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.

Angelique Skinner

I began my journey as an entrepreneur with a deep passion for film and storytelling. Starting out by shooting music videos, brand content, and documentaries—including work for celebrities—I quickly realized I wanted to do more than create content—I wanted to build something lasting. That vision led to the launch of SLF Network TV, a platform designed to empower creators by giving them the tools, exposure, and opportunities to thrive. Today, my mission is to inspire and uplift a new generation of storytellers by turning creativity into community and content into impact. Read more>>

Erik Jon

After taking clients on my own, I was working at a salon in Beverly Hills and feeling a bit disheartened—like I had done the work but wasn’t getting the recognition. Then I got a DM from Tracey Cunningham, inviting me to interview for her new salon in the Waldorf Astoria. Luckily I was chosen! That was a huge turning point for me. From there I joined Ramirez Tran for three years. During covid era I left Ramriez Tran for so many reasons then worked at 454 North for a few years and I’m currently based out of Sally Hershberger LA! Read more>>

OLIVE CLUB

We’re Karen and Paula—best friends, architects, and co-founders of Olive Club. Our journey started with a shared love for design and a passion for creating something meaningful. As architects, we’ve always appreciated the power of functional beauty, and we saw a gap in the jewelry market for pieces that combined style with purpose. That’s what led us back to each other and inspired the creation of Olive Club. Read more>>

Faith Nwogwugwu

So I’ve also had a thing for young people,on how to live a godly life even in the 21st century. I had a passion for young people but I was shy,I didn’t know how to go about it. But I realised I loved being Infront of the camera and I knew I could reach out to the rest of the world through that- that could be my stage. So I started filming in 2018 and the birth of my first YouTube channel came and it’s been amazing tbh . It was hard reaching out to people ta first because of my niche(Faith). But here we are,that channel has birth two more channels (Not faith though) Read more>>

Arthur Garb

Since then, I’ve acted in over 20 short films, like Lost in Rock , which won Best Short Film at the NYC Indie Film Awards and Mindfield Film Festival, and I was awarded Best Actor at the Roma Short Film Festival for Connection. I also found a second passion in voice acting, working on projects for Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+, including voicing “Iván” in Elite (Seasons 5–8) and “Max” in Chica Vampiro for Globo TV in Brazil. Read more>>

Anastasiia

Over time, I realized that photography wasn’t just about pressing a button. Behind every beautiful shot stood a vast amount of technical knowledge — understanding light, mastering composition, knowing how to handle equipment. I started taking photography courses, reading professional books, and subscribed to a photography magazine. Everything I learned, I tried to put into practice immediately. Read more>>

Leesa Kadirah

I was lucky to have my bestfriend and now roommate out there but for some reason I still felt lonely and helpless. I was crying in my dorm almost everyday from feeling like I wasn’t enough or that I didn’t know what I was doing. I remember I started to take more walks on Sunset Blvd to clear my head and that’s when things got a bit better. I feel like because I survived that time, I’m stronger than I was before and I’m glad to have that experience because now I know when to ask for help along with taking better care of myself. Read more>>

Javokhir Shermuxammatov

Definitely not,” Javokhir shares candidly. “Coming from an Uzbek background and trying to break into the American entertainment industry wasn’t easy. There were times I felt like I didn’t fit into any mold—too foreign for some, not ‘foreign enough’ for others. I’ve faced language barriers, cultural stereotypes, and countless rejections. But every ‘no’ sharpened my focus. I learned to create my own lane—to turn my heritage into my strength, not a limitation. Every challenge made me more resilient, more grounded, and more determined to represent voices like mine on the global stage Read more>>

Michael Pierce

You could never do that today but in1980 it worked and that is how I got my start. I also got my first Under 5 on the show because of Stuart Damon. He was so kind. I used to chat with him and Rick Springfield and Doug Sheehan on some of the days I worked on the Disco set so when I did background in the main hospital scenes there was one day I was talking with Stuart in between takes and he said to Gloria Monty, let’s give him a line. I heard her booming voice echo down from the control room and she said for me to say, “Here’s your folder Dr. Quartermaine.” And that was my first Under 5 on Television. Read more>>

