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Esteemed Writer, Director, Producer Evette Vargas Mentors Underrepresented Writers to Help Them Find Their Voice in the Industry

US Reporter Staff on March 9, 2021

There’s been an upward trend of inclusion and diversity in the media that we consume today. Despite these positive strides toward progress, it’s undeniable that those in charge should put more effort into advocating for underrepresented storytellers and the stories that they hold so dearly. Minorities such as Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women who have the talent should be given a platform and a voice. Evette Vargas aims to make this a reality, promoting inclusion and equality in the television and film industries.

Spending over an entire decade of her life mentoring and advocating for a diverse set of underrepresented storytellers, Evette Vargas eventually established The Writers Room 5050 Foundation, Inc., as a culmination of all her labor. The organization aims to support and mentor storytellers to hone their craft and become crucial parts of major projects within the entertainment scene.

Evette Vargas herself is a talented writer, director, and producer who has personally mentored five highly skilled and diverse screenwriters in 2019. These individuals aspired to push the boundaries of television through their talents, so Evette recognized their passion and organized a writer’s room setting where they broke a season arc of the popular BBC series Killing Eve.

Evette was utterly surprised at the level of success that the writers managed to achieve. Once the table read was done, all of the 20 actors that participated were absolutely floored by the writing skills on full display. This motivated Evette Vargas to further pursue her mentoring career, helping other talented writers reach their maximum potential.

Evette Vargas has shown the world that she is more than capable of bringing out the best in the talented writers who have worked with her. So much so that eight of the writers from The Writers Room 5050 Foundation have already been hired, and ten of the project pitches they created have moved forward in the Pitching the TV Series Lab.

If her success isn’t proof enough, Evette Vargas also has a prolific background within the industry resulting in critically acclaimed and award-winning works as a writer, producer, and director. She has produced a series for the biggest networks on television and online streaming platforms such as MTV, Amazon, DirectTV, Bravo, and many more.

Evette was also named as an Artist to Watch by the New York Times. She also produced interactive content for major projects such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Fast and Furious franchise. Evette Vargas has also worked with massive names in the industry, such as Madonna and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Her extensive background in the industry is supplemented by her massive talent, sheer creativity, and amazing personality. Evette Vargas draws from her personal experience to empower herself and see things from a unique perspective. She has the uncanny ability to bring people together from different walks of life and diverse backgrounds, allowing them to share a unified experience but presenting them from different points of view.

It’s undeniable that Evette Vargas is an important part of the entertainment industry, molding the talents of underrepresented storytellers and giving them a voice much like her own. She is a beacon of light in the modern entertainment industry, and she can only do so much better as time goes on. As Evette constantly creates a positive impact on the industry and the world of storytelling, things can only go up from here.

For more information about The Writers Room 5050 Foundation, Inc., make sure to visit its official website. For live updates, follow Evette Vargas on her Instagram account.

Sig Official Bursts Onto the Scene with the Sounds of Haiti

US Reporter Staff on March 2, 2021

Sigourney Sterling, known professionally as Sig Official, is a Los Angeles-based independent artist born in Port au Prince, Haiti. The early years of her life were spent on the East Coast before she relocated to Los Angeles. Her journey into music began while attending college at the Arts Institute, where she started producing music for local artists. In time, Sig discovered that she had an aptitude for singing and spent significant time fine-tuning her talents. She then moved to the west coast and began recording Afrocentric sounds.

Sig Official’s musical style draws influences from Haitian Kompa, Zouk, and the Afrobeat culture. She authors an engaging and unconventional sound, successfully mixing distinct genres of music while highlighting the different sounds in hip-hop culture. She has lit an electric trail with her Kompa and afro beats mix across many shows. Sig brilliantly innovated a safe space to give voice to the sounds of her culture and at the same time create a blend of euphoric melodies that people from various cultures can identify with. Recently, she released her self-produced single “Kreyol,” which garnered a lot of attention and accolades in the local community and back home in Haiti.

A lot of mainstream music falls within the same broad category: rap and hip-hop. Sig Official opted to go a different path, diversifying her music to touch base with various cultures, particularly those that are overlooked or underrepresented. Not everyone gets the recognition they deserve or a platform to speak about the experiences they face. Many people, including people from Sig’s birth country of Haiti, go through a lot of hardships, with their stories untelevised. Sig aims to give such people a sense of identity through her music.

