Portraits of Hollywood

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Hollywood.

Azat Kamaletdinov

Over time, I developed my own unique style, specializing in tattoos of a new school with bright colors, clear lines and detailed designs. My dedication and hard work have earned me recognition, including many awards at international tattoo conventions. I had the opportunity to work with internationally renowned artists. One of the highlights of my journey was working at Family Art Tattoo in Barcelona under the guidance of Victor Chil, who helped me further refine my artistic vision. Read more>>

Carey More

I have some very loyal clients who come back to me every year wanting to go somewhere new! I got my Californian Real Estate license nine years ago when I realized that a lot of guests in my rentals were also looking to buy property and I thought it would be beneficial to be able to help them with that too! Ive been with The Agency in Beverly Hills for 2 years now and I love it. It was always my dream to make it into The Agency so now whats next???!!! Read more>>

Vladyslav Yalenko

However, this was not to be as a year later, I suffered a compression fracture and displacement of my cervical vertebrae. After three years of recovery, I felt strong enough again to return to my parkour enthusiasm and as such I competed in two international and one national parkour and free-running competition where I won first place!! I also participated in the TV show “Sing If You Can” as a parkour athlete. That injury, though radically altering my life plans, had given me clarity, everything happens for good reason and what we can take from these life experiences can shape what’s to come – and I now knew that for me my path froward was on stage. Read more>>

Hovik Mkrtchian

One day a friend introduced me to a contractor that had been running a window treatment company for 30 years. Our conversation led to finding out that he wanted to sell the business and it just clicked. I knew my way around a job site, was really good at sales and service and if I’m being honest it was a bonus that it was an existing business and not something I had to start from scratch. It sounds crazy to everyone but at that moment it made total sense to me to ditch banking and start selling drapes and blinds. Read more>>

Mindy Kono

Cantonese was her first language, as she was raised by her grandmother. Although her parents spoke Mandarin, her family primarily communicated in Cantonese. She later learned Japanese through TV before preschool, and English became her second language, influenced by her American cousin, childhood best friend, and uncle. This deep cultural fluency has been a defining factor in her career, allowing her to connect with diverse audiences and work seamlessly in international environments. Read more>>

Jim Humay

Throughout my career, I have encountered numerous challenges, both professionally and personally. Nevertheless, I have consistently navigated these obstacles with resilience. One of the most significant lessons I have learned is the importance of pursuing work that brings genuine satisfaction and joy. While I have experienced roles that did not fulfill me, I have also been fortunate to hold positions that I truly enjoyed, which in turn have contributed to a more fulfilling and happier life. Read more>>

Lindsey Morris

High school was a pivotal time in my life, ultimately leading to my first big girl move. I dealt with a lot of drama throughout middle school and high school, leading to a lot of uneasiness and anxiety. I lived a lot of moments feeling alone. For my freshman year of college, I moved to Louisiana to attend Nicholls State University. With half of my family living there, it was the perfect blend of a new experience and familiarity. I spent another year attending FIU before graduating with my bachelors degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In 2023, I made my most permanent move to Los Angeles where I’ve lived for the past two years. Read more>>

Christopher Prinsloo

In university, Christopher’s life spiralled into substance abuse, eventually leading to rehab and a long recovery journey. This period also saw family turmoil. In recovery, Christopher helped establish a collegiate recovery program at the University of Birmingham. Ultimately, he pursued a career in acting, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and winning an award for excellence. Today, he continues fighting to be the best actor he can be, and draws on his life experiences to relate and empathise with the characters he plays. Read more>>

Adrienne Kinsella

These new works are inspired by my weekly hikes in Griffith Park. There is something in the landscape in this particular region that moves me, and I find native plants to be like time-travelers, descendants of entities that have existed in the area for some time…quietly declaring, “we are still here.” I’m proud to be making work that brings light to a tribe that has experienced so much erasure throughout history. What sets me apart? I think I’m still working on defining that. Read more>>

Nikita Chernykh

For my entire life I have been a car enthusiast. I love all kinds of cars, and I really enjoy driving them too! I never thought I’d be a photographer, up until when I first bought a camera to record myself for auditions. At that time I also just bought a brand new BMW 430 and it was my first own vehicle. I fell in love with this car and it was truly just a matter of time when I decided to take some pictures of it using my new camera and from that moment forward my life was never the same. Read more>>

