Meet Rose Mina | Actress & Writer

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

Hi Rose, how do you think about risk?
I feel as though within society at large, we have made things just about as hard and complicated for ourselves as possible, all while ignoring innate passions or dreams and letting fear win. However, it is often rebellious to take risks in the hopes of bringing your dream career to life.

We are trained to play it safe, have backup plans A through C, and have an answer for how we are going to make it all work. But doing something with all those things lined up isn’t taking a risk, and it’s probably not making any dreams come true either. A risk is taking a leap and not knowing exactly where or how you are going to land. Though you hope to jump higher than before, there’s a very real and glaring possibility that you may fall and have your situation be even less “together” than before.

But I guess the question is: Are you worse off than before, even if it doesn’t work out? I think we are afraid of that moment of feeling absolutely stupid for trying, for believing in ourselves. How dare we think we are individuals worth anything!? With any special gift to give the world… ew! It’s embarrassing to be a human who dreams. Yet all we do is adore the people who have made their dreams come true, just not those on their way.

It’s not fun to be the person who shows up at the family reunion with “nothing” to show for themselves, not sure how to answer the question “What do you do for a living?” I don’t know, Carole… I’m trying! Because a dream doesn’t count as a career until you are making money or something, so for now… I’m an bopping from one gig to another. But am I only worth how I make money?

Can LinkedIn add “Trying” as a job title? (Not actually but you know what I mean). I’m trying to make an exception for myself in all this capitalistic mess, so I can somehow be happy and healthy and live a life that would make the 7-year-old version of me happy. Somehow, the biggest risk one can take to live an authentic life inside a career is laughable, disappointing, irresponsible. But if you have the courage to do it anyway, at least you can say you are being true to yourself, and a fulfilling life is not possible without being true to yourself.
Some of us are born with loud dreams that remain stronger than the pressure to “do it right” and “play it safe.” That’s both a gift and a curse. It should be a great means of direction regarding where our next steps should go, but it becomes “How can I play the system and literally still be able to afford Billie Eilish concert tickets one day…”

Risk-taking for me has looked like stepping out of a series of 401k-full-benefits-corporate jobs. It looked like leaving when the noise of the job was too loud for me to listen to my inner voice or remember what passion or joy felt like, remember who I even was. But trusting that that voice was still there, I just needed to kindle it for a minute (and yes, it comes back). It’s looked like using savings, going into debt, and more than anything, trusting myself above anybody or anything else. I think it’s sad we have lost our sense of selves, our sense, and connection to the world in order to feel “secure” and “successful”.

Risks are beautiful; they are you caring about and listening to YOU. I wish the cities of the dreamers were less expensive since we are all broke, but think about it: The cities of the dreamers are expensive because people want to be here, because things happen… there’s a spark of life, of creativity, that doesn’t exist elsewhere. It’s messy, it’s competitive, it can get dirty, and the hustle is real, but it’s because we are all fighting for a life that means something to us and represents who we are. At least, that’s how I feel. And I’m proud of my risks and my dreams and I have hope that this passionate part of me exists for some reason other than to make my life hard.

I’m in a state of “risk” right now. And it’s really embarrassing to be 27 and, though I am taking the classes, I have a manager and an agent, and I do auditions and workshops and all that, I have nothing to show for it. I have hundreds of hours of self-tapes that have gotten me literally nowhere. (Often because like nepotism and TikTok influencers.) But then again, is it nowhere just because they pay-check has not come in yet? I give myself credit for the endless hours of putting myself on tape, only to hear nothing back. For getting reps, for becoming SAG, for keeping doing the thing. The fact I keep trying has to say something about me, right?

I just wish we could give more credit to those taking risks and not expect credits to magically appear next to their name without taking risks on the risk-takers. And if you feel the same way, let’s just keep believing in ourselves, and one day we can hopefully be door-openers who see the value of people who have the heart and courage to take risks and do what they love, despite everything seemingly against them. We got this.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It might not look like it on the surface, but I’ve had a very unique and difficult life. The details of which I won’t get into now, but in essence I’ve been forced to re-think what societal values I hold true and what truths I can create for myself outside of what I’ve been told. I’ve decided that a person’s value is not something that can be put on paper. It’s not if they have children or get married. It’s not how much money they make or any of that stuff. I think it’s what they love, how they treat people, the random things that they hate or love, the way they show up, what they do in their free time etc. It’s the stuff that creates our everyday life that we ignore while we chase the labels that we all know are kind of made-up anyway. I’ve learned that staying true to yourself is more important than anything and the way you will be most successful, most loved and most happy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, I was born for this! I’m located in Los Angeles, so here’s what I would do:

We would sleep in, then get brunch at “Met Her at a Bar” in Mid-City. Afterward, we’d go thrift shopping on Fairfax (The Council Shop). Next, we’d head over to Erewhon (sue me—I don’t care) and get Hailey Bieber smoothies and some food from the hot bar (chicken tenders, etc.). We’d enjoy our food at The Pan Pacific Park while my dog, Maisey (love of my life), plays around.

Then, we’d head over to Malibu and spend some time soaking up the sun. After that, we could enjoy a sunset wine and cheese at “Stir Crazy” and then go to “Improv Hollywood” or “The Comedy Store” for a late show. Finally, we’d get Insomnia cookie sandwiches and head to bed!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you to everybody who has believed in me!!! From my first agent my freshman year of high school, to my current reps. I cannot thank you enough for all the time and effort that has been spent helping make my dreams come true. Thank you also to the people who have given me a chance and opened doors and seen something in me, you know who you are. Lastly, thank you to my friends who have stood by my side unconditionally while I’ve ridden this crazy rollercoaster that is capitalism!!! Weeee!!!

Instagram: roseminaaa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roseodonnell77/

Other: TikTok: roseminaaa

Image Credits
Jackson Davis Photography