From Cornwall to LA …Congratulations Helena-Alexis Seymour!

Congratulations goes out to Cornwall native, Helena-Alexis Seymour for not only winning the “Best Actress at the Las Vegas Movie Awards” but for becoming the successful 35 year old young lady who is living her dream on a daily basis.

I actually remember when Helena was born as my oldest son and her are the same age and I worked with her father, Lou Seymour, many moons ago when he was a press operator here at Astro Printing and I was a Graphic Designer. I remember when her mother Angie Sakla-Seymour started “Angie’s Models and Images” right here in Cornwall and is now in Ottawa, AMTI – Angie’s Models and Talent INC. a company highly regarded in the world of modelling and acting with names like Ryan Gosling emerging from it’s doors.

It was Angie who entered Helena into the Sunburst Pageants held at the Ramada Inn and somehow convinced me to enter my oldest son Kristian (then 5) into the competition. I still can picture him in his little 3-piece grey suit and as exciting as this venture was, I knew that modelling and acting wasn’t his destiny, however it was definitely the start of a modelling and acting career for Helena.

I was fortunate to have caught up with Helena and even though she is a very busy lady these days she took some time out of her busy acting schedule to answer some questions for me.

Usually we conduct a 5 Question interview but with Helena I had many more questions to ask so here it is… Enjoy!

The Seeker MORE THAN 5 Questions with Helena-Alexis Seymour – a Local Girl who has made it BIG …

1. Tell us a bit about yourself: your background, growing up right here in Cornwall, family life, school, friends etc. One thing our readers may not know about you is – what is your first language? and why this?

I am a Greek & Caribbean (Turks & Caicos Island) mix, born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario Canada. I was bullied growing up in school because of my skin colour, flat nose and curly hair. It wasn’t easy growing up in a predominately white city. All I wanted to do was blend in and go unnoticed. Luckily, in the third grade I switched schools and the children there were more diverse. There were three other ethnic children in my grade, and the racist bullying was very minimal at this school.

Looking back, I am grateful for those experiences as they shaped me and empowered me as a black/mixed race woman. I love who I am on the inside and outside and I have no problem standing out in a crowd.

My first language is Greek. I grew up with my parents and Yiayia (Greek Grandmother) speaking Greek to me. I remember my parents telling that they used to leave flash cards for my babysitter with Greek/English translation words that I might say. Gala = Milk. It wasn’t until I went to school that I began to learn English. I am grateful that I was taught Greek from a young age. It connects me even more to my Greek background and comes in handy when visiting my relatives in Greece! I am fluent in French as well.

2. How did your acting career begin and what was your first ever acting part and after that what did you act in as a Teen?

I was a very introverted and shy child growing up but I came out of my shyness when I was performing on stage. I started out in competitive dance and beauty pageants. The beauty pageants then led me to modelling and modelling lead into acting.

My acting career began at the age of nine. I went out on auditions for about one whole year until I finally booked my first national television commercial for – Post Golden Raisin Crisp cereal at ten years old.

After I booked the commercial at ten years old I had a growth spurt and didn’t look quite my age anymore. I didn’t book my next job until I was fifteen years of age. I played the young Vanessa Williams in “A Divas Christmas Carole” which plays every year to this day on VH1 and BET. As a teen I also booked a recurring principal role on the HBO Canada series – “The Line”.

3. Who is your Agent and who is your Manager, what is the difference between the two, what are their jobs and how do they go about getting roles for you?

Angie’s AMTI in Canada are my agents and get me auditions in Los Angeles as well as Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. All of my success is because of them as amazing agents and Dimitrios who works there as my Manager and guides my career. I also have a Manager here in Los Angeles. The manger guides the talents career – provides feedback on headshots, sets up interviews, and also get the talent auditions. When a role comes in that fits my description the agent submits my headshot, resume and demo reel to see if the casting believes I am a right fit for the role and therefore, give me an audition.

4. What are some of the films that you have acted in and who are some of the more famous actors/actresses that you have worked with and I have to ask – how was it working with “the hunk”, Vin Diesel?

I have acted in the multi-Academy Award winning film – Birdman, starring Michael Keaton. As well as Love On A Limb, Zombie at 17, The Last Casino, Rulers of Darkness, More Than He Knows, and XXX3: The Return of Xander Cage, starring Vin Diesel to name a few. Working with Vin Diesel was a dream come true. I had a crush on him when he first came out and so to meet him in person was surreal. He is a beautiful human being, inside and out. We had a great time on set.

5. You recently won an award for your acting the title role as Jessica Wu, a female superhero on the Autism spectrum, in Season 2 of the “Chronicles of Jessica Wu”. What is this series all about and how do you feel it made an impact on individuals dealing with Autism? How did you feel when you found out about the award? Where can we watch this series?

The Chronicles of Jessica Wu is a story about a young woman on the Autism spectrum who has mastered martial arts. She becomes a Hero in her city and takes down some of the most ruthless villains in Los Angeles. I feel it made a very positive impact on individuals on the Autism spectrum. I received many beautiful messages from parents of children on the spectrum and how it has inspired and empowered them, that they can do anything. And they can!

Yes, I did plenty of research on the Autism spectrum prior to my audition. It opened up my eyes as to how those on the spectrum live – and they are all different.

I actually just won a second award! The most recent award was Best Actress at the Toronto Film Channel Awards and as well Best Actress at the Vegas Movie Awards. Receiving the news for both, I was shocked and completed elated! I feel so honored that I was chosen to portray Jessica Wu and bring more awareness to autism. The fact that I was blessed with multiple awards makes my heart very happy, it’s a reminder from the Universe that I am on the correct path. I am also incredibly happy that my award brought even more awareness to the Autism spectrum.

