We recently connected with Sharon Desiree and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sharon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents have always prioritized education over anything else.School and good grades were required because the most important thing on this green earth is how you absorb information. As professional homebodies their favorite pastime, aside from studying; was movies. Every Friday night, for as long as I can remember, we would go to our local Blockbuster. Each member of the family would get to pick a film, and we would pass the weekend away catching up on the latest and greatest. My dad’s film influence involves anything with Jackie Chan, Jet Li, or Bruce Lee in it. His attempt at teaching his two daughters self-defense, and possibly getting a break from back to back to back female lead films. My mom loves romantic comedies, she’s a big fan of k drama currently, but back then we saw anything Jane Austin and lots of Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts. Disney classics were a must for my sister and I, though my Princess choices were never a princess, I’m a huge fan of Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dam, Jane from Tarzan and Meg from Hercules—That probably tells you a lot about my personality, I’m sure it’s a quiz somewhere. I got into horror thanks to my uncle, I was first terrorized by Child’s Play and A Nightmare on Elm St. at maybe six or eight years old. Though I’m grateful for those two because I treated my dolls with the utmost respect, and Freddy is one of the many reasons I am a fan of psychology.

Despite our love for film, my decision to be an actress was not encouraged by my parents, who insisted this was not a practical career path they could support me with. As a first-generation immigrant, Hollywood dreams seemed far-fetched and way too far out of their comfort zone to attempt. They tell me stories about when we first came to the U.S and how I would translate for them, and advocate for us from the day we arrived. I guess you can say they knew I had it in me to communicate, and the thought of me doing my own thing was probably terrifying for them in a new country. My mom tells me that “children are never yours.” You can love them and raise them, but they are borrowed from the world and at some point, must go back to it. My dad has always encouraged me to think critically and be aware of my surroundings. My parents are extremely proud that I am currently continuing my education and pursuing my dreams. We talk every weekend, and they laugh every time I tell them about new projects I am embarking on, incredulous at my tenacity. They also never fail to give me their film critiques.

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.

When my parents arrived in the U.S. they knew my sister and I had to go to college. They didn’t know how you did it or how you paid for it, but they knew that we were going. Right out of high school I studied in community college. I signed up to major in graphic design, before I realized I would have to program like my dad, and I quit. I turned to interior design since I would still be designing, but translating graphic design to spaces is a whole different discipline. I was called to something more holistic and decided to try physical therapy for a bit. But my school only offered a certificate, and continuing my education with a certificate meant basically starting from zero at a transferring school, so I also quit that. I changed my major to international communications in hopes I could be an ambassador somewhere. I continued learning French, and my wonderful French professor offered to be a club advisor if anyone decided to start a student life club. A lightbulb went off in my head like in the cartoons. This was my calling, since I had run the Latin Dance Club in high school. I met with peers, and we decided to start the On Campus Cultural Exchange club. We’d meet up once a week and at the end of the month throw an event where we learned about each other’s culture. During the build up to the event, we’d watch foreign films, and my love of film was reignited amongst my peers. We won club of the year that year. I met so many wonderful people organizing these events. I got to learn about how films impacted us, and why, no matter where you come from, the universal language of film brings people together all the time.
I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer that year, as well. With that devastating news, my parents finally gave me the green light to live my life to my heart’s content. In my near death experience I almost came more to life, I started taking acting classes, I started taking voice lessons, dance lessons. My counselor told me I could graduate with a General Studies degree whenever I wanted, I had gone above and beyond my need for credits. It was a funny way to get kicked out of school. “Please leave, you’ve learned enough.” I took it and ran to Washington D.C to audition to the two Latin theatres there; Teatro de la Luna and GALA Hispanic theatre. I thank my parents for all the sacrifices they went through to make the artist in me thrive, a lot of it was no’s. Art thrives despite no’s. No you can’t do that, no you’ll never be able to. No, we can’t afford that. No. Each “no” affirming that I had to try. I learned that no’s come from fear, but also from love. That people’s good-natured attempts to keep us safe, also keep us small. I understood that the education part of their training gave me the critical thinking to fight no’s with action.

