Meet Rachel Sullivan | Actress
We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Sullivan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, why did you pursue a creative career?
Ever since I was 8 years old, I’ve known that I wanted to act. Every time I would go to the movies, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I tried looking into other, more stable, options for my career, such as becoming a lawyer or chiropractor, but no matter how hard I tried to go down another path, my goals and ambitions always brought me back to acting. Going to Loyola Marymount University in LA and being a part of both their theater department and their film school has fostered my love of performance and creation. Being surrounded by likeminded individuals in a city so full of passion and drive had fostered a desire in me to keep persisting in my mission to have a successful career in the entertainment industry. At the end of the day, the goal is to do what you love so you never have to work a day in your life, and that’s exactly my plan.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The entertainment business is hard. Most of the time, it’s not fun, contrary to its name. You’re hearing no’s way more than you hear any yes’. My love of performing stems from my competitive dance background, which is more similar to Dance Moms than you would think. I have danced since I was 3 years old, and am lucky enough to continue to do so on Loyola Marymount University’s Dance Team. As much as I love to dance, I always knew I wanted to play pretend professionally. When I first started acting, I hardly knew what I was getting into. I got my first paid role at 14, and I thought I had my whole world figured out. My young, naive freshman self was soon humbled by the brutal rejection of college auditions. I ended up where I was meant to be, and I truly do love LMU. During my time here, I have had the privilege of working with so many creatives on various short films, thesis films, and passion projects. I was thrilled to make my stage debut as ‘Ina’ in the LMU Theater Department’s production of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. I am also part of a horror feature film coming out on Amazon Prime next year entitled, “Welcome Week,” which is very exciting. There have been so many wonderful opportunities that have come out of my move to LA, and I know this is just the beginning. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my journey thus far is simply as cliché as believing in yourself. Once you come to the realization that you have to be your own biggest advocate, you exude a difference confidence that serves you well when auditioning, on set, working with others, etc. There is a benefit to developing a ‘thick skin’ and turning the rejection actors often face into motivation for future opportunities. There is always work to be done, and as long as you’re working on your craft continuously and growing as an individual, preparation will be granted with opportunity at one point or another. As college graduation quickly (and fearfully) approaches, I am eager for what the future holds, and I am ready to get my name out there. Hopefully the big screen is just around the corner.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would say it’s almost mandatory to go to Manhattan Beach and stop at Paradise Bowls for arguably the best acai bowls in LA. I do enjoy a nice stroll along the beach, but if that sounds like something you’d enjoy too, I’d quit while you’re ahead because there’s no shot you’re finding parking. I love going to Coffee Connection for an iced vanilla latte and to enjoy the Eurocentric ambience of the cafe. Hash in Playa Vista is one of my favorite places to eat in LA, so you should make it yours too. I dream of their chilaquiles. I also love retail therapy, so visiting The Grove is always a good time. Something about spending my life away really calms me down. One of my favorite places in LA is the Griffith Observatory, especially at sunset. The view of LA is gorgeous, and you get to feel like you’re in La La Land, which is the closest I’ll get to Ryan Gosling, so I’ll take it. I’m no travel expert and I am a San Diego girl at heart, but these are some pretty good places to visit if I do say so myself.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Everything I am, I owe to my family. For every dance show, theater performance, and film premiere, they have always been there. If it weren’t for the support, encouragement, and unconditional love they have shown me my entire life, I would not be where I am today. To my mom especially, there is no one who has been more dedicated to seeing me succeed than her. She is my biggest cheerleader and I genuinely don’t know what I would do without her. I would also be a fool to not thank the support of my best and dearest friends, Ally, Lily, Claire, Chloe, Kiki, Zoe, Jeziah, Makena, Allie, Lottie, Anna, Alex, and Ally. They come to a wide variety of my performances, the good and the bad, the fun and the strange, and it means the world to me. It takes a village, and I sure do love mine,
Website: www.rachelasullivan.com
Instagram: rachelasullivan
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-sullivan-924159229/
Image Credits
Cary Qian, Thomas Photography, Yves Bright
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
