Rising Stars: Meet Sam Harding

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Harding.

Hi Sam, 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?
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and started acting in local theater productions at age 8. I ironically hated it at first cause I hated going to rehearsals, and I thought it was just boring because I was just a part of the choir. Once I got into costume, the lights were up, and I had my first show; I had a feeling in my heart I could never replace. That feeling was joy, pure joy, and passion. I fell in love with performing. So, I continued to do musicals/plays every year because I loved it so much. I Would do sometimes up to 3 shows a year. However, when I was 11, I was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease called “PANDAS.” That changed my life forever. PANDAS is an autoimmune disease that is caused by the strep virus and infects your bloodstream leading to swelling in the brain. This affects the movements that my body makes on an everyday basis resulting in Tourette-like symptoms with motor and verbal tics.

Being an actor that is a nightmare this disease caused me to be very depressed at a very young age. I was terrified to go in public because I was embarrassed by my tics and people always staring at me like I wasn’t normal. I would say honestly, I hated my life. Being so young no one understanding me my age resulting in bullying and doctors not knowing of my disease being sent home from children’s mercy with no answers over and over again. I felt so alone. However, I built up the courage to audition for a small local theaters production of “Princess Bride” I was so nervous. However, I got cast as the “Sick kid” ironically. This was my first speaking role ever. I was terrified. Thinking to myself what if I make noises on stage what if everyone laughs at me. I wanted to quit. My parents always told me to go for my dreams and tell the world no and defy the odds so I did just that. I went to all the rehearsals and I started to notice my tics would go away as I gave the lines. The opening night came along sold-out venue with over 700 people and I was balling in my dressing room mortified I would embarrass myself. However, I pushed through and went on stage and for the first time in years, felt like I was at peace. My tics were gone people were noticing me now not as someone to laugh at or give strange looks to; they enjoyed watching me, they clapped for me, they laughed at my funny lines and my tics were gone for those short moments of dialogue.

After that show, I knew this is what I am going to do for the rest of my life. I was only 13 after that first opening night. After that, I started to do shows after shows after shows, bigger theaters, better theaters, professional theaters then commercials on tv, short films, independent features I fell involved with film. I wanted to take my career to the next level so I moved to LA after I graduated high school in 2020. As I have been here, I have had the honor of working with Damien Chazelle, Brad Pitt, Adrian Brody, and Margot Robbie. I make music as well and released my first single “Fly Away” on all platforms as well as a music video for “Fly Away”. I am currently releasing my second single “Thought of Me” and plan to release an entire six songs EP by the end of 2022. I have been very blessed with the opportunities I have gotten working as an actor in LA. I still have tics. I still get upset about them occasionally however I will never let them stop me from achieving my dreams. I want to be the voice for kids with disabilities and show them that they can do anything they put their mind to truthfully because I am just a kid from Kansas City with the world telling me I have a broken voice I could never use it for any good. To now, being a working actor and singer in LA doing nothing but using what is broken.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t easy at all like I stated before. Growing up with Pandas made it an everyday struggle. Not just from acting and performing but just everyday life learning to grow mentally with this disability that came on later in life.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actor and singer. I am known for my local commercials In Kansas City and the award-winning short film “Withdrawl”. I am currently most proud of my recent music video “Fly Away” and my performance in a new unreleased short film I starred in called “Scene 25r” coming out in 2022. What sets me apart from others is proving the odds wrong. Using my disabilities as something to push me harder. Having a unique approach to my acting abilities and making a new unique sound to music with my upcoming work.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is watching Jim Carrey movies with my dad. Jim Carrey is one of my first inspirations for acting.

Contact Info:

• Email: samhardingacting@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8809829/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sam_harding_/
• Other: https://youtu.be/eGeFXbg_UTM