Sig Official is a unique artist and seeks to introduce the world to the spirited sounds of a people and to the vibrations of a nation—to showcase a part of the rich culture of the little country called Haiti. The soul base of Kompa, Afrobeat, and similar beats are astonishingly underrepresented on social platforms and mainstream media, and Sig Official plans to change that narrative. Working hard to build a foundation together with her team, Sig aspires to reach a worldwide audience. Her music is currently available to listeners on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other streaming platforms globally.

In the next couple of years, Sig Official dreams of being the reference point for a diversified taste of music among social circles. She hopes to break through the music industry and accomplish the establishment of a new tribe of music lovers who understand her and the truth in her music. “The LBGTQ+ community is very important to me; being from a third world country where who I am is frowned upon…My music breaks the social norm, and I am hoping my brand will resonate in people’s homes as well as their hearts.”

She also hopes to inspire others to face their fears and try new things, and to understand that it is okay to be different. Additionally, she wants people back home to know that they are heard and to show that her level of success is not restricted from them.

Her latest EP “KREYOL SZNING,” which showcases her Afro-Kreyol vibes, will be released on March 5, 2021. With 5 brand new singles expected, 2021 promises to be remarkable for Sig Official.

To learn more about Sig Official and her current projects, visit her Instagram page.

“Everything and Everyone Comes with a Story”: How This Young Filmmaker from India Creates Films That Inspire

US Reporter Staff on February 18, 2021

20 years ago, Indian-born cinematographer Gurdeep Singh had never even heard of any of the streaming websites which have now become such an indelible part of his life. India’s IT sector, although rapidly growing, was nowhere near that of its western counterparts. There was no Netflix, and certainly no YouTube, which is why cinema became, and still remains, such a sanctified industry for millions of Indians. One of these fervid film devotees was a 10-year old science student from Punjab, who fell in love with cinema almost instantaneously. The lack of Cable TV meant that the weekly films that were played on public channels were especially savored. In a society where STEM fields were widely regarded as the only ones worth pursuing, the thought of becoming a filmmaker was an alien concept to Singh, yet all he knew was that he was completely enraptured.

It wasn’t until much later that Singh realized he was actually capable of creating the same stories he had spent his childhood coveting. After shooting a documentary at his local Old Age Home, Singh was taken aback by the barrage of praise that followed. At a private screening for his friends and family, he recalls, there wasn’t a single dry eye in the room. To Singh, who had since then realized that he just wasn’t cut out for traditional careers in Medicine and Engineering, it was a turning point. He felt empowered and encouraged by the impact a well-directed film could have on any audience, big or small. According to him, this realization caused a significant shift in perspective: “It was like something inside me switched on. I started looking at things differently, searching for little things that most people overlook in people. When I sat in a bus, I observed the faces around me. I realized that everything and everyone comes with a story, and a good storyteller is one skilled enough to see it and brave enough to capture it.” After submitting a Short film to the Yes Bank Movie Awards, Singh won the third position in his first film festival, presented by none other than renowned Indian director Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra. For the first time, he knew this was exactly where he belonged.

Today, Gurdeep Singh is one of India’s trailblazing young filmmakers, who are changing the face of Indian entertainment with their technique, skill, and verve. He has a number of short independent films under his belt, including Fenced (2019), A Family Barbecue (2019), and Paranormal Monster’s Society (2018). In 2016, Singh enrolled in New York Film Academy to study cinematography. According to him, film school was one of his best decisions: “I love the way they taught us cinematography, starting us off with an 8mm lens and then slowly building it to 16mm and 35mm. Working with film is especially tricky; once it’s captured, there’s no turning back. It taught me to be disciplined, to plan each shoot meticulously, and to make sure I was selective, and focused.” Fresh out of film school, Singh was eager to apply his newfound skills and knowledge to real life movies. He worked with a number of production houses, under the likes of Brad Hamilton and Maria Quintana, and in the process received a film education more valuable than the one he had received in New York.

In 2016, Singh worked with Riyad Bin Muqrin in his crime thriller, The Soul, which was completely new territory for him. Previously, he had been part of a team, being coached by some of the industry’s finest. Now, the ball was in his court: he was responsible for leading an entire team. This opened the doors for other opportunities, and it led him to work on Paranormal Monster Society, Turning Tables, and From a Barren State in 2018. These projects were an integral learning experience for Singh, who became familiar with the sort of dedication and work needed to lead a massive team, plan and coordinate scenes and seamless shots, and be prepared to adapt and improvise.