Sera Heywood-Rakhimova

I have always known myself as an actress. I grew up telling stories as a means of self-expression, survival and above all, joy. But I never felt I fit into the industry and societal molds that I witnessed around me growing up in North America. Something inside was always itching for MORE, and until I stumbled upon a play by an ensemble of Uzbek-Russian actors in Seattle as a freshman at the University of Washington, I finally found what my what my soul had been longing for my entire life. Read more>>

Sydney Angel

When the pandemic started, I was inspired to learn how to produce Ableton; with so much time on my hands, I threw myself into the music world. I felt like finally understood my purpose and what I really wanted to do with my life. By 2022, my husband Randy and I had decided to move LA, and I took the leap to release my self-produced debut EP, Manic Pixie Dream. In 2023, I was unexpectedly awarded a full scholarship to attend Stargate’s LAAMP program, where I had the incredible opportunity to be mentored by leading producers and songwriters in the music industry. Later that year, I was selected as a producer for ASCAP’s Harold Adamson Workshop. I released my latest single Betrayal in April 2024, and I am now gearing up to release my second EP, Show & Tell on May 16, 2025. Read more>>

Jack Stone

I used that time to build my craft, to study, to write, and to connect with other emerging artists facing the same obstacles. I collaborated with new film makers through various different short films. In particular, II enjoyed my time working on Middletown, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance film festival. Middletown was a feature documentary about high school students in the 1990’s who uncovered a conspiracy which was poisoning their community. Thirty years later they revisit their experiences in this documentary featuring archival footage and reenactments which I was able to perform in. It is a powerful story told by Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss. Read more>>

Draza Jansky

Creators and entrepreneurs come to me when they feel driven to spark more passion, purpose and pleasure in their life experience. I provide support, strategy, and accountability to help them express their inner purpose outwardly in their careers and personal life. It’s been life-changing to share my work in three of the fields California is known for: Tech/AI, Arts/Entertainment, and Health/Wellness. Read more>>

Jamlec David

Over time, I found that my passion is telling honest, emotional stories about Caribbean and Latino communities. stories about family, identity, growing up, and finding your place in the world. I’ve made short films, a web series, and I’ve also had the chance to mentor and teach others who are starting out. Read more>>

Nadia Williams

It all truly began when I started to become aware that I had all the power to create my reality. The life I was living at the time was not a reality I was happy with. My reality then involved, lies, deceit, unrequited love, recklessness, weak faith, betrayal, people pleasing, money problems, immaturity, naive attitudes on life, over indulging in drugs and alcohol just to fit in, confusion, bad relationships with friends and lovers and overall dissatisfaction with the trajectory of my life. Read more>>

Anthony Carrasco

Before I started in theater I was pursuing boxing and law. I dedicated so much time and effort into them, it didn’t leave me with room for much else. I got a couple internships working for a few local lawyers and I found the work to be really fascinating but everyone seemed to miserable all the time. Eventually I straight up asked, “Are you happy?” I was told “No, but when I retire I’m going to be able to do whatever I want.” I really hated that answer. It seemed so counterintuitive to spend decades doing something that not only you didn’t enjoy but was making you miserable just for the sake of money. Read more>>

Dipen Patel

The more time I spent on set, the more curious I became about the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking. I wanted to explore the technical side—how lighting, camera angles, and equipment can shape a story. This curiosity led me to cinematography. I started experimenting with my phone, shooting and editing short films with basic software. That experience ignited a passion in me, driving me to learn and explore the art and science of visual storytelling. Read more>>