Francisco Nanne

Then, something strange happened one night in June 2017. I was sitting alone in the dark, overwhelmed by frustration and hopelessness, convinced that I was going crazy. My mind spiraled with doubt, and in the middle of it all, a question surfaced: “What kind of crazy do you want to be?” The answer hit me instantly—I wanted to be crazy about drumming. Not for success, not for material goals, but purely for the love of it. Read more>>

Marcello De Angelis

When I was still making breakbeat, I won an award for best up and coming dj and that was my gateway to play a lot of big clubs – Fabric, Ministry of Sound, The End and festivals like Glastonbury and Glade. The breakbeat scene got a bit stale and I started going back to my roots and embracing the disco sound I loved when I was a kid – I still remember my next door neighbor playing Donna Summer records for me when I was 7 or 8, and that always stuck with me. I finally got tired of the hectic lifestyle in London and moved to LA 10 years ago – it had always been my dream to live in California and I still can’t believe I am here. Read more>>

Caroline Klebl

My journey began as a student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, in Mysore, India, where I practiced diligently on and off from 1999 to 2008, immersing myself deeply in the teachings of Ashtanga yoga. While continuing my own practice, I started teaching workshops internationally in 2002, sharing my passion for ashtanga yoga with others. Over time, I expanded my offerings to include teacher trainings in Los Angeles and in beautiful destinations around the world. I developed comprehensive 200, 300, and 500-hour yoga teacher training programs, designed to guide students at all levels, and am launching a premiere online yoga teacher training, making high-quality yoga education accessible to everyone. Read more>>

Elvira Zamora

The road has been extremely rough, we are a 100% grass roots and funded movement without any outside help from sponsors or investors, which makes the production goals hard but not impossible to achieve. We also try each day to extend our reach to other Chicano communities not just in Los Angeles but nationwide. Read more>>

May Han

We source vintage garments and rework them into unique pieces, often featuring personalized embroidery. We also buy leftover and over ordered fabric from factories which are called dead stock fabrics. We reuse these fabrics for our cut and sew line which allows us to reuse and divert materials that could potentially be going to landfill and instead we create clothing that can be treasured for a long time in everyone’s closet. Read more>>

Janez Veternik

I’m a guy from Luka’s homeland, Slovenia. To be honest, I’ve been following Luka since he was a little kid, and it’s hard to believe, but I predicted everything about his rise to become one of the best basketball players on the globe. Seven years ago, I created a Facebook page and Instagram account about our hero, which is now the world’s biggest fan base dedicated to Luka Dončić. This whole project is my baby, and I’m super proud that I can share Luka’s story with the world. Like Luka, I also love Slovenia. Read more>>

Mili June

As a child, I was always fascinated by stories. I loved making up stories and acting them out with my friends or siblings. It was my favorite thing to do. It was kind of the highlight of my day. We’d pretend to be different people, living different lives. Sometimes rich, sometimes poor, sometimes young, sometimes old, or even living in castles or escaping danger. It felt magical, as if I could experience many different lives, not just my own. Read more>>

Vadym Shapran

In 2016, I shot Must Escape, a short film that gained international recognition and opened new opportunities for me. After moving to the United States, I built a career in commercials, music videos, and films, taking on various roles – from editor to director and producer. Over the years, I expanded into motion graphics, animation, and CGI, continuously evolving with the industry. Read more>>

L.m. Skye

I’m a writer! My stories focus on themes of love, loss, and friendship and also tackle “heavier” subject matter like toxic relationships, addiction, and the challenges of young adulthood. I think that’s what sets me apart from most romance writers: My stories are grittier and darker than most “feel-good” romance fiction. However, they also have a lot of heart, passion, and happy endings. I’m most proud of publishing them this year because there was a time I doubted that I ever would. Read more>>

Eunice Francisco

One of my biggest struggles was figuring out my true path. I started with IT and accounting, but deep down, I knew I wanted more. Transitioning into business and content creation wasn’t easy. I had to learn everything from scratch—branding, marketing, video editing, and engaging with an audience. There were moments of self-doubt, times when I felt like I wasn’t good enough or that I was wasting my time. Read more>>

Valerii Khomynskyi

“I’ve always been a curious person who looks for hands-on ways to solve complex issues. The key moment was when I noticed major shortcomings in logistics and road infrastructure. I realized I could help tackle these problems by creating my own business, where I’d have the freedom to set the strategy and drive innovation. I wasn’t just looking to make money—I wanted to transform how logistics works and improve road services, especially with technology moving so quickly. That inspiration set the foundation for the projects I’m developing and the entrepreneurial journey I’m on now.” Read more>>

