[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”24141″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Our interview with gorgeous actress and fitness advocate Rachele Brooke Smith who can be seen on CENTER STAGE film COLD MOON.
In addition to her upcoming films, Rachele’s past filmography includes ‘Iron Man 2’, ‘Burlesque,’ ‘A Place In The Heart’, ‘Help! My Gumshoe’s An Idiot!’, as well as leading roles in ‘Center Stage: Turn It Up’, ‘Bring It On: Fight To The Finish’, and ‘Pop Star’.
On the small screen, Rachele recently appeared on Fox’s hit show ‘Scream Queens’ and later on this year, will be seen in Lifetime’s TV movie, ‘Center Stage: Dance Camp’. Additional TV credits include: Fox’s ‘Glee’, FX’s ‘Anger Management’, CBS ‘How I Met Your Mother’, HBO’s ‘Entourage’, and CBS’ ‘Two and a Half Men’.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”24144″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Hi Rachele please tell us a little about you?
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and was a very competitive (and pretty stressed out ) gymnast before getting into entertainment, but it never was the actual gymnastics that was my true love. I really just loved the performing aspect of it all. After breaking my hand during one of the best competitions of my life (and having to have surgery on it), I began to realize how truly unhappy I was, and even though it was ridiculously hard, and seemed almost impossible at the time to quit, I eventually did find the strength to so (I don’t think I will ever forget how sad and lost back then). Around that same time I went with my family to see the movie Center Stage by Nicholas Hytner. This particular film was so powerful for me, I had crazy goosebumps, chills, and so filled with inspiration, I literally couldn’t move. Even after everyone else had left the theater I was still sitting there with an overwhelming feeling of joy, passion, a little bit of fear, and lots of excitement. I just knew in that very powerful moment that I would never forget this experience. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be just like that girl that I watched light up that screen and inspired me so much. I went from feeling so sad, so lost, so alone to feeling more alive and full of joy and wonderment then ever before. I wanted to do everything I possible could and work harder than I ever had before to be able to move and change people the way that film had changed me. I wanted to act, dance, and perform more than anything and I wanted to do it for the rest of my life. After that moment there really was no looking back, i just knew that performing and storytelling was what I was born to do.
I barely slept all through highschool because I was to busy dancing and acting all the time. Then the plan was to go to my dream college that had one of the best performing arts programs, then go to LA to follow my dream of being a lead actress. Fun fact, that plan failed big time and I didn’t get into my dream college (even though I had a 3.9 gpa, captain of the dance line, lead our schools non profit activities, and was in student government all 4 years). After few weeks of complete devastation, confusion, and not knowing what to do next (I was all set up to go to ASU… however something inside me felt awful about making that move) I saw an opportunity to audition for a super intense performing arts scholarship program in LA… long story short, I last minute flew to LA with my mom, auditioned, got in (yay!!!!), and had 2 weeks to move and get all set up in this new crazy big city I knew pretty much no one and very little about (I mean other than what I saw in movies) During this very intense year program (which was one of the hardest but best things I have ever done) I couldn’t audition for anything or have an agent. As soon as I finished the program I got signed to a dance agency and tried to get in with an acting agency but got turned down and was very discouraged. A couple weeks later I saw a sign on the wall for auditions for the lead girl in Center Stage: Turn It Up (the sequel to the very film that changed me as a little girl). My initial reaction was thinking there was no way this could have been happening. It seemed so surreal, almost not even possible. I will never forget the moment, sitting at home in my room after justifying all the reasons not to go, when I had this overwhelming feeling that I had to go. It was so powerful that it honestly felt like it pushed me out the door and to the audition. I had that feeling through the next month or so, and what seemed like a rollercoaster ride of emotions of my childhood dream being so close but yet so far away. I ended up having to go in 6 different times for that role then finally got the call that I booked the l. After what felt like forever I got a call from one of the agents that turned me down saying that Sony Pictures wanted to book me to play Kate Parker in Center Stage Turn It Up and that I would be leaving to film in Vancouver in a couple day (haahhhhhh… hahhhh . haaahhh.. Ya that was me screaming in my car.. Probably not very safe for me to be driving right then) It was a literal childhood dream come true, I was about to play the lead in the sequel to the movie that changed my life as a little girl, I was going to get to be “that girl” that inspired me so much. This crazy, beautiful, overwhelming, and to me somewhat miraculous experience was what has shaped my entire brand and company. All I want to do is to use this story to inspire others and be “that girl” to move and change anyone’s life I possibly can through the arts, performing, and storytelling.
Here is a video where I talk all about this.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIEfBRizMeU” title=”CAN BIG DREAMS REALLY COME TRUE?”][vc_column_text]
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, Driven, Creative and Curious. (the last 2 go hand in hand)
Who is your biggest supporter?
Man, I could name so many like my mom, my family, my best friends, my team.. but honestly what I have learned, especially in the past year, and especially as an artists and entrepreneur… is that the most important “supporter” we will all ever really need to have and or find in our life is ourselves. I think so many people suffer so much and never create what they really want to in the life because we end up (consciously or unconsciously ) becoming our own worst enemies rather than choosing and practing daily being our biggest supporters and best friends. And at the end of the day.. if you don’t believe in you.. how can anyone else?
