Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian de la Celle.
Hi Julian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Los Angeles but moved around quite a bit growing up; New Orleans, New York, various places in LA and Long Beach and then all over Europe (my dad is from Bordeaux, France). After moving back to LA when I was around 10, I started pursuing theatre in school and very quickly realized acting was what I wanted to do, or at least I knew I was having the most fun doing it. I convinced my mom to help me get into the film and television side of things and I was lucky enough to begin working in various television shows for most of my teens.
I took a bit of a break from acting after high school to start a men’s fashion and music magazine called FOXES with my mom Tina. We did that for about seven years, traveling between London and LA. I was the Editor-in-Chief throughout that time, conducting interviews, choosing talent and laying out the magazine / putting it all together. I loved my time at the magazine, which is still going (now led by Tina and our photographer friend Wanda Martin), but I realized towards the end I had been neglecting my true passion for acting, as well as music and starting my own band.
So now, at 26 years old, I’m fully invested back into acting (I actually just booked my first legitimate acting job in 6 years last month!) and I even started my own band called Secret Smiles. It’s a sort of Velvet Underground meets The White Stripes meets The Gun Club sound. We’re set to start recording this month so people can actually listen to our music! I also play bass in another project called Position Nuit.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely had my share of obstacles, and I still do. I just think my outlook and perspective has changed. I realize now that, even though it’s not always easy to think this way, I can only worry about the things I have control over. So for acting, that means not stressing or getting stuck on an audition tape after I’ve sent it in. I’ve done the work, I did my best, now it’s really not up to me anymore. I think with acting the main struggle is just keeping yourself mentally healthy, not taking things too personally, and having thick enough skin while also keeping yourself open emotionally. I didn’t work for 6, almost 7 years. I thought for sure my luck had run out, but then I booked an HBO show last month and it re-energized me and showed me that this crazy career path is attainable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor, mainly. I’ve appeared in Ugly Betty, Heroes, How To Get Away With Murder, Blackish and The Fosters.
I also play music in two bands (my own where I sing and play guitar called Secret Smiles, and one I play bass in called Position Nuit).
I also really love video editing. I used to work at a small boutique company called SLAQR that edited mostly promos and trailers for companies like HBO and TBS. It was really fun work and I’m always looking to do more of that work if it comes my way.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There’s a podcast that I really enjoy called In The Envelope by Backstage. It’s actually one of there major reasons I decided to take acting seriously again after listening to the episode with Jonathan Majors. There’s a new host now (we miss you, Jack Smart!) so I haven’t listened to as many of the newer episodes but definitely check it out if you’re interested in the actor’s journey and coming from people who are quite big now.
I also can’t recommend The Artist Way enough; it was another reason I decided to change my career path and get back on track with acting and music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julian.delacelle/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7gpFtur1xI-ibua43oWK0A
Image Credits
Main Photo: Wanda Martin — 3rd (orange sweater) & 4th (group photo with black and white fuzzy sweater) Photo: Wanda Martin 5th photo: Wolfe and Von 6th Photo: Larry Niehues
