Exploring Life & Business with Chanell Bird Bell of Vonney Vachel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanell Bird Bell.

Hi Chanell Bird, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

My name is Chanell Bell and I’m a filmmaker. My work centers queer narratives and black voices. I explore themes of rebellion, resurgence, and reconciliation through the lens of sci-fi, fantasy and dark comedy.  My work is meant to be a guiding light as we all work through the darkness of our souls. My work is meant to humor and spark curious wonder in the hearts of mankind. My work empowers, disillusions, and informs. I use multimedia to express stories that matter to me and I love collaborating with like minded artists.

My journey as an artist started at 9 years old. I was in the 3rd grade watching a play done for kids by kids. It was the first time I’d seen someone like me take up that much space and in that moment I knew I was to devote my life to the art of storytelling.

By nine years old I had written a one woman (girl) play that I adapted from my favorite Goosebumps book called “Stay Out of the Basement”. I performed the piece in a local talent show and won Best Actress. By ten, I had written a full length play that was selected to be produced at my elementary school and in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera House. By twelve, I began writing short stories, poems, songs, and essays, some of which got me featured in my state wide newspaper. But by the time I reached high school, my parents, unsure of how successful I’d be as a professional actor based on statistics, made me bargain to study at a Math & Science Magnet high school in case I needed something to “fall back on”. I obliged them, finished high school with honors, and then moseyed on down to the illustrious Howard University (U KNOW), where I finally got to immerse myself in nothing but my craft. This experience deepened my love for black stories and opened my eyes to the complex experiences within the black diaspora. I graduated with my BFA in Acting, however, it would take my years before I would become the professional artist I always wanted to be.

After Howard I moved to Los Angeles with the idea that my star would rise instantly. But LA humbled me, quickly. I worked odd jobs, serving jobs, teaching jobs, cleaning jobs, and in my downtime I wrote and wrote and wrote. But after seven years of hard work and no payoff, I decided to quit show business and travel the world.

I left LA and I lived abroad for one year backpacking through 13 countries. This time was a gift that connected me to people from all walks of life. During this time I got to travel to the Continent and connect to a small tribe in Kigali Rwanda that would bless me with a native name and an adoption into my lost heritage. The most auspicious person I met during this was myself.

Abroad is where I began to get clear about who I was as an artist. I shed all the things I thought I was supposed to be and had been indoctrinated to be. I got to focus on life and the art that is found in nature, in human laughter, in hardship, in need, in erotic love, in friendship, in long walks, in flowers, in midnight star filled skies.

After a year I returned to the States. I auditioned for grad school, through the firm, loving and unwavering advice of my mentors Scott and Angela Robinson Whitehurst. In 2015 I moved to Chicago, entered a master’s program at the Theatre School of DePaul. It was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life.

Today I live as a professional actor, director, and filmmaker in Los Angeles. I have been on stages all over the US and worked on some of the hottest shows on television. Currently I am independently producing a film series called “Test Pilot” that asks us to consider the rocky road social media and AI advancements leads us down. I now identify myself as a Creative Director and independent film producer in addition to actor and writer. I am also a business owner, a sister, a daughter, a friend, an aunt, an auntie, a humanitarian, and I am proud of the impact my journey has had on artists and audiences alike.

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?In my profession, the no’s far exceed the yeses and those no’s can start to feel like “not you, ew” rather than “not this, not now”. The no’s cloud the way I value my work and rather than measuring myself by the evolution of my craft I am tempted to measure myself by evidence of bookings. The challenge therein lies by always esteeming myself and seeing myself as enough no matter what.

We’ve been impressed with Vonney Vachel, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vonney Vachel is an online apothecary that offers self-care, energy wellness, and chakra nurturing products. All products in our catalogue (candles, creams, oils, scrubs, smudge bundles, teas, and more) are made by black and brown artisans from all over the world. Each month I personally curate a selection of products that pair well to give my customers the perfect bundle to nourish the soul.

I launched Vonney Vachel back in 2020 as a way to offer paths of healing that black Americans so righteously deserve. George Floyd had just been murdered and I wanted to actively participate in healing our communities.

Vonney Vachel was named after my grandmother and mother. We are currently closed for rebranding with an intention to relaunch in the near future.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
What I learned through Covid was to take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. The Pandemic released me from a lot of worry. I had shows on deck, callbacks on deck, gigs down the pipeline, and in an instance it was all gone. We have no idea what any one day can hold. So I’ve learned in this way to let go and just be here now.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Chanellbell
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@chanellbell5753