Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress and Singer Saint Heart Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
…There is so much amazing diversity now in film. Seeing the Native people progressing the way they are so fast is amazing, like Lily Gladstone being up for an Oscar. I’m rooting for her 100 percent. It’s so amazing to see all the nationalities and cultures thriving. That’s what the film industry needed — unity and all of us loving each other. I think right now, the film industry is really doing the right thing…
I had the pleasure of talking with Saint Heart. In the bustling heart of Los Angeles, Saint Heart, an Indigenous actress and singer with roots tracing back to the Comanche tribe, has swiftly become a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Originating from Austin, Texas, Heart’s journey to LA marks a tale of determination, creativity, and resilience that has captivated both audiences and critics alike.
Before the world grappled with the challenges of the pandemic, Saint Heart had already made significant strides in the music scene. Signed by the Universal Music Group, she introduced ‘tribal pop’ to the mainstream, a genre that beautifully amalgamates her cultural heritage with contemporary pop music. However, it was her transition to acting during the pandemic’s ebb that marked a pivotal turn in her career. Within a mere two years of dipping her toes into acting, Heart has remarkably featured in 20 films, showcasing her versatility and dedication to her craft.
Her filmography is as diverse as her talents, ranging from thriller and sci-fi to drama, with notable appearances in “Babylon,” “Daisy Jones and the Sixth,” “The Offer,” “Panic,” “Wicked Game,” and “Another Way to Die.” In “Alien Storm,” she starred opposite industry veterans like Tom Arnold and Kevin Sorbo, further establishing her as a formidable talent in the industry. Her leading role in “Deadly Western,” now streaming on Amazon Prime, underscores her range and ability to captivate audiences in any genre.
Saint’s early life in Austin was marked by a supportive family environment that nurtured her creative talents. From choir performances in elementary school to modeling, she has always been drawn to the spotlight. Her decision to move to Los Angeles with just $2,000 in her pocket was fueled by an unyielding desire to pursue her dreams of singing and acting — a gamble that has paid off exponentially.
Throughout her career, Heart has had memorable moments that underscore her growing influence in the entertainment world. Attending the Grammys, meeting icons like Lady Gaga, Sia, and Tony Bennett, and landing her first lead role in a movie straight out of an acting class are just a few highlights of her journey. Each of these experiences not only highlights her achievements but also her ability to inspire through her work and presence.
Currently, Saint Heart is expanding her horizons with new projects. She leads in the Western film “A Thousand Acres,” set to grace numerous film festivals, and stars in “Julie’s Place,” a sitcom about a mother navigating life with triplets. Moreover, she’s venturing into the sci-fi genre, showcasing her adaptability and continuous evolution as an artist.
Behind her success, Saint credits her late grandmother, whose encouragement and belief in her dreams have been a constant source of motivation. This personal inspiration, coupled with her relentless work ethic, underscores Heart’s journey as not just one of fame but of heartfelt dedication to her art.
Yitzi: Hey Heart, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, I’d like to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Heart: I’m from Austin, Texas. I grew up with a really good family. They were very supportive. I started modeling at a very young age, so I got used to the camera. I was in choir when I was really young. I started out in elementary school and I always loved singing. I always loved performing. As I got older, I realized I was destined for more. So I decided to pack up my things and move with $2,000 in my pocket to Los Angeles about 10 years ago. If I hadn’t made that move, I wouldn’t have been able to live my dream. I’m a singer and an actress. I just love the arts. I love performing, being on stage, and being in front of people. That’s what I love to do.
Yitzi: You probably have a lot of fascinating interactions and anecdotes. Can you share with our readers one or two of the most interesting or memorable stories that have happened since you started your entertainment career?
Heart: I would say attending the Grammys was a lot of fun. I got to meet my childhood heroes, like Lady Gaga and Sia. I got to meet Tony Bennett, which was really cool before he passed away. Just being around that atmosphere was so inspiring.
Another memorable moment was when I booked my first lead in a movie. I got discovered in my acting class by a director and they really liked my performance. They grabbed me from the class and said, “We want you to be the lead in this film.” I was so fortunate to have that happen, the right place at the right time. From that, I’ve done several movies with the same production company and I’m very happy with what we’ve done. I’ve gotten to do so many different roles. The Grammys and booking my first lead role were so exciting.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a humorous story about a mistake you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from it?
Heart: Obviously, failing is good because it makes you better. I went on tour for my song “Native in the Club.” I was performing live on TV in Austin, my hometown, with everybody who knows me watching. I did not do a sound check beforehand, and the microphone piece fell off while I was singing, which was very embarrassing. The lesson learned was to always do a sound check, no matter what, even if it’s on TV, a radio show, or a live stage.
Yitzi: With so much impressive work, can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you look forward to or hope to be working on in the near future?
Heart: I recently got booked for a short film called “A Thousand Acres” that will be showing at tons of film festivals. I play the lead, Flora McAndrews. It’s a Western, like a Django-type Western, which is really exciting.
I also booked the lead in a new TV show called “Julie’s Place,” which starts shooting in the fall. It’s about a mother of triplets who’s out of control and needs help with nannies. It’s like a sitcom TV show.
I’m working on a sci-fi movie next month too.
