ACTRESS DANIELLE OFF TO STATES
ACTRESS, 19, WAS SPOTTED IN QUEUE AT FORTNUM & MASON
A TALENTED actress is swapping Ashby for Hollywood – after being spotted by a film producer while queueing to buy cheese in London.
Danielle Mathews says she once thought her mission of becoming a top actress was impossible.
After being told she would only ever be an ‘out-of-work’ actor she had even started looking into careers in law and business. But the 19-yearold has said how that all changed when she went to celebrate sister Hannah’s 18th birthday at The Ritz in London’s West End.
While in line at upmarket department store Fortnum & Masons to buy cheese, she was approached by Edward Walson.
The Miami-based film producer, who has worked with luminaries including top director Woody Allen, asked if she had done any acting. The chance encounter led to a place on a course at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, in Hollywood.
She has signed to modelling and acting agencies, with a career in LA beckoning.
Danielle, who grew up in Dunbar Way, said: “I had always dreamed of living in California and being in the movies. But I thought it was impossible.
“I lived in a tiny town and had never even been to America. I visited the local theatre but felt like a misfit as the only teenager there.
“I then started on research on how to live and work in USA and realised it was almost impossible to get there unless I was sponsored or married an American.
“The time came to start looking at university courses. I did everything I was supposed to do, achieved good AS level grades, emailed universities and researched their courses but
Stay consistent and work hard and the world is your oyster. Danielle Mathews
something didn’t feel right. I knew I would never be satisfied.”
Danielle’s journey has been full of risks, including leaving Ashby Grammar School at 17, half-way through her A-levels to head for Hollywood. There, another crazy chance encounter proved invaluable.
She struck up a friendship with Al Schwarz, pal of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, whose movie roles include Deliverance. Voight is also the dad of Angelina Jolie.
Schwarz was walking his dog when he and Danielle pair struck up a conversation.
She said: “I learned a lot from Al regarding the great actors and he gave me advice and inspiration from old Hollywood times.
“I then returned home, determined to work my way back to LA.”
Among the achievements in Danielle’s career have been being accepted into Spotlight, a directory of actors used by casting professionals.
She has been promised sponsorship to live and work in LA through an acting agency if she is able to secure a US visa.
Success has also come through modelling after a Venice Beach photo shoot with top snapper Dino Mosley. Danielle said: “I modelled clothing line Vintage Visage with him and he asked me to have a role in his CBS Reality show Voice of a Killer.
“I’d previously been on set when shooting short films Sins Of Grace and How to kill a Cult, so I confidently said ‘yes.’
“I am now signed with TAA Acting Agency and Rhed Model Management to build credits for USA visa requirements.
“Suddenly an impossible goal now seems very possible.” Danielle says she hopes young readers in Burton, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire will take inspiration from her success. She said: “I wanted to share this story to hopefully inspire dreamers, like myself, to pursue their passions, even if it seems almost impossible.
“I know how easy it is to get caught up in what others might say or think but the only person that needs to be truly happy with your choices is you. “During this journey, I faced a lot of sacrifice a n d rejection.
“But as Strasberg says ‘its no for now, not forever.’
“Stay consistent and work hard and the world is your oyster.”