Robby Mueller

Luckily, my grandpa had a bunch of old film cameras and let me dig through them. I grabbed what seemed like the next best thing to filming and started taking photos of my friends instead. Once I saw what photography could be, I didn’t even miss the video camera. I got hooked, way deeper than I expected. I told my parents I was going to be a photographer, no question about it. I was so into it that my high school actually created extra photo classes just for me so I could spend more time learning from my teacher. I ended high school with taking a photography class every single semester. Read more>>

Virginie Royer

Rebuilding wasn’t easy. I faced grief, loss, and moments that nearly broke me. But I also found strength, resilience, and a version of myself I never knew existed. I wrote As Bad As It Can Get, It’s Temporary because I knew I wasn’t the only one. So many women feel stuck, silenced, or afraid to start over. I wanted my story to be a lifeline, to say, “You’re not alone, and it won’t always be this hard.” Read more>>

Allison Martin Holt

Today, I am a private chef and artist based in Los Angeles who is passionate about supporting farmers and farmers markets and crafting dishes which celebrate our region’s foods. I specialize in elevated multi-course farm-to-table dinners which highlight the flavors of the season and drawing inspiration from my herb garden. I am also the food photographer and food/prop stylist behind my brand Rustic by Allison. Read more>>

Jesi Harris

I didn’t really know what Urban Planning was at the time, but the more I did this work, the more I learned that it kind of all sits at the crux of Urban Planning – housing and transportation and many other things, as well. And I fell down the rabbit hole and ended up getting a master’s in urban planning from USC. I graduated from that program in 2021 and since then I have been working as a Land Use Consultant, which means I represent projects – mostly housing projects, mostly mixed-income and affordable housing projects – through what’s called the “entitlement process.” That is the process through which you ask the city’s permission to build the thing that you are proposing. Read more>>

Robert Javier Portillo

It all started at the 9000 building on the Sunset Strip not exactly the birthplace of most dreams, unless your dream involves editing banners for an adult website. I was working as a graphic designer, creatively uninspired and quietly craving something more exciting. That’s when a friend of mine, who was deep in the LA nightlife scene, offered me a spot on his club promotion team. I was 24, broke, hungry, and fascinated by nightlife it felt like the beginning of something. My job was to bring girls to the club Read more>>

Johnny

About a month later I dropped out, moved to LA, got into an improv group and then a sketch comedy group, which fell apart and so I finally just went for stand-up comedy. I did open mics for a while, then got a job answering phones at The Comedy Store and eventually showcased and got passed by Mitzi Shore, herself. which lead to me touring as Pauly Shore’s opening act on his Coconut Time Tour. I eventually started touring, on my own, doing colleges. I did that for about a decade, along with clubs in LA. Now, I work clubs, cruise ships, corporate events and I recently completed my twenty-first tour, overseas performing for our troops. Read more>>

ANDRES GONZALEZ

One of the most transformative experiences in my journey was completing a long training program with Tony Robbins. It helped me develop a resilient, positive mindset and taught me to welcome challenges as opportunities for growth. I’ve learned that with faith and resourcefulness, there’s always a solution to every problem. Read more>>

Maeva Feitelson

I graduated in Musical Theatre during the pandemic so it definitely has not been a smooth road, but I feel proud of every challenge I have overcome so far, including moving to 2 different countries, and having to start over every time. It’s been difficult at times, but it is so rewarding when the hard work and dedication pays off. Read more>>

Ryan Henderson

I grew up in Lake Havasu City, a small town in Arizona where I fell in love with music and I eventually took part in an exchange program to Italy where I went to a music high school before starting my first band in Flagstaff: Breakfast for Breakfast. I was on mushrooms when I came up with the band name. Sorry mom. You said go into as much detail as I’d like, right? Read more>>

Kwey B

One of my videos ended up going viral and being posted on pages like Worldstar, also had numerous celebrities post me including Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, and Drake even saying my infamous “BoyIfYouDon’tGet” phrase at the 2017 Billboard awards. Read more>>

