Today we’d like to introduce you to Charvelle Holder.
Charvelle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I always knew I was here for two things: 1, to entertain the masses and 2, to spread joy. I didn’t know how, but I sure did dream about all of the possibilities. My love for acting came in the 8th grade when I was cast in our middle school’s production of “The Hobbit” as Gandalf (because I was the tallest to audition). The process of getting into character, memorizing lines, being part of a cast, and the energy of performing in front of a live audience triggered a new addiction. I had also always been a writer, first being published with a work of poetry in the fifth grade. I continued on to attend the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and then on to Emerson College where I majored in Broadcast Journalism, convinced by my family that an acting degree was not a good idea. But I couldn’t escape my passion for it, and so my master plan – after a family vacation to Los Angeles, where I fell in love with the city – was to move to LA after college. Thankfully Emerson had an LA program that allowed me to do my final semester in the city, and while here I secured a job and apartment allotting for a seamless transition upon graduation.
Working in Hollywood, a customer came in and told me to look into plus-size modeling because it was becoming increasingly normalized. I did just that and within a month had booked my first fashion show in LA Fashion Week, and my modeling career started. I figured if I could get enough work as a model, I could transition into commercials and then into TV and Film. While it took much longer than I anticipated, after six years I finally pivoted into commercials and even a couple of music videos. Now that I have 10 years in Los Angeles, I’ve finally started getting casted in short films and plays, with my heart and mission still set on TV and Film. Since I didn’t get a degree in acting, I’ve continued to train at the many studios/schools in Los Angeles. I completed all of the improv levels at the Groundlings and now find myself regularly training at the Speiser Sturges Acting Studio under Indrani DeSouza. I’m currently signed to BiCoastal Management for modeling and Sovereign Talent Group for Commercials & Talent.
Along this journey I also found the art of Tarot Reading, previously a client, I felt drawn to it. I come from a long line of prophetic dreamers, and when my grandmother passed she informed me I was the next in line to be granted our gifts. Sure enough, upon her passing, my dreams became like big blockbusters every night, but I didn’t know what was being relayed and just felt chaos. I decided to try my hand at the Tarot and instantly felt it ground me, and allow me to create a space where I could channel my gifts to provide insight and answers to myself and others about life’s ups and downs. I’ve been passionately providing joy through tarot for the past five years while also continuing to model and audition for commercials and films.
I’m gearing up now to bring a short series I’ve written to life. I”ll be shooting the pilot soon in an effort to crowd-fund to be able to make the remaining nine episodes. I’ve also been married for nearly five years to my adoring husband Gerry. I couldn’t have done nearly half of what I have without him in my corner, cheering me on when I had little hope left and believing in me and what I’m capable of, often more than I even did.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and I don’t really think it would be worth it if it had been. My journey has taken far longer than I anticipated and was full of being taken advantage of by clients, poor working conditions, lots of rejection, debt, and giving way more than I’m receiving. It’s definitely made me stronger, and smarter, and I like to think it was all preparing me for the beast that is Hollywood. As a plus-size model, I endured many obstacles; being too small, too big, too much eczema, hair too short, etc. And the real prize is being able to come out on the other side with a strong sense of self, still in tact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actress, plus size model, a writer, and a tarot reader. To survive in these industries, you have to be a multi-hyphenate, and I’m determined to make all of my streams of income things that bring me joy. I truly believe there’s room for everyone at the table, and also believe that we all have something special. I’ve always felt what we now call Main Character Energy, but have always been determined to use it to help people. I want to tell stories that we haven’t told yet and give a voice to the voiceless. I want to explore what it means to be human with art that can reach the masses, and show even the loneliest person that they’re not alone in feeling what they feel or going through what they’re enduring. I believe my heart is what sets me apart. I feel so deeply, and have always followed my heart, and allowed it to show for the world to see. Compassion is something that often feels lacking in the world, and I try to put it first. If you can’t feel the love from my story, my performance, or my reading then you should ask me what’s wrong.
How do you define success?
Success to me means getting to do what I love to provide for myself and family. It’s living at a level of comfort while simultaneously pushing myself to always learn more and be better.
Pricing:
- $33/Tarot Reading, zoom or in-person
- $150/hr for Tarot Reading at parties
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecharvelle.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thecharvelle/ http://www.instagram.com/sirensaystarot
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCharvelle/
Image Credits
Cristos Watson, Isaiah Mays, Joanna Degeneres, Raul Romo, BrassyBra, LIVD Apparel
