with me on set or run me to last minute auditions.

Website: https://parisbravo.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-bravo-b4a54a18b/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bravoparis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParisBravoOfficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfIM-j7FJeyCDnen8FHVcQ

Other: https://linktr.ee/parisbravoofficial

Image Credits
Dark Rey – @Geekstrong WonderWoman: @laugunaphotographer All other photos in Black jumper and camo outfit @devinstinson