Teen Actress Ava Cantrell launches an eyewear brand

Insightful, hardworking and a truly caring young actress is how Ava Cantrell is described. She dives into all roles with passion and clarity as well as a willingness to let it all out on the table. Ava has that rare gift of crossing between comedic, thriller and dramatic characters and has been successfully booking all styles since a young girl.

HELLO AVA CANTRELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS AVA CANTRELL IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I’m always striving for as much life balance as I can find. If I have to spend days on end studying for school, then I want to bookend those days with creativity or surfing. If I’m working hard at my new business or as an actress, I also make sure I can carve out family time and dates with my boyfriend. I work on improving the things that I love like acting and surfing, always moving my goals a little further away so I can stay challenged.  

HOW DID YOU START AND HOW WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?
I started with short films and commercials. The first project I ever booked was a Dell commercial. It was such a fun day. I learned so much about what an actor has to do on set. The prep work, the patience, hitting your marks, learning industry terms like ADR (Automated Dialog Replacement is the process of re-recording dialogue) I also met a friend for life on that first set. The boy who played my brother continued in the business as well and we are still family friends after all these years.

WILL YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO YOUR PROCESS AS AN ACT0R?
I read my lines over and over and over until they are like data. Then that frees you up to move into the character without thinking about what’s on the page. I also believe the best performances, the most real performances come out with still a little bit of the actors’ personality and essence. 

YOU ALWAYS TREND ON INSTAGRAM, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SO POPULAR, AND WHAT IS THAT ONE THING THAT YOU ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR MIND WHILE PREPARING YOUR CONTENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA? 
Aww that’s sweet, I don’t feel like I trend a lot as so many people have way bigger numbers then mine. My followers started when I was a dancer, then on Nickelodeon and then grew from there, so they have known me since I was pretty young and followed me on all my projects. I don’t really prepare content, but I will take a picture if I am dressed cute or have something to share. I don’t let social media overwhelm my life. I want to be in the moment, not making stories of my moments. 

AS AN ACTOR, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ROLE SO FAR?
Way too hard to choose and all my roles have been so varied. Comedy like “Haunted Hathaways” and “Young Sheldon” are really fun. But I really enjoy tackling a great dramatic role as well. The big awards I have received are for my dramatic roles like a girl with terminal cancer in “One Under the Sun ” and I learned so much from playing that role. 

HOW DO FANS REACT WHEN THEY MEET YOU?
I live outside of Hollywood and people are pretty unaware of what I do, and I like that. It is strange sometimes getting approached for autographs at events. I am always looking around like”who’s here” LOL

HOW IMPORTANT IS PERSONAL BRANDING IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT YOU DO TO GROW YOUR BRAND?
I don’t really feel that I am a brand, but I do pride my image. I am involved in charity work and am an entrepreneur for my latest business ZOOMe which is a blue blocking glass brand. I like keeping the right balance of sharing things that are important to me but I do keep a part of my life to myself. I think as an actress I worry less on brand but on being a person who can play any role. 

 WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR? 
I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My Dad was on Shark Tank and one of his products even got a deal with Robert. It is in my blood. My family and I always knew we would go into a business together and when the pandemic hit, we found a great product and extra time. I love the creativity of being an entrepreneur and I really love my product.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE ASPIRING TO A CAREER IN THE ARTS?
Go for it! Put in the work if you love it. The world will always have enough Lawyers and Accountants but it could use more performers and artists. You may not make a lot of money but you can always have a side gig. Here is a tip that I’ve learned about the business, there are a lucky few that make a living in front of the camera, but almost everyone behind the camera can make a good living. All projects need directors, producers, set designers, etc. Learn those skills and you can work in the business forever.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
I know these are some crazy times with pandemic, so check in on yourself. Take care of yourself and don’t be too hard on yourself.

To know more Ava Cantrell visit: www.avacantrell.com and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram @avacantrell, Facebook: @TheAvaCantrell and Twitter @TheAvaCantrell