Acting became a form of therapy for me while I was battling my thyroid cancer. I learned about Stanislavski’s technique, Meisner, Adler, Commedia dell’arte, stage combat. I would empty my mind of anything that could’ve been a Sharon problem and I breathed in the objectives, obstacles and tactics this character was experiencing in this moment. I learned to dissect a scene to its motivations, to listen to what the author implied through the silence of the characters. To listen to the other characters for words on the character I was embodying. I learned to listen to my audience. I took this study to my personal journals, I reread chapters where I had been angry or upset at a major “No” that had stood in my way, and I analyzed it to free myself of its power. I could rewrite the ending, the perception to which I held that memory to.

I gave myself five years to live, I was sure I was not going to make it through my treatments, but even though I was planning for the end, I was planning to enjoy every minute of it. I told myself, if I could be in a play, I would be ready for Hollywood; I toured elementary schools in Washington DC with Teatro de la Luna’s anti-bullying bi-lingual show Buddies not Bullies, and then I did GALA’s El Mundo es un Pañuelo. I told myself if I could get on TV I would be ready. I auditioned for an Investigation Discovery show, and I got it. I said “, Ok, make it into a movie and you’ll be ready.” I auditioned and was cast in multiple short films, then California called, so I decided it was time.

I arrived in Sacramento before I made it all the way to LA. I worked for Greenpeace on multiple of their campaigns, and as a paint and sip instructor to save up money. Eventually one of my best friends from college, Brendan Petrizzo, asked me to join his Hollywood journey, as there was a roommate reshuffle at his place. This seemed like a perfect time to make the move. I got to LA February of 2018 and Brendan, carrying his own dreams of working at The Global Asylum, started taking me to the studio, I met Jared Cohen first, then Rob Pallatina, Anthony Ferrante, Maximilian Elfeldt, Mario N. Bonassin, Glenn Campbell, Canyon Prince…
I got my first speaking film role in May 2018 when my five-year plans were up. It’s a pretty funny inside joke between me and the Universe, that my first movie of my last year I expected to be alive is called End of the World. I clearly didn’t die, and I got to use my life experience surviving South American earthquakes in this film. My mom was very proud, but in true first-generation Latin mom fashion went “if it’s going to be that easy, then finish a Bachelor’s degree.”

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I came to a crisis of sorts because I had to start planning for a future I didn’t expect to have. I began my bachelor’s degree in psychology at The Chicago School of professional psychology that year. After 2 years, in March 2020 I’d worked in at least six Asylum films, on various different parts of production, and I had my degree. With the world shutting down for COVID-19 I began my career as a Behavioral Therapist using applied behavioral analysis. By June of that year, Brendan got to direct his first film, Monster Hunters. It was a challenge, as it was still dangerous to film at the time, but we quarantined as a cast and crew, and I got to play Sgt. Melissa Mora with Tom Sizemore as Colonel Mayweather. By October I had my Covid compliance certification and was helping maintain safety regulations on set. I continued to learn the different aspects of production. At this point, I have been a production assistant, production coordinator, set decorator, art department, costume department, unit production manager, 2nd and 1st AD. They all come with their challenges and benefits, I love every role in front or behind the camera, and although it has been five years since I arrived in LA, there is always more to learn.
Transitioning to a therapist was a necessary pivot. I needed to find a sense of stability. The dream was palpable now, the work a reality, but starting out can be slow and financially stressful. I found security in being a therapist. I have worked with children online, at their homes, and recently, I have moved into school settings, from elementary to high school. I really enjoy working with youth, I’ve worked with kids most of my life, and when I encounter adults, I like to cater to their inner child. I think we’re all trying to grow from what hurt us as a child. We’re all overcoming our early no’s, and sometimes the maladaptive behaviors we form to adapt to those scenarios hold us back from moving onto our next level of development. I like being part of early intervention and establishing our objectives, obstacles and tactics so that we can set goals, and boundaries. Which are so important to growth and development, both of a person and a film.

