ANOTHER YOUNG AMERICAN ACTOR/MUSICIAN ALSO RISING ABOVE HER TORMENTERS TO PROVE SHE CAN WIN!!!

PLEASE WELCOME

MANDI SILER

1        Please tell us a little bit about your background;

                A:       I am thirty six years young and I was raised in South Carolina, USA. I am one of what used to be two children. I had a brother who was a year older than me and he was killed in a car accident when he was sixteen years old. A drunk driver hit him head on only two miles from our house. Since then, I have been the only child of two very loving and supportive parents.

2           You are an actor and musician.  Have you always wanted to be an entertainer or did you aspire to be something else when you were younger?

             A:        I have been singing since I was five years old. It is my biggest passion. That's been in my heart as early as I can remember. The acting bug hit several years ago. I was a very shy person with extreme stage fright and I started acting to help me with that. I found that becoming someone else for a while really brought me out of my shell. I have never really wanted to be anything else except a missionary. I really have a soft spot for children and families who are hungry and living in bad conditions. I want to help them as much as I can and I am looking forward to a time when I am able to do more of that.

3             Is anyone else in your family and/or relations in entertainment?

              A:         My dad's cousin owns a school of performing arts and she was a dancer for many years and a comedian. She has helped a lot of people including myself .

4            Are you professionally trained in both skills?

                 A:        I have had vocal training and some acting and drama classes.

5             As an actor, what have you appeared in?

                 A:          I have done only stage work at this point. I really want to try my hand at screen work now . I have appeared in several off Broadway productions such as:  'Guys and Dolls', 'The Pyjama Game', 'Wanda's World'...and many others. I am currently working on 'Anne Of Green Gables - the Musical'.

6            As a musician, are you solo or do you play with others?

                A:        I am a mezzo-soprano lead singer as well as an alto. I sing in a Christian band with others. I also am the director of a local church youth band where I provide vocal training to youth ages thirteen to eighteen years and act as a mentor to our youth musicians.

7           How many instruments do you play?

                 A:            I am only a singer.

8               Do you sing as well?

                  A:          I think so and have been told that I do.

9          Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

                  A:         I am represented by CD Models & Talent, Charleston, SC, USA.

10       What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

                A:          My spare time is mainly spent doing church activities where I am a youth ministry volunteer and mentor. I also like to karaoke with some friends.

11        Do you have a stage name?

                 A:          No.

12        Have you ever been bullied?

                 A:         Yes.

13          Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel that the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

                  A:        Not really.

14           What further do you feel the above could do to either decrease this problem hugely – or eliminate it altogether?

             A:           I believe that the true problem lies in the home. I know that's a bold statement to make, but I believe in the saying "hurting people, hurt people." I am not saying that all bullies have bad family lives, but I do believe that quite often bullies are bullies because they are either being bullied themselves or they are striving for attention. I believe that bullies don't really know what they are doing because they don't understand other people. They don't understand that being different isn't always a bad thing. I believe that training classes would help a lot.

15          On a personal level, what would you like to do to help in the fight against bullying?

                 A:       I am not sure yet. I would love to see counseling in schools on bullying issues. One on one sessions and group discussions.

16         What advice would you give to anyone who is currently suffering through this nightmare?

                  A:        My advice would be for them to look within themselves and find the goodness that lies there. What you think of yourself is what matters. Dig deep inside and discover your deepest hopes and dreams and live everyday taking steps closer and closer to those dreams, but realize it is a process and it takes time. Be patient. Don't allow what others are or have done to you keep you from your God-given potential. Learn to forgive because hate  can eat you alive if you let it and it can kill your dreams. Don't let that bully or bullies have your dreams. Also, go to someone and tell them. Someone you trust. No one can help you unless they know you have a problem.

17       Have you done many media interviews?

                 A:          No.

18          What is on your professional agenda for the rest of 2014?

             A:        'Anne of Green Gables - the Musical' where I am playing the role of Marilla Cuthbert. I am also a writer and I have written a comedy sitcom pilot that I am shopping out right now and I am working on several more episode scripts.