Sarah Abrams

When I was a kid, I wanted to become a professional soccer player – like most people in Spain – and school wasn’t really my thing. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, since all my big dreams weren’t very realistic where I came from. Luckily for me, when I was in high school, I got scouted twice within a month, one was at an event where I got offered to join a model agency which would end up bringing me fashion campaigns, and the second one was one day after I left class, when I was walking in front of an Abercrombie & Fitch store. That was my first job, and I will forever be grateful because it changed my life. Meeting everyone there, with similar hopes and dreams as I had, opened up my mind forever and it made me think that maybe my dreams weren’t impossible to achieve, since there were many people that dreamt as crazy as me. Read more>>

Jeffry Undiarto

Then came n/naka. It was a different world – two Michelin stars, an incredible level of detail and dedication. As General Manager and Wine Director, I was immersed in the pinnacle of fine dining. Working alongside chefs Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama was an invaluable experience. I was able to come early and learning, prepping in the kitchen before service start. They showed me the true meaning of culinary excellence, the unwavering commitment to quality, and the art of creating a truly memorable experience. Their support and guidance during those years were immense. Read more>>

Sara Glasser

Following my divorce, a friend suggested I meet Empowerment Coach Andrea Quinn—a session that would profoundly change my life. Working with Andrea helped me realize how I could support others, especially those navigating similar life transitions.I became a Life & Career Coach, specializing in helping clients who work in both Entertainment and Executive Corporate spaces. Today, through coaching and my own writing, I share what I’ve learned—what works, and what I know firsthand doesn’t—to help people live more empowered, fulfilling lives. Read more>>

Sifat Bhatia

Another significant hurdle was establishing myself in a highly competitive industry. Building a reputable portfolio and securing projects with notable clients such as J. Worra, Miss Dre, Cherry Tooth, Kaysin, L’Affaire Musicale, and Wicked Paradise required persistence, patience, and resilience. Each collaboration taught me the importance of balancing client expectations with creative innovation, pushing me to grow professionally and personally. Read more>>

Sianoa Smit-McPhee

When people ask me what I love most about acting, music or performing in general, I always say I just love the entire process. Literally, everything about it, is my favorite, from the preparation of studying a character, or coming up with lyrics for my music, rehearsing, and blocking out for filming a scene. I love long tedious day is on set, I love coming together and collaborating to create an art piece that I love, and hopefully the audience loves. I am grateful and in love with every second that I get to do something under the ShowBusiness umbrella. Read more>>

Sophia Vantuno

I’ve always been a creative at heart. From a young age i enjoyed being in front and behind the camera. My friends and i would spend hours running around the beaches of Sydney, dressing up and taking silly photos for fun. My older sister, Tash, was also passionate about fashion and photography. She took photos of me all the time and helped me start my own instagram as well as a blog. Watching her successful as an entrepreneur and industry leader has always been a huge source of inspiration for me. Read more>>

Michael Deem

The second leg of the startup stool: Market. How big is the market? The existing or potential market should align with your expectations for return, check size, and company valuation. We started Man Labs because we noticed the men’s anti-aging skincare market is 10 or 15 years behind the women’s, and we wanted to bring state of the art skincare to men. 99% of men are not yet thinking about the solutions Man Labs is providing. Part of our challenge as we grow will be to educate men about what is possible. As we like to say: Replace signs of aging with a refreshed appearance that’s a much better reflection of how you feel inside. Read more>>

Jennifer Jarrett

Starting any business comes with its fair share of bumps, and mine was no exception. When I launched Jenuinely Contained, I knew I had the passion and the skill, but turning that into a full on business took time and A LOT of hustle. There’s more to being a professional home organizer than just organizing. You’re everything. The marketing team, the scheduler, the bookkeeper, you wear all the hats. Read more>>

