Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra LaBelle.
Hi Alexandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My passion for acting started in high school and I felt that I had finally found “ my people” and some direction in life. I even went on to pursue acting in college and received a scholarship to continue studying theatre. At this time I started having panic attacks and a lot of anxiety- which was new to me. I was pretty depressed and really couldn’t understand what was happening to me. I unfortunately really did not navigate this well. I was self medicating with alcohol. I had partied in high school yes but this started to be different. Given my family history with people that had abused alcohol- I should have realized the danger in what I was doing. The inevitable fall that would come. I had a-lot of sad memories from a very dear family member who had abused alcohol and I feel like it only fueled my addiction at the time. Eventually my alcohol use became more and more important to me. Helping me navigate these feelings- not in a productive way. I used alcohol to help self soothe when I started having these panic attacks but it evolved into using it to aid in every uncomfortable moment. I lost a couple of really good jobs/contracts with theatres that I had been employed at and unfortunately hurt a lot of people that cared about me along the way. A lot of opportunities lost to a selfish pursuit to numb everything I was feeling. My path to self destruction did not end there and I had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way. There are darker parts to the story but you get the point. I graduated college but unfortunately I left the industry for quite some time. I was on an off medication – to help with my anxiety and depression. Even when things finally clicked and I did get sober I still felt that I was unworthy of the craft and the art. I had loved it so much so many years ago and I threw the one thing away that could have saved me so much heartache. But in all reality I could never had continued without achieving sobriety. My mother passed in 2019 from cancer and I really did some soul searching. Life was way too short and precious to not do what I had been yearning to do for so long. Eight years of sobriety later(sober since February 2018) I am back in this industry and so very grateful to have been able to work on the projects that I have done. I have been on network television, worked with so many talented independent film directors, dipped my toe into the modeling world, and been in a diverse range of commercials. I am eternally grateful that I get a second chance to do what I love to do and I never take it for granted. I guess the universe has its timing for everything and I had some lessons to learn-and I am still learning! I am human and that is a part of the journey. My grandmother Lorraine sadly passed the 26th of June but I take comfort that even if my mother didn’t get to see my accomplishments- she did. Both of my grandmothers Ellen(Gummy) and Lorraine(Nana) have been such pillars of support and love for me, I have always had a wonderful supportive family behind me. Even in my darker times- they had always been there. My dad- my biggest cheerleading, always there for me. My wonderful sisters- even with their busy lives have always shown so much love and support. My uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and my close group of friends have always been with me every step of the way. My journey from the person I was- to who I am now is a testament to the power of change, growth, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue what truly makes you happy. It is never too late to change your life for the better.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Alcohol, impulsive behaviors- all the things were obstacles. It’s interesting because while in active addiction and drinking heavily I knew I would never be able to actually be an actress again if I didn’t stop drinking. I wasn’t ready to stop drinking- it is absolutely insane how much power alcohol had over me. After everything I had done- I still wasn’t ready to give up the thing that had thrown my life into total chaos. That’s insanity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Stepping onto a set always fills me with excitement. I arrive prepared and eager to contribute, and I truly value the collaborative aspect of creative projects. The entire creative process fascinates me, especially how it requires a collective effort rather than individual work. It’s the teamwork and shared passion for creation that initially drew me to theatre.
I am usually known for playing an antagonist role-or a complete B****(insert laughing emoji face here) but also as emotionally fragile characters. Recently I had been getting back into more comedic roles which has been a ton of fun.
What’s next?
I have been wanting to enter and fully engage with the Atlanta market. Due to significant personal events this past year, my focus was elsewhere. However, I am now committed to intensive and consistent acting training. My plan is to either continue my studies at Dortch Acting Studio in Charlotte, NC, or enroll in another immersive program.
I had made it a goal to eventually get back on stage again at some point. So I had been preparing to start auditioning for some theaters in the area-didn’t get in the first show I auditioned for – but alas I auditioned for Fort Mill Community Playhouse’s production of Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley and got in! Full circle moment since I had been in this play in High School-before all the chaos began…and also met Beth Henley on a speaking tour when I was in college- now I get to be a part of this production on the other side of things-fully sober on the other end of this crazy journey. The universe is funny.
I am always open to opportunities that arise, sometimes the universe brings you exactly what you need at the time you need it. Of course you have to put in the work- do the research- but when you are prepared and opportunity knocks that’s when magic happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/AlexandraLaBelle
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandravlabelle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1QAmB8R43q/
- Other: https://imdb.me/AlexandraLaBelle
