We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Helaina Cullen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Helaina below.

Helaina, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I started with a modeling job at 2, acting at 4, and performing in musicals at the age of 7 —but I hadn’t seriously considered it as a career until I was 9. My realization came when I watched a friend perform a few scenes in a Christmas short film. In that moment, I knew I wanted to take acting seriously.
In early 2019, I was cast as Grace in Junie B. Jones the Musical, my first major theater production. Shortly after, I booked an Orgain Kids commercial and I had a great time on set. My sister and I were determined to take the next step, which was to be signed to an agent, so we convinced our mom to help us find one, and in December 2020, I officially signed. Since then, I’ve continued to audition and book roles in stage productions, commercials, feature films, and short films.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Helaina Cullen! I’m an actress, performer, writer, and all-around creative! I’ve loved being in the spotlight since I was a toddler, booking my first modeling job at 2 and jumping into musical theater soon after. From TV sets to live theater stages, I’ve had the privilege of performing in front of thousands and bringing a variety of characters to life, but what I love most is making people feel something—whether it’s joy, inspiration, or connection.
Beyond acting, I co-hosted an edutainment show for kids, co-authored children’s books, and taking college courses in ASL while still in high school. I love writing scripts, creating music, and encouraging others to shine—especially kids who are new to the performing arts. I’m known for leading with kindness, making people feel seen, and giving my all to every role I take on. I’m most proud of the positive impact my work has on others, and I hope to continue growing in this industry while lifting others up along the way!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think the best way to support artists and creatives is to give us more chances to be seen and heard—especially young people. A lot of us have big ideas and talent, but we just need the right opportunities and support. Schools and communities should keep funding arts programs and make sure all kinds of kids feel welcome in those spaces. It also helps when adults take us seriously and encourage us instead of saying, “That’s just a hobby.” Creativity is a real, and honestly, difficult skill, and when people believe in us, it makes a huge difference. In the entertainment world, that support looks like creating safe, respectful environments on set and giving young performers real opportunities to grow without being underestimated just because of our age.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is getting to connect with people. I love knowing that something I do, whether it’s acting, performing on stage, or even writing, can make someone smile or feel inspired. I also really love the behind the scenes process, like tech week in theater when everything finally comes together. That’s when it all starts to feel real. Performing just makes me feel alive and confident, like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.helainacullen.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecullensisters/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkyTalkShow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetalkytalkshow
• Other: https://linktr.ee/CullenSisters?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacYzh88gYhiHPPua1G11PeH58byeJVK6fibeN2qccQ4_Wwnq2_Cahp_qbsdPg_aem_BIB9m_ZXIZLCezqtGwJmuw

Image Credits

Microsoft Education and CAT Corona