Vanessa Soredjo

Vanessa Sored

Vanessa Soredjo Interview by Xavier “CompleX” Prue IMAGES BY Michael Buie Film Light Photography

PIFF: You started out in your early life in law enforcement. How did that lead to modeling and acting? VANESSA: When I first started, I was still in law enforcement. I did a lot of background work like any other [aspiring entertainer] would do. So, I stayed in contact with a lot of the connections I made in the industry and got signed on with two different agents for theater. I’m not with them anymore; but that’s how I got started – I started out as an extra. From there, I just kept pushing myself further from doing free photoshoots for photographers to reaching back out to past connects. But, there was a time that I [got frustrated] and stopped doing it for a year or two because I felt like it just wasn’t going anywhere. And then, about a year ago, I told myself ‘I’m going back into this!’ It’s a struggle, but it’s a passion I really enjoy, so I just continue pushing myself out there.

PIFF: Where were you at when you first got into the industry? VANESSA:: I was in Louisiana at the time, when I first got my foot in the door in the entertainment industry.

PIFF: Was Reigning Men your first official project? VANESSA: Reigning Men was my first one that I did and then, the other ones I did over here in North Carolina.

PIFF: You said you got started out in Louisiana... is that where you’re from? VANESSA: No. I’m originally from South America in a country called Suriname. I speak Dutch.

PIFF: When did you move to North Carolina? VANESSA: 2 years ago in 2017.

PIFF: Was it a major change moving there from Louisiana? VANESSA: I’ve been in Louisiana for 14 years. I just wanted a change. I didn’t want to be stuck there for the rest of my life.

PIFF: What’s the difference between the opportunities in Louisiana and the opportunities in North Carolina? VANESSA: When I was in Louisiana, I didn’t really push myself as hard as I pushed myself in North Carolina. My drive just changed.

PIFF: What’s been your roughest moment in everything you’ve done so far? VANESSA: It comes and goes. Because I still work my regular 9-5 job. I feel that people who don’t really love their passion, they don’t really push hard for it but if you really love what you do, even if you know you have to work a regular job to pay your bills, you still will make time for your passion, but if you really love what you’re doing, you’ll keep on pushing.