Meet Angela Smeraldi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Smeraldi.

Hi Angela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story began in Long Island, New York. I lived there until I was just about eight years old, but I believe that my time there shaped most of who I am now. I was the middle child of three, born to young parents. We were loved but were also surrounded by drinking, fighting, and a lot of violence in and out of our home.

My mom eventually moved me and my siblings to Florida, but we would spend our summers in New York with our dad every year until college. At one point, she worked three jobs to support us, so we lived humbly and became pretty independent at a young age. Most nights, we wouldn’t have dinner planned because my mom was usually at work and money was always tight. I have memories where I would dig through the kitchen and create some pretty…interesting dishes. I always said I would be great on the show Chopped because of it. Our family eventually grew and I now have 4 siblings; two brothers and two sisters, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Though it was a challenging childhood, I am so grateful for how my life began. It ultimately made me strong, independent, and immensely appreciative of my life.

Since growing up less fortunate, my dream was always to support my family so they would no longer struggle, because family is everything to me. I would stress myself out so much by trying to be successful at everything. I wanted to do everything and I became an overachiever. In high school, it manifested in sports and extracurricular activities. I wanted desperately to take drama class but I was too shy. So I think I took one semester and then gave up.

I was actually painfully shy growing up. I never raised my hand in class and I never got guidance from counselors when applying to colleges. I did everything myself because I didn’t want to ask. I was able to get into college and obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Marketing, which I ultimately did nothing with. I definitely don’t regret the college experience though, and the knowledge I gained. It wasn’t until after college that I really made a conscious effort to stop being shy. I still have those tendencies but I force myself out of my comfort zone almost daily because I always want to get the most out of life.

One day a friend of a friend named Carlos was filming a music video in Miami for a Sony artist. They needed models for the video, so I thought, “Hey, I can do that!” It was completely out of my comfort zone, but it was something I really wanted to try. I have always dreamed of being in or around the entertainment industry – I just didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do yet. So, I reached out and was told I could be in the shoot. Of course I was nervous, but it turned out to be such a great experience! I loved the atmosphere and everyone on set. I also made a lifelong friend Lourival who has since given me other opportunities for work. After that experience, I wanted to keep trying to get similar work. Lourival introduced me to a photographer named Pheren from LA. I set up a photoshoot with her in Miami soon after. She then asked me to shoot again with her in LA. It was my first time ever flying to the west coast and I fell absolutely in love. Coming from Florida, I was amazed by mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

A few months after the shoot, I was in a really dark place. I was working three jobs, taking a few classes, and really unhappy. I had an opportunity to visit San Diego so I booked a flight immediately. That’s when I learned how to surf and it quickly became one of my biggest passions, next to acting. After spending a week in California, I decided I didn’t want to leave, so I never took my flight home to Florida. I always say it was the dumbest/smartest thing I have ever done. I think if I planned it out the right way, I would never have had the guts to move. It needed to be spontaneous, but I do regret that I may have hurt people in the process. It was just something I personally needed to do. The way I felt at the time, I needed to do that to survive.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were many struggles along the way. In college, I was in an abusive relationship, I started failing classes, and I lost three out of four of my grandparents whom I was very close with. I began partying too much, I believe to numb myself emotionally. One of my lifelong struggles has been with anxiety and depression. Since I was a child, I suffered from what I thought were breathing problems. I would complain to my mom that “I couldn’t yawn”. She would just tell me, “well, that’s because you’re not tired silly!” As I got older, I realized it was more of a not being able to take a deep breath sensation. Sometimes it would get so bad my mom would take me to doctors when she could, but we didn’t have health insurance. I was initially diagnosed as having asthma, but inhalers never seemed to help. I’ve had chest X-rays, breathing tests, blood tests, oxygen levels tested, allergy tests, and everything always checked out fine. It wasn’t until I was an adult when a doctor said to me, “have you ever thought you might have anxiety?” I was mortified.

I’ve struggled with this “breathing issue” my whole life and it’s JUST anxiety? She reassured me that anxiety can be a big deal and not to brush it off like it’s not. I’ve since learned to cope with anxiety and my chronic depression. I make a conscious effort every single day to think positive thoughts. I also meditate, practice breathing exercises, and even surfing helps me. I periodically go to therapy and take an antidepressant medication which honestly has helped me so much. It’s not for everyone but I’ve been very fortunate that it has helped me.

When people learn that I have these issues and see that I’m an actor, they think I’m crazy. I usually hate being the center of attention as I feel it increases my anxiety. But the only way I can explain it is that acting makes me so happy that I don’t feel anxious. It’s a different feeling; it’s excitement. The beauty is you’re pretending to be someone else. So being at the center and in front of all the cameras as someone else for some reason is ok.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since moving to California, I started booking random modeling gigs between working in a hospital pharmacy and bartending. I learned of the casting website Backstage so I joined and immediately started booking a lot more gigs. Since I didn’t have an acting reel, I posted a video of me surfing and it actually got me a commercial gig to play a surfer chick. Filmmakers Nick and Lexie Trivundza from the Adventure Company saw my Backstage profile and my surf video and thought I could be a good fit for a lead role in their feature film, Danger! Danger! Because I seemed “adventurous”, and the film is an Indiana Jones-type action film. They asked if I would send in an audition tape and I agreed – somewhat reluctantly as I had never really acted before. I sent it in that night and they offered me the job a few days later!

It was the best work experience of my life thus far, and it made me realize that acting is what I truly want to do. Danger! Danger! premiered at the Pasadena Film Festival in March 2020 and is set to show at the Film Quest Festival in Utah, but delayed due to COVID. It was also picked up for worldwide distribution with High Octane Pictures. I am very proud and thankful to have been a part of that movie and crew. Since then, I’ve filmed an Amazon Prime comedy feature called, It’s Not You, It’s Me, with New Zealand Son Films (another amazing team to work with) which is set to release in April 2021. I have filmed various commercials and am set to film a dramatic short with filmmaker Isaiah Butler who I am very excited to work with. I am constantly looking to book gigs big or small because I love what I do, and I truly love meeting people with the same passions as me. Every person and every experience offers me something new to learn.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My mom has instilled in me, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. I truly believe that has helped me so much in my career. Put yourself out there and make friends with everyone you can. I’ve gotten so many jobs that way. Also, have a positive attitude. You want people to want to work with you again. It’s easy when you love what you do. I’ve had many jobs where I’ve been miserable, and it’s admittedly hard to keep a positive attitude. But when I’m on set, I’m always getting complimented on my light-hearted personality and positive energy. And that’s when I know I’m doing something I want to do forever. I would also recommend joining Backstage and/or Actors Access. I’ve booked a lot of work on these platforms. It’s a great tool especially when you’re first starting. Don’t be snobby about how much jobs pay. Gaining experience and meeting people should be your top priority. Eventually, the money will come. My final piece of advice is, don’t let your fears and your past get in the way of your dreams and your future. I should have been the poster child for shyness, insecurity, anxiety and depression; so if I can overcome it, so can you. Don’t wait until you’re confident to show up. Show up until you’re confident.

 

Contact Info:

• Email: asmeraldi2@gmail.com
• Website: www.angelasmeraldi.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/angelasmeraldi/
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/angsmeraldi
• Other: www.IMDb.me/AngelaSmeraldi

Image Credits
Jay Resh photography Pete Santos photography