Today we’d like to introduce you to Nalani Valenzuela.
Hi Nalani, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Nalani Roze Valenzuela, and I am 10 years old. My parents and I attended the Del Mar Fair Kids Expo in 2017 and was approached by an acting and modeling studio called Tower Talent Studio West. I have green hazel eyes, and everywhere I went my eyes always captured everyone’s attention. I was invited to come in for an interview at Tower Talent, and soon after that I decided to give it a try and began taking classes at their studio, at that time in Mission Valley, CA., at just four years old. After about a few months of acting classes and training, Tower Talent signed up students for The International Model and Talent Association (IMTA) which hosts a week-long competition in Los Angeles, CA. each year, giving aspiring actors, models, and entertainers an opportunity to be seen by top agents, managers, and casting directors. Along with my Tower Talent Studio West team, I entered the competition in the following categories: Fashion Print, Commercial Print, Screen Test, Theatrical Headshots, Kids Spot, and Runway. I received five honorable mentions out of the six categories I entered. In the weeks after IMTA, I signed with Clear Talent Youth Division in Los Angeles and Shamon Freitas Talent Agency in San Diego.
In November 2018 I was on the cover of the San Diego Family Magazine. It was such a cool experience! I felt like a celebrity when the magazines were released all over San Diego County, and seeing pictures of friends and family picking up their copy made me so happy. The love and support that I received from everyone gave me a boost of confidence to keep going and make my family proud. I look forward to having the opportunity to be on many more magazine covers as I grow.
I am only 10 years old so I don’t know where life is going to take me, but what I do know is that I have family and friends who support everything I do. Auditions are never easy, and I want to inspire other young actors like me to follow their dreams no matter what, face their fears, and go for it. My dream is to become a famous actress, singer, fashion designer, and violinist one day, and I will continue to perfect my craft every opportunity I get. The possibilities are endless, and giving up is never be an option.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Auditions are never easy and I my look is so unique that sometimes I feel I get overlooked. The entertainment industry is tough, and you hear a lot of nos before you get any yeses, but I focus on the experiences of it all, the practice I’m getting from each audition I go to, or every performance I participate in, and I just try my best. As long as I tried my best, that’s all that matters.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a fashion model for Haven Girl Clothing from 2018-2019; been part of the San Diego 48-hour Film Project in 2018, 2019 with Cimitoro Productions, and 2022 with Jackal Productions; and I have performed on stage with the Missoula’s Children Theatre for the production of The Snow White and Seven Dwarfs.
I enjoy singing, and I have worked with vocal coach Ishmael Meza from San Diego, CA. in singing techniques since 2019 and Heidi Rojas from Los Angeles in Songwriting in 2022.
I played the violin at Crown Point Junior Music Academy from 2017-2019 under the direction of Steve Luchs and performed onstage with Classics 4 Kids Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019 for the “Music Takes Flight” concert at the historic Balboa Theatre in Downtown San Diego.
I have also been training in boxing since 2020, currently at Bombersquad Boxing Academy with my coach Trenell Norris Jr., but do not fight in the ring. I train for the knowledge to know that I can defend myself if I ever need to, and also, it’s a great way to stay in shape and keep my body healthy.
This August, I started playing softball for the first time. I love baseball and my family, and I love going to Petco Park to watch the Padres play, so that’s where I started loving the sport and wanted to play it myself. I really enjoy playing the game.
My parents keep me well-rounded, and I am most proud of that because I know that I am capable of everything I’ve done and more, and I think that sets me apart from others.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I think people would be surprised to know that I am a really good singer and one of my two favorite music artists is Olivia Rodrigo and Avril Lavigne. My mom introduced me to Avril Lavigne last year in 2021 because she thought I would love her “Let Go” album, and she was right! I love the songs in that album and sing my heart out to those songs. My sister, who is six years old knows all the songs too, and we karaoke to them all the time. I have never sang onstage before, but that is one goal I hope to achieve one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/nalaniroze
Image Credits
Catalina Valenzuela
Linda Belford
