We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lolita Milena. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lolita below.
Lolita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My father was my largest supporter when it came to expanding on my knowledge of not only what I enjoyed, but the world as a whole. He and I bonded over our shared love of education whether it be through the study of our galaxy, or significant historical events. To this day, he was the smartest person in my personal life. Beyond education, he showed me the value in emotional resilience. If I were to pursue a passion, to go into it with strength against any potential obstacle. I like to tease about my stubbornness, however I thank him for instilling in me to never give up and that goals I set will never be impossible to reach. Instead of taking the ladder to success, I simply go in search for the ramps.
My mother taught me to go about goals realistically. Having dreams that seem to touch the stratosphere is fine and all; but how will you fund for your way?
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Lolita Milena and I am a paraplegic as a result of child abuse within the foster care system. Born in Siberia, Russia I had been born into what some would call “below poverty.” Do I remember it? No, though I can see how it impacted my core in being what some call a natural survivor and one to never give up. An American family immigrated me to the United States when I was a toddler for what was supposed to be a better life. I guess we did not realize it was going to require backtracking down that ladder a few rungs. Through an act of child abuse from the foster father, my spinal cord was severed and I was left paralyzed permanently from my waist down.
Not long after I was adopted by my current family, in that gaining eight sisters and a brother: out of us ten, seven being adopted. Through them, I learned and saw so much in terms of life stories, struggles, and perseverance. It was not long before my folks discovered I had quite the passion for dance. My love for ballet and wanting to be on the stage came true when I was offered a specially written role of “Clara’s Little Sister,” in the Nutcracker ballet. I think the love for performing really solidified itself in my little six year old brain when I was sitting in the wings. Having remembered my older sisters tease me about this thing called stage fright; yet I kept waiting in those wings for it to hit me and it never did. Telling that to my parents I’d say confirmed to them my love for acting and all the things creative arts.
Like a linear timeline, another passion popped up that school year. Once I had learned to spell words and form sentences in school, I’d fill the notebooks with stories cover to cover. Short yet concise tales that had been stuck in my mind until then. Telling stories whether to my sisters or the pen, I loved the worlds I’d build and mold to my desires. So, I’d spend the waking hours rolling back and forth in my dining room thinking of the next big story I was going to write down; my father often joking on how I was going to wear down the floorboards. So in late 2017, I wrote my first novel ten years in the making: “2459.” It tells the story of two sisters created through the minds of scientists with the sole purpose of being biological weapons for war. Will they abide by that wish, or choose to live as they believe to be, humans?
The novel was a project submission to the NANOWRIMO contest and had won exceeding the word count minimum 50,000 words by around 14,000. So, next naturally was to write its sequel “0101” followed by two shorter novels such as “Duplex 683” and horror vignette consisting “Sweet Dreams, Love Hell Volume 1.”
Another large success in my career under the creative arts would have to be a tie between my social media following as a content creator, mainly via TikTok which currently sits at 757,100 at the time of writing this article. It was by total accident! My sister had bet that I wouldn’t hold onto the account without growing bored after a week. She almost won too, had it not been for a creator who had a large following found and promoted me. I adore the community I have built. There I can show all sides of my vast personality from cosplay creations, makeup ideas, to sharing glimpses into my life as a wheelchair user. My followers seem to enjoy and strap in for the ride and for that, I am beyond grateful.
In 2020, I was cast as Jenna in Lionsgate and Buzzfeed’s collaborative film “1UP.” Being my first real movie set with talent like Paris Berelc and Ruby Rose, I had to sit back and remind myself that “this is happening…Woah.” Since then, my life has been a slow climb behind the scenes and again, I at times don’t believe it with the people I have met and discussions had. I can only hope only good can continue to greet me at each resting point on that ramp to personal success.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, seeing interactions with what I create. I’ll read feedback on videos or the novels I create. “Wait, but what happened to her at the end?! When is the sequel?” “What editing software did you use for that one transition shot.” It warms my heart to see people-care? Is that the right word? I also love gaining information on how to better my creative outlets. From praise, to criticism, to advice. I take it all in as a neutral gift and see how I can mold them to better my journey.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Might be a long shot, or for these stairs to success I might have to crawl up. I was in high school I believe when I was bored in class and decided to research actors with disabilities who have won Oscars. So far, no paraplegics. I vividly remember a calm wash over me as I decided then and there that “well, looks like I found my next goal.” I’ve been told its quite far fetched given my current status in the job. To that I’d tell them “why make a conclusion on a task I have only just begun?”
Even if it is not me, just to see such a feat be reached would bring a warmth to my heart I am unsure how to describe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6667324/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolita.milena/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMx-OowhPfkm10Zx59AOELw
- Tiktok: lolitaMilena
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/lolitamilena