We caught up with the brilliant and insightful GiGi Erneta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi GiGi, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I was blessed to start performing at a very young age, and getting my first contract as a teen. Staying focused and making my “day” job in the same field, helped me learn every facet of television, film and radio and when opportunities opened up, I would jump from behind the camera and get in front! Vacation days were saved for my acting jobs and it happened pretty fast for me out of college.

If you have had a desire to do something creative no matter your age, start putting it as a priority in your mind and make money on the side doing it as your hobby. Learn from your creative hobby, and the way people respond to it. It will give you a chance to see what your market likes and doesn’t like before taking the big leap. The key point to remember is you are never too old or young to start!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

In my youth, I formally trained under the Royal Academy of Dance, studied drama in high school, and as a teenager, I booked my first SAG commercial which was for McDonald’s in both English and Spanish. Being bilingual opened up doors for me a little faster. As an adult, I trained at Playhouse West for a few years and also The Second City, both in Los Angeles. For a brief period, I tried News Anchoring to explore that side of media, but have been in front of the camera for over 30 yrs. I worked in radio, at NASA, ABC, FOX and other companies and was blessed enough to work in television production and photography most of my career. My photos have been sent to outer space to help Astronauts with the Space Station, so it is safe to say my work is “out of this world!” My degree is a Bachelor of Science in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas and I have stuck to that path my entire life.

Everything I have done outside of being in front of the camera, has been used in my acting: NASA, News reporting, producing, photography. One way or another my roles in tv and film have reflected real life experiences.

When I work, I bring over 30 years of professional experience with me. Because I have been in the business for a while, there are more than 100 listed tv and film credits on the internet movie database (imdb) that span from co-stars to series regulars to leading roles. I’m currently in a couple of new shows recurring (with non-disclosures) but some fun ones were VEEP, Roswell, The Purge and my favorite character on film so far was in Flag of My Father. Most of my television and film work is listed on the IMDB, but be aware they don’t always get it right. For starters I was born in June and in NY but not NYC so keep in mind IMDB does make mistakes and some goodies may not be on there!

I have done over 300 commercials and I’m superwoman on a teleprompter or ear prompter getting through more than 40 pages a day on hosting gigs.

Currently, I’m writing a couple of books and focused on getting my second film script produced.

The pandemic opened up an opportunity to teach, so on a very selective basis I work with actors on getting them “unstuck,” and getting their careers on track.

For more information you can follow me on @gigierneta TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and of course my official website www.gigierneta.com

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When you follow your passion as a creative there is a huge sense of vulnerability. There is so much judgement on the product and the product is you or an extension of you. There has to be a filter to separate the negativity that comes from people around you.

In other words, if as a non-creative you try to start on the journey of being creative, be prepared. The battle is real. It is not as easy as it looks. Getting past rejection is KEY.

I personally believe, that God gave us all the ability to be creative. The stumbling block is the willingness to be in partnership with the gifts HE blessed you with!

If you aren’t a believer in a greater being than yourself, that is your starting place. Go there, meditate and get aware of your mission. I’m not going into doctrines, just know you are loved and weren’t dropped on this planet to only take up real estate.

You were perfectly and divinely made with a purpose!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Not everyone will like you. As a kid you try to be everything to everyone because you are trying to get people’s approval. There is constant competition everywhere. When you are programmed to “need” approval to exist, it is destructive.

The lesson I learned was that it just doesn’t matter if they like you. It matters if YOU like you.

When I learned to really love myself for the way God created me with all my flaws and gifts, all the right doors opened. This was across the board in every relationship, personal and business.

In love, all things really are possible.

Getting angry, frustrated, jealous of your peers and throwing pity parties is just a dumpster for your career. Leave it and don’t look back! Bless those you work with even when they are jerks, and let it go!

Other people do not define you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gigierneta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigierneta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiGiErnetaFanPage/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigi-erneta-41042713/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GIGIERNETA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gigifilms
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0259656/

Image Credits
Bradford Rogne and Kristine Canterbury