Isabella Celeste's Performing Arts Journey
Isabella Celeste is a performer who worked at Universal Studios Singapore for two years.
She met her husband while working at the theme park.
Early Life and Influences
Isabella has been performing since she was a child.
She started dancing at four years old and singing at eight years old.
Her mother, an opera singer, taught her to sing.
Isabella also learned to play cello and viola in high school.
Isabella's siblings were also performers.
Her sister was a dancer and her brother was an actor and musician.
Isabella's siblings are older than her.
The speaker felt like she was always in her sister's shadow.
The speaker's sister inspired her to strive for success and try different things.
The speaker's brother and his friends were involved in acting, performing, and making videos.
The speaker was a big fan of her brother's band and wanted to do what they were doing.
The speaker had a crush on one of her brother's friends.
The speaker gravitated towards theater, film, and television performances.
Education and Training
The speaker describes their educational background, mentioning that they attended a dance school that offered a full-time course.
The speaker emphasizes that formal education is not essential for performing and shares their experience attending two courses simultaneously at Apo Arts Academy in South Melbourne.
The speaker highlights the demanding nature of the courses, which involved 70 hours of study per week for two years.
The speaker credits the dance course with strengthening their skills and providing a solid foundation for their career.
Performing Arts Career
Isabella did some extra work on the Australian television show "Neighbours".
Isabella and her husband started working on cruise ships after working at Universal Studios.
Isabella's first cruise ship contract was with Norwegian Cruise Lines.
The speaker released an EP with a band.
The speaker enjoys the thrill of performing on stage and the audience's reaction.
The speaker gets nervous before performances.
The speaker played Rizzo in a production of Grease.
The speaker's family was surprised that she opened the show with the song "Grease is the Word."
The speaker discusses their experience playing Rizzo in a production of Grease, noting that the role was more in-depth than the film's portrayal.
The speaker expresses sadness over Olivia Newton-John's passing and praises the performance of the Sandy in their production.
The speaker mentions a meme comparing the Grease characters to Pulp Fiction characters.
The speaker discusses upcoming projects, including potential work overseas and a possible project for the Comedy Festival.
The speaker mentions that she was offered an opportunity to audition for Broadway but declined due to the cost of visas and sponsorship.
The speaker shares that she has friends who have spent their life savings on visas and trips to audition overseas, with mixed results.
The speaker expresses a desire to perform in Chicago.
The speaker's favorite place to perform was Singapore, citing its safety, cleanliness, and good lifestyle.
The speaker was born in Singapore and lived there from 1987 to 1993.
The speaker describes Singapore as "old Singapore" with the tallest building being the Pan Pacific Hotel, which was 24 floors.
The speaker enjoyed the food in Singapore, particularly the 24-hour Indian restaurants and open-air hawker centers.
The speaker worked on cruise ships, starting with a luxury cruise line that catered to wealthy retired Americans.
The speaker's first contract on the luxury cruise line included itineraries to Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Russia, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
The speaker also worked on larger cruise ships that catered to families and honeymooners.
The speaker's work on cruise ships involved performing, running trivia, hosting dinners, and participating in safety drills.
The speaker developed an American accent after working with Americans for an extended period.
The speaker previously had an American accent while living in Singapore.
The speaker discusses the different types of contracts she has had in the cruise ship industry, including contracts where she had a lot of free time and contracts where she had a set schedule.
The speaker mentions that there are separate crew quarters on the ship, typically located on the lower decks.
The speaker shares that she was separated from her husband, Brinn, during one of her contracts, as he was working on a different ship.
The speaker explains that she and Brinn have both had to work on separate projects at times, and they understand the demands of their respective careers.
The speaker mentions that she has encountered other performers whose partners have struggled to understand the nature of their work, particularly when it involves physical intimacy on stage.
The speaker emphasizes that she and Brinn have a strong understanding of each other's careers and support each other's choices.
The speaker discusses the challenges of maintaining a relationship while working in the performing arts, particularly when one partner is on tour.
The speaker compares the situation to celebrities who maintain relationships while filming movies, especially when those movies involve intimate scenes.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of trust and confidence in a relationship to withstand the demands of the industry.
The speaker mentions the concept of "showmance," a term for on-stage crushes or romantic connections that develop during a performance.
The speaker shares an anecdote about an actress who hated kissing her co-star in a movie, despite the fact that it didn't show in the final product.
The speaker discusses the importance of being able to work with actors who have different approaches to their craft, some being more structured and others more fluid.
The speaker describes a specific experience working with an actor named Luke, who would deliver his lines differently each time, keeping the speaker on their toes.
The speaker acknowledges that working with Luke helped them to loosen up and be more spontaneous in their performance.