19                Do you have any special messages you would like to share with the world?

                 A:       Life is ultimately what you make it. There is a world of potential inside each person, but it's their job to discover it and cultivate it into something special. AND remember that it's NEVER too late to start doing what you know you were created to do.

20                Is there anything further you would like to add?

                     A:        No.

FROM MELBOURNE PLEASE WELCOME ACTOR AND MODEL

CHRISTOS LIAMBAS

\

1 Please tell us a little bit about your background;

      A:    I was born in Melbourne in the late 60's to Greek immigrant parents.

English was my second language so attending school and having to learn another language other than my parents'native language was somewhat difficult. I loved maths and music as well as just entertaining those around me! You could say that I was constantly feeling the need to gain approval or seek some feedback that what I was doing was appreciated!

2 You are an actor and a model. Have you always wanted to be an entertainer or did you aspire to be something else when you were younger?

     A:    I've always loved entertaining people and have been in several Easter/Christmas and cultural plays as a youngster in Greek school as well as English primary school and have performed with my English primary school choir to the point where we recorded an album of Christmas Carols! The performing arts were always in my blood, so to speak! As I grew older it became more difficult because the problems of adolescence came into play and I felt strongly discouraged to pursue more 'sensible' paths of employment rather than pursue an 'interest' or 'hobby' .

3 Is anyone else in your family and/or friends in entertainment?

   A:    My mum is actually a Greek school teacher so she's involved in putting together events and plays for festivals and the like at all the Greek cultural events, so I'd say she's the talented member of the family that I'm inspired by!

4 Are you professionally trained in both your skills? 

   A:     I'm not professionally or classically trained in either skill. I'm only just starting out in this industry at the suggestion of a childhood friend. I originally thought they were clinically insane for suggesting it, but since my separation from my wife last September and the loss of my job and shortly after my home, I felt I had nothing more to lose, so I took a shot and I'm still waiting to see what happens, although, so far it's been great just to be in this industry in ANY capacity!

Either way, I feel empowered and free to be doing something that I love instead of being stuck in a tedious job filled with repetition and drudgery!

5 As an actor, what have you appeared in?

  A:    As an actor, I've appeared in Series 2 of 'Mako Island' and I am in the movie 'San Andreas' with Dwayne Johnson. (Yet to be released)

6 As a model, what have you appeared in?
   

   A:      I haven't had any modelling assignments as yet.

7 Are you professionally managed or do you represent yourself?

    A:     Yes, I'm professional looked after by a talent agency.


8 Do you have a stage name?

    A:     I go by my own name 'Christos Liambas' .

I thought of adopting a stage name or 'nickname', but I'll leave that up to the agency to decide on when/if I become more well known. Right at this moment, I'm still just a background, non speaking 'extra'. But I love this industry!

9 What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

  A:   I have a MAAAAD passion for photography! Mostly landscape. I feel that nature is absolutely amazing! I also loooove live music! I have an eclectic taste ranging from ABBA to heavy metal, blues and jazz - virtually ANYTHING other than opera or hip-hop/rap! I love going and seeing virtually anyone play LIVE!

10 Have you ever been bullied?

      A:      Yes. All throughout my early childhood into my teens and early adulthood.

I always felt I didn't fit in because I didn't conform or see things in the conventional way that others saw things. I looked funny, talked funny, walked funny. Perhaps I needed to be thicker skinned or take things in my stride. Perhaps I was waaaay too sensitive, but just the thought of being excluded from things and laughed at and ridiculed and mocked based on my physical appearance or the way I talked or the way I did things differently felt incredible  -intensely hurtful! I would usually try to internalise it, but I was just a kid.

In any case, I felt like an outsider throughout my teen years especially and to this very day, a small part of that scarred childhood remains with me. The bullying may not be as severe or outward as the days of old, but it still surfaces to this very day on the odd occasion.

11 Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel that the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

      A:   That's a tough one. It seems like it's a not-so-hidden epidemic, or maybe it's a lot more noticed and talked about these days than it was back a generation or two ago. In some cases it seems that the system turns a blind eye to the problem and hopes it rights itself or hopes it goes away. I hope there's still an attempt being made to curb this insidiously abusive behaviour as it can have a totally devastating effect on a young, sensitive person's psyche! Especially if it leads that young person to internalise their feelings of inadequacy, resulting in self harm or perhaps even suicide!