Film cinematography isn’t the only feather in Singh’s cap. Shortly after venturing into the film world, he was introduced to Balwinder Singh, CEO of Speed Records, India’s biggest regional music company. They were fascinated by his ideas and offered him a position as Executive Producer, which was the lucky break Singh had been waiting for all his life. He began working for internationally renowned artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Jassi Gill, Babbal Rai, and Miss Pooja. He became involved in some of their most famous music videos, some of which have between 100M and 300M views. Talking about this experience working with these industry legends, Singh says, “Knowing them personally and professionally felt special. But during this journey, I learned the reason for their success: They’re positive people, and most of them are firm believers of meditation. They make you comfortable and talk to you without any of the pomposity common in stars of their stature.” This experience of working as a director and cinematographer at the same time felt like a special treat, one that Singh hopes will continue moving forward.

Singh’s dream for the future is to take it several notches higher: “I want to own my own production house, eventually. Work as a producer and cinematographer. I want to travel, find new stories, things that speak to people and are relatable.” With a number of riveting projects in the works and a determination to make it big in the filmmaking scene both in India and elsewhere, it is certain that Gurdeep Singh is a name we’ll keep hearing more of.

Xclusively Elle Establishes Own Radio Station to Host Open Conversations and Celebrate a Love of Life

US Reporter Staff on February 15, 2021

Xclusively Elle capitalizes on her career as a radio personality and artist to pursue her lifelong passion for celebrating life to the fullest. By subverting all limitations, she inspires her audience to dream and discover how far they can go.

Xclusively Elle, born LaVeatra Hood, is a Seattle native. According to Elle, her hometown is a significant part of her identity and an ideal environment for developing talent. Her given name, tracing back to French and Latin origins, translates to, “for the love of life.” It is a fitting name that encapsulates her life’s essence. Any observer would attest that love of life characterizes Elle’s personal and professional endeavors.

In 2015, LaVeatra shot and released a freelance piece that garnered much attention and won an award. This project, which was shot using her cellphone, was an early manifestation of LaVeatra’s firm grasp on maximizing the potential of technology. It also revealed her inclination for innovative solutions. This series of events led her to join the radio team at KKSH206.1, where she hosted a show called, “Soulfood Sundays.” As a radio host, LaVeatra penned her radio tag, Xclusively Elle.

“Soulfood Sundays” later won the “Best Buzz Media” award at the Seattle Sound Music Awards in 2016. A year later, Xclusively Elle launched her own radio station XEEX97.4. The station currently runs under both the KryKey and Anchor Networks. In 2018, Elle became the co-anchor on “She Ready Radio” with KKNW 1150AM Talk Radio.

Keeping up the momentum of her career, Xclusively Elle would later partner with Diva Ebony Brinson, and their shared podcast, “Beat Street Divas,” is already on its third season. Her station has gone through a similar upward trajectory. XEEX97.4 has ranked number three in the Indie Genre and number 24 overall.

Xclusively Elle uses her radio station as a platform for conversations that may be uncomfortable for many people. With her approachable personality, Elle deftly navigates through these challenging discussions and promotes an open forum. Her authenticity and openness are a welcome divergence from the culture of dismissing opinions and risking reputations.

Growing up, Xclusively Elle witnessed her mother juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. Despite the growing number of diversity programs, Elle herself has experienced altering her appearance to secure employment in the corporate world. These defining moments in her past motivated Elle to create her own opportunities to live vivaciously and free.

As a radio personality, CEO, and artist, Xclusively Elle knows firsthand how much drive, motivation, and hardship is necessary for a person to excel. Elle has subverted the limitations imposed by society and has exceeded all expectations. The theme of celebrating a “love of life” runs throughout her entire journey, and she is only getting started. Her company’s growth will soon require her to hire employees and build a brick-and-mortar to support her station.

Xclusively Elle hopes that her audience will learn the power of dreaming. Any person who claims to have a “love of life” will not be content unless they enrich their lives with dreams of self-improvement. However, these dreams must be coupled with the courage and diligence to try so people can discover how far they can go.

To learn more about Xclusively Elle and her radio station XEEX97.4, please visit her website.

