Rising Stars: Meet Bailey Sorrel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Sorrel.

Hi Bailey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! I’ve taken a steady path to get to where I am (with a few exciting detours along the way). My parents like to say I’ve been an actor since the moment I was born. My first role was playing Baby Jesus in our church Christmas pageant. Not to brag, but it brought the house down! I’m very blessed to have grown up in an environment where my creativity was fostered.

I can’t tell you how many ink cartridges I went through printing out the many plays, novels, and sketches I wrote on our old PC. But despite my early interest in writing and performing, I found my way to a professional career in the arts a little later. After enrolling in college as an education major, my passion for film was reignited when I took a film studies course during a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. I was very inspired by the independent films we studied (among them, Beasts of the Southern Wild) and was determined to join the clan of the storyteller. I arranged to finish my education degree in Los Angeles, packing up my life in Denver to student teach with the amazing teachers and students at Crescenta Valley High School. Working there allowed me to test the waters of life in Hollywood and it didn’t take long until I was hooked. When I graduated, I took the leap, vowing to live the rest of my life as an actor, and I’ve been loving it ever since.

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?
I think when we look back at our lives, there are always moments where we wish things had gone a little different and I’m certainly no exception to that. My largest struggle has definitely been my mental health. A few years back, I was diagnosed with PTSD, and it’s been difficult trying to balance my recovery with the demands of my career. But I should also say it’s been incredibly rewarding. Part of the appeal of being an actor is getting to experience the wide range of human emotions in a safe and protected way. There’s a beauty in using my pain points to create something new, something that might be relatable for others, and help us connect and grow. I don’t like saying that everything happens for a reason because there are truly awful things happening to truly undeserving people. But I am an avid believer that we can use all of the experiences in our lives to create some good. So that’s what I aim to do.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I just had the opportunity to return to set for the first time since the initial Stay-At-Home order, and it’s been a real treat. I’m normally known for my comedy work, but this film, Staycation, follows the tragic love story of a couple unwillingly separated due to a global crisis. It’s been very fulfilling to explore a darker side, and I cannot wait for the film’s release. To balance things out, I’ve been spending my free time writing comedy bits about life during COVID. I love finding the ways in which different aspects of our world can collide and intersect in unexpected ways. My favorite piece so has been a character exploration of Greek myths meeting the coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully, it brings a little joy into the world.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I spent years of my life desperately wanting a mentor. It took me a while to realize that a mentorship needs time to develop, and it’s an organic thing. A mentorship doesn’t have to be this magic connection between you and a wise, all-knowing sage. I actually think it’s most successful when it’s with someone who is just a few steps ahead of you. So I started spending time with people whose work I admire, asking for advice when appropriate, but mostly just lending support. If you find the ways in which you can contribute to the relationship, I’ve found a mentorship will grow from there.

Contact Info:

• Website: baileysorrel.com
• Instagram: @baileysorrel

Image Credits
Rogelio Valdez Perez Robert Kazandjian Johnny Ciccone