Vanessa Marano is that star that you speak to and you’re just blown away by her. She’s kind, humble, and eloquent. The actress knows who she is and appreciates those around her.
The actress is starring in One Delicious Christmas, which is streaming now on Discovery+. In this film, “Since inheriting the Haven Restaurant and Inn, Abby Richmond (Vanessa Marano) has been determined to maintain the traditions her parents had lovingly cultivated in the quaint Vermont location. But when she is forced to implement new ideas in order to secure the future of Haven, how far can she bend without breaking not only tradition but also her heart?”
When speaking to her, we asked her a question from one of our nieces, which she was glad to answer. We asked Marano about one does when they feel like giving up on trying to make it in the entertainment industry.
She said, “Oh, that’s such a sweet question. First of all, I want to say something. I think there is no shame in pivoting your career if it is not going in a way that benefits you. I would never ever say that that’s giving up. There’s plenty of people who get into the entertainment industry with the intention of being an actor and maybe they end up being a writer. Maybe they end up being a market executive. They find the space that they feel confident in that works for them.”
“You can do that without giving up what was your first passion. You can always wear multiple hats, but also if it’s not going the way that you wanted it to go and you feel stronger in a different field, that’s great. If you are acting and you, despite rejection, despite the peril and the pits that it feels that are coming at you and you’re still like, “No, pivoting doesn’t feel right. I don’t know that there’s anything that I like more than this.” That’s a big sign that you got to stick with it.” she continued.
Interjecting here, we have to say that it wasn’t the advice that we expected, but it was refreshing. So many people would say, to never give up on your dreams. Instead, Marano gave an amazing, thought out, detailed answer, that really was motivating.
But back to Marano’s answer, “If it’s a thing that can make you happy in the face of all the struggles that you have, that is a very clear sign to you that you are making the correct decision to keep going. I think if the world’s telling you no, you make things happen for yourself. You figure out a way to shoot a short film for yourself. You figure out a way to do a one-woman play for yourself. You surround yourself with other friends who you respect their talent of and you create and collaborate together. I think if you have that gnawing feeling in your gut, the only thing that I can say is everybody has it.”
“No matter what stage you’re at in this industry, there is always a moment where you feel like, “Oh, it’ll be so much easier if I’m not doing this.” To know that people that you admire and respect and work that you really, really love have all been in the same boat as you, that’s a thing that I think is a really lovely thing that combines everybody in the entertainment industry is like, we’ve all dealt with massive rejection and massive lows at one point, and it’s how you respond to those things.”
She finished off by say, “If you’re going to respond by continuing to go, that’s wonderful. If you’re going to respond by pivoting, that’s wonderful too. Failure is not trying, and it’s what you do when you’re trying and it’s not going your way, it’s like, “Okay, how do I make this go my way?” Of course, there’s factors of luck in the world and all that stuff that is going to dictate that for you, but you can really choose your own destiny and be a part of things that you want to create for yourself. It may not be easy, but it is totally possible. As long as you find a community that is willing to support you in those times, that’s the most important thing that you need.”
Moral of the story, do what is best for you.