C2 Records Announces Music Madness Contest

US Reporter Staff on February 11, 2021

Create Culture Records is in the final days of reviewing applicants for the Music Madness contest. This contest is open to all genres of music and will match various artists against each other. The contest will also be heavily influenced by social media to give up-and-coming artists instant exposure. The founder of C2 Records was inspired by a visit to Graceland, and desires to find musically talented individuals and help them break into the music industry. Create Culture Records, also known as C2 Records, is an independent music label created to discover and nurture untapped musical talent. With a forward emphasis on prioritizing artists, C2 Records offers a fresh and unique view on contractual and promotional opportunities for artists by evolving the current industry standards.

C2 is excited to announce that 9-time Grammy nominated Engineer Dee Brown is a part of the C2 Records team to assist aspiring artists. Dee has worked with many artists such as Kendrick Lamar, YG, Waka Flocka Flame, Kehlani, and Fantasia to name just a few. He is excited to be the mixing engineer for the finalists during the end portion of the competition, as well as future productions with C2 Records.

Just Rock has also partnered with C2 Records, and their experts be providing vocal lessons from a confidence building perspective. Just Rock will also work with contestants and provide vocal technique including but not limited to breathing, pitch building, and more. In addition to the general vocal exercises listed above, Just Rock will incorporate their staff (who have been trained by some of the best universities) to incorporate scales, music theory, and stage choreography.

C2 records is working closely with other artists outside the competition and will be announcing the signing of new artists in the very near future. C2 Records’ approach to artist management and music production breaks away from the traditional methods used by most traditional labels. By allowing their artist’s a broader sense of freedom in their music, as well as providing early compensation on royalties, C2 provides a rich environment for artists on the label to grow and create.

To Promote Music Madness, C2 Records is partnering with Los Angeles based talent management group AVM Group to provide contestants with exposure and opportunities on the live-streaming app LIVIT. The artists selected to participate will be awarded streaming contracts valued at $1,000 or more. With over 40 million registered users worldwide, LIVIT will provide artists even greater opportunity to connect with their audience and monetize their talent. LIVIT’s focus on growing and nurturing talent, while giving them a platform to benefit financially, perfectly aligns with C2 Records.

To further that vision, C2 Records established the Music Madness contest, providing an incentive for aspiring musicians and artists to share their talent with others. With $65,000 in total cash and prizes C2 Records is providing production, marketing of songs, and artist coaching to name a few. Music Madness is the perfect opportunity for any aspiring artist to reach for the stars. The label has even invested in a mobile studio, hoping to meet artists anywhere, at any time.

With hundreds of submissions already in, and the window open until December 31, 2020, all you need to do to enter is submit a 90 second video here. The video submission cannot have studio audio enhancements and video edits, as authenticity is key at C2 Records. Details and terms can be found on their website here.

On January 2, 2021, C2 Records will announce 64 contestants, hand-picked from the hundreds of applicants, to compete in the Music Madness contest. The public will vote on who shall continue through to the final stages, with each artist given the opportunity to promote themselves on social media to victory. The top 4 will be announced at the end of February – each receiving a cash prize and development of their music, including beat production, mixing and mastering, marketing, and distribution of the final work. Finalists will get to work alongside top-tier producers and audio engineers to release their music on the label.

December 31 is only a couple days away, so apply now for a chance to be selected as one of the lucky contestants. The clock is ticking!

Jack Fulton Smith Bounces Back from the Ripple Effects of COVID-19 with His Band, Idolising Nova

US Reporter Staff on February 9, 2021

Just as the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world and everything inside it, musicians and people working in the public space got the worst of it. Jack Fulton Smith, a member of Idolising Nova, a band based in the United Kingdom, felt the pandemic’s impact. In March 2020, the lockdown was in full force worldwide, and everything seemed to be crumbling. In Jack’s words, “I lost all motivation at that point to push myself and succeed. My band and I had big plans for the year, including a UK and Europe tour with a major label. With the worldwide lockdown, all our plans ground to a halt.”

Jack Fulton Smith is the lead singer of Idolising Nova, a band that has enjoyed success in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and other parts of Europe. Many of the songs Jack has written and performed have made it to the charts on national radio and television in the United Kingdom. In 2018, Idolising Nova joined The Vamps on their European tour and entertained more than three thousand people. With all the world’s problems and everything suddenly pausing, Jack had to reinvent things with himself and his position in the brand.

