I Got Bit By The Acting Bug and Took a Leap!

It happens to a lot of people. You've been bitten by the acting bug. Where were you when it happened? Were you watching a blockbuster, binging a show on Netflix, or did you see a live play and was so moved by the story and performances that you thought to yourself...I want to do that. Then couple that with an episode of "VH1's Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous" and you're completely sold on the idea of becoming an actor.

I'm Jermell DeShauan. I'm an actor/singer/model living and working in Los Angeles, CA. I didn't have a conventional path into acting. I studied Business Administration and Marketing at Florida A&M University and went on to work in Corporate America for a short stint. Someone at my cubicle job, gifted me with the movie "Office Space" and said, "Here's to the next 40 years of your life". I screamed on the inside like McCauly Caulkin in Home Alone. That absolutely could not be my life. See, I had always wanted to be an actor. I'd done plays in Elementary School and felt completely alive under those lights. I'm also a LEO, so being in the spotlight is like being at a first cousin's house. While in college I began taking acting classes at night and added more as my electives. After receiving that movie... I was serendipitously moved to Los Angeles on the dime of the company I was working for. I had decided that I was going to follow my dream of becoming an actor. I quit that job and took the huge leap of faith. And yes it was scary as hell. But you know what, I've been taken care of all along the way.

You know the saying Ignorance is bliss? Well, it surely is because I had no idea the amount of time, studying, investing, grinding, rejection, proactiveness, and spirituality it was going to take to be on this journey. I was ignorant to the process initially. The grind is REAL. The Talent is Real. And yes there are a ton of people vying for their next big break, but the only competition is yourself. Truly...there is only one YOU in the world with the experiences that only YOU've had. This is your power and as long as you continue to believe in yourself and be better than you were the day before...not only as an actor, but as a complete human being, then you won't get your ass kicked by this pursuit. Because if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But because you've felt led to pursue this beautiful craft, You're meant to be here. We don't get desires that we don't have the ability to achieve. So, from one actor to another, go get some training. Don't become an actor that only acts in class... when your confidence is built up... start going on some auditions. Experience is the best teacher.

Go Break A LEG!!!!

-Blessings

JD