The speaker discusses how to handle situations where a director or someone else doesn't like a performance or a scene.
They suggest taking notes at the end of a performance or adjusting during rehearsals.
The speaker mentions that it's difficult to change things significantly once a performance is underway.
They also discuss the importance of following a director's notes, even if it means changing a performance.
The speaker shares an experience where a line was dropped during a performance and they quickly tried to figure out how to prompt the actor to continue.
They describe their analytical nature and how they constantly try to fix things, even during performances.
The speaker mentions that they enjoy meeting new people and that their biggest experience before working overseas was participating in the World Championships of Performing Arts in LA.
They represented Australia at the event and received a scholarship to study in New York for a summer program.
The speaker discusses their experience with acting training in New York and how it is similar to an international Olympic competition.
The speaker mentions winning medals in acting competitions and expresses pride in their achievements.
The speaker is inspired by people they work with in the performing arts, including those who work in community theater and those who pursue their passion despite not being paid.
The speaker's mother, an opera singer, is a significant mentor and supporter.
The speaker feels a sense of responsibility to continue pursuing their passion in acting, inspired by their mother's own career.
The speaker acknowledges the support of their mother, singing teachers, and directors in their journey.
The speaker discusses the importance of building relationships with people in the industry for career advice and insight.
The speaker mentions that their husband is their biggest supporter and helps them navigate the emotional challenges of auditioning.
The speaker's mother is a source of inspiration and has instilled a strong work ethic in them.
The speaker and their husband, Bren, have a strong relationship and haven't needed to seek relationship advice from others.
The speaker and Bren support each other's careers and are open to discussing their future plans, including the possibility of one of them relocating to be with the other if necessary.
The speaker acknowledges that there is a healthy level of competition between them, but they are able to work together on projects.
The speaker mentions that Bren has performed in drag as Felicia in the past.
The speaker discusses their partner's career in drag and how they support each other.
The speaker mentions that they do not have any drag queen roles in the show they are currently working on.
The Competitive Nature of the Performing Arts Industry
The speaker discusses the competitive nature of the performing arts industry, noting that auditions often require performers to prove their abilities and compete against others.
The speaker shares that they have experienced rejection at auditions, finding it personally difficult despite knowing their own strengths.
The speaker acknowledges the emotional toll of rejection, particularly after giving a strong performance, and describes the post-audition blues, often involving comfort food and exhaustion.
The speaker discusses the complex emotions involved when a friend gets an audition callback while they do not, emphasizing the need for support while acknowledging the natural feelings of disappointment and jealousy.
The speaker believes that a healthy level of competitiveness is necessary for success in the industry, but emphasizes that it should not involve malicious behavior towards other performers.
The speaker concludes by asking about the source of this competitive drive.
The speaker believes that a certain level of competitiveness is necessary for success in the dance industry.
The speaker notes that the dance industry in Australia is competitive due to its small size.
Maintaining a Balance
The speaker shares their experience with teaching Pilates as a way to stay relevant in the industry and avoid taking on jobs they dislike.
The speaker describes their experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how they were humbled by a smaller opponent.
The speaker highlights the importance of technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, noting that smaller individuals often have an advantage due to their ability to leverage their body weight more effectively.
The speaker discusses the challenges of being a dancer as you age, noting that the body becomes less flexible and requires more warm-up time.
The speaker mentions that they are 45 years old and still need to warm up before performing, even if it's just a bit of stretching.
The speaker shares their experience with Pilates, stating that they started this year and find it beneficial for maintaining fitness.
Other Ventures
The speaker discusses their experience with makeup artistry, noting that they initially thought they were good at it but later realized they needed to relearn and improve their skills.
The speaker mentions that they started a makeup Instagram account during the COVID-19 pandemic and found it particularly busy during Halloween.
The speaker discusses the potential for makeup artists to make good money in the wedding industry, but also acknowledges the stress and pressure involved.
The speaker shares their experience as a photographer and model, noting that they preferred studio shoots because they offered more control over lighting and time.
The speaker began modeling after graduating from training.
She worked in retail and joined Facebook groups to find modeling opportunities.
She modeled for studios, runways, bridal, and prosthetics.
She also modeled for hair, including dying her hair pink and then lavender.
The speaker transitioned from being behind the camera to in front of the camera because she found it more efficient.
She believes her experience as a performer helped her with modeling.
Advice for Aspiring Performers
The speaker's advice to her younger self would be to not let rejection get her down.
She finds it harder to deal with rejection since the rise of video submissions.
The speaker believes that rejection is transformational and helps you learn.
She also believes that the dance industry was tougher in the past due to the lack of regulations on teachers.
