Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stelle Oettler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Stelle , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
One risk I’m beyond grateful for taking is when I moved to New York City in June 2021. It felt like a new and unexpected chapter of my life began. Times were uncertain because we were barely starting to get our lives back to normal after COVID, so I always had this fear that because of this I would have to keep putting my dreams on hold, but looking back I’m so happy I decided to keep going and just embrace the discomfort of uncertainty. The reason I moved to New York was to study acting, but the thing is I was very young, and I consider this a risk because I didn’t know what to expect from this place, I had only an idea that I had made in my mind from movies, and it was my first time living away from Mexico, where I’m from. I had to learn how to live in a world so different to what I had always known, and train as an actor for the first time in another language. I would say as any risk, I had to deal with a lot of challenges, but it felt like they were all getting me closer to my true self, who I didn’t know I was until I got out of my comfort zone. Still, I’m grateful for having been able to enjoy my day to day so much in this city, I got to read all kinds of books and plays at The Drama Book Shop and the New York Public Library, see endless broadway and off broadway shows, lay down on Central Park on the evenings, explore every corner of the city, eat food from many cultures, walk thousands of steps every day, and have serendipitous connections with strangers. With this risk I took the first steps to becoming the actor and human I am today.
Stelle , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Stelle Oettler, I was born in Mexico City, my mom is Mexican and my dad is German. I have two sisters, one older and one younger, so I’m the middle child (which I love). I moved around a lot growing up, aside from Mexico City I lived in a small town near, Italy, and Puerto Escondido, which is a surfing town on the coast of Mexico, so I was always near the water and nature. I got into acting because I have always been passionate about the human condition, and how we create art through our being. I studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City and completed a professional conservatory program. After graduating I moved to Los Angeles to keep broadening my horizons and put my focus on film, although my heart sometimes seems to be in the theater. I also started a podcast called “Many Faces: The Life of an Actor”. I started this podcast because I often noticed that many people only want to know about actors when they’re considered celebrities, but actors are people who have had very long and interesting careers already, an actor who the public starts noticing let’s say in 2024, most likely started in 2014 or even years before, acting is a marathon, not a sprint. So I started this podcast because I think we deserve the recognition every step of the way. The interviews last around an hour and we get to know actors from all over the world, I usually ask questions regarding their past, how life looks to them right now, and how they want to move forward, the point is to create a space for actors to be themselves and share their thoughts. So if you’re an actor, aspiring actor, or love acting in general, this podcast is great for you, there is tons of advice, life experience, and reflection going on. One thing I would say I am very proud of is that I’ve been able to be a part of such a loving and talented community, actors are people with some of the most unique minds, and I think it’s just incredible how in this podcast we all have one thing in common, we are betting on ourselves and following our heart. Aside from the podcast, I’ve also had the chance to start producing my projects, which are not out to the public yet, but I can’t wait to share them when they are ready. I’m all for collaborating so if you ever want to reach out feel free to do so.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
From personal experience, I would say creating an environment of acceptance. Many times in the past I have felt not taken seriously because of my deep interest in the arts, it’s funny because I am very logical and practical and at times people in my life wanted me to be a lawyer, a physicist, a doctor, or do something related to finance, but my heart has always been in the arts, that is the place where I completely let go and feel alive, but at times I’ve felt trapped in my freedom, as if I was living in a world different to everybody else’s, where being sensitive is simply not enough to make it. I think this comes from a lack of acceptance, we need more love and support when a kid has a dream, let them dream big. There are thousands of people who live and die with regret, and that doesn’t create a healthy world, people always talking about love, love, and love, but how can we give love if we don’t love what we do every day? We need to be able to feel that if we want to be a singer, a dancer, an actor, a painter, or whatever it is we choose, we are free to do so. It all comes with its challenges and some people might say “Oh but being an artist doesn’t give you enough money or respect if you don’t make it” and to that I say, well let us try at least.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I’ve been listening to the podcast “The School of Greatness” for a few months now, and I’ve found it deeply human and transforming. It’s a podcast where interviews with leaders of many fields are held, be it entertainment, sports, science, health, literature, love experts, and so on. I really find this podcast helpful because as an actor I can get a little too much into acting at times, so it’s nice to look at the world around you with a different lens and grow as a person at the same time. While listening to all of these accomplished people I feel inspired by their journeys and hope I can learn from them and keep my entrepreneurial journey going with the courage to give life to my ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://manyfaceslifeactor.com/
- Instagram: @manyfacesthelifeactor
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@ManyFacesTheLifeActor
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08ZWNLtswd0NweapZdXOXK?si=WY5r2k8rTNSrMozt3QcWsw Linktree: https://linktr.ee/manyfaceslifeactor?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4949d863-0f23-4bbc-b442-f95e183b883e Email: m[email protected] [email protected]