Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayla Rae Neal.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been singing since I can remember. When I was three years old, my parents put me in a talent show. I started to perform songs at talent shows every summer in Oregon at county fairs. My goal has always been to be like “Michael Jackson.” At the age of five, I performed at the Oregon State Fair and won first place. I was so happy! I told my mommy and daddy this is what I want to do. I was then contacted by a talent agency where I worked on competing in a competition in Los Angeles.
I had such a fun time acting and singing that I even won several awards including 2nd runner up in most sought after female talent. This was so great for me. After this competition, I was introduced to many agents and managers, my parents and I traveled back to LA to meet with the ones we felt would be a good fit for me. Finally, we picked my agent and manager. Soon after that, I was in a short film, which was very fun to film, but it was starting to get very hard to be traveling back and forth and missing school. That summer, my parents made the decision to move to Los Angeles to help me follow my dreams. Now I am homeschooled, I have a wonderful voice coach to help me with my voice, a very wonderful acting coach and a wonderful theater group. I have also been recording covers of songs that help empower girls, I love to uplift people with my voice and positive words. I get this from my dad, he’s so nice. Living in Los Angeles has been so great for me and my family. I have met so many nice people that are helping me reach my goals. I am happy that I have been doing acting jobs since living here. I want to share my acting and singing with the world. My dad said it is important to live my dream and never give up.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest struggle was living in Oregon and not being able to find places to sing and act, especially for my age. When I was three and four years old, I could only sing in talent shows as a special guest and couldn’t actually compete until I was 5. I also only sang at county fairs which are only in the summer, so I couldn’t sing any other time of year. The only thing I really was able to do was modeling for Zulily in Seattle. But I wanted to do more, I wanted to act and sing more. Finally when I was able to connect with people in LA it was hard for my mommy and daddy to miss a lot of work and for me to have to miss school in order to travel back and forth. My family had to make a decision to move to LA and through the grace of God, my mommy is now able to stay home with me and I am able to follow my dreams. I also have to make sure that I practice everyday on my acting skills and my voice. I want to make sure that I am able to do my best at every audition and that I stand out in front of casting directors and producers. I know that it takes a lot of work to be able to become a great actress and singer and I feel that if I work hard I can accomplish my goals.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am an actress, singer, and model. I have been blessed to be able to find work, especially since there are so many talented girls and boys my age. I know that you have to work hard to accomplish great things and you have to be surrounded by a good group of people to help you reach your goal. I know I am very blessed and I am very thankful. Since moving to LA two years ago I have been able to work a few modeling jobs, I have worked in a short film, two commercials, been on Netflix’s “Magic for Humans,” Freeforms “Wrap Battle” and worked on two small projects with Disney Digital. I also have been in 3 theater plays, where I had such a good time. I have never had so much fun doing everything I love. Along with acting work, I also have been able to use my voice and sing. I was a finalist in the “Burbank Singing Star” competition and have been working with a great music producer where I have been able to sing covers of great women empowerment songs. My goal is to let young girls and women know that they matter and to never give up and I am happy to be able to use my voice to do that. My future goal is to empower women of all ages with my music and I plan to write many songs to help uplift everyone.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes I think LA is a great place to act, sing and model. There are so many chances to be able to audition for many jobs both big and small. You can perform at different places if you’re a singer, you can meet a lot of people who do the same thing you do and you can explore different things. I was able to find love in theater which is really fun. I also think here in LA there is a big support group for young actors and their parents, and you can also find so many good places to take acting classes, singing lessons, learn to play instruments, anything you want. And the weather is great too! It is so nice to have so many sunny days and to be able to go to the beach anytime. I really would recommend LA to anyone who loves to do what I do. If you stick to your goals and never give up you can do anything. Like my daddy always says “I believe in you!”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ayla_rae_neal/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/AylaCNeal/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UC2sO3tGdyRpDoHpwcS46txA
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