We need to keep on top of it to make sure we're doing everything in our power to be there as a safe place to seek refuge for those poor souls that need our help!

12 What further do you feel the above could do to try to either decrease this problem hugely – or eliminate it altogether?

     A:     Give the culprits an opportunity to apologise in front of the whole school, as well as a written warning to cease their behaviour sent home to their parents (so that the parents can discipline them as they see fit as well). If the behaviour occurs a second time, they can be suspended or expelled depending on the severity of the offense !

13 On a personal level, what would you like to do to help in the fight against bullying?

     A:    I would be more than willing to assist in ANY way possible by being a 'go to' person such as a mentor or advisor/support person to talk to and support anyone who's going through the trauma of this ordeal.

14 What advice would you give to someone who is suffering through this nightmare at the moment?

      A:     Get in contact with someone and TALK THE ISSUE THROUGH... I KNOW that if you're sensitive type, that's the last thing you may want to do, but trust me, it always feels better just talking to someone who has been where you are and knows exactly how you feel. Someone that's going to support you and take your side and help you sort through things! Reach out and find a friendly ear. An older sibling, a friend, a parent, somebody close... or anybody far that you share a connection with.. In this age of interconnectivity a friendly ear is only a keyboard or smartphone away... Just reach out and get the support that you need. The problem isn't YOU, it's the bully. I know it's incredibly hurtful, what these bullies are doing, but they're COWARDS! Don't let them take away your power to choose your uniqueness , be who you are and be PROUD of it! Seek like-minded friends and get the support that you deserve!


15 What is on your professional agenda for the rest of 2014?

     A:      Hmmm.. Right now, I'm in between assignments, so I'll be scratching around for work in the general labouring as well as the acting trade. I hope to try and figure out a way to turn my love of photography into a paying hobby, but I love taking landscape shots, NOT portraits! So if I could combine my love of travelling with my love of Photography, then what a fantastic outcome THAT would be!

16 Is there anything further you would like to add?

     A:    Yes. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this project. If I can assist in making just ONE person's life a little easier or improving someone else's life even in the slightest, than I feel blessed and privileged that I helped in some small way to make my world a little nicer place to live in. Cheers Lannah and thank you once again!

17 Do you have a special message you would like to share with the world?

    A:    Let's ALL try and be a little more mindful of the fact that we are all part of a global community and we have but ONE place to call home. Let's treat our world and each other with the respect that we wish to be treated with ourselves. Let's protect our children and prepare them with the skills they'll need to carry on after we're gone. And let's try and leave this place a little more cleaner and safer and happier than the state that we found it in when WE arrived!

LINK

   StarNow

leas

ORIGINATING FROM MELBOURNE - PLEASE WELCOME  AUSSIE POPSTAR IN HOLLYWOOD - WHO APPEARS TO HAVE - EVERYTHING -

THE AMAZING

KATJA GLIESON

AN INTRODUCTION - COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA - PROVIDING AN INSIGHT INTO KATJA AND TELLING US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER BACKGROUND:

Katja Glieson is the new Australian Popstar gaining international attention for her original music and videos, with her urban pop caramel voice and her ‘naughty but nice’ cheeky grin.

The 20 year old singer/dancer/actress/writer has written and produced an EP, a series of award winning concept music videos, and performed at major festivals around the United States to huge crowds, after leaving her home and family back in Australia and giving it all to her dreams. Katja sees living her passion and dream of entertaining and performing her music and art as a way of connecting with people to make a difference to their lives. 

Katja not only writes her own catchy pop songs, ranging from the inspirational ‘Shooting Star’ to the club beat party song ‘Commando’, and the hip hop/pop infusion ‘Hot Mess’, she also has produced incredibly unique and engaging award winning music videos / short films to drive the story behind her life and the characters she plays. These various ‘episodes’ have won various awards, such as Best Music Video 2013 at the California International Shorts Film Festival, The Wild Ace Award at Las Vegas Film Festival, Gold Award at Beat 100, as well as being nominated at Phoenix Comicon, Shockfest, World Music and Independent Film Festival

Katja also works with one of LA’s top up and coming producers, Trend Def, the first single with them being “Look At Us”, which opens her live show.