Tyrisha Johnson

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road being an entrepreneur comes with constant challenges. There have been times where I’ve gone 24 hours or more without sleep, working nonstop to create products and meet deadlines. One of the hardest parts is the personal sacrifice. The people you love can sometimes feel neglected because you’re so focused on building something that you hope will eventually provide a better life for them. It’s not an easy ride by any means, but every struggle has been worth it for the growth, the purpose, and the vision I’m working toward. Read more>>

KERWIN GONZALEZ

Anything but smooth, I’ve given up relationships, management positions, comfort, that “safety net” for the sake of my passion, everything I do everyday is with acting in mind and how I can further pursue my dream. In this industry you need thick skin and have to be your own biggest fan, you will hear no or nothing at all a lot and have to be persistent more than anything else. I’ve been booked for jobs that ended up getting canceled, or cast in projects only to later be told they are going with someone else, but it’s apart of the industry and I don’t regret anything, every rejection, every no, has made me the man I am today and I’m all the better for it! Read more>>

Junior S

At Sage, we use the most advanced techniques and technology to help you achieve smoother skin, a radiant glow, enhanced hair growth, and renewed confidence. Our specialties include microneedling with SkinPen® and Morpheus8 (face and body), customized chemical peels, and Hydrafacial MD® treatments for nourished, refreshed skin. Read more>>

S-Hekh Shem Ebron

In 2014, I relocated to Los Angeles and built a strong foundation in commercial production, working as a Production Supervisor on multi-million dollar projects. Working with talents such as LeBron James, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Samuel L. Jackson, and Magic Johnson. But it was my humanitarian work that truly shaped my voice as a filmmaker. Beginning in 2015, Me and my sister Nzinga Ebron organized annual service trips to Gisenyi, Rwanda, leading teacher workshops and providing school supplies to over 200 underserved students at Ruben Primary School. Read more>>

Mako San

With a foundation rooted in martial arts, Mako San launched his entertainment career as a stunt performer, quickly making a name for himself with appearances in blockbuster films such as Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Infinity War, and the John Wick franchise. His exceptional physical discipline, honed through decades of martial arts training, made him a go-to talent for complex fight choreography and high-risk action scenes. Read more>>

Helena-Alexis Seymour

In 2023, Jasmine Guy was drawn to our show and the awareness my character was bringing to the autism community so she decided to come on our third season as a Guest Star. Her character then lead to an EMMY nomination and Win! Carrying a TV Series as the lead with an EMMY attached to it is a huge honor and am so grateful for even more inspiration and awareness it is bringing to the autism community as well as the BIPOC community and children of all ages and backgrounds. My character reminds us all that what others may perceive as a “weakness” is actually our greatest strength and “Superpower”. Read more>>

Ārmanā Nysús

At eighteen, I was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston with a scholarship—an incredible opportunity that expanded my exposure to global music styles and pushed my creative boundaries even further. Today, my work blends elements of Middle Eastern, orchestral, rock, and modern pop music, reflecting both my roots and my evolving artistic vision. Read more>>

Haizi Haze

Over the years, Haizi became a very familiar face in the cannabis community, and worked with several shops & brands based in Los Angeles. Within one week of moving to LA, Haizi was hired to work as a budtender at a medical cannabis dispensary. While managing a shop on Melrose Ave in West Hollywood, Haizi released her debut music project “FREE DABS.” This cannabis inspired EP enabled Haizi to cross promote her music in dispensaries & smoke shops, and she was able to make many meaningful relationships with customers who still work in important roles in the cannabis & music industries. Read more>>

Juliana Tucker

After years of me focusing on my health and trying to pretend I didn’t need music, the pandemic ultimately reawakened that desire in me to create music. A couple months into the pandemic I picked up my guitar and wrote my first song in an hour, ‘Call It Quits’. Since then, I’ve released my debut EP called ‘The Great Indoors’ and I’ve released more singles than I can count. I love each one more than the next and I’m so excited to release MORE. Read more>>