Outside his music career, Jack works at Stilton Butchers as a digital marketing manager. Stilton Butchers is a family-run business that has existed since 1978 and grew in prominence as one of the biggest online butchers in the UK due to the pandemic. Jack handles all the digital marketing for the company and has played a major role over the past year. While he tried to do other things, his mind kept coming back to creating and performing music. At first, he was worried because the band could not perform, but with time, seeing how the world adapted quickly to the situation, Jack Fulton Smith and his band members began to think about solutions.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the lockdown, Jack Fulton Smith spurred his band to start working on new music. They had more time to write music and listen to it. They set to work and successfully released three singles in 2020, garnering hundreds of thousands of streams. Even though live shows weren’t happening, Idolising Nova went fully digital and began to create more content to engage with fans online—something the band didn’t do enough of before the pandemic.

The band also released some music videos, which have gotten more than 100,000 views each on YouTube. Jack’s dream for his band is to keep working with the brand and try out new things. He expects that in some years, Idolising Nova will get signed to a major record label, going on tours around the world. Jack also plans to help upcoming artists and brands get established in the music world. “I have a wealth of experience to share, noteworthy of which is how my brand and I navigated the pandemic and stayed connected with our fans,” Jack says.

Learn more about Jack and his work with Idolising Nova on the band’s official website.

Learn Kimi Weintraub’s Secret That Made Her One of South Florida’s Most Successful Spokesmodels

US Reporter Staff on February 5, 2021

One thing is certain, being a spokesmodel is not for the weak. It necessitates a specific skill set and a winning attitude, most especially when the challenges start to escalate. Successful spokesmodel, brand ambassador, and emerging entrepreneur Kimi Weintraub knows this all too well as she, too, had to brave the many storms of the industry. One thing that helped her become a phenomenal spokesmodel and businesswoman was turning to her successful female mentors in the industry.

Kimi Weintraub has been modeling for Amazon for a couple of years now. Her unique career has given her the privilege of working with some of the world’s biggest brands, which include Disney, Audi, BMW, Invicta Watches, YMCA, the Orlando Magic NBA team, Infiniti, The Humane Society, and iHeartRadio. She admits, however, that being a professional spokesmodel and brand ambassador is an extremely competitive and tough profession. She has had her share of outright rejections from jobs that she really wanted. All these highs and lows have taught her priceless lessons, which enabled her to become the best version of herself.

“Learn as much as possible and ask a lot of questions. If you believe in yourself and truly put yourself out there, you cannot lose! I have also found a lot of strength from my powerful female connections. I have been floored by the amount of support I see in the female community. The women-owned business movement is alive and well in my personal experience. When I was just starting out, I reached out to many women I admired and who had more experience than I did. To my surprise, many were eager to help and show me the ropes,” Kimi Weintraub shares.

Thinking outside the box is also a necessary skill if one hopes to succeed in the industry. Kimi understood this early on when she realized that she did not need to wait for agency bookings to establish herself in the industry. She set out to carve her own path without waiting for other people to do it for her. Instead of going to countless auditions with no guarantees that she would get the job, she built her own green screen studio, filmed herself, edited the videos, and sold them to potential clients who were looking for a professional video creator to promote their business.

Kimi Weintraub found herself learning the basics of filming and editing through “YouTube University.” A few weeks later, she purchased her own equipment and, with much-needed assistance from one of her mentors, assembled them in a spare bedroom that she converted into a fully functional green screen studio. Since then, she has produced hundreds of videos for various businesses from all over the world without relying on the help of agencies.

At present, Kimi Weintraub is focused on growing her own e-commerce content creation company. She is even more excited to work with “Amazon Queen,” Akemi Sue Fisher, who invested in her businesses after Kimi’s successful pitch on Clubhouse’s Pitch Tank. Fisher is one of the world’s most trusted e-commerce brand consultants, which gives Kimi a competitive edge. She is nothing but grateful and to work side by side with a woman who has achieved so much in her career as an entrepreneur. Kimi believes that this experience will inspire her for as long as she lives. Find out more about Kimi Weintraub by visiting her website. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram to get updates.

Evan the Card Guy Pursues Passion for Magic to Spread Joy

US Reporter Staff on February 4, 2021

After experiencing the world through many tribulations, Evan the Card Guy successfully leads a career as a magician. He opens the possibilities of entertainment magic and gives hope for everyone to turn the tables of reality.

Evan the Card Guy brings a magician, content creator, and entertainer to life. He stands as a significant example of how one can use passion as a drive to reach the most remarkable outcome.

