Is it a bit cheesy to admit that I’ve always dreamed of being a performer? Maybe it’s a classic actor’s tale, but hey, honesty is the best policy, right? So, yes—I’ve had a flair for the spotlight since day one. But it’s not about fame, money, or awards. It’s really all about my love for storytelling. I inherited that passion from my mom. There’s something magical about being heard, and from a young age, I learned to listen intently. The more I listened, the more I fell in love with the way people share their stories, especially their own. Each one is uniquely human, full of mistakes, heartbreaks, shared moments, and transformative events. And at the heart of every story is our shared humanity.

My first big role? Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz—Rockburn Elementary School, Elkridge, Maryland, 2005. That’s where it all began, and where I told my very first story to an audience beyond just my mom and brother. After that weekend, my life was never quite the same. It’s funny how a moment at age seven can be so impactful, but isn’t that just how we all navigate the adult world while still holding on to our inner child? Alright, I’ll ease up on the clichés. The truth is, my dream was born young and hasn’t wavered since. Some might call it stubbornness; I prefer to think of it as passion. Okay, maybe a touch of stubbornness too.

I quickly learned that passion doesn’t always equal talent or ability. I’ve always felt a natural knack for acting, thanks to my deep empathy, but I soon realized that every art form requires a certain level of skill—and acting is no exception. I spent my childhood honing those skills, diving into every movie, every game of pretend, and every book to explore different perspectives and stories. By high school, I was thrilled to choose theater over sports, and it felt amazing. Not long after, I was studying theater in college, getting ready for the big leap into the real world.