Chrystel Contreras
- Actress
Chrystel is part of the rare breed of Angelenos that were born and raised in L.A., specifically the south bay and west side. Like many kids growing up in L.A. she acted in school plays, picked up extra work and bit parts on the weekends, and begged her dad to find her an agent. She directed (bossed) her younger cousins into acting out the stories she wrote as soon as she learned to put pen to paper in preschool. She's been writing ever since. Chrystel is grateful she grew up in an era where one had to use their brains and creativity to stay entertained.
Circumstances beyond Chrystel's control threw life detours her way and she was forced into survival mode. Unfortunately, passions and dreams take a backseat when your parents die and the extended family you are left with put the D in dysfunctional. This is never truer when it happens at a young age. After finding herself on the street at 16, she persevered. Chrystel joined the Navy, graduated college, and had a nice safe corporate career. But she was never happy with her career and always felt like something was missing from her life. A few years ago Chrystel realized life is short and we only get one; so she chucked the corporate career and followed her heart, she returned to acting and writing. Though she wishes she never had the break in her pursuit of an acting/writing career, she definitely sees the positives about being able navigate the industry later in life. It allows her to maintain boundaries and stay true to her morals, values, and ethics.
Once upon a time Los Angeles was a beautiful, fun, safe, and believe it or not, affordable place to live. Unfortunately, Chrystel had to recently face facts and accept the L.A. she grew up in no longer exists. Like many native Angelenos, she has left L.A. and recently relocated her primary home base to Atlanta, GA. Despite relocating to the Hollywood of the east, she will always carry L.A. in her heart and maintains a residence there. She may no longer want to live in L.A. full-time, but she will always go back to visit friends and her favorite cousins, and of course have a home to return to when she is working in L.A.
Circumstances beyond Chrystel's control threw life detours her way and she was forced into survival mode. Unfortunately, passions and dreams take a backseat when your parents die and the extended family you are left with put the D in dysfunctional. This is never truer when it happens at a young age. After finding herself on the street at 16, she persevered. Chrystel joined the Navy, graduated college, and had a nice safe corporate career. But she was never happy with her career and always felt like something was missing from her life. A few years ago Chrystel realized life is short and we only get one; so she chucked the corporate career and followed her heart, she returned to acting and writing. Though she wishes she never had the break in her pursuit of an acting/writing career, she definitely sees the positives about being able navigate the industry later in life. It allows her to maintain boundaries and stay true to her morals, values, and ethics.
Once upon a time Los Angeles was a beautiful, fun, safe, and believe it or not, affordable place to live. Unfortunately, Chrystel had to recently face facts and accept the L.A. she grew up in no longer exists. Like many native Angelenos, she has left L.A. and recently relocated her primary home base to Atlanta, GA. Despite relocating to the Hollywood of the east, she will always carry L.A. in her heart and maintains a residence there. She may no longer want to live in L.A. full-time, but she will always go back to visit friends and her favorite cousins, and of course have a home to return to when she is working in L.A.
