Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Cruz.
Hi Bella, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in AL and since starting dance school at the tender age of two years old, I knew I wanted to be a working performer. I started out dancing and choreographing professionally and eventually moved into acting full-time last year. I’ve had all kinds of performing jobs in between from singing on a cruise ship to roller skating professionally for tv and film. As an optioned writer, I started a production company (Bellavision LLC) out of necessity when I wasn’t booking the types of jobs I deserved. I have a short film “180” currently making its way through festivals and I’ve been winning best actress and best writing for a few of them.
My mother was a singer. She gave up her dream to raise me. There were times when I was quite small that I would accompany my her to jobs when babysitters would cancel. I’m sure I caught the performing bug from those times I’d be given a mic during those visits.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even a little bit. While I’ve been chasing this dream both my parents died (four months apart) and I had to find a way to survive cancer without their guidance. During this time I lost all the financial gains I’d made including all my real estate, I still have the literal and physical scars from that ordeal, but I haven’t stopped. At this point, I’ve given and given up too much to walk away without a big win. Otherwise, it was all in vain. During the pandemic, so many friends moved away or chose family life over continuing to pursue entertainment careers and I can’t do that.
But on the booking job side of it, there’s always challenges. There are ten million new shows, but actors are still told work is ‘scarce.’ An influencer signs with CAA every millisecond it seems, but a lot of talented people putting in the work continue to go unnoticed. However, on the positive side there is still plenty of opportunity to create your own path which is what I’m doing. I also recently started a podcast to encourage and unite creatives for the purpose of having a supportive community. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u20Sl5hzwMU
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My resilience and resourcefulness set me apart from others. I’ve watched countless people come to this place only to leave after a few setbacks or a lack of patience.
I’m an actress, singer, and dancer who can write. I had an episodic optioned by NBC, I toured internationally on a single that did well, and I’m winning film festival awards. I created my production company to get my crew more of the work they deserve in their desired departments. And those efforts are starting to pay off. My DP was able to DP on iCarly, I booked a recurring role on a streamer and a co-star on Bounce TV, and I’m on the ballot for an Emmy this year.
What were you like growing up?
I was a busy child!
I was a well-rounded kid who was captain of the dance team but also in the concert band. I didn’t rest during the summers… I was doing swim lessons, or tennis, or reading programs and I did really well academically passing AP tests and getting multiple scholarship offers.
And I was fun! Always laughing, singing, dancing, etc. or writing plays and casting my friends was always a good time. We could still be outside as kids so bikes were a big deal, but I had protective parents so most events had to take place in my yard.
I never ate school lunch. My mother made my lunch my entire school career, which I only realized as an adult what an amazing feat that was and I’m super grateful!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.imdb.me/bellacruz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellalcruz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pageingcreatives
Image Credits
These are BTS from both short films I wrote, starred in and produced
