Check Out Melinda Michael’s Story

Hi Melinda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you for reaching out! Well, when I think about how my story started, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my childhood. I was, albeit obsessively, drawn to certain stories and particular genres, would quote entire films (complete with the full sound score), direct productions in my basement and cast all my friends (with wardrobe selected from my overflowing costume bin, so we looked very “in character”), and even made sure that I was honing skills I thought would be required one day for acting a part on TV or in a movie. I always wanted to be ready for my future as an actor. (Apparently, holding my breath underwater for long periods of time was one of those “future skills,” in case I ever played a mermaid? Ha!). Then gosh, once the Harry Potter franchise came out, I’d bring my little portable DVD player for car rides and would watch the movies on repeat (whilst perfecting my British accent of course, in preparation so I could fulfill my dream to act in one of the films. My grandfather was born in London, so I had a sit down with him to discuss UK passport qualifications. Didn’t work).

It was evident that storytelling was not just entertainment to me — it was a calling.

I do remember the moment I decided, not that I wanted to be an actor, but that it was something I *had* to do. A moment of divine guidance it felt like, by this commanding voice outside myself. God plays such a monumental part in my career.

You privately had asked about how I got to where I am today. For anyone reading this who’s inspired by the pursuit of artistry and acting specifically, here’s what’s worked for me: Being faith-driven within an industry that constantly demands from you more than it gives, so be unbreakable in your sense of self (knowing what lights you up, your values, principles) and fulfill your spirit in ways outside the vocation too. Have the willingness to constantly overcome fear, move through life with unwavering determination and inquisitiveness, maintain an open heart, commit to keeping your vessel clean (a.k.a. your body and mind, especially in order to be able to readily access the full range of your emotional instrument), prioritize creative expression over emotional suppression, see empathy as your superpower, have extremely strong intuition and awareness of your inner magic (it’s undeniable how I honestly manifest every audition, booking, agency meeting, etc — that would be another fun interview topic), and own your uniqueness (ie. I’m so grateful curls are finally IN). These pillars of character, lifestyle choices, and mindset have shaped my artistic journey and garnered me success. And not being afraid to reach out to those whose work you admire and want to work with. I’ve booked jobs and been on Avail because of it.

Those points have to do with how you choose to show up as a professional. But it takes a village to film anything. You can’t do anything in this industry on your own. So just as important, if not more, is your COMMUNITY. I am still best friends and in touch with those who I met when I started my career in 2013, fresh out of film school in New York, as I dove into the world of student films and indies back home in Canada, to work my way up to making a demo reel, landing network credits, and moving to Los Angeles. I love going to networking events and meeting so many genuine people who share a similar vision, and explore collaborating together.

In the spirit of collaboration, if anyone reading this knows of a production company who’s on the hunt for an exciting new, female-driven historical series, connect with me or my team. I’ve co-created this biopic. It’s family-friendly, witty, set in the Middle Ages, and I’d absolutely love to share this young woman’s story with the world. There’s a gentle plug for ya.

What’s next? Excited to share that I just booked my first role on a soap opera. So be on the lookout for that. It was also actually my first TV audition and booking with my new manager, Renee Story, at Established Artists. She is a gem. Renee, I couldn’t be more grateful for you.

My team means the world to me. Special thanks also to Berkley O’Sullivan at The Characters, and my reps at NTA Talent and NTA Models. Wouldn’t be able to do what I do and get such incredible opportunities without their support and hard work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been periods of struggle along the way, where I’ve needed to actually take breaks from the industry. More so due to health challenges. I’ve had gaps in my work life because of physical pain that was getting in the way of me being able to give quality auditions and show up with my full energy. Trying to memorize 7-14 pages of dialogue for every audition was hard when my body was just not able to perform – inflammation so bad I was blowing up like a balloon with SIBO, skin purging from parasitic and candida infections, and my mental health gravely suffering. TMI, but there were about 4 years in there I couldn’t even go to the bathroom on my own. The pain and anxiety created a disconnect in me, and obviously I didn’t want this to reflect on my talent, because no one knew what was really going on below the surface. But I’m grateful for it all, especially because when things got so bad, I decided to tend to my spiritual health and moved to India, healed, and got to explore working in another market I absolutely have an affinity for… Bollywood! Ironically there was another health crisis that happened there, but it was 100% the best thing that could have happened to me. I never felt better than when I was going through that experience. I was praying in a beautiful temple to Lord Krishna in Vrindavan, and while I was simply standing and praying, a disc in my back exploded, crushed my spinal cord to the point of paralysis, and after ignoring it for a few days and limping on-set in Mumbai, the director asked me why, and long story short, I was getting wheeled in for emergency spinal cord surgery. The best adventure ever because I fell in love at the hospital too. Our lives really are the quintessential movie script, with our own Hero’s Journey. Never give up. A set back is setting you up for where and how you need to be. It’s temporary, and often leading you to be more evolved at the level of your soul, ready to receive a life better than you could have imagined.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Appreciate the support! I am an actress, a job that I feel so blessed to do. It’s less about being “performative” and more, in essence, about fulfilling a duty to authentically “be,” by stepping into the truth of these characters, their stories, their voices, and serve them the best I can. My work as an actor spans across a variety of mediums.