When asked when he started magic, he says, “I became a magician when I was 12 after being grounded from video games. I was bored and was looking for something to do, so I learned some magic and have been hooked ever since.” Evan started his career as a magician at 13 when he became the youngest member to join The Magic Castle in Hollywood. Since then, the prodigy has enjoyed spending most of his time practicing tricks, enriching skills, and spreading positivity to the world.

Evan the Card Guy found the epiphany to continue with what he was born to be during the pandemic. With the use of the media, Evan took a giant leap in pioneering magic in social media. In 2019, while the magician was juggling work as a janitor and a college student, Evan started publishing Tiktok videos. Reaching sky-rocketing views and followers after his first few videos, the content creator built his motivation to keep chasing his dreams and continue building his social media presence.

Seeing opportunities and accepting them as blessings, Evan the Card Guy has become the most followed magician on TikTok with over 18 million followers on social media in less than a year. His magic performances often reveal a glimpse of his personality and a time to escape problems at present. His videos are a result of learning from countless failures.

Regardless of all the doubts, Evan escalated the confidence and trust in himself. He hopes to be the epitome of using negativity as motivation to progress forward. Additionally, he says, “I decided to build my brand because I wanted to share the joy of magic with the world.”

As he works on his dreams alone, Evan the Card Guy gratifies himself in getting to where he is now – even with no direction or advice from anyone. After numerous trial and error, he now has over three thousand distinctive videos that everyone of all ages can enjoy. Viewers can even expect to be astonished by the light-hearted combination of magic, challenges, and comedy.

Now, he faces a new journey to reach greater heights. He hopes to see himself doing what he enjoys doing and making videos with prominent people in the industry. He will continue to ride the tide of success in becoming the young generation’s David Blaine.

Through playful acts found in every continuous effort, Evan the Card Guy fascinates everyone worldwide with a magician’s quick tricks. Learn more about him by visiting his Instagram profile or watching his videos on TikTok.

Yessenia Cossio: The Journey of a Stuntwoman

US Reporter Staff on February 4, 2021

Yessenia Cossio-Alonso, popularly referred to as Yessenia Cossio, is an actress and stuntwoman renowned for her character as Dynamite on the FOX TV show Ultimate Tag. She also performed her stints on Marvel’s hit TV show The Punisher. However, for Yessenia, the journey to the top was not a bed of roses but a path that was fraught with obstacles.

On December 31, 1988, Yessenia Cossio-Alonso was born in Miami to Cuban immigrant parents. At the tender age of nine, she indicated her interest in singing and was then enrolled in classes, where she sang in the school choir and local church. Although she enjoyed singing, the little girl felt ill at ease as she was sure something was still missing but had no idea what it was.

In 2006, Yessenia found her Eureka moment when she performed her first dialogue script in her English class and spoke passionately about women’s rights. The performance was so outstanding that she was encouraged by her teacher and classmates to sign up for drama classes, a decision that would change her life forever.

However, at the time, Yessenia’s plan had a little bump. She could not afford the classes and was in gainful employment with a telemarketing company to save money for a possible acting career and a new car. By the time she was 17, Yessenia Cossio was a full-time employee of Sears Telemarketing Center, where she worked as a computer technical support specialist. Her consistency led to a speedy promotion to human resources.

Three years later, Yessenia decided it was time to pursue her dreams in acting and sought a part-time job that would keep her financially afloat while still freeing her time up. Her desire for balance between a 9-5 job and acting classes resulted in her trying jobs with flexible schedules. She worked six months in medical billing, sold small kitchen appliances for Cutco, worked as a unique event dancer, and eventually worked at Best Buy for three years as a computer specialist and business consultant before she was dismissed.

After nearly seven years of juggling jobs and her acting dreams, Yessenia decided to remain unemployed while she figured out the next best step toward her career. In January 2013, Yessenia Cossio took her first bold step since quitting the corporate world and joined The Miami Acting Studio. She took side jobs as a brand ambassador along with her acting and parkour classes. Soon enough, her career began the steady upward climb to success.

In August 2013, she started training to compete in the bikini division for the National Physique Committee (NPC). For the next two years, Yessenia snatched the sixteenth position in her first bodybuilding competition and came second place at her second bodybuilding competition. Although the fitness journey proved satisfying and challenging, Yessenia knew it was not her passion.

Despite her detour in the bodybuilding industry, Yessenia never forgot her acting dream, and she continued to take acting classes. The desire for a more significant challenge prompted her to become a member of an acting table meeting in Davie, FL, where she met other artists and discussed their future goals. The communication with other artists encouraged Yessenia to research on YouTube, and she found an interest in stunts and started training.

