Photo Credit: Deborah Lemen Studios
Actress and Model, Ahnnika Velasquez, is working hard to pursue acting and modeling opportunities and she knows you have to continually seek doors to opportunity… We caught up with Ahnnika to chat with her about her budding acting and modeling career.
You are an actress and model. Do you have a motto that you follow that helps keep you focused in the acting and modeling businesses?
My mom always says that when something doesn’t happen the way I want it to, there is always a reason and that it wasn’t meant for me. She tells me that “when one door closes, another door opens to something better.” So that helps me stay focused. I just move on to what comes next.
What actors / models do you look up to [and why]?
As far as actors, I look up to Zendaya. I also look up to her as a model. She’s an all-around great actor and model and she’s very kind and has a nice sense of humor. She can also be silly, like me. She has so many skills… she’s a wonderful actor, a beautiful model, an athlete, a dancer, and a singer. You name it, she’s great at it. I hope to one day be in a movie with her as her younger sister or niece, and we have many similar skills as I am also an actor, a model, a dancer, a singer, and an athlete. I hope she reads this!
How did you start your acting career?
When I was younger I always wanted to be an actor and a model. But what ignited this passion was when I first joined musical theater in 2019 and continued musical theater for three seasons. Fast forward a bit… When my mom heard about an open in-person audition happening in a city near us, she asked me if I wanted to see what it was about. I auditioned and booked a role in an episode for the web series, and from there it was uphill. That was in the Bay Area. Now, I’m here in LA to be closer to the industry and know that sometimes, as an actor, I have to be available within hours when called back.
How did you get into modeling?
In mid-2021, I started modeling for an influencer where I wrote reviews for clothes that I purchased and wore. After doing that for a couple years, I told my mom that I wanted to wear fashionable or trendy clothes and do something bigger like modeling them in front of people. So when fashion week came up, my mom coordinated with a designer looking for child models to have me audition. I later walked for that designer at the NYFW February 2024 and graced the runway at the Sony Hall. I also modeled for another designer at the LAFW in March 2024. Wearing these vibrant fashion collections and walking for the designers was so fun and exciting that I am going to do it again next month at the NYFW and internationally at the Paris Fashion Week. I’m so excited!
Photo Credit: Maury Phillips
Actors and models often face a lot of rejection in their careers. How do you handle rejection?
I handle rejection pretty well. My mom always tells me that when one door closes, another door opens. I look at rejection as a learning opportunity and try harder next time.
What advice would you give to young actors [and / or models] that want to get started in this business?
The advice I would give to young actors is to follow your dreams and your passions, and to get the support of your family and friends who can help guide you in the right direction. It took my mom a couple of years to realize that I was serious about acting and modeling and she helped me research next steps and opportunities for me to jump into these industries.
Are there any upcoming projects you can share with our readers?
My agent, Anita McKorn at Eris Talent Agency, and my manager, Lisa Gal of Actors Artist Management, are always sending me auditions, of which I had three of over the last few days, but I do have a project coming out in the next few months. My next upcoming modeling project is to grace the runways at the NYFW and Paris Fashion Week next month and I’m also crossing my fingers for callbacks on the auditions that my agent/manager submitted for me. I hope to get booked!!
Photo Credit: Michael D’ambrosia
