Rising Star Bella Ortiz of ‘American Carnage’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
… Diversity representation in film and television shouldn’t even be a question. I mean, look at how vastly diverse the world is. There is not just one human experience and it certainly should not be the white experience that we see. The more range we are able to see represented in film and tv, the more we will be introduced to the experiences of others, which allows for more empathy and understanding in society. A lot of people are afraid of what they don’t understand, but if the powerful industry that is Hollywood can invest in projects that accurately represent the experiences of all those who watch them, it can only lead to positive changes in our culture and for our youth.
We had the pleasure to interview Bella Ortiz. Bella is genuinely super sweet, fun and talented. She has a new film, AMERICAN CARNAGE, coming out July 15th in theaters and VOD. The movie is a twisted thriller-comedy, also starring Jenna Ortega and Erin Dane, about what happens when an executive order is announced to arrest the children of undocumented immigrants — think GET OUT in terms of style and tone. Bella is super passionate about the topics the film raises and is proud of her work within it.
Thank you so much for doing this with us Bella! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you for giving me this time and space to speak about my journey! When I was four years old, my mother and I left Santiago, Chile and moved to my father’s city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was a culture shock for both of us, with many challenges, but it also created the foundation of the uniquely beautiful relationship I share with my mother. Looking back, I am astonished by her strength — how even in the toughest of times she still showed me ways to love life fiercely.
Art was one of those ways. A lot of kids made fun of me and bullied me but I always felt understood in artistic environments. Whether drawing, writing, or theater, all those spaces felt intimate and innate to me. We moved around a lot but my interest and pursuit of artistic hobbies never changed.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Ever since performing in my first grade play Who’s In Rabbit’s House, something clicked and instinctually I knew story-telling through performance was what I was going to do with my life. I was fascinated with the idea of being able to temporarily stop time and provide entertainment and comfort for people. But I really never had a game plan or method of how I was going to become an actor and I think that’s in part because I felt like I already knew that I was one. I never felt like I had to prove that to anyone and because it has always been a part of my identity, I never questioned otherwise. I just knew it would happen one day.
My life took many directions and turns and ultimately led me to a path where I was studying psychology-cognitive neuroscience in college. I absolutely loved it. I worked in research labs at the University of Chicago and UPMC and was driven by my desire to help people. I have always considered my purpose in life is to be of service to others and the path I was on felt aligned and fulfilling. But during my junior year, I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling that told me I would never forgive myself if I did not pursue acting professionally. I thought back to my childhood and that feeling of not knowing how it was going to happen but knowing I was going to be an actor — and it occurred to me that it was only going to happen if I started taking intentional steps towards it. I ended up following my intuition and I haven’t regretted it one day since.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Towards the end of 2020, I booked my first guest star role. I was so excited to have made the move to this “next level” and felt like I was making good progress. I saw the progression as linear — I would now be able to audition for more guest star roles and then after some time there I would then hopefully start auditioning for and booking series regulars. I thought after a few years in that territory then I could hopefully move on to being a lead. But three months later, I auditioned for and booked a lead role in a CBS/CW pilot produced by the incredible Jennie Snyder Urman and written by Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir — some of the most talented, generous and kind people I’ve ever met. It was the best experience of my career to date. I could talk about it forever of how it was truly an honor to be apart of something so beautiful, but one of the big takeaways it taught me was that you never know what is possible. Before I auditioning for the project, I had experienced defeat in a heavy way earlier that week, so I told myself that for this one all I wanted my intention to be was to have fun and to be myself. And that’s what ultimately gave me the opportunity to work with all those beautiful people and make something we were, and still are, all so proud of.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
In 2017 I booked my first television role as a co-star in Chicago Fire. Coming from theater, I didn’t know what to expect on a tv set. I was just so excited and eager to be there! My call time was 5:30am and when I arrived I was taken to the first trailer I had ever stepped foot in. I was directed to change into my wardrobe and hang out until someone came to get me. Before the PA left, they asked me what I wanted to eat. I, being so unfamiliar with this system, didn’t know what options were even available, so I kindly asked for a hot black coffee. They returned soon after with the coffee and also said they were ready for me on set. We quickly made our way to set where everybody was waiting for me to run blocking and start filming. I didn’t want to hold anything up so I immediately threw my coffee into the first trashcan I saw and jumped right in. Moments later as the director was talking to me, I saw a brown puddle oozing from the trashcan behind him. It was then that I realized the trash can I had thrown my coffee into was a non-functional prop for the set! They just laughed it off and didn’t give it much attention but I was so mortified! Ultimately I was able to see the humor in it and it taught me how important it is to confidently take up space. Because I felt so new and not as experienced, I think I also felt the need to shrink myself and be a quiet, polite guest in somebody else’s house. I never wanted to ask for anything for fear that it would be an inconvenience. Had I asked for a moment to finish my coffee or at least ask if there was any place I could put my things, I would have felt more confident about my right to be there and more in control of my own experience. Never be afraid to ask for what you need, because it will ultimately be for the betterment of the whole team.