The speaker believes that the industry still requires a certain level of toughness.
The speaker discusses how dance teachers in the past were more demanding and less understanding of dancers' physical limitations.
The speaker notes that the internet has increased awareness of body types and flexibility, leading to a shift in expectations.
The speaker mentions the show "Dance Moms" as an example of a program that features demanding teachers.
The speaker believes that while the industry is becoming more diverse, there is still a focus on thin and muscular bodies, particularly for women.
The speaker points out the contradiction between the industry's push for diversity and the continued casting of dancers who fit a specific aesthetic.
The speaker acknowledges that the pressure to have a six-pack is prevalent in the dance industry, particularly for men.
The speaker believes that the industry has a long way to go in terms of promoting diversity and accepting different body types.
The speaker discusses the lack of inclusivity in some industries, particularly the performing arts industry.
Isabella Celeste, whose full name is Isabella Celeste Capelli Jeny, emphasizes the importance of passion and dedication in pursuing a career in the performing arts.
She advises aspiring performers to be prepared for rejection and to view it as a character-building experience.
Celeste suggests that aspiring performers should be willing to work for free and to constantly strive for improvement.
Influences and Inspirations
The speaker expresses a desire to have dinner with Hugh Jackman, Margot Robbie, and Alanis Morissette.
The speaker mentions that Hugh Jackman was a theater performer before becoming a movie star and that they have a friend who worked with him in the past.
The speaker reveals that they have lyrics from Alanis Morissette tattooed on their body.
The speaker expresses interest in pursuing a career in film and television.
The speaker shares their experience working on an Australian miniseries with Rachel Griffiths, Emily Browning, and Hugo Weaving.
The speaker mentions that they have done extra work on shows like "Neighbours," "Miss Fish," and "Murder Mysteries."
The speaker states that their favorite movie is "The Mask" starring Jim Carrey.
The speaker expresses a preference for older movies and TV shows, specifically those from the 1980s and 1990s.
They mention "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," and "The Simpsons" (specifically the first 10 seasons) as examples.
The speaker attributes their preference for this era to nostalgia, suggesting that Millennials may feel a need to return to a simpler time due to the rapid technological advancements they have experienced.
They contrast the experience of communicating through phone calls and physical letters with the ease of modern communication through text messages, social media, and smartphones.
The speaker also discusses the impact of technology on entertainment, noting that the situational comedy of shows like "Seinfeld" would be difficult to replicate today due to the prevalence of smartphones.
They share a personal anecdote about learning computer programming in their youth and the transition from cassette tapes to CDs.
The speaker expresses a preference for listening to entire albums on CDs, arguing that it provides a more immersive experience than listening to individual songs on streaming services.
They mention Adele's request that listeners experience her album as a complete story, highlighting the artistic intention behind album sequencing.
The speaker discusses the retro aesthetic they are trying to invoke, mentioning their love for vinyls and how it reminds them of their childhood.
The speaker believes their siblings' childhood influenced their own aesthetic preferences, as they were exposed to the same media and culture.
The speaker's cousins, who are significantly older, were seen as cool adults during their childhood.
The speaker's cousins attended their show, which was held in Ballarat.
The speaker stayed with a cast member, Luke, in Ballarat during the show's run.
Music Career
She shares that she uses the name Bella Celeste for her music career and that her music is available on SoundCloud.
Celeste encourages people to connect with her on Instagram, where she shares her work and updates.
She mentions that she has CDs available but is unsure if anyone still listens to them.
Celeste's music was previously available on Spotify but was removed in 2014.
Lifestyle and Habits
The speaker emphasizes the importance of decompression after performances, especially after long drives.
The speaker describes their decompression routine on a cruise ship, which involved showering and changing after the show before socializing with guests.
The speaker acknowledges that their performance schedule makes them a night owl, as shows typically occur at night.
The speaker confirms that they are not a morning person, with 7:00 AM being the earliest they are willing to wake up.
The speaker's husband is also a night owl, but his job requires him to be up early.
The speaker describes her husband's work schedule, noting that he is only home for a month before leaving again until Christmas.
The speaker discusses her own schedule, mentioning that she is a morning person and enjoys working on projects early in the day.
Future Plans
The speaker explains that she is actively seeking out audition opportunities, including those for independent theaters and potential work on a project for the Comedy Festival.
The speaker mentions her interest in overseas entertainment work, particularly shorter contracts that allow her to return home frequently.
The speaker discusses the financial benefits of working on cruise ships, highlighting the potential for saving money due to free meals, travel, and subsidized drinks.
The speaker advises against pursuing a career in entertainment unless one is "tough as nails," emphasizing the challenging nature of the industry.
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