Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michaelle Vilsa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michaelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

You know, I was finally hired for a show on 42nd st called Pips Island all of 2019 into 2020. The show was well known in NYC. Many notable people came to watch—Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, Huma Abedin etc…and here I am performing my funny/wacky scene. Got laughs, entertained the crowd; producer & writer was happy, so life was good!

Or so I thought. I get pulled aside being told my performance was too cuckoo for it to be family show and demanded to do a last minute 360 character change! Change the character!?! When I auditioned I had a vision for that character the creative team loved it! At that point I was playing this character for 6 months and in less 24 hours I was being told to change this character and if not, I’m history. Gone. Finto!

Not only misunderstood but TOTALLY misrepresented. I’m not you average black female actress. I’m fast like Jim Carrey, zany like Robin Williams; a pinch of Martin Lawrence, Whoopi Goldberg & Marlon Brando etc….but I sound like a cartoon character, I have the energy of 8 year old and can turn into a chameleon. Add that together you have controlled chaos. Not many people in the film industry know what to do with that, so they overlook me. I’m not famous, so no one wants to take a gamble. It’s hard to navigate the film industry. Broadway is bit easier. I would get auditions from my agent to play a ghetto girl or a hood chick… I wouldn’t book it cause I didn’t sound or look one. The sophisticated debutant roles, I sounded or looked too young. If I auditioned for something like an alien or zombie… they’d cast me but it would be sparse and I DONT KNOW WHY?! So believe me, I know what’s it’s like to be misunderstood. But you know what, I believe in the appointed role at the appointed time. There’s a role for me and ONLY FOR ME. Nobody else’s can play it. I’ve learned in life, not everyone is gonna like nor understand you, but it takes ONE person. One second… to change your life. And the rest is history. So yea I’m misunderstood, probably will be for the rest of my life, but it’s better to showcase it, than have it buried.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

For those of you don’t know me, I was a former Broadway Actress (Off-Broadway to be exact), who relocated to Atl in 2020 to walk into my calling of Film! YAYYYYY!

Gee, the room is really LOUD, quiet down lol.

But now we’re well acquainted…
I relocated to ATL on 3/3/2020… 11 days before the world lockdown! Can you imagine? As we’ve all journeyed 2020, 2021 & 2022—& all that we’ve endured, I can begin to say great things are about to pop off in 2023 for not only me, but for anyone whose been in the season of struggle & wait. Great projects are in the works and filming will happen soon, and vice versa for many others within their industries who’s suffered and endured for a long time. Our wait is being paid off. Oh thank you sweet baby Jesus! I’d love to share so far, my biggest achievement in film, I had a featured non-speaking role in Sony Pictures Lyle Lyle Crocodile. It may have been a small role, but it was one heck of a GIANT step that has lead to these few projects coming up in 2023.
But that’s just a glimpse of who I am. It’s better that you witness than, what you read of who I am on this paper.

Now before we depart, I do want everyone who is a supporter of mine to remember, that we live in a cruel, mean world. Kinda dramatic huh? But it’s true, stick with me. It’s easy to give up; have no hope. But it’s our responsibility to find our giftings and multiply them. If we bury it, we make ourselves purposefulness. But if we multiply them… you have no idea the impact that will be made for centuries to come… all because you decided to share the light within. That’s what my content and mission in film is about, and I’m excited to produce, share, & multiply all that I have.

Well until next time! Have a great one.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Moving to ATL, I had a good amount of money rewarded to me. But at some point that money finished off, in an unconventional way. And because it was so unexpected and suddenly, I was scrambling to find a job to support myself. Not only I couldn’t find a regular job that would hire me (even McDonald’s turned me down… yes…), but I was now facing eviction.

In late 2021 and all of 2022, I have experienced near eviction 3x. I was ready to end it late May, early June. But the voice of God, my best friend Jesus; held on to me and breathed new life into me. The amount of disappointments, hurt, anguish, tears, doors shut in my face all to simply survive, not even thrive, SURVIVE! Meaning getting a regular job while I auditioned, should’ve ended with me in the grave. The amount of late notices and dispossessory warnings (eviction notices) I’ve had to read. WHOO!

So my resilience was strengthened by something greater than me. Stronger than my spirit, God himself. I can reap the harvest within the next season He’s unleashed. Anyone reading this can know, there is a calling on everyone’s life. But there’s an endurance.. Death knocks at people’s door everyday, but if you’re still alive, you’re blessed. You’re worth being used for all you have to offer. Celebrate friends! We sooo blessed!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I get to see lives change. Being an artist is a very daunting position. You have the power to influence people. Government, nations, cultures… we hold that power. Many don’t use it wisely, so when I see certain people steward their position well, I get to see lives changed. Cause like I said, as creatives we have MONUMENTAL POWER. Our work can literally make or prevent death. So again, us creatives should choose wisely how to steward these gifts. Bro! That’s crazy to think we have that ability!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9207206/
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/iputthesinsonmyback
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lisavilsa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/michaelle-vilsa-347269131

Image Credits
LKP Studios & @isuan.ayo