In 2014, she has performed on the mainstage at LA PRIDE and Capital Pride to huge crowds with her full energetic show with her dancers, performed at SXSW with GoGirls Music as well as many other festivals and events around Los Angeles. She has also been selected to work or perform with OC PRIDE, Tuscon Pride, Brooklyn Pride, LiveNation, Palisades Rock the Fourth, FemaleFlow, Klickpush, Coast2Coast, The Chris Black Show, The Dutch Guy, Conrad’s Corner Radio Show, Melody’s FlipCam Webisodes, NBC Radio, CBS Radio, Indie 100 Radio, and many others, as well as official spokesperson for the Love All Humans, the Norristown Project, and the NOH8 organisation. She is an advocate for Marriage Equality, No Hate/Anti-bullying, True Feminism, and speaks out about these topics from stage and in interviews, and also tours to High Schools with PACE with her live show and speaks about bullying, staying in school and how to reach your goals and dreams in life.

Katja is an incredibly versatile and engaging live performer, singing live all of her songs, but also combining highly energetic dance sequences in an intense and theatrical show. She has toured all over Australia to hundreds of thousands of live audience members, as well as throughout the United States with her dancers.

Katja’s journey and her engaging videos, along with her sometimes cheeky but also heartfelt lyrics set her up as the next big thing in the popstar world, but she isn’t about the fame or fortune. She truly wants everyone to feel what she was never able to and what she has always tried to make everyone around her feel – unconditionally loved. That’s why she calls it her ‘popcult with no exclusions’, because she believes that no matter where you’ve come from, what’s happened to you or even whatever you’ve done in your life, you still deserve to be loved and have all your dreams come true.

1    You are an actor and a musician.  Have you always wanted to be an entertainer or did you aspire to be something else as you were growing up?

I am        A:         both an actor and musician/singer. Ever since I was a little girl I was entertaining everyone and anyone who would listen. I remember at one point, when I was obese, I thought that maybe I wasn’t allowed to be in the entertainment industry because of my size. I considered being a counsellor as I know mine was always so kind to me when I was being bullied. Later, I realized it had nothing to do with my size. People of all shapes and sizes are allowed to pursue their dream. 

3                     2   Is anyone else in your family and/or friends in entertainment?

My          A:     My older sister is an amazing actress. She is literally the most captivating actress I have ever seen. I am so proud to be her sister. I certainly always looked up to her growing up. She is my role model.

4                 3    What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

               A:     Spare time? Haha - you’re talking to an indie artist here! We have no spare time. It is filled with rehearsal, writing, recording, social media, interaction with the people who support us.

5                      4          Are you formally trained in both your skills?

                A:      I guess you could say I have had formal training in both acting and singing, but personally, I have seen so many talented and successful artists who haven’t had any. I could never afford too much training, but I always saw it as a form of self discovery. Discovering who you are and how to express yourself. 

6                     5           As an actor, what have you appeared in?

      

I                A:    I have done numerous short films in both Australia and America. I was the lead female in an indie feature film called 'Blockhouse Blues' and 'The Elmore Beast” alongside Marcus Graham. It was so amazing working with such a fantastic actor. I even had one of my early songs in the film.

I        I also have a series called “Terminium City” which is like a television series with music videos. A whole new concept that has been nominated and won many USA film festivals including, California International Shorts Film Festival, Las Vegas Film Festival, Phoenix Comicon Film Festival, Shockfest Film Festival and World Music and Independent Film Festival.

7                    6            As a musician, what instruments do you play?

                 A:     I play the piano, and use it when I write my songs.

 7      Do you also sing?  What genre/s?

         A:       I sing pop primarily, but I also rap and use some jazz inspired tones.

I was originally trained as a jazz singer, then I did musical theatre, until I found my home in pop.

10                8      Have you ever been bullied?

