Meet Melissa Niece Smith of Studio City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Niece Smith.

Hi Melissa, 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?
I started acting when I was 12 years old. I always used to reenact musical, and I could memorize all the lines from my favorite movies and TV shows. There was a publication back in the day called Faces International. This was a catalogue that would get mailed and shipped to casting directors, and agents. They, we’re going to each state and picking 25 women, and 25 men including children to audition and be represented by them. I was one of the 25 from Washington State. They provided acting classes and I was featured in two of their publications. So I started going back-and-forth from Washington State to Hollywood! I’ve had the acting bug I’ve ever since. I walked away from acting when I got married and had a child. But in January 2020 I decided to come back to acting and moved to LA in 2023. So far I’ve been in various TV shows. I was in a movie called “The Dream” which won “Best Indie Film Low Budget” at World Cannes Film Festival. And I’m also in a movie that will be coming out this year called “Bodyman” an action film.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve hit more than a few bumps in the road. But I find them as challenges for me to prove to myself that I can do this. I came out of the gate, running with opportunities left and right in 2024. Then in 2025 and now into 2026 it has slowed down quite a bit. But I’m also using this time to work on my craft more and better myself as an actress.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actress for the most part, but I also work part-time for an airline. Acting has always been my love and passion. I am known for roles in “Murder In The Heartland”, “The Dream” and my upcoming film “Bodyman”. I’m most proud of the fact that I took the leap and moved to Los Angeles alone to pursue my dream.. My husband and my son still live in Washington state so I split time between both states. And my husband and son visit me often here in LA. I’m not sure if it sets me apart from others, but one thing I pride myself in is not taking no for an answer. In this industry, I don’t let that discourage me. If anything I accept the challenge and strive harder to be better and not to let that stop me on my path of success.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
They can contact me through my Instagram page melissa.niece.smith or through my business email melissaniecesmith@yahoo.com

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa.niece.smith?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Joe Guerrero