We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melanie Herrera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Melanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
So last year in 2024 my family and I lost pretty much everything we had! It began around July, when my parents broke the news to me about my little brother. My mother was 5 months pregnant with him and we were all excited to meet him. Unfortunately we lost him. Doctors couldn’t find a reason as to why my mother had a miscarriage. I have 4 other siblings and my mother never had any complications with any pregnancies. In August my father lost him job, which forced us to leave Bakersfield and move back to LA with my grandma who offered us to stay until my dad gets a job to get us back on our feet. Her offer only lasted 2 months. In October we were then kicked out and forced into Homelessness. It was a toxic environment for my family caused by my grandma. We literally lost everything. It got so bad to where leaving all of our stuff except for clothes, was safer to do then going back into the house to get the rest of our things. I just remember feeling so empty and helpless, it made me lose hope for a better life. All of my toys, our furniture, beds, appliances and most of our clothing were left behind to be thrown out by the person who we thought was there to help us. We lived in our car for about 2 weeks until one day my sister teacher called to tell us she knows someone who can help. It was at a shelter called Hope the mission. Let’s just say the name gave me exactly that, Hope! Nothings worse then not knowing when your next meal is coming, or when you will be able to shower again. We got blessed! I have been living in the shelter with my family ever since October 2024. Battling everyday the small space we have, the very little items we held on to and the lack of being able to cook any food, as there’s 1 microwave to share amongst the 110 families held here at the shelter due to bad electrical. But all that seems fine and bearable. I still have my family, my friends, my passion for acting, comedy and dance and a roof over our heads to call home.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I began my acting and dancing journey when I was 9 years old, but just before I started, I was really into cheer. My family and I moved to Bakersfield after we found a cheer program that is nationally ranked and known. My dad found an amazing job opportunity that allowed us to have a big beautiful home, in a beautiful neighborhood with great schools. Shortly after arriving we found out we had moved too late for the cheer program and had to wait until the following year to sign up. That’s when I joined dance. Just so that I had something to do in a meantime. The rest is history! I fell in love with it! It gave me the opportunity to be able to express myself along with moving my body to a beat that I had no idea I can move to. I was able to put together combos and moves I did not know I can do which allowed me to fall inlove with acting! With acting I’m able to do just that, as well as improvise and have the best time putting myself into characters. Acting and dancing became the passion I didn’t know was in me. I am now 11 years old and my passion for acting grew into doing comedic videos. I just love the way it makes me feel when I see someone laugh or even just put a smile from my content. In 2024 My instagram has grown since I started it in 2023, from literally 0 followers to 44k and growing! I have just signed with one of the biggest dance agencies out there in Bloc agency, and also signed with another amazing agency called Rage models for theatrical and commercial. I am in a program for dancers called chicken nugget university with whom now I consider one of my mentors and one of the best choreographers in the game called Phil wright! I take dance classes with the most talented choreographers and the best studios in the country! I have collaborated with company’s and other influencers with my social media. All of this in just 2024! But my best accomplishment and most proud moment of all, is that I came out in one of the biggest Walmart commercials in 2024! I had the best time with other dancers that became friends, and got to experience what it’s like being in front of the camera, and watching myself in front of a TV! There’s really no stopping me now at this point. I WILL overcome my current issues and situation, and I WILL be successful!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! My goal and mission in life is to be an influential figure to people who are in the same situation as I am currently with homelessness. Knowing that we have lost it all only gives me the drive to work harder and to not get down on myself if I don’t do a good job. I want to put smiles on peoples faces and let those in need feel that there is a chance for them, that there is light at the end of the tunnel but most importantly, to just have self love and confidence.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
From the ages of 5-9 years old, I was all about CHEER! I knew nothing else except cheer and wanted nothing else. In order to get me into a better cheer program my father and my family sacrificed it all to get me into a nationally ranked cheer program. My father got a new job and my family and I moved to Bakersfield to pursue my cheer dreams! Only to find out that we were late to sign up for the year. We were told we had to wait until the following year and my hopes and dreams were crushed! Fortunately I was already doing social media content and trendy dance videos. It gave me and my family the idea to try out dance. I went to my first dance class in a famous Los Angeles studio called millennium, and fell inlove with everything about dance! I never looked back ever since!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Melanieherrera_1215
Image Credits
The Actors Collective LA