Name one your strengths?
That I am on a constant quest for growth in all areas of life. That I have committed to always look for the lesson and move forward better and stronger than before rather than stay stuck and believe in the falsehood of the word failure.
What was your first acting role?
Center Stage Turn It Up
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
Best part is that you get to play make believe for a living and help tell stories that hopefully inspire, entertain, and change peoples lives for the better. With every new character I ask “How can I celebrate this life in the best way?”
Also, One of my favorite things is getting message from different people all over the world saying how much the characters I have played have inspired them. Men, women, and children of all ages, races, and ethnicities have shared life changing experiences with me & that just makes me the happiest girl in the world because that is exactly what the first center stage did for me.. it changed my life. I saw it and said “that is what I’m gonna do with my life,” then I did it and know I have all different types of people saying and doing that same thing. ( haaaaaahhhh !!! Yep that’s me jumping, screaming, and dancing for joy)
Worst part is the post project low that seems to happen after being on a project that you love. I don’t hate things, but I really really passionately dislike going from being around a “film family” every day and loving every minute of it, then after the film is over you rarely see each other again and if you do its very few and far in between.
Best advice ever given?
Divorce the stories of your past that are holding you back & stop telling yourself you “should” change and make a REAL decision that you must change. And make sure you have a super powerful reason WHY you are changing that will help you stay on your new chosen path through any temptation or challenge.
Do something that scares you every day. If you want to feel fearless, confident, and make a difference in this world… avoid getting comfortable like the plague.
Confidence and fearlessness is a muscle if you don’t use it, you will loose it.
The most important muscle in your body is the one between your ears.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”24143″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Now tell us about your recent film Cold Moon? And about your character?
Cold Moon is a suspense thriller that I play a southern Bell who is the happiest, sweetest, most full of life person you will probably ever meet. She was one of my very favorite characters to play… especially since I feel that every character I play rubs off on me a little.. and man while I was filming that movie I felt happier than I think I ever have in my entire life. I know that this film will be one of those films that comes out of nowhere and blows everyone away. I especially loved getting to work again with one of my very favorite directors Griff Furst as well as Christopher Lloyd, Josh Stewart, Candy Clark and so many more phonemail talents.
What has been your most memorable experience from a film set?
I was really intimidated at first to work opposite Christopher Llyod (I was slightly obsessed with his performances in back to the future and angels in the outfield as a kid) and he was also playing a grumpy old man in Cold Moon so that didn’t help my intimidation either. But on his last day he ran over to me (I had rarely even seen him out of his wheel chair that his character lived in) and picked me up and swung me around and said “I loved working with you, you’re an amazing actress!” That moment will stay with me forever and I will always remember that as one of my favorite onset experiences.
What other projects you have been part of?
I just played a really kick ass character on CBS’s new big show “Wisdom Of The Crowd” which was soooo fun to play!
One of which was a dream come true character and film that I just got done filming in Puerto Rico. I play the lead girl in this action film opposite Jeff Fahey and Bobby Campo and will be out on SYFY this summer. (In fact, It might just be kicking off Shark Week! 😉
My character was such a badass and It was both the most amazing and most challenging experience. It was an action film (I have been dying to do action roles/films for a long time now… hence the “dream come true” statement above) and I had to do a lot of crazy intense stuff on this film (kinda crazy actually how much I love things that push me to my limits and make me do challenging scary things) Fun fact I still have some battle scares from that film that I wear very proudly. Due to my athletic background I really really love playing bad ass action hero characters like I got to play in this film and I just can’t wait to do more like it. I can’t wait for everyone to see this film I really think it is going to blow everyone away. I swear Griff Furst and Isaiah Laborde (director and producer team on this film ) are going to be the best in the industry some day… and some day very soon. Very grateful to work with them.
Bomb city is such an amazing true story and one that I know will have an incredibly positive impact on the world. I am incredibly passionate about changing the way people view and treat each other (especially those who are different from them) and I know this film will do exactly that so I am super excited to start filming. I am also very excited to play a punk rock bad ass character.
Chalk it up is a really fun inspirational gymnastics film. This was especially fun for me because I got to act along side some of my best girl friends (Nikki SooHoo & Maddy Curly) and got to practice all my cool gymnastics skills I hadn’t really been able to since I was a teenager. I play a really feisty girl who was an incredibly talented dancer trying to be gymnast. And not only trying to but having to be a collegiate level gymnast & do it extremely quickly. Video from making of this movie here!
Also here is video link from premier of NiceGuys and about my role in that one.
– Also when Center Stage 3 comes out I’ll also be launching Disruptive Apparel and releasing my new ebook “Your creative roadmap to bring Unbreakable.” I will also be adding new tracks to my “Action-Hero-At-Life Album”
Who is your favorite Actor/Actress? And why?
Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Weatherspoon, Gal Gadot, Will Smith, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. , Brad Pitt , Mathew Mchaughnahay
They all are awesome in their own way but they all seem pretty f-ing brave and that is the number one quality I look up to.