Ethan Ingram

It has never been a smooth road. Photography is a very tough industry in general. I was lucky in that I began assisting just as things were transitioning from film to full digital capture which created a lot of opportunities for those like me who learned quickly. Youth was both a blessing and a curse, I was extremely adept, but all too young to be taken seriously, which was always a source of frustration for me early on. Read more>>

Elizabeth Zamets

Suffice it to say, these factors have influenced the subjects I explore in my paintings ranging from feelings of sadness, fear and loss, to feelings of love, liberation and joy. Alongside my painting practice, I work in the scenic art realm, painting for fabrication companies and assisting muralists in completing their work. This trade has also influenced the way I make paintings, and my paintings have influenced the way I do scenic work. I am proud to be a trade worker, and somebody who has learned a skill set on the job. Where these paths will lead I am not sure. I love painting, and I love art, and I love creating and pondering and living my life the truest and best way I can, for the memory of my mother, for my happiness and for the betterment of those around me. Read more>>

Elisa Albrich

Back then everything was new and when u say you want to earn money by making instagram everyone was laughing at you. Little bit later many brands back then asked me to be ambassador .One guy who works there told me to post 3 pictures every day, thats what i did and after a 1-2 month I was at 30k followers. I kept doing that a long time, was in television in germany and was pretty active and hard working to gain my lil community . Ive notice that being sexy sells so Im trying to be very sexy and at the same time changing styles, changing hair etc . I can be everyone and every style thats pretty cool bc not everyone can do that Read more>>

Dj Topgun

I Grew up skateboarding my whole life in cleveland ohio. A lot of my skate friends moved to LA right when we turned 18 & i would always come out and visit them. I started making music during covid & decided to make the move out here as well. I used the connections i made through skating in LA to help push my electronic music project. during that process i met Alex who is the lead singer of the band i play bass in called Alexsucks. I just like to make music & kick it with my friends. it’s pretty crazy im able to make a living off of it. i’m very blessed. Read more>>

Eemaan Qadri

One of my recent milestones was completing the festival circuit for my latest project, Marwa and the Moon. The film has already received five awards and was screened at four different film festivals, including Indie Short Fest. The positive response has been incredibly humbling, and I am excited to share the full film with the world. I’ve decided to release it online on Eid-Al-Fitr this year, aligning with the true meaning of the story and honoring the significance of the holiday in a personal way. Read more>>

Nova Star

In addition to everything else, Nova Starr is also an entrepreneur and the creator of Starr Scents which is a body balm and body spray made for kids offering gentle skin-safe formulas that keep them smelling fun fresh and fabulous all day Read more>>

Mark Weaver

MWA provides its clientele with inviting and gracious environments that are sensitive to scale and proportion, dramatically lit and filled with meticulously chosen furniture, art and antiques. The firm eschews trendiness, instead seeking to discover its clientele’s passions and desired lifestyles, tailoring their work to each client’s discerning tastes. Today, Mark is still working with many of his original clients. Read more>>

Andrea Quinn

It all really started for me when a friend sent me an article about life coaching. Back then, it wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now, but I saw myself in the description and felt called to move my life in that direction. I always say, “Listen to the yeses in life,” and for me, coaching has been a YES, one that has snowballed into the most rewarding life path. The impact I get to have by helping my clients across different industries perform at their peak is unmatched. And with The Quinn Essentials, I get to witness rooms full of women truly turn ON, transforming into the most empowered versions of themselves. Read more>>

Bree Williams

As I dove further into this world, I found myself watching festival performances on YouTube, mesmerized by the energy, the transitions, and, most of all, the DJs. I wasn’t just watching the artists—I was studying them, paying close attention to how they controlled the crowd, built anticipation, and seamlessly blended tracks. There was something so captivating about the way they crafted an experience purely through sound. Read more>>

Hera Anderson

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling—it’s how I make sense of the world and how I connect with people. But for a long time, I didn’t see my own story reflected anywhere. Growing up, I knew I was different, but I didn’t have the language for it. The world around me wasn’t exactly welcoming to someone like me, so I spent years trying to fit into spaces that weren’t made for me. Read more>>

