Check Out Shannon “Shay” Held’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon “Shay” Held.

Hi Shannon “Shay”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began acting when I was around nine years old. My mother became close friends with another parent whose had a son who went to kindergarten with my younger brother. She loved my brother’s bright red hair and suggested introducing him to her son’s agent. Before long, both my brother and I were auditioning, interviewing, and booking work.

My brother worked on projects with people such as MC Hammer and appeared in major-label print ads, while I booked national-brand commercials and television roles. Some of my early work included Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, where I appeared in episodes including “Orphan Train.” My brother and I were both fortunate to be part of several Dr. Quinn episodes, and I have such warm memories of the wonderful people we met there. I will always be grateful to my parents for supporting us and taking us to set.

Later in life, I returned to the industry through background work, thanks to a good friend who taught me the process and helped connect me with casting opportunities. During the 2000s, I had the chance to work on several great productions, including an episode of Desperate Housewives, where I also did background and minor stunt work.

Today, I work in independent film, where I perform all of my own stunts, literally. From background and voice roles to main characters. It has been an incredible journey, and I’m thankful for every opportunity that has brought me here.

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?
Not at all. I’ve gone in and out of the industry more times than I can count. Over the years, I’ve worked in film and television in both credited and uncredited roles, and every stage of the journey has come with its own challenges.

One of the hardest parts is navigating the promises people make. You may help someone get work, build a real connection, and be told that they will bring you onto their next project only to never hear from them again. Honestly, ghosting in this industry can be worse than anything you would experience in dating. I have also found, as the creator and artist behind Captured in Treasure, that this happens across all kinds of creative mediums. It especially hit home with my art collections. I watched concepts I started ideas that initially had no tags and could not be found anywhere online that you start tagging become completely saturated within six months. At the same time, people who reinvented those ideas without acknowledging where the inspiration came from seemed to take off quickly.

Another challenge is staying original in a business that often rewards what is familiar. You would think the person who creates something first the one who sets the standard would always be recognized for it. But that is not always how it works. Sometimes, the person who repackages an original idea or makes it more marketable gets the credit and attention instead. It can be discouraging, but you keep creating, keep evolving, and continue forward. At the end of the day, no one can duplicate your full story, your purpose, or the unique perspective you bring to your work.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multifaceted creative professional working across acting, modeling, photography, visual art, writing, invention, and production. I have recently added producer to my list of roles, expanding my involvement from performing in front of the camera to helping develop and bring creative projects to life behind the scenes.

My work spans film, television, independent productions, magazines, digital media, and entrepreneurship. I am also the creator of Shay’s Late Night Shit Show, a comedy and entertainment platform that brings together unusual characters, horror, humor, and storytelling. Through projects such as Shay’s Midnight Macabre, my art collections, photography, and other creative ventures, I continue to explore different forms of expression while building worlds and experiences that are distinctly my own.

In addition to my creative work, I have pursued education, certifications, and professional experience in a variety of fields over the years. I am also an inventor, which reflects my natural curiosity and interest in developing new ideas and solutions. I am proud of the range of skills I have developed and the fact that I have continued to evolve rather than limit myself to one title or discipline.

What sets me apart is my ability to move comfortably between multiple roles. I am not only an actress, model, artist, photographer, inventor, or producer, I am someone who can contribute creatively, practically, and strategically at every stage of a project. I am highly adaptable, hands-on, and committed to bringing originality, personality, and a strong point of view to everything I create.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Honestly, not really. I do listen to certain podcasts, but mostly for entertainment rather than motivation or self-improvement. I enjoy hearing different perspectives, but I don’t necessarily follow them with the expectation that they will inspire me to change or do something specific.

Books are different. I love to learn, so I’m always drawn to them and enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. I used to be a huge bookworm, but after my maternal grandmother passed away, reading became more complicated for me. I still haven’t finished the book we were reading together, and I suppose part of me isn’t ready to. It may sound small, but that book carries a lot of personal meaning.

As for apps, I generally use practical tools for research, communication, and making certain tasks a little easier. I appreciate resources that support the process without taking away from the experience itself. For me, the most valuable resources are the ones that enhance my life while still leaving room for curiosity, independent thought, and genuine hands-on learning. I also do use everyday social media outlets too much (admittedly). I do need to communicate with family, friends and fans. I am a creative, it is part of the job description.

Speaking of practical resources, all of my important links are just one click away. Visit the first link to access my Beacons page, where you can find everything you need to know about me, including my IMDb profile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/shayslatenightshitshow
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/Shayxo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sshayxo
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayheld?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDtibSZFjs-3gitcws-M3yw
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591353056488&mibextid=wwXIfr