Daily Inspiration: Meet Chasnie Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chasnie Houston.

Hi Chasnie, 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?
So I come from a very talented family. Singers, actors, musicians, and fashion designers. I always wondered why I thirst for the arts ever since I was four years old. I remember telling my mom I wanted to do what Raven Simone does on TV. I didn’t know at the tender age of four, it was called ACTING. I love entertaining my family, whether it was singing, acting or dancing.

As I got older, I wanted to do more with my passion for acting. My mother searched for really great acting classes for me to start taking, I was in showcases that showed my talent and eventually, I signed with a Talent Agency in Atlanta, GA. I was so very excited and couldn’t wait to start auditioning. Let’s just say I did not miss my calling!! I landed my first guest starring role when I was 14 on the CW network “Containment”, the next year I landed a supporting role on TVOne “When Love Kills the Falicia Blakey story”, directed by the phenomenal actress Tasha Smith. Then as time went by auditions for me became very slow. It was like a dry season for two years and I became very depressed and discouraged. I kept grinding, taking acting classes and just trying to stay polished. My mother became concerned about my acting career as well and we both agreed that maybe my time was up in Atlanta and we both said, let’s see what LA has to offer me. My parents began to work really hard, saving everything that came their way. I couldn’t shop at my favorite stores, I had to sacrifice a lot! Ended up shopping at Goodwill sometimes and even creating pieces from old clothes that I had.

After two years of my parents saving their money so we could move to LA, we finally left Atlanta on August 7th, 2019 scared to death of possibly making the biggest mistake of our life😂 but we trust God and had faith in the purpose and plans of my life as for my acting career! My parents rented a Penske truck as well as drove our Dodge Caravan to LA. It was a 33 hour drive. It was all worth it! LA was the best thing that ever happened to me and my family. Once we got settled in LA. My mother reached out to an awesome talent agency and I signed with them like the very next day as well as getting signed with a great Talent Management company. I must say I have the best team ever! I hit the ground running booking a lead role in a movie recently entitled “Hotline” and an episodic /supporting role in a tv show “DoubleCross” which shows on a very popular streaming network “UMC”. I play “LaLa” the daughter of Actor Darren Henson on season 2 and 3. Season 2 is approaching soon so stay tuned in to UMC for the update. I am so thankful for having a supportive mother and father and taking a risk in moving from one state to another not know what the outcome would be. So far, it’s looking like a blessing! LA is now my official home. I’m currently still working on set. Looking forward to more bookings! Love you LA!!!

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?
No, it hasn’t especially with the pandemic hitting the world. It’s been somewhat a struggle when it comes to booking auditions and getting booked for the job, however having to wait for production to start due to the rules and regulations of SAG. Having to do my self-tapes at home instead of utilizing a professional self-taping service due to businesses shutting down. It’s hard to self-tape at home with family making a lot of noise, so much going on. It’s not the same as using a professional taping service.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actress! I just recently booked a lead role for a movie entitled “Hotline” in which it will be out in theaters in 2021. Don’t know what month yet. I’m so proud of my family for believing in me and taking a leap of faith when my parents decided to move to LA so I can have bigger opportunities in booking bigger roles. I’m maintaining my craft by staying grounded in taking coaching sessions as well as watching great mystery movies in which I can learn from.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Omg yes! To cherish the lives of your family as well as yours. You don’t know when you’re going to leave this world or when your loved ones are going to leave this world! I’ve also learned to do my own self-tapes after eight months of not having access to a professional self-taping service. Being creative at home when it comes to marketing and branding myself instead of paying someone for these things, I’ve learned to do them myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @officialchasniehouston
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Actress-Chasnie-Houston-756798214343110/

Image Credits
@npearcypics -Nathan Pearcy @michaelroudphotography Michael Roud