Prince Razi

Watching him at his shows & rehearsals inspired me to continue practicing & playing instruments. After time I started to visit my big brother William the 3rd who was in school at Middle Tennessee State University. He is also a musician & producer who would eventually start producing beats for local artist in the Nashville area. That inspired me to make beats & eventually rapping on my own beats after seeing Kanye West convert from Producer to Rapper on his first single Through The Wire. I’ve been in love with rapping & the art of Hip-Hop ever since. Read more>>

Youngmin Kim

If I had to sum up my twenties in two words, they would be freedom and romance. I longed to travel and pursue my passions, and cooking became my pathway to achieve that dream. Regardless of where you find yourself, meals play a central role in bringing people together. It’s at the dining table that we bond with loved ones, catch up with friends, and celebrate with family. This is why I chose cooking as my means to explore the world; it allowed me to dive deeper into various cultures. Read more>>

Janiya Shermsn

Well, I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota & raised in a small part of Illinois called Kankakee. Nobody has ever heard of it. Once I reached my sophomore year, I moved to Atlanta Georgia. After I graduated I moved to Los Angeles to study Acting for the Camera. Once I got here I started to fall in love with fashion. Trying to play with color and texture, attempting to change the “social norm” of fashion. Read more>>

Nicolette Noble

During the pandemic, my life took an unexpected turn when filmmaker José Padilha asked me to partner with him in writing spec screenplays. We wrote an action franchise and a surrealist art film, and wound up selling both about a week after we finished them, each for seven-figure deals—one to Netflix and the other to Bill Block at Miramax. Producers couldn’t believe it and kept telling me, “Nic, this never happens in Hollywood. You must have a Buddha belly!” Read more>>

Adriel Miramontes

I started posting stories on Facebook groups to get my name out there, I then started a Podcast called “The Adriel Show,” that highlights all the news in Oxnard. I then started focusing on Instagram where I’ve had the chance to give the community the actual news of Oxnard. I cover the events my city has, I cover protests, I cover wildfires, I cover the stories that truly represent Oxnard. Yes I will also cover the crimes, the violence and the robberies, but that isn’t the only thing I’ll put out there. Oxnard is so much more and I hope I could make a difference in showing Southern California and the world how beautiful Oxnard truly is. Read more>>

London Knight

But the hardest part wasn’t just the physical pain—it was the bullying. In high school, I was constantly judged for my height and appearance, making me feel isolated and self-conscious. It’s tough when you already feel different because of a medical condition, but being made fun of on top of that? It can shake your confidence to the core. For a long time, I questioned my worth, wondering if I would ever truly be seen for who I was beyond my illness and my differences. Read more>>

Hayden Hamilton

I’ve always used comedy to cope throughout life, and this was no different. I saw an open mic in the local paper and started scribbling some ideas. I went out to the mic with the intention of only watching. But something in me knew that my life could only be this obscure and enigmatic if it could be used to make others’ lives easier with a laugh or two. Read more>>

Pammy Hilton

This new project has given me a deeper connection to my creativity, allowing me to express myself in an even more intimate and personal way. Whether it’s through a song or a poem, my goal is always to create something that invites people into a dream—a place where feelings, memories, and imagination come together to form something magical. I believe that when you create from the heart, in whatever form that takes, it resonates, and that’s what makes art truly beautiful. Read more>>

Carine Fabius

We came back with lots of Haitian paintings, which we hung throughout our house. (Most people don’t know this about Haiti, but if you go there, even if you hate art, you will bring back at least five pieces because art is everywhere there.) Literally, everyone who came through our doors noticed our paintings and asked if we would bring them back some art on our next trip. Finally, one day I looked at my husband and said, “Maybe we should turn this house into a Haitian art gallery,” to which he responded, “I was just thinking about that yesterday!” Read more>>

John Manulis

From early on, I was always more active in extracurricular activities than academic – whether it was theater, sports, photography, publishing the yearbook, or partying – but I developed an early interest in medicine largely due to the influence of a cool, young doctor who saved my mother’s life by trying something that had never been done before, to defeat a disease that had not previously been survivable. Read more>>

Dr. Aristotle Economou

Despite my years of experience in healthcare, I suddenly found myself on the other side, facing an uncertain future and dependent on 24/7 care. Conventional medicine offered some support. I realized to walk again, I had to take matters into my own hands. I turned to the very principles I had studied—integrating Eastern medicine, structural healing, targeted nutrition, and energetic systems—to rebuild my health. Read more>>