Acting is not the only thing that Jennifer Michelle excels in. Her goal is to break the glass ceiling, both from a gender and age angle. She already has started a directing and writing career, and her young age seems to impress the industry – with more exciting things coming up.
Harper Bazaar: How would you present yourself?
JENNIFER MICHELE: I am a multi-disciplinary artist focused on the movie industry. I have been an actress since childhood and have been blessed with various roles from mainstream TV shows to independent films. I have played in Fox’ 911, Ella in Lionsgate’s Joey and Ella, as well as the show “Just my Luck” just to name a few.
This year has been taking me to the next level with Riley, a short movie I wrote, produced, directed and starred in. I have won multiple “Best Young Actress” awards, such as the Gold Award for best young actress for my role ‘Riley’ in ‘Riley’ at the ‘Best Actor and Director Awards’ and Best Actress at the Los Angeles Cinematography Awards. I also won the “Outstanding Writer award” at the Young Artist awards, and was nominated in two categories for “Best Performance”, as well as “Outstanding Director” and “Outstanding Producer”.
Harper Bazaar: How do you communicate your inspiration?
JENNIFER MICHELE: I have always been passionate about making movies since I was a little girl. It truly is fascinating to be able to inspire, touch or change people by telling powerful stories. I have always been interested in everything that is involved in movie making. I wanted to understand the structure of film making all the way around. I am currently working on producing my own movies, always keeping in mind that I want to deliver my utmost best.
Harper’s Bazaar: How do you manage to remain versatile?
JENNIFER MICHELE: Never give up! If you decide to never give up, no matter what, I think it could make the journey much easier, while having the courage to follow your dreams. It’s also very important to be smart about what you do. Surround yourself with likeminded people, people that have already successfully done what you want to do. They may inspire you, or just give you that one little nugget that you needed.
Always strive to be your best, stretch yourself, but within that realize that what you do doesn’t define who you are. You define who you are. Be Okay with yourself, regardless of what you do, and then from that place jump into what you’re doing; and enjoy the journey. Be hungry to get better, but don’t be too hard on yourself.
Harper’s Bazaar: How do you overcome challenges?
JENNIFER MICHELE: Some challenges may come when you have a hard day, or you’re counting on something at a certain point and it’s not happening just the way you want it. But I think that the main thing is to be strong in your mind and heart and never give up. Keep working on yourself and on your craft, on your skills, make your own work and if you do that with all your heart and soul, I am convinced you will find your way.
It is both an opportunity as well as an interesting juggling act to wear so many hats and do so many different things, like acting, directing, writing, producing, and modeling. It is also difficult to overcome all the rejection you receive in acting, but if you always remember who you are and your value, eventually someone or many someone’s will value what you have to share as well.
Harper’s Bazaar: How do you plan your next career moves?
JENNIFER MICHELE: Building a career is like learning to drive a car – and since I’m 16, I know all about it! I want to master one thing before I go on to the next.
In the beginning when I am producing a movie, that may be all I will do on that movie. When I am writing, that may be all I do on a feature. The same goes for directing and acting. But in the future I see myself combining these tasks and doing it all, and doing it with excellence.
**Credits**
Model: Jennifer Michele @thejennifermichele
Photographer: Dali Ma @dali.photographer
Stylist: @ilaria_de_plano
Makeup: @chloeho_mua
Production: @say__media
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
