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

Victoria, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I am stoked to say that I pay ALL of my bills from creative work. I mean wow! I am super proud of that. As a mid-western kid, I knew ZERO working artists growing up. TV and movies felt like an alien world in my little Michigan town. Still, I had a gut feeling that it was going to work. I had a strange confidence in my future as an artist even though I had zero evidence that it was possible.

It took about ten years to arrive at this creative money flow. I remember booking my first TV gig on Chicago Fire. It was three episodes and I remember standing in my Chicago apartment and looking at that check thinking “Oh my God! This is real money! I can make a lot of money doing this!” Because up until then I was doing plays for like $300 bucks a week.

Moving to Atlanta was another big piece of the pie. I saw how many jobs were available there and decided to move there based on simple math. It worked!

Another huge moment was the day I started shooting WandaVision. My husband was able to quit his unfulfilling day job, we got health insurance through SAG and we were off and running.

I don’t think I could have sped up the process, no. I was 100% committed from day one. And I slowly learned, gained experience and relationships that led to my current level.

Victoria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an actor and musician. I’m also currently writing and developing several TV projects.

I have a new single “Easy Together” out now! It’ll bring a lot of energy and joy to the world. And I am appearing in a new Apple TV series SURFSIDE GIRLS this month. I just wrapped a VERY cool show for Amazon that I am not allowed to talk about yet!

I believe we’re all called to a unique path in life. Through acting and music, I get to answer the call on my life. I’m called to connect on a heart level with others through stories, characters, lyrics and melody. A great story or a great song can unite, encourage, comfort or inspire us. This is why it’s my great joy to be an artist.

One thing my husband and I say a lot is “There are no rules.” I think people tend to look for a formula or some definite answer. In my experience, that does not work in a creative life! We’re all just making it up as we go along.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, it’s connection. With other artists and the audience. Time is just passing and we’re all living these busy little lives. Art is such an opportunity to stop and say “This is beautiful. This is important.”

I also just love the act of creating. The spark of the idea then letting is flow and develop is thrilling.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I think as an actor there is this tendency to look for someone else to lead your career trajectory. It breaks my heart because I meet so many actors who just don’t feel empowered for whatever reason. I’ve learned time and time again that if I am not leading my life/career, no one is! It’s my job to advocate for myself and lead my team. This means setting very specific goals, learning to say no, taking care of myself physically, emotionally, creating my own work and building my vision, brick by brick.

Always assume you are the most powerful person in the room, because when it comes to your life and your choices, YOU ARE!

Contact Info: 

• Website: https://www.victoriablade.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoria_blade/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriablade
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-blade-305b6529/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcqPMtDGQFw

Image Credits
Jordana Dale