Ahh          A:     Yes I have. I grew up overweight. I think the largest I got to was 95kgs (200lbs) and I was constantly teased about my weight. Not only that, my bullies also were physical. One boy used to search for me every morning so he could punch me in the face. My “friends” used to push my face into brick walls - I was pushed into garbage bins and into the boys' toilets. Not the best childhood memories. But even though I have lost the weight, I still get bullied online. A lot of people make up anonymous profiles and say terrible things about me. I have had a lot of men taunt me. And try to bully me into having sex with them. (IT NEVER WORKS LOL) But it breaks my heart that people feel so down about themselves that they have to infect someone.  In some ways I feel that's worse than what happened when I was a child.

11               9                Whether you have been bullied or not, do you feel that the governments and schools around the world are doing enough to try to combat this problem?

      

I c              A:      I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to combat this issue. Unfortunately due to technology it's getting worse. We have internet bullies and trolls as well as the bullies at school. I believe the government is trying. But I think they aren’t quite on the right path. I used to work for a children’s theatre company in Australia called “Alpha Shows” - it is an independently run company with NO government funding. They bring these huge, amazing theatrical rock concerts to schools along with big sets, lights, sound equipment etc. The children are so engaged and entertained. Within these shows they have common themes. For example, 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' deals with bullying. 

N       The difference about how this works is nothing short of a miracle. 'Alpha Shows' encourages the audience to help the lead character by searching within themselves. It's about being responsible for your own emotions and having empathy. 

It is      The first company that I have ever seen that wants to not only help the victims of bullying but also encourage others to understand, love and help the bullies. Because there is always a reason why someone is hurting so much they have to project it onto another.

I           I  would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for 'Alpha Shows'. By working with them, I was able to overcome so much of what happened to me.

10       What further do you feel the above could do to either decrease this act hugely – or eliminate it altogether?

O                A:     Ah - that's easy. The government should get behind 'Alpha Shows' and support them. Make sure every single school has their shows ever year. Many schools have already started to develop a health and wellbeing program but this will get them over the line. No doubt in my mind. You cannot preach to people - you have to give them an emotional experience. It's the only way to make a difference.

13                 11         On a personal level, what would you like to do, over and above what you are already doing, to help in the fight against bullying?

I                 A:    I  won’t fight against bullying. That's the first mistake I could make. But I know what you mean by it. I am currently performing my music and bringing my story to high schools, communities and Pride Festivals. I think it's important people hear from someone who has genuinely been through it. Or still does deal with it.

14                    12         What advice would you give to someone who is suffering through this nightmare at the moment?

                   A:     Ok - well first of all I am so sorry to anyone who is going through any type of bullying or abuse. It is a terrible thing that is completely unfair and it should not happen. The simplest way to explain is that it has nothing to do with you! You are wonderful and amazing. It all has to do with the bully. The bully is the one who is in so much pain that they have no idea how to express it but to lash out at the first person who triggers their fears and anger. So please understand the bully. I know it may seem like they don’t deserve your love and understanding, but they are human too. It is not in our nature to be horrible to one another. For me, knowing that the reason why the girl at school called me S27 (27 nasty words starting with S to describe me) - she was going through a really hard time at home. Her parents were really hard on her. They treated her unlovingly and judged her so much she had to take it out on me.

15                13          What is on your professional agenda for the rest of 2014?

I                 A:     I am currently doing a concert series with 'P.A.C.E Shows'  for summer called 'Summer Night Lights', where we go to parks in the community and entertain the families. We also have food and drinks because we are aware, when school isn’t running in summer, a lot of children go hungry. It’s also facilitated by the LAPD to stop gang violence over summer, by having a place people can go and have fun. I tour with P.A.C.E during the school terms promoting education and speaking out about bullying and obesity. 

I          I am so excited to perform with the 'O.M.G Girls' July 9 for the 'All Stars Celebrity Basketball Game' at the mid America Centre.

 I        I am doing 'O.C Pride' August 9, headlining with Bonnie McKee.  

T        Also 'Tucson Pride' October 18. You can also see my events ww.katjaglieson.com/events

16               14              Have you worked alongside any well known names?

I h              A:    I have had the privilege to headline 'LA Pride' with Azealia Banks and Jennifer Hudson and 'Capital Pride' with Bonnie McKee, Karmin, Betty Who and Rita Ora.

LINKS:

           Facebook

       Twitter

       Instagram

       Website