You never know what you’re going to get in this business. It could be dead one week, then four or five auditions the next day. That’s why I love the entertainment business so much, because you never know what each day will bring. You just have to stay in the game, keep your mind right, focus, and work hard.
Yitzi: They say Nashville is a “10-year town,” meaning you need to stick around for 10 years. What would you say about Los Angeles? Is it a five-year town, a 20-year town, or totally different?
Heart: Well, I feel like I lost two years of my life with COVID. If it wasn’t for COVID, I would have never started acting because I got the opportunity to try acting. A producer friend called and said they wanted to use one of my songs in their movie. Then he asked if I’d ever tried acting because they had a secretary role they thought I’d be perfect for. I said yes, even though I’d never acted before. It was like destiny because COVID changed the game for musicians everywhere with TikTok. A lot of music on major labels got pushed down for new TikTok artists.
I was stuck, but then this acting opportunity happened. They got me an acting coach for the emotional scene where I had to tell my boss that his kid and wife were killed by the serial killer he was going after. I had to cry, which was my worst work ever since it was my first job. But after they said cut, I told my manager, “I kind of like this.” He said I was good at it and the acting coach said I was very natural and should really try it.
So I joined an acting class for a year and learned the basics of being in front of people, being still, and owning my emotions. If it wasn’t for COVID, I don’t know if I would have been able to transition into acting that fast.
Yitzi: It’s an incredible story that he called you for the rights to your song, and then that transitioned into an acting gig. That’s amazing.
Heart: Yeah, it was a transition to an acting career! It’s crazy.
Yitzi: You said you were at an acting class and the director discovered you. The idea of being “discovered” doesn’t seem to exist anymore, but it happened to you. What was that like? Did you feel like you won the lottery?
Heart: Honestly, it was an independent movie, not a big blockbuster, but it is on Amazon and you can watch it. It has some really cool actors in it. It was nerve-wracking because the director said, “I want you to be the lead.” I told my manager, “I don’t know if I can do this. It’s a 120-page script.” My manager is the most supportive man and has been with me for 10 years since my music career started. He said, “You can do it. You can do anything.”
So I started reading it little by little. I read online about how to learn lines well. If you just take your part and write it out, it’s not as much as you think. That was less overwhelming for me. I also loved running lines with the actors on the phone. Some of them were surprised because most actors don’t want to do that. But it was good practice for me to get prepared and know the emotions, even though it would change on set based on how we reacted to each other.
I was very fortunate. It was a dream come true. And then to see the finished movie, I mean, it wasn’t the best movie I’ve done, but it was really cool.
Yitzi: I see you had a small part in the highly-rated and extremely popular “Daisy Jones and the Six” series. What do you think captured people’s hearts about that series?
Heart: The music, of course. Music is the key to everyone’s soul. Without music, who are we? Everyone has their own opinion about what they like, but that series captured the powerful music and relationships between the characters.
Yitzi: Is there a person who made a profound impact on your professional life? If so, can you share a story about that person?
Heart: I would say my grandma, who’s no longer with us, always told me to pursue my dreams, keep going, and never give up. One of the last things she said to me, which I have recorded on my phone from a while back, was “You’re going to make it, just never stop.” I listen to it every now and then. That’s what keeps me going. Okay, grandma, I can do this. She was an amazing lady and I miss her so much.
Yitzi: Let’s pretend you were the queen of the film and TV industry. What are you happy about seeing change over the past five years? As the boss, what would you do to change things moving forward?
Heart: There is so much amazing diversity now in film. Seeing the Native people progressing the way they are so fast is amazing, like Lily Gladstone being up for an Oscar. I’m rooting for her 100 percent. It’s so amazing to see all the nationalities and cultures thriving. That’s what the film industry needed — unity and all of us loving each other. I think right now, the film industry is really doing the right thing.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things needed to create a successful career in the entertainment industry for those who may consider joining or look up to you?
Heart:
- A good team.
- A good reputation.
- Be creative and unique.
- Stay grounded.
- And always be humble.
Yitzi: Beautiful answers. Can you share with the readers any self-care routines you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Heart: I love working out, but I also love walking next to the ocean, listening to my devotionals. There’s something exhilarating about being next to the ocean. I jog there too. You have to eat well and be healthy. Coffee is good. I work out, do yoga, and like both those things.
Yitzi: This is our final aspirational question. Because of the great work you’re doing and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence and people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Heart: Let’s all try to save the rainforest. The rainforest is being torn down. I recently saw a documentary and it was so heartbreaking. Without our climate, we’re dead. We need to take precautions for what we’re living on. The rainforest is a key part of why we’re breathing oxygen. I would say to people around the world, be more self-conscious about things like air pollution, recycling, and all that stuff matters.
Yitzi: I’ve heard someone call the rainforest the “lungs of the earth.”
Heart: Exactly, exactly!
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they purchase your music or films and support you?
Heart: You can watch my films on Amazon Prime and Tubi.
My music’s on iTunes and Spotify.
I’m on TikTok and love interacting with my fans.
Instagram: Saint Heart (@saintheartofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
Yitzi: Amazing. Well, Heart, it’s been a delight and honor to meet you. I wish you continued success and good health. Hope we can do this again next year.
Heart: Thank you. Sounds good.
Yitzi: Have an amazing day.
Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress and Singer Saint Heart Is Helping To Shake Up The… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.