They all stand for something greater than themselves and seem to want to use their platform for good . They also don’t let other people or the industry define them… the took risks and committed to them and are pretty loud about who they are, what they stand for, and their performances captivate me.
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
Phone, wireless headphones, some sort of water bottle
What music do you like?
Anything that helps me create awesome energy throughout my day and crush my goals. I’m very obsessed with music, I really don’t know how I would survive without it.
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
Waking up in some new amazing destination by the beach / water, Allowing my body and mind to rest, my fave spiritual yoga class, beach run and jump in the ocean, a really good book and or audio book, lots life visualization / design time, beach volleyball with my family and friends, then a very long massage and movie theater time.
How’s a normal day in your life?
My Every day is Anything but normal!.
Now how and when did you start into fitness?
After growing up a very competitive gymnast and suffering from a really bad gut health problem I have since been on a constant quest for anything I could find that would help me operate at optimal performance level.
I am a super driven passionate girl with really big goals and dreams I plan to get done while I am on this earth and I know the only way I am ever going to be able to accomplish those is if I am able to be in the best shape possible mentally , physically , and emotionally.
Any fitness tips you want to share with us?
Make Fitness Fun! “If you are not having FUN, you are not doing it right!”
Know the reason you are working out! Set an intention for every workout, and if you really wanna propel yourself forward, everything you do! If you have a BIG enough WHY… you will always be motivated! Find a WHY that empowers you!
LOVE yourself and be good to yourself! When you are stressed out or starve yourself your body will hold on to anything you do eat and store it as fat.
Realize the POWER of your MIND! Have a mental and physical image of your goal! See yourself already being this way so much that it makes you excited because you know this is what you really are becoming! “Whether you think you CAN, or you think you CAN”T, YOU ARE RIGHT!
Watch your self talk! If you eat some bad food or miss a workout, don’t degrade yourself, take responsibility for your actions, realize your POWER is in the NOW, look at your reason WHY you are doing this, look at your picture of your goal, and make a change for better next time!
Eat lots of organic veggies all throughout the day!
STAY AWAY from Chemicals and processed foods!!! It will not only help you loose worth but will save your life. Learn to read labels! If you have a hard time pronouncing ingredients its probably a good idea to not eat or drink it!
You don’t have to go to the gym everyday to be in shape.. find fitness activities that YOU like and will look forward to doing!
What kind of training routine do you follow?
My philosophy is that there is an endless supply of physical activities to choose from… Biking, Yoga, Jogging, Hiking, martial arts, fitness videos/class, dance, power walking, rollerblading, cross training, tennis…and the list goes on! Don’t allow yourself to get bored! If you are bored… You’re probably not doing it right.
But when I am really trying to lean our for roles I make sure and do a mix of strength based yoga, HIIT or TABATA type training , with boxing and dance mixed in.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Avocados, Salmon, Bulletproof Coffee with grass fed butter and some sort of mct or coconut oil in in.
And your favorite cheat food?
Dark Chocolate and Almond butter and Kippy’s Coconut based ice cream
Which project is still on your bucket list?
Playing a kick-ass role in wonder woman 2 and or a leading role opposite Sandra Bullock
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
One of the most sought after and highest paid actresses with a kickass brand that empowers and upgrades millions of lives around the globe.
Do you support any charities?
I Do! I support many different charities but right now especially “Dress For Success” that help get women off the streets, dressed them for success, teaches them interview skills they need, helps them get jobs… etc they are amazing!
Where we can follow you?
Rachelebsmith.com
Instagram.com/rbrookesmith
Facebook.com/rachelebrookesmith
Twitter.com/rachelebrookesmith
Youtube.com/Ubdreams
DisruptiveDare.com
Disruptiveapparel.com
Instagram.com/disruptive_movement
Favorite Music: Dance/pop (I also really love country sometimes but only the uplifting kind the super sad country is just way to depressing for me)
Quote: I have way to many be able to just pick one top favorite, however one I love
“Everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” – Victor Frank (Mans Search For Meaning)
“Impossible is nothing, the very word itself say…IM POSSIBLE!”
“What makes someone beautiful? The most beautiful people are those who fully engaged in whats going on, those who look for, see, and celebrate the beauty in others. Do-gooders are sexy!” – Brendan Burchard
“There is a great life changing power in the Power of Curiosity and Wonderment” – Jeff Hoffman
“That we are all full of shit… but its ok! We are all just trying to do the best we can with our current understanding of ourselves and the world around us”
Holiday Destination: Australia or CapeTown or Spain
Food: Avocados and Almond Butter
Restaurant: Any place I can make a massive salad with all the steamed veggies, fish, and or all the healthy toppings I could possibly desire.
Drink: BulletProof Coffee
Celebrity Crush: Chris Pine, Channing Tatum,
Song: Right now – Are you ready for it? Taylor Swift
Sports Team: Phoenix Suns (I grew up a pretty die hard fan and its just still stuck with me)
Movie: Wonder Woman, Blindside, CenterStage (the first one), The Matrix, The Island[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