On screen, I’ve acted in film, television, and commercials, playing in worlds from ancient times, to 1800’s Victorian society, to the distant future, and bringing the ethereal realms to life (my personal favorite part of the job). Such as depicting a post-apocalyptic, sword-fighting warrior (shout out to conlanger David J. Peterson, for creating our entire language) on “The 100″, a malevolent Queen of the Fairies, or a special ops agent for Bill Skarsgard as a vampire in Netflix’s “Hemlock Grove.”

Off screen, I’m a voice-over artist for animation and narration, including voicing a meditation audiobook about positive affirmations for kids! It’s a blast getting behind the mic to explore vocal range and play with different accents. Adjacent to voice over, I also work in the green screen vault as a motion capture/performance capture artist for video games. (Picture that suit covered in dots, if you’ve seen BTS for the Avatar franchise. Talk about another dream team and project to work on).

I do model a bit — fitness and beauty/hair print campaigns mainly. When modelling, I transform into the character and approach it the same as an acting part, but without the pressure of memorizing lines, so I really enjoy it. My first job was actually when I was 3 years old; I was scouted for a clothing store’s catalogue when out shopping with my mom. Didn’t do it again until I was 18 or so, when I was scouted in a mall, oh and another time I was out figure skating on a date, ha. Worked with some amazing clients, including Jamie Kern Lima for IT Cosmetics and Marc Anthony for his Strictly Curls line. Didn’t do as much as I would have liked because back then, I didn’t meet the industry’s measurement standards by 1 inch in my hips. Sad, isn’t it? Thankfully much has changed now and beauty isn’t defined by one’s size.

Growing up, I did a ton of theater, and it’ll always be something I return to, but for now, my primary focus is on-camera. I love being on set and making movies, SO much. The only downside is I don’t get to do it every day. (Yet). It’s one of those rare occupations where one day of work is never the same as the next. The cast and crew, locations, storylines, characters… it’s ever changing. It provides me with a continuous challenge I get to face — the prep work and memorization, script analysis, finding the truthfulness of the character within my own life experiences… it all helps me make discoveries about myself, and hopefully, sharing my humanity vulnerably strikes a positive cord with those who watch it, maybe reminding them of their light, their power, or helps them feel seen/understood and gives them hope, courage, a remembrance, or simply permission to FEEL. As a society, we don’t emote collectively enough.

Speaking of emoting and an outlet to do so, I’m obsessed with physical fitness. So I train in mixed martial arts — mainly Muay Thai — to stay sharp as I perform my own stunts, and prepared for action-heavy roles (I’ve got to thank Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider for sparking that fire in me). It’s been about 13 years I’ve been doing MMA now, and before that, I was a dancer for 16 years. Moving my body daily and taking care of it is a non-negotiable for me. It’s fascinating to test what you think are the limits of the mind and body, and then rising above them. I’m that person who goes on 10 day silent retreats, fasts for 21 days, has lived in an ashram, learned the harmonium instrument, and travelled to 22 countries, because I always have to be learning and evolving. It’s this incessant priority or need (or existential angst, depending how I look at it) to always be taking steps towards the legacy I want to impart with the world.

Fun fact, outside of acting, I’m a Reiki energy practitioner and kirtan singer. I commit my time and energy to helping others feel their best, so they can live a full, healthy, purposeful life. I’ve currently partnered with a few rehab centers to offer reiki healing to adults and teens overcoming addiction, and I facilitate monthly Reiki Soundbaths at some great studios in town. At Soho House West Hollywood, I pioneered Reiki healing into their community’s wellness programming and launched my monthly Reiki workshops there. (Combining my passions for the Arts with mental health, physical health, emotional health, and spiritual vitality? Yes please. And pay forward my own healing journey to help be of service to others? Absolutely). I think we all can move through life more aware, kind, centered, and intentional when we tend to these parts of ourselves and prioritize seeing and meeting each other in the same light. Humanitarian work is a huge draw for me, and because of this, I also presently volunteer as a Brand Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme.

What’s next?
I’m looking really forward to finding more projects that contain an element of elevating consciousness. Plus, roles that make little Melinda happy and proud that she dared to dream big. Like, oh I don’t know, a role in the new HBO Harry Potter series? A Tolkien-inspired elf? A Medieval royal? Let’s do it!! Acting, for me, is a lifelong journey and I’m excited to pour my heart into scripts that awaken the imagination and stir the soul. Stories like that are what inspired me to become an actor in the first place, and helped me to keep going through times of tribulation in my life, so I hope I can be part of that journey for some else, and motivate others to be the change makers we need.

It’s a gift to feel like today I can represent for little girls what I wish I saw on TV or the big screen when I was young. When I first started my acting career, I was told that casting didn’t know where to place me. That I looked “too exotic.” Truly grateful the industry is moving forward with the direction of inclusivity, and authenticity in diversity. I grew up in Canada and the Caribbean, with family in Lebanon, Italy, Surinam, Wales, Ireland, and the West Indies, mainly Antigua and Dominica. I feel like this vibrant, multicultural upbringing gave me an early appreciation for seeing commonalities over differences, and shaped me into someone who is deeply curious about people and the world. So I’ll always advocate for stories that reflect the hearts of humanity. With a friendly touch of escapism into my otherworldly realms 🙂

Thank you Voyage LA, for the opportunity to share some of my story. It means a lot, and if this interview resonated for any of you reading it, please connect. I’d love to support you however I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melindamichael.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/iam.melindamichael
• Other: imdb.me/melindamichael