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
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