Life & Work with Bella Glanville of West Hollywood, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Glanville

Hi Bella, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At age fourteen, I ran a foundation called ‘Lovekidz,’ offering workshops and talks to children to help them develop self-confidence and self-love. On the day I gave my first workshop, I was scouted as a model while walking down the street, which was a crazy coincidence. I signed with Milk Management and ended up modeling nearly full-time alongside my studies. This allowed me to work with some of my favourite brands like Stella McCartney, Topshop, Adidas, and Gucci, while also traveling to places like Sydney, Paris, and Miami. I shared my experiences in both modelling and motivational speaking to educate kids about the realities of the industry and the importance of not comparing themselves to unattainable standards. This led me to give a TED talk in Pennsylvania, which resulted in three more talks in Texas and London.

In addition to my other work, I’ve always had a strong passion for performing. Growing up, I trained in improv and musical theater at Questor’s Theatre in Ealing, a renowned training ground for many notable names. I performed in several shows there and continued my involvement in theatre at university. I also entered film at the age of eighteen.

Throughout my degree, I found myself increasingly drawn to performing, particularly in film. Having met numerous people in Hollywood and raised by opera singer parents, I felt a calling towards this path. Since 2020, I’ve been represented by Mary Liz Management. Mary Liz and her team have been incredible, securing me a significant role acting alongside Jamie Demetriou in his Netflix show ‘A Whole Lifetime’ and taking a comprehensive approach to client care. They also recognised my writing and hired me for their own productions. I frequently cast actors from Mary Liz’s roster in my own short films. Throughout, I’ve continued to write and produce films, one of which won the New York Cinematography Awards and the London Film Festival. Other notable roles I’ve had include parts in ‘Ted Lasso,’ the upcoming ‘Geek Girl’ on Netflix, and an ITV crime drama.

As for my writing, I’m currently developing two features and an exciting sitcom, but that’s all I can share for now.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You are constantly rejected in this industry but the way I see it, rejection is redirection onto something better. As actors, performers, anyone in this industry, we are almost told that we are not good enough on a weekly basis (even if they phrase it in their own way). But I rephrase this too. I never think that I am not ‘good enough’ for something. When they are casting roles, it is the same as a modelling shoot. There is always such a specific look, chemistry, height, accent, etc that they are going for that often it is never about you or your talent. I once received some great advice from a casting director. He lined a bunch of actors up in a row and asked us who the ‘couple would be’. When we answered, he asked us why we chose those two actors to be a couple. The answer was just that it ‘looked right’. Very often in this industry (in face the majority of the time), people who reach the finals are only not chosen because they simply don’t ‘look right’ next to their co-star.

Rejection is redirection. I’ll say it again. It is redirection onto a role that is right for you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d say the biggest thing that sets me apart is the way that I entered the industry. I really believe that if you want something, you can make it happen if every decision that you make is in favour of that.

I came from modelling and musical theatre, I went into motivational speaking at a young age and that got me into reality TV. I got a platform from this but I never did a performing arts degree. It was actually in psychology.

When you are a performer, you can’t not do it. It is in your soul. I knew that this is what I wanted to do. So, I made every decision in favour of becoming an actress. I wrote my own short films, I produced and filmed them and I made a showreel. I gathered these and a package to send to agents, including commercials and Netflix shows I’d done. I knew I would find my own way to make this happen.

How do you define success?
Success is fulfilment. Success without fulfilment isn’t success. It’s a mental failure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bellaglanville.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellaglanville
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bellaglanville

Image Credits
(White fluffy coat photos) Emily Holloway