Giselle Samson

The doorway to a dream... I look at fear as a gift, as a teachable moment. I face fear not as an adversary but as an opportunity. Fear has given me all that I have and continues to guide me as I move forward toward my every dream. As a ballet dancer from the young age of four, I have spent my life telling stories. While I was able to study Shakespeare throughout high school in a significant way, Dance was my focus for many years. Pursuing dance led me to accomplish unimaginable feats such as working for the Walt Disney Company at the age of 17, heading to LA and landing a spot as a pioneer cast member of the hit TV show America's Next Top Model (Cycle 1) and performing for the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. My journey is so extraordinary in fact, that it has been featured as an E True Hollywood story! Through it all, however, acting was and is my true passion. My dance career, though magical, led me away from this passion for a time. Before long, the fire was burning so fiercely inside of me that I had no choice but to answer it. It was scary to take this leap of faith. I asked Fear what to do and I packed my bags and headed for the Big Apple. It was in the theatre in a small company, finally performing again that I was able to get back to my roots as an actor. Through my work in a New Short Play Festival with a company that feels like home, I have garnered Best Supporting and Best Actress Nominations. I have also written and starred in the short film Misread - an incredible accomplishment I never imagined for myself. I have had the good fortune of starring in short films and studying with some of the finest teachers LA and New York can offer. I want most to share with the world that fear can be a doorway to your dreams. I want to give back to the world for all that it has given me. I wish to perform until my body gives out. I hope to tell stories until my last breath