We had the pleasure of speaking with the talented Jillian Estell. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Jillian! Thank you for granting the interview. You’re an acting sensation! Your career is soaring and we’re excited to speak with you about. You’re best known for your lead in the movie, Black or White, alongside Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer. You were also on the NBC TV series, The Night Shift as Jennifer Beal’s daughter. You worked in several commercials, such as Hyundai, Chuck E Cheese, and many more. Recently, you were on Nickelodeon for Michaels stores with Jojo Siwa. What do you enjoy most about acting?
I absolutely love being on set. I love getting to meet all the amazing people I work with while being on set from the cast to the crew. It’s so amazing because when working on a set everyone becomes like family. I love being able to play someone else yet put some of myself into the character.
What inspired you to become an actress?
It just kind of happened for me. I started modeling as a toddler, which I loved being in front of the camera. Then my agent started sending me out for auditions, and I loved it. I booked my first commercial at 5 years old. I always thought of modeling, acting, and auditions and play dates.
Let’s talk about the importance of branding yourself. What advice can you share with aspiring talent?
I recommend other talents to find what they love, what makes them who they are and go with that. People like to be a part of your life and who you really are.
What has been your biggest challenge in the industry?
I’d have to say the hardest thing is to stay being positive and motivated while waiting to book my next job. It’s a tough industry and there are so many talented actors for each job.
What’s the ultimate direction of your career?
My goal is to book a lead role on a series that last for many seasons. I’d also love to book more lead roles in big movies.
Tell us about an upcoming project that you’re really excited about.
I have been auditioning for some really amazing roles, so we will see what is to come. Of course, I can’t talk about them, but praying hard.
Do you have a charitable organization you enjoy working with?
I have Celiac Disease, so I am an ambassador for them. Last year, I had a big Hollywood red carpet birthday party to raise awareness and money for The Celiac Disease Foundation.
When looking ahead on your career, what do you hope to achieve and why?
I am praying to book a lead on a TV series because I love working on set and all that it entails. I also really want to work with Kevin Hart. I would love to work with Kevin Hart because he seems like a very nice and fun person. I can only imagine how fun he would be on set.
Who have been your biggest influences?
I’d have to say that Selena Gomez, Octavia Spencer, and Kevin Costner have been big influences on my life. I really look up to Selena Gomez, because she is so amazing and she also has an autoimmune disease, so I can relate to her. I can relate with her and all she has been through, because having an autoimmune disease is not easy. Octavia Spencer is just amazing, and I loved her as an actress before I worked with her, but after working with her I know what an absolutely amazing woman she is. I love seeing all her success, she truly deserves it. Kevin Costner is truly a phenomenal man. He taught me so much when I worked with him, and he is so real. I saw how hard he works and what an amazing husband and dad he is.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?
I am truly grateful for what I have been able to accomplish already in my life, I can only hope and pray that I can continue to grow and book amazing roles. The only thing I think I would do differently would be that we wish we would have moved to L.A. sooner.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your career?
I love working and I am praying to book my next role soon. I have a lot of people I’d love to work with and learn from, so we will just have to see what happens.
Connect with Jillian:
Instagram @Jillian Estell
Twitter @jillianestell
Facebook Jillian Estell
Snapchat @jillian.estell
Tik Tok @jillian.estell
Youtube Jillian Estell Vlogs/Videos
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