local storiesNovember 10, 2025

Daily Inspiration: Meet Caroline Hallum

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Hallum.

Hi Caroline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before I even made the leap to New York City, I was actually discovered by a photographer who saw something in me and took some shots that ended up landing on a major label’s radar. They were interested in signing me to their brand, and that was the spark that inspired my move. It was a whirlwind start, and it really set the tone for my journey. After graduating college, I took a leap of faith and moved to New York City with basically two suitcases and a dream. I first ended up living in Queens sharing a studio apartment with a friend, just to afford rent, and I started my first marketing job at a startup. But as life would have it, that company folded not long after I joined, leaving me scrambling to make ends meet in a city that definitely doesn’t slow down for anyone.

To keep myself afloat, I jumped into an internship at Van Wagner, and while they didn’t pay interns at first, I worked hard enough that they eventually did start paying me a bit. Around the same time, I got pulled into the world of modeling through an agency in the city, and that led to a pretty funny twist of fate. I walked into that agency on a day they were filming a pilot for a reality show, and before I knew it, I was on camera saying good morning to the owner. That little moment turned into my first on-camera experience, and I ended up doing voiceovers and regional commercials. It was like the universe was giving me little nudges that, yes, I could do this.

But my “practical” side kept me anchored in marketing. I worked for big names like Equinox, IAC, and Estée Lauder, because I thought that was the “real” career path. Acting felt like a dream, but I was still that shy kid inside who wasn’t sure it could ever be a full-time reality. My parents had always instilled in me the idea of getting a stable job, and acting was more of a hobby.

Eventually, life led me to Houston for another marketing opportunity, and that’s where things took a turn. I met a certain A-list actor at a Super Bowl after-party who invited me to LA. Seeing Hollywood through his world made me realize that my dreams weren’t so far-fetched. So I took the plunge, moved to LA, and started balancing my marketing career with intense acting classes, stunt training, and voice lessons.

It wasn’t easy. I slept on my talent manager’s couch at first, and while she had good intentions, her personal struggles ended up creating chaos that I had to navigate. I even poured my savings into a short film, Annora, that I wrote and starred in, only to have it caught up in legal tangles because of that manager’s issues.

But every setback taught me resilience. I found my own footing, kept pushing forward, and now I’m about to release my first lead role in a feature film called Dog Days. It’s this wild, intense story with a twist, and it’s going to hit the festival circuit soon. It’s been a long journey from that shy kid who thought acting wasn’t a “real job” to someone who now gets to live in both worlds — creative and business. And I’ve learned you don’t have to choose between them; you can build a life that honors both.

So here I am — still working in marketing with brands I love, still pursuing acting with all my heart, and excited for what’s ahead. I’ve learned you don’t have to pick one lane. You can build a life that honors both your creative passion and your professional drive. Every setback has just been another lesson in resilience and reinvention.

I’m incredibly excited to share Dog Days with the world soon, and to keep pushing boundaries in both my acting and my entrepreneurial adventures. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my story, it’s that you really can create a life that’s both creatively and financially fulfilling — as long as you’re willing to take the leap.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, looking back, there were times I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. I’ve taken on jobs that paid next to nothing, worked endless hours on set without overtime, and watched projects I poured myself into collapse because of circumstances outside my control. There were nights I slept on couches, scraped together money for rent and food, and poured my savings into a short film that never reached its full potential due to my former manager’s personal issues that derailed everything.

The industry can be brutal — I’ve dealt with empty promises from people in power who saw me as an opportunity, not as a serious artist. I’ve been close to landing major roles, only to be asked to “fill the financial gap” to make the project happen. I’ve worked overnight shoots, driven home as the sun came up, grabbed a shower, and headed straight to my marketing job — pretending I wasn’t completely exhausted.

There were months I questioned whether I could keep doing it — whether I was crazy for trying to live between two worlds. I’ve faced injuries from stunt training, and I’ve endured judgment from corporate colleagues who doubted my professionalism because I pursued acting on the side — even though I never once let it interfere with my work.

And on top of all that, I’ve had to battle my own self-doubt — that inner voice that said I wasn’t enough, that I was too late, or that I was chasing something unrealistic. But somehow, I kept going.

Every setback, every heartbreak, every sleepless night made me stronger. It taught me grit, patience, and faith in myself. And now, standing where I am — with my first feature lead role about to release — I can honestly say I’m proud of the fight it took to get here. Because resilience isn’t built in comfort; it’s built in the struggle. And that’s what makes my story mine.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Sure! At my core, I’d say I’m a multifaceted creative. I’m an actress first and foremost, and I’ve got my first lead role in a feature film called Dog Days coming out next year, which is really exciting. On top of that, I paint mixed-medium abstract art on a commission basis, and I’m also writing a script right now. And I do sing here and there as well—just another way I like to express myself creatively.

And alongside all that, I do have a full-time role in marketing at a major beauty brand plus a bit of consulting here and there. So I’d describe my work as a creative blend of acting, visual art, singing, writing, and strategic marketing. It’s a lot, but I love every piece of it.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is having that balance where I can express myself creatively—through acting, film, painting, singing—and also use my strategic side in the marketing world. But just as important to me are my personal relationships and experiences. My family, my friends, and the opportunities I have to travel and share life with them mean the world to me. They keep me grounded and inspired, and they remind me why I do what I do. So really, it’s that blend of creative fulfillment, professional growth, and meaningful personal connections that matters most to me.

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Image Credits
Jean-Pierre Vanhoegaerden
Siobhan Webb

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