After her first stunt work, Yessenia finally found her balance in acting and exercises and merged the two professions with practice. She practiced martial arts, wirework, high falls, stage combat, acrobatics, parkour, tricking, trapeze, stunt driving, etc., and got her big break in March 2019 when she joined the cast of the TV show, Ultimate Tag on FOX as “Dynamite.” Few years after her debut as a stunt woman, Yessenia relocated to Los Angeles, California. She made appearances on the Netflix Marvel TV Show The Punisher, Mcygver, and Queen of the South, Warner Bros’ Dune, NBC Telemundo.

As a stuntwoman, Yessenia’s job is perhaps one of the riskiest. In her words, she explains, “Unlike men in the industry 80% of the time we are wearing shorts, bikini, skirts, or dresses and cannot use protection or if any very limited. We have to perform all stunts such as car crashes, the fire burns, high falls, wrecks, fights, stair falls, wire gags, etc., under any weather, condition, and wardrobe, including heels.”

Asides from conquering a male-dominated stunt industry, Yessenia Cossio is also a philanthropist deeply involved with her community. She invests and donates heavily towards selfless causes, including Cancer, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Autism, to name a few. She also enjoys bringing cheer by dressing up as superheroes for surprise visits to children’s hospitals, elderly homes, and homeless shelters. Her love for the community was awarded in 2019 with a Humanitarian award from the World Freerunning and Parkour Federation (WFPF).

Her journey inspires everyone to rise above whatever obstacle life may present and reach for greatness. She believes the sky is the starting point as long as you keep pushing forward. In the future, Yessenia Cossio hopes to act in a Marvel, DC, or Disney movie. She also wants to establish a non-profit organization to help people with anxiety/depression disorder and leave a legacy of hope and inspiration while also bringing awareness and well-deserved accolades to the stunt industry’s strong women.

To know more about Yessenia Cossio-Alonso, you may visit her website.

Keith Nelson on Appreciating the Joys of Aging Gracefully

US Reporter Staff on February 2, 2021

There is nothing more therapeutic than having a day’s worth of fun and good laughs. In a world where we inevitably face doubts and failures, most of us persistently attempt to cope. And although these coping mechanisms may vary from one person to another, a good laugh is something that is often a universally enjoyable experience. It makes people forget heartaches, gauges human interaction, and creates lasting bonds with others – even with strangers. And for this reason, Keith Nelson brings out his congenial and quick-witted nature to give the people reasons to smile through life’s uncertainties.

Mostly known for his unconventional approach to stand-up comedy, Keith Nelson proves worthy of his stellar reputation in the field of modern-day entertainment. As a matter of fact, one can see Keith sweeping the stage with his impeccable talents topped with a humorous flair in an ordinary day of laughing and entertaining. And because of this, Keith continues to provide people with timeless jokes that ultimately brings the latter into a moment of happiness, triumphs, and a journey towards healing.

As a veteran comedian and actor in the entertainment industry for thirty years, Keith Ross Nelson inspires others to appreciate life after 50. Unlike other comedians, Keith puts the spotlight on living life in order to celebrate the beauty of aging gracefully. And believe it or not, Keith calls this unique act as the “Beginning of the Old.” Keith wants people to understand that aging is a beautiful thing.

Because of his unique talents and abilities to spark joy and countless peals of laughter, Keith Nelson has played in over 50 states and around the world. Topped with a flair for flawlessly connecting with people, Keith has performed in various clubs, colleges, and cruise ships. His excellence in providing comic relief has also become a favorite among military troops across the globe. And proving to be an outstanding comedian, Keith has been featured in Hulu Comedy Show, Comedy Time, A and E’s Evening at the Improv, and Entertainment Tonight.

Moreover, Keith Nelson is a rising star in the acting business and has been featured in countless independent hit movies like Mobsters and Mormons and The R.M. Keith can be seen on Not for Nothin’ on Amazon Prime.

But aside from his sterling talents in the world of entertainment, Keith Nelson is also skilled in Martial Arts. He currently holds a third-degree black belt in Kung Fu and is a former Master’s High Jump record holder and a Three-Time National Champion in the field.

Looking at his accomplishments, Keith Nelson owes much of his success towards his positive outlook in life.

You can follow Keith Nelson on Instagram (@Keithrossnelson).