Today we’d like to introduce you to Selina Elise Fraga
Selina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
According to my Mom, it all started when I was one year old. Selena Quintanilla was performing “Como La Flor” on TV and while she was in the kitchen cooking, she heard some mumbling and singing coming from the living room. Of course, she dropped what she was doing to come check it out and lo and behold, it was yours truly trying to mimic every word Selena was belting into her microphone. My Mom and I looked at each other, smiled, and I continued singing.
As I grew older, I would blast music in my room and in the car on my way to school while singing at the top of my lungs. To be honest, my twin brother and my mom didn’t appreciate it so early in the morning but for me it was an everyday concert and my chance to perform. When I was nine, The Disney Channel was life! Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven, and High School Musical were a few of my favorite shows/movies. I admired and looked up to performers such as Hillary Duff, Raven Symone, and the cast of HSM. I always wondered how they got to be so lucky to have such a fun job. And that’s when my acting bug kicked in. I loved going to Blockbuster to rent DVDs. Watching the behind the scenes features was an absolute must! I found it very interesting to see how multiple scenes were put together to create such a masterpiece. Acting and singing had grabbed my full attention and it was time to tell my parents.
When I told my Dad my dreams of becoming an actress, he said I could be whoever I wanted to be and that anything I wanted in life was possible. After that conversation, my dad surprised me with a drum set, a keyboard, and a microphone. My mom took me to guitar lessons, band class, and all of my theater rehearsals. Alas, I officially started acting in 2009 during my freshman year at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. I always made sure to take advantage of every opportunity presented in the theater. If I wasn’t on stage in a production, I was working behind the scenes.
In my senior year of 2012, I performed two monologues in front of 50 colleges in hopes that this was my ticket to a great film school! The callback sheet was finally posted and to my amazement, tons of film schools were interested in having me. The New York Film Academy (NYFA) caught my eye because of their offered programs on the backlot of Universal Studios and it was in Los Angeles, California. California has been my dream state since seventh grade. After I graduated, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles to attend NYFA. One of my greatest accomplishments in college was my thesis project. It was a short film titled “Familia Por Vida” which I wrote, produced, and starred in. My film became a finalist in many film festivals. I won Best Actress at The Real Time Film Festival and also won Best Narrative Short Film at the Mexico International Film Festival! I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelors Of Fine Arts with Honors.
Fast forward to 2020. I released my first album called, “Shine”, which is available on all streaming platforms! It took a lot of strength to gain confidence to release such a personal project. I was dealing with so much in my personal and acting life that it led to frustration. All of this drove me to pouring my soul on paper and 8 songs later, I had a whole album before I knew it!
Acting agencies looked at me from head to toe. I was called fat, constant racial and inappropriate remarks were made, they attempted to control my vision, I was treated less than, taken advantage of, sexualized and the list goes on. Enough was enough! I love acting but I’m not a fan of the business aspect of it. This album was inspired by all my experiences during that rough time. I wasn’t strong enough in those particular moments to stand up for myself like I should have. And unfortunately, it took a toll on my mental health. I was lost, drained, and just not myself. I hit my breaking point and immediately started writing my first song to remind myself how I shine in my own ways! “Shine” is my diary unfolded, a declaration of self-love, positivity, self-acceptance and knowing your worth.
I am still currently creating my own projects that involve both acting and singing! I am so proud of all the challenges I have overcome during my journey here in L.A. I couldn’t have made it this far without my family, my friends, and their continuous love and support. I am living my dream as we speak!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My road has been very bumpy and filled with lots of twists and turns. Moving to California was an exciting dream that came true but nerve-wracking at the same time. From not knowing many people who lived in California to leaving my family, friends, and everything I knew in Texas. It was the biggest leap and risk I have ever taken in my whole life thus far. I knew I would be alright though because I had a guardian angel watching over me, My Dad.
