Check our interview with Actress, model and self-made beauty guru Ava Allan.
Ava’s recent premiere indie feature film “Love Is All You Need?” written and directed by Kim Rocco Shields and is based on her 2011 award winning international short, exploring themes of bullying and tolerance. Ava also have landed guest spots on popular series including CBS “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson, VP” and ABC “The Middle.”
Ava is extremely passionate about creating awareness within equality organizations such as LGBT and anti-bullying campaigns and also launched her own successful YouTube channel producing beauty tutorials and vlog content.
How did you get started acting?
I started acting at the age of 6 and I got into acting/modeling because a family photographer was taking photos of my family and she told my parents that she thought I would be great for acting and modeling. So, I went and met with the same agent the photographer’s son was with and they signed me right away. I did commercials and print work until the age of 10 and then I went into film and television.
Did your family support your decision to become an actress?
My family is 100% supportive of my decision to be an actress. They know that when I am acting I become the happiest version of myself! I am super grateful to have my family be my biggest support team.
How do you prepare for a role?
To prepare for a role I always try to compare the character to someone I know in my life so I can relate to the character better. I also compare the scenes to similar experiences I have had in my life to help connect my emotions to the script.
Tell us about your role in “Love Is All You Need?”?
Quick side note: “Love Is All You Need?” takes place in a world where Gay is straight and straight is gay, so it’s opposite to how the world is today. I play Paula Santilli in “Love Is All You Need?”, who is the lead teen bully in this film. Paula is very religious and has been taught in the church that being heterosexual is a sin. Therefore she bullies a girl in her school who is possibly a heterosexual and leads the girl to believing that she doesn’t belong in this world and should commit suicide. Paula is a very intense character and was definitely a challenge to play!
What’s your favorite part of acting?
My favorite part is fully becoming that character and making these words on a piece of paper come to life.
What role would you love to play that you haven’t yet?
This is a super hard question!! I have so many characters in my mind that I would love to play. I love to play deep characters that have many layers. I think it would be amazing to play a serial killer or the runaway teen. (This just got super dark lol) I also would love to play a heroine character.
What advice would you give to those who want to be in this business?
I would say to go for it! If you know this is something you want to do, do it! Also know that you are going to hear “No” over 1,000 times in this business, but you can’t get discouraged. Stay confident and stay in line, because your time will come! Also if they wanted to be an actor, I would tell them to watch several movies that have grit and study the actors because you can learn a lot from just watching other actors and even study people in actual life! Watch how they move and talk etc…
What are the 3 things you can’t live without?
Obviously my phone! If I didn’t have access to Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram I wouldn’t know what to do LOL. I also couldn’t live without my dog Jace who honestly I treat like a human… Yikes… And of course my sister and parents which are a lot more than 3 things, so i’ll just say my family! haha
Now about your modeling career?
My modeling career is something that I have been doing since I was 6 and I love modeling and being on set. It’s so fun to work for several brands and every modeling set is so different!
Also about your successful Youtube channel?
I started my Youtube channel as a hobby about 2 years ago to connect better with my fans who were following me on my other social media sites and to get a better connection with them.
When did you decide that you will be doing beauty tutorials?
I have always had a love for makeup and fashion so I thought I could share my tips online for a hobby!I learned several makeup tips from actually being on set! People love my youtube channel and I am really grateful for that. I don’t only do just beauty tutorials though, sometimes I switch it up and do vlogs, or comedy/fun videos (Which are my favorite to film.) So I will actually be starting to do a lot more of those types of videos in the future!
Did you expected to be that popular?
NO! Not at all! Honestly I can’t believe how much my channel has grown and reading all the comments I get everyday really makes me smile. People are so sweet and I love talking to them everyday!
How’s your typical day?
hmmm well when I am not on set a day usually starts out with me waking up and having coffee! Then I have breakfast and lately I have been tanning everyday because its been getting hot here in LA! Then I will walk my dog and do school. I will also probably go to lunch and do some shopping with my Mom and sister. Something my family and I do every night is we eat dinner together so that is something that happens every night. (Unless I am working etc..)
Something people don’t know about you?
I hate elevators! Like HATE them and I have to take them all the time because all my auditions and meetings are usually on like the 100th floor lol… I have a fear of getting stuck in an elevator!
Do you support any charity?
I have a deep love for animals so one charity I really am supportive of is Best Friends Animal Society. Their mission is to end the killing in America’s animal shelters and create a time when there are No More Homeless Pets.
Five years from now you will be….
On a movie set acting in a film alongside talented actors that will be shown all across the world… Hopefully!
What kind of music do you like?
I love the combination of R&B/Pop music! Even though I do listen to several different genres as well.
What do you think of the Social Media?
I love social media! Social media is fun. It should just be fun, not something people stress over. I really love social media because I connect with my fans daily who are from all across the globe.
Where we can follow you?
I am pretty much everywhere! I have a snapchat (AvaAllanSnaps), Instagram: @AvaAllan, Twitter (@AvaAvaAllan) IMDB: Ava Allan.
Quote: “What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t happened yet.”
Favorite Book: I really love “The Fault In Our Stars”. I cried the first time I read it! John Green is a super talented author.
Sports Team: Go Lakers!!!!!
Restaurant/Bar: Urth Cafe is always super good. I also love Barton G. Best food ever!!
Drink: Well most of the time I drink water because its super good for your hair, skin and overall your body and health. I do drink coffee a lot and also I could always go for a frapuccino from starbucks!
Favorite music: Some of my favorite artists are Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, my sister Alexi Blue, and Pink. I also love several songs that are put out from artists like Lukas Graham, Tori Kelly, Taylor Swift, Alessia Cara etc…
Travel destination: I would love to travel to Paris, Italy, Fiji and Greece! Some places that I have gone to and absolutely love is New York and Cancun, Mexico.
Movie: Silver Lining Playbook is amazing. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. I also love films from the 80s and one of my favorites from then is Stand By Me.
Tv Show: I definitely watch more movies than Tv, but some of my favorite shows are American Horror Story, and I really loved Gossip Girl and I wish that was still on! I totally ship Serena and Nate hahaha
