Lyna Lee spent years listening to other people’s stories. Somewhere along the way, she realized it was time to start building her own. A mother and talent acquisition specialist, Lee built a career understanding people beyond the résumé. Outside work, she created a women’s book club that became something deeper: a space for vulnerability, connection…

For Sam Bell, the road from working-class Newcastle to an International Emmy stage was never straight—and that may be exactly why she refuses to believe there is only one timeline for success. Bell knew she wanted to act before she understood acting could be a job. At five, watching Christina Ricci in Mermaids, she simply…

For actor and host Melissa Gabriel, a memorable performance isn’t simply watched—it’s felt. The best characters stay with us. They make us laugh, break our hearts and sometimes allow us to recognize pieces of ourselves in someone else. That emotional connection is exactly what Melissa Gabriel hopes to create every time she steps into a…

For Liv Crosby, the body has always been more than something you see on camera. It’s an instrument, a storyteller—and, when cared for intentionally, a pathway to healing. Long before Olivia “Liv” Crosby stepped onto sets like Cobra Kai, Dynasty and All the Queen’s Men, she was learning to understand the body through movement. Crosby…

For Derrick De-Mond, success isn’t simply about booking the role—it’s about who you become on the way there. Beyond the camera, Derrick De-Mond is a husband, father and man of faith who believes there is always another level of growth waiting. Acting may be a major part of his life, but it doesn’t define all…

Long before audiences become obsessed with a character, fall in love with a series, or discover a future star, someone has to recognize the talent that can bring those stories to life. For some of television’s most acclaimed projects, that person has been Alexa Fogel. Widely regarded as one of the industry’s most respected casting…

In today’s connected world, cybersecurity isn’t just about computers—it’s about protecting people. That’s the mission driving DeShaun Riddick, a cybersecurity professional whose passion for technology has evolved into a career dedicated to safeguarding digital systems, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Armed with a master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, and Network Management, Riddick believes the future…

Building a Cinematic World Through 49th Parallel Films Washington, DC filmmaker Skinny Corleone isn’t waiting for Hollywood to hand him permission. As the founder, producer, director, cinematographer, editor, and CEO of 49th Parallel Films, Corleone has spent years building his own lane in independent film—one rooted in action, suspense, crime drama, and emotionally driven storytelling…

BUILDING HOLLYWOOD’S NEXT ACTION LEADING MAN Kai Woodley is the kind of emerging talent who already knows exactly where he wants to go. Based in Austin, Texas, the actor and model is building toward a career as a true leading man—one rooted in dramatic action roles, emotional range, and the kind of physical presence that…

Building His Way to the Spotlight Diondre “DJ” Owens may not be the first person you’d expect to say he’s chasing acting and modeling, but that contrast is exactly what makes his story compelling. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on March 5, 1995, DJ spent his early years there before moving to Bakersfield, California, at eight…