My Dad passed away when I was thirteen years old. For the longest time, I was in a state of sadness, shock, and confusion. How could someone, let alone my own dad suddenly be gone? He had just said “good night, I love you” the night before. From that moment on, I knew my life wouldn’t be the same. Accomplishments, failures, and everything in between without him was and still is an everyday struggle. Strong faith was instilled in me at such a young age and I never gave up on it. I may have drifted away for a moment to question God on why He had taken my dad away but I found my way back. Losing my dad actually led me deeper into my spiritual journey. What I have learned is that grieving will be a lifelong process and that time heals all. You have to pick up the pieces, carry on, and live your best life. “Keep your head up” like he used to say. My dad may not be here physically but I know he’s shining down on me from above. He’s always with me and will forever be in the front row while I perform. I love you Papi!
I have sacrificed plenty throughout my time here in California. One example being, having to share a 400 sq. ft. studio apartment for the first four years in L.A with three to four roommates at a time. I basically lived in a corner and we all shared one bathroom. I did not have a car and I currently am still without one. Public transportation is my friend. I walked to school, work, and the grocery store. Sometimes I’d miss the bus and I’d be stuck for another hour waiting for the next one to arrive. Getting around hasn’t been easy all these years but I make it work. Shoutout to public transportation, Lyfts, and Ubers! I’m so thankful for y’all!
I was a full-time college student and worked as a shoe sales clerk. Later, I even added another job to my list. School, work, acting classes and auditions ran my life. When I lived at home back in Texas, I was very fortunate enough for my mom who did everything for me. My laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, etc. Thank you Mommy! When I moved out here on my own, it was a reality check. I had to grow up fast or else I’d be screwed. I definitely lost a lot of weight because all I knew how to cook were eggs! I had to buckle down, learn how to budget, withdraw money, do laundry, and go to the doctor alone! What I really needed was a book on how to survive for dummies! Adulting in the real world was a rude awakening for sure!
I still experience many losses, tragedy, health-related issues, and friendships/relationships that come and go. It’s a never-ending rollercoaster! It’s been super hectic, chaotic, and exhausting but it’s well worth it.
During this pandemic, the acting world has shut down and going to the music studio wasn’t an option. A lot of my projects have been put on hold for the meantime. So I’ve definitely made this time useful for creating homemade projects. I bought studio equipment to learn how to record from home and even started writing my second album! I have started writing scripts, learned how to do resin art, anything to keep my creative juices flowing! I have a lot in the works! Where there’s a will, there’s a way! As long as I still have the opportunity to chase my dreams, I’m happy! Success cannot be achieved without failure. It hasn’t been rainbows and butterflies in this crazy city! I’m determined to continue my journey and watch my dreams blossom into reality.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m an actress, singer, songwriter, musician, filmmaker, editor and director! I’m an artist and creator! These are the things I’m most passionate about! Creating a film or lyrics where I can transport a viewer or listener into another dimension is my goal. I aim to provide an escape from their reality, even if it’s just momentarily. It just makes me come alive!
I am most proud of my bravery, perseverance, and commitment in the art world! I believe I am a walking business and company. I go to countless meetings for projects. Some that I myself, have developed and some that other fellow artists have created. I show up, represent myself and be the boss I was born to be. I am fully represented and have such a wonderful team who supports me in the acting industry. One day I will run my own film production company and collaborate with many artists to create magic! I believe that the world is truly a better place when everyone is their best self. When something ignites that fire inside of you, that’s the feeling worth chasing!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am a true believer that there cannot be any good without the bad. They go hand in hand. For me personally, I prefer calling luck, good and bad, “blessings.” I believe God has played a major role in exactly where I am today. He directs me in the right places according to His time. When miracles do happen, I’m able to share and spread His goodness out into the world. God plus hard work provides me with endless opportunities! I even consider “bad luck” to be blessings in disguise. I accept them, deal, learn, heal, grow, and utilize them for inspiration. I treasure both the good and the bad experiences. Without them, depth would definitely be lacking in my pieces of work.
Pricing:
- Selina Elise – Shine signed hard copy of CD – $10.00 with 2 free stickers!
- Selina Elise – Shine digital album on iTunes store-$8.91
Contact Info:
- Website: www.selinaelise.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: selinaelise
Image Credit:
XPOZD Photography, Indian Swift, Gus Sanchez, Klik Studio Photography
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