In Canada, the series is only available on YouTube. It’s an Amazon Prime American series.

When Helena won her award for the Chronicles of Jessica Wu, this is what she posted on her Facebook:

Happy tears. My Best Actress Trophy & Certificate just came in the mail!

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the Best Actress win at the Vegas Movie Awards, for my role as Jessica Wu in the TV Show “Chronicles of Jessica Wu”. I think I stared at the trophy (and the symbolism of the design – shes wearing a Crown, Superhero Cape, Heels, & holding a Spiked Lightbulb?! Dope!) for about an hour, taking it in and reflecting on my journey to get to this place.

The letter that came with it, is a complete Viiibe & explains exactly how I’m feeling right now… brb still crying….

“Dear Helena-Alexis,

We at the Vegas Movie Awards are pleased to give you both the Statuette and the Official Certificate as ‘Best Actress’ for the month of October 2020.

It has been a huge honor for us to review, evaluate and eventually reward your beautiful project.

This Box Set is of immense value. Especially for the deep meaning behind it.

IT REPRESENTS THE COURAGE TO CREATE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AND YOUR DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE IT.

Particularly in unprecedented times like this where creativity and Art are being put to a severe test.

Whenever you hold the Statuette and the Certificate in your hands, remember that YOU ARE HOLDING THE SUM OF YOUR GENIUS, YOUR PERSEVERANCE, AS WELL AS A SYMBOL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND THAT OF THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN PART OF YOUR WONDERFUL PROJECT.

A REMINDER OF WHO YOU REALLY ARE, AND WHAT YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

In a city of a thousand lights like Las Vegas, we wanted the subject of our Statuette to be a gorgeous, elegant, and sinuous muse, who symbolically holds in her hands a Sparkling Idea.

That same idea that guided you with its shiny light for as long as it took to make ‘Chronicles of Jessica Wu ‘.

An idea that has grown, has transformed, and that has turned into something that you considered worthy of vision and criticism within the film festival circuit.

Dealing with difficulties, sometimes insurmountable, misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, uncertainties. TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE AROUND YOU DIDN’T BELIEVE WAS POSSIBLE, UNTIL YOU PROVED THEM WRONG.

This unique Box Celebrates your Professional-and above all personal-; growth. We hope you experienced and emotional enrichment in being a contestant of our Festival, and hope to have been a source of joy in your life.

The Vegas Movie Awards Statuette & Certificate want to be a solid track that shows the Concreteness of your Talent, a constant source of Inspiration when you look for ideas, and a great Wish for the Future.

Every time you’ll look at them in your office or in your living environment, they will always remind you that YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH TOWARDS YOUR SELF-REALIZATION AND HAPPINESS.

In whatever context you are looking at it, whenever it relates to your personal preference professional ambitions, we hope you never give up on your Dreams.

The women and men of the Vegas Movie Awards wish you 100 of these awards. 100 important milestones in your life, of which our caring Las Vegas-based Festival is the first prestigious, and well-wishing piece.

Sincerely Yours, Vegas Movie Awards.”

6. What is on the horizon for you? What are you working on right now and are there any roles that you haven’t yet played but have dreamed of playing?

Currently I am prepping for another role which will require many stunts, so I am looking forward to filming that. I cannot give details on the name quite yet. A dream role of mine would to play twins.. one evil and one angelic sister.The Gemini in me really wants to playing two different characters in one film.

7. Contrary to people believing that the life of an actress is all glamour – what can you tell us about a typical day on the set and is it all glamourous?

Being on set is not that glamorous at all. Yes, we have makeup artist and hair stylist that make us look nice but then it’s hours and hours of work and waiting around as the sets get changed. A 14 hour day is completely normal.

What words of advice would you have for anyone looking at entering into an acting career?

If this is something that your heart truly wants to do, then go for it! Find a reputable agent, get your headshots, some get acting workshops and put yourself out there! Always follow your dreams, we have them for a reason.

8. What do you do for relaxation in your spare time? Tell me about your “Healing Crystal Jewellery” – especially the crowns and tiaras. What is the back story to these?

In my spare time I like to study astrology, practice yoga, go for a run, play with my dog Zeus, read, and manifest.

My Healing Crystal Jewelry line is called – Eternal Light by Helena-Alexis. I make crowns and tiaras from healing crystals. It began when my mom had breast cancer and borrowed one of my beauty pageant crowns to wear in the hospital to empower herself and remind herself that she is a Queen. I decided why don’t I make her a crown made from healing crystals, this way she can still feel empowered wearing a crown but also receive the healing powers of the crystals. All thanks to my mom. Who did beat breast cancer!

9. I have to say I LOVE your “Eclectic, new age actors Diary” – just watching this I feel the positive energy flowing from you and I am loving the Feng Shui pointers. How did you get interested in Feng Shui?

I believe that we need to heal ourselves from the inside, out if we want to live a high vibrational life. On my journey of self-healing I stumbled upon a Feng Shui book and became very obsessed with it all. I learned how to heal my environment and basically create a high vibrational vortex in my space. I have my candles placed in a certain area, my plants in a certain area, everything flows and people always say how good it feels when they are in my apartment.

10. How can people reach you? Instagram: @helenaalexis, Twitter: @helenaalexis, Facebook: Helena-Alexis Or my agency Angie’s AMTI – [email protected]