"At first I didn’t know how I would end up in Los Angeles, CA, reaching for the stars along with the rest of the flock- but somehow, I managed to pull it off with just a dream, a chance, my family and some faith. At first, I didn’t know it was possible, until this overwhelming feeling in my 17 yr old gut told me to “go for it”. A feeling I will forever be grateful for, because I know, at least in the pit of me, that I’m willing to give myself a shot. 

It’s the end of senior year in high school and I have no idea which college I’m going to attend. I legit told myself I can't go to ‘this’ college because I’ll know way too many people there and I can’t go to ‘that’ college because I sure don’t have the grades for it. All I cared about were the arts and theatre. I eventually went on a hunt for the perfect college for that only to find, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA. Auditions in Washington, D.C., in about two weeks, hell yeah, I had a shot! From then on, the rest is literally History. I auditioned with two contrasting monologues and was accepted on the spot. I seriously cried tears of joy, I’ve never been more grateful in my life. I’ll never forget, the woman in the audition room asked me to tell her a secret. So, I told her that if I wasn’t getting accepted into AADA, then I don’t know what I would have done or where I would have gone. It’s crazy because, where I come from, it can be a bubble. A very comfortable, easy bubble. A bubble I wanted to pop so bad- a bubble I was dying to break free from and I did. I was given a chance and that’s all I can really ask for. 

Because of that chance, I was able to have the best time of my life at AADA, and create memories and relationships I’ll cherish forever. I was able to learn things I never thought of. I was able to improve and grow and get accepted back and graduate. I was able to succeed. I still am. It’s a constant grind, a constant battle within yourself- because if you don’t believe in yourself, then there’s some trouble. Because of that chance I am able to remain here, in a city I love, doing what I love to do. Had I not been given a chance, had I moved to New York instead, had I stayed in MD, I don’t know what could have happened. I’m not so sure If I’d be this happy, but who knows. If I never decided to follow my dreams, I never would have known of all the amazing opportunities out in the world. I never would have just “gone for it,” and that’s a scary thought." - @yeahhslim