Transforming Today's World Magazine - JAN 2014 Special Edition Vol 5 Issue 3 | Page 11

find and be myself…and to be happy. My Mom was not so lucky- so she needs the wish more than I do. I do believe very much in the saying: If Mama is happy, everyone is happy! Despite my tumultuous upbringing, I always found a way to make my heart happy. I chose a long time ago to be happy and I have never strayed from that.” F- “How did you survive the hardest times of your childhood?” A-“During my childhood I escaped through music, dancing and television; I used my imagination to transport me to a place called Ara’s world. It was almost like I was working on the blue-prints for my future. I allowed songs to fill me with love and emotion. I always loved television commercialsthey would always make me smile! I found my entertainment in thirty second spots and told my Mom, when I was in elementary school, that I wanted to be in commercials. I was mesmerized by Little Orphan Annie and watched that movie over and over again…I wanted to do what SHE was doing! I watched Drew Barrymore in ET and envisioned me in the movie. I loved the magic and the story-telling in the movies…I loved the way you could escape your reality through the movies- they saved my life somehow….but television became my way out! It showed me there was so much more I needed to experience.” F- “When did you really know you wanted to be an actress?” A-“From my first memory as a child! I always believed I was capable of achieving my dreams. I was always drawn to the golden years of Hollywood and that is my favorite era when it comes to films. I love the glamour and the class of the 40’s and 50’s...I loved the passion and romance behind so many of those films…I wanted to BE that! I loved musicals and was extremely attracted to the art of entertaining. I am greatly saddened by the drastic theme change in films and television today. The violence and crime scenes have become lucrative and a major part of the entertainment platform- it is horrible for our children!” F-“What effect do you think this violence has had on our children?” A-“I think we have de-sensitized our youth with violent video games. When you are being entertained by violence it leaves you on edge….you feel uneasy… your mind begins to plot possible dangers in your life….you begin to live in fear.” F- “What is the answer to this nightmare?” A-“We need to plant more seeds of love and kindness in the hearts of humanity...and entertainment is the way to do it. Entertainment is a necessity- it fuels the soul. We need to lift 9