Today we’d like to introduce you to Seychelles Mizel.
Seychelles, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m from a small town outside of Napa called Vacaville. I originally moved away from home to college where I was a competitive cheerleader. I thought cheer would be my whole life until I met Sueanne Edan, who would become my Talent Agent. I met Sueanne at the premiere of an independent feature that my dad had written. We talked about my experience as a cheerleader and she asked if I’d be interested in doing commercials. I made the transition to Los Angeles in 2018, but I still wanted to remain in college. I began full-time online schooling, worked as a children’s gymnastics coach, and began preparing for auditions. My first audition was not for a commercial. It was for a Guest Starring role on a TV Series. After that, my agent and I changed gears and I then had to prepare for TV and film work. I started taking various acting classes around the town. Towards the end of 2018, I found myself among a group of artists that caused my self-esteem to suffer tremendously. The environment was often more harmful than motivating and it made me afraid to continue on in my career. When so many people are saying that you’re going to struggle to make it because of how I look or because I’m “too bubby”. I started to believe them. I found the courage to get out of that space and seek help in therapy. This gave me the ability to truly discover who I am as a woman and an artist. I decided to go back into in-person college while maintaining my auditions.
The more I auditioned, the more I learned. I’ve taken amazing acting courses with people Carla Rosati at Annie Grindlay Studio, Michelle Danner, Tracie Thoms, and workshops/intensives with ACE Studios LA. Being in school while developing my acting career has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. There have been times that I have had to type an essay on my phone while in an Uber to an audition. I would book small short films and do background work. Originally, my major was Film/Media Studies. I met Phylicia Rashad at the stage door of her show Head of Passes at the Mark Taper Forum. She was asking me about college and I began thinking of changing my major to Theatre. I love the idea of studying acting. I transferred to California State University Northridge where I now study Theatre. My Professors and friends have been so incredibly supportive and encouraging. I also started work as a Social Media Manager for our Pride Center that provides resources and events for the LGBTQIA+ student community. In 2021, I booked my first principal lead role. Awkward Conversations is a PSA Series produced by the Elks National Drug Awareness Program. I play the daughter of David Dastmalchian and granddaughter of John Amos. Each episode follows my character Rosie as she navigates her teen years with parents adamant about her having hard conversations about drug use. Jodie Sweetin recaps the episode with various celebrity guest parents. I learned so much from every person working on this project. It made me feel whole like I was doing something great for others and accomplished.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For starters, I moved here alone as a teenager. It was a city I had only been to once before. That in itself was terrifying, but I knew I was going to adapt. Falling into a group of individuals that I believed were like-minded taught me about trust in this town. I spent everyday believing that I wasn’t going to make it because I wasn’t seen as pretty as other young women. I’ve grown tremendously from this mindset, but it’s still there at times. As a black woman, I’m not provided with the space to be in certain rooms all the time. I’ve learned how to empower other young women as well as myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Actress, but I also am passionate in Social Media Managing, Producing, and Screenwriting. My first project Awkward Conversations is streaming on the Elks DAP Youtube channel. I manage social media at my college and hope to continue doing this as I am saving money to build up my career. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am very determined and I have several passions. If I have a goal, I do everything in my power to accomplish it. I also try to motivate my friends as much as possible.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I would say I more so believe in good timing and trusting the process. Some would call it luck of course, but I see it as things that were always meant to happen happening.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seychelleshmizel/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Dp4rAGwXW90
Image Credits
Youtube – Elks DAP Awkward Conversations