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I owe it all to my mother. She is my rock and has unconditionally loved and supported me. Just the thought of her and her belief in me has saved me in the darkest times. She sacrificed a lot in her life and I cannot wait to share every success of this journey with her. I also have my Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Sam and favorite cousin Ben to thank, who believed in me since the beginning and helped me tackle the business aspect of my career very recently. I have always struggled to feel a sense of a “homebase” because we moved a lot, but they have always represented that home base for me.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
In a way, I think that the fear of failing happens when one becomes too focused and too aware of what other people will think of them. This career path is very different from others because there isn’t just one way to measure success. Before embarking on this career path, I would urge others to first clearly define their reason of why. Why do you want to do this? That is very important because if it’s a strong enough reason, it will be the thing you can always return to and can find comfort when it feels tough (and trust me, it will feel really tough sometimes). The second step is to ask yourself what success in this career looks like for you. Once you have that answer you have to then consider if spending your entire life pursuing that would be worth it to you.
What drives you to get up every day and work in TV and Film? What change do you want to see in the industry going forward?
I love the uniqueness of my career, how there will always be surprises. I have always enjoyed the pursuit of knowledge and in my career I will always have the opportunity to learn more and to cultivate growth. I hope that in the future we will be able to see more content by underrepresented cultures.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
Thank you, that’s very sweet of you to say. I’m currently diving deeper into my personal art and have been teaching myself how to take the style of my drawings on paper into the digital world! I’ve been auditioning for some cool projects so maybe more on that soon 😉
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Diversity representation in film and television shouldn’t even be a question. I mean, look at how vastly diverse the world is. There is not just one human experience and it certainly should not be the white experience that we see. The more range we are able to see represented in film and tv, the more we will be introduced to the experiences of others, which allows for more empathy and understanding in society. A lot of people are afraid of what they don’t understand, but if the powerful industry that is Hollywood can invest in projects that accurately represent the experiences of all those who watch them, it can only lead to positive changes in our culture and for our youth.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
-Embrace your uniqueness, lean into it! Not only will it set you apart, but the more you try to hide or change yourself, the more lost you will feel
-Never be afraid to speak up and ask questions, because sometimes you will be the only person that will be able to advocate for yourself
-This is a business, and along with the artistic pursuit, you also have to see yourself as a business with valuable service/product
-Surround yourself with people that lift you up and want you to succeed. It can sometimes feel lonely and hard but connection and support will carry you through
-Never stay in a place that does not facilitate your growth. You will never get to a point where you know it all or get to the best that you will ever be, so if it’s not something you are constantly working towards or being pushed towards, it’s a sign to change your course of action.
Can you share with our readers any selfcare routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive?
I believe it’s important to have hobbies of things you love to do regardless if you are good at them or not. Something that you can enjoy just for the sake of doing and not feel any pressure of trying to get to a final level or any pressures of monetization if it is something that you are good at. Also finding enjoyment in moving your body and being active in a ways that aren’t strictly for exercise!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I live by, “You cannot control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react to it”. Just today, someone at work commented that I am always happy when I come in for a shift and then asked me why that was. I answered, “why not?” I think even in the midst of anything negative in your life, you can still find something positive to be happy about.
You are a person of influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would like to hopefully inspire people to be kind. As much as you think they might, humans rarely experience kindness/appreciation, if at all. I know it sounds bizarre… you think, “but it’s so easy to be kind!” We are quick to harden and make a judgment or projection on someone more often than softening and connecting with them. This is due to our deep seeded fear of rejection and doubting our importance. I know it because every time I set the intention of being fully present with someone, reacting to their every unique move, when I chose to hold someone with curiosity and kindness, I also feel how they come completely unraveled in my arms. Be kind and curious in every interaction you have with someone else, I promise you’ll feel so much lighter you’ll be convinced you could soar.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Tim Robinson! I think he’s absolutely hilarious and I relate to the structure of a lot of his skits. I think my part of my comedy style is in the same vein and it would be awesome to test that theory!
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
I am! I am on instagram- @BellaOrtizz
Thank you for these fantastic insights.
Rising Star Bella Ortiz of ‘American Carnage’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.