The first twenty years of my life I dedicated myself to learning and achieving and really working to feel accomplished, with this next level I feel like the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. I’m really taking self-care a lot more seriously, both for myself and those around me. My pacing has slowed down and I sincerely enjoy it. It has also opened my days up to be of better help to my peers and clients. I have a routine I work on; I have time slots for things that need to be prioritized and, when things get hectic, I take time to recenter myself. This I offer to my clients I work with in therapy; the use of pacing, boundaries and goal setting can feel laborious to begin with but then it gives you space to work. It’s like clearing a table so you can finally focus on what’s in front of you.

With film, there’s a method to people’s madness, and I find it interesting to learn from everyone I work with. I try to bring no judgment to my work, when I say “madness” I mean levels, my level 5 could be someone’s level 1, and vice versa. The beauty of personality is that it’s constantly changing from person to person, by culture, by language, by age and life transitions. In a world that continues to box us by differences, I like to bring attention to the unifying force of existing, and the joy of telling our individual stories in an empowering way. My favorite part of filmmaking is the collaborative aspect of it. So now, when I think about what I offer to my clients, peers, and family members, I’d like it to be a sense of hope and community through sharing our differences and similarities.

I got my first IMDB credit back in 2015 which means, in two years I will have been acting professionally for ten years. For a little razzle dazzle I have been a behavioral therapist for three years. Two of these years we were locked in for COVID. This year, actors and writers have been on strike for the rights that have allowed others before us to survive on being creative. I’m very much of the school of thought that slow and steady wins the race. You may not arrive first, you may not be the best, but you did not stop on your pursuit and that is a worthy cause. Plus, the story is never about the destination, but about the people and connections we make along the way.

When I was young and wanted to become an actress, looking back now I think my parents were scared of me falling into a state of desperation. I have been fortunate enough to have a support system that keeps me safe and accountable to my goals and self-care journey. I am fortunate enough to wake up every day and continue to practice my education. I am raising a new generation of artists and creatives who will have to manage problems established by generations before mine. To lead a creative lifestyle is the goal for me. There is no rush, just constant persistence. If I had not been denied my desire to be an actress, I would not have made it this far. If I had not lived through natural disasters and economic upheaval in my home country, I would have never appreciated the privilege that comes with making it out. I am in love with learning for the sake of teaching, and in love with teaching for the sake of learning.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Being an artist or creative is a way of life, it’s not just your means to making money. Creativity is a craving for doing things differently. Every art/theatre teacher I’ve ever met has always said something along the lines of “, We don’t make art for the money. If that’s your goal, turn around and pick something else.” But I’ve tried all kinds of careers and stable 9-5’s, and there’s nothing I’d rather do than continue to have the freedom to keep switching it up.
I have never been a straight A student, but I am consistent. I relate topics to each other and compare the differences and similarities. The best thing we can do as individuals is to find connections, talk to each other, share resources. I am always friends with my teachers. I have always been aware that they know things and appreciate them for knowing them. We need to support our educators, our public libraries and after school programs. Community building saves lives, not just the artists and the creatives, but the ones stuck running the machine, dreaming of a way out. Our communities are our frontlines and must be protected. I love that we have more communication about mental health care than when I was growing up, I watched many friends and loved ones struggle in isolation and am happy to have been able to assist them in their healing journey. I hope for continuing support in more access to these kinds of resources and that we can find solace in sharing our stories, be it through therapy, writing, acting, singing or making movies.

Contact Info:

• Website: imdb.me/SharonDesiree
• Instagram: Instagram.com/lasharondesiree
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonDesireeActress

Image Credits
Special thanks to: Oswald & Delfina; Brendan Petrizzo; Mario N Bonassin, Michael DeVorzon; TeddyMax; Media Misfits, Kyle, Laura, Robert, Carolyn, Sarah, Robert, Jake, Tevin, Eddo, David; The Asylum, David Rimawi, David Latt, Ryan D Ebert, Anna Rasmussen, Courtney, Anthony Ferrante.