Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Shamoun.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My parents would tell you that I’ve been performing since I came out of the womb. I was the kid in the cul-de-sac who would put on plays for the neighborhood, forcing our families to endure an hour of “Candyland” the Musical. I just remember being really young and obsessing over tv/film. I would memorize my favorite films front to back after school and was always involved in the drama dept. Fast forward to High School, and I’m enrolled in commercial workshops, had my first agent, and got into UCLA’s Theater, Film, and Television dept for Undergrad, with an emphasis in Acting. Since graduating, I’ve signed with Brave Artists Management, Buchwald, and have become a member of sag-aftra.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road! Like any job, it has its ups and downs. Financially, emotionally. You want to level up but don’t always know how to. It’s hard because, as an actor, I was never taught to look at myself as a business, or that the path I chose was a career. Just as rigorous as any other. I always knew it was what I wanted to do with my life, but it’s not as cut and dry as becoming a Lawyer or Veterinarian. However, there are many different avenues to go down, ways to act and perform which I am grateful for.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I act! And I love it. I produced and directed in college, but I really enjoy being in front of the camera. You can find me on ABC’s Black-ish, Disney’s Sydney To The Max, and in #BlackAF on Netflix. I have a couple of other projects coming out that you can check out on my IMDb as well! I feel like what sets me apart from other actors is my look and versatility. I’m trained in the Theater, so I’ve studied Shakespeare and Moliere, dialects and accents, contemporary and film work. I’m an African American Woman who’s got curves and curls. I rarely see similar looking people to me up on the screen.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’d say we are indefinitely transitioning to self-tapes. I see TV having an even stronger presence than it does now as well. Due to movie theaters struggling, maybe companies like Amazon or Disney will buy out theatrical releases of major blockbuster films, putting them on their platforms instead. Or perhaps they’ll seek to own the actual theaters themselves. The entertainment industry is definitely going through a transition right now that’s for sure.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonshamoun/
- Other: www.imdb.me/madisonshamoun
Image Credit:
David Mueller, Lowell Taylor, Forrest Leo
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
