Chantel Valdivieso

Chantel Valdivieso was born in Lakenheath Air Force Base, Lakenheath, England. While her mother, Teresa was serving in the United States Air Force. Chantel's family was transferred to Tucson, Arizona when Chantel was only seven weeks old. Some would think this is an odd age to be a frequent flier, but not for a military family! Chantel's family had been approached many times about putting her in the entertainment business but with their military schedules this was never possible. After her mother's retirement they moved to Joplin, Missouri, where their family lived. Chantel began taking modeling classes at the local YMCA. Her modeling coach Colleen Hayden, helped to prepare her by organizing runway fashion shows, televised interviews as well as building self-esteem through teaching classes on health and beauty. With the support of her family, her coach Colleen and Colleen's husband John, Chantel was off to New York for the summer. With her mother retired, Chantel now four was commuting from their home town of Joplin, Mo., to the Big Apple. She began working in the Fashion and Print Industry. After being in New York for only three days Chantel booked her first commercial for New York College Saving Fund. By the age of six she had already booked jobs with Sears, Imaginarium, Marshalls and Zoey Computer Games. In July 2002, she added voice-overs to her resume. Booking a voice-over for Sutter Health Care opened another avenue for her to show case her talents. By mid-2002, she had won leads in three Independent Films. Through her hard work, her dreams were becoming a reality. November 2002, Chantel was given her first SAG job. She received a casting call for a pretty, sweet, hero girl named "Holly" (a young Halle Berry type). Her break came after the third callback for the feature film "The Polar Express." Chantel continues to keep busy shooting commercials as well as episodes like "Zoey 101" and "The Dog Whisper." She recently became the first child to be a Announcer at the Imagen's 20th Annual Awards Show. Chantel is currently working on a series called "Have Sword Will Travel." For this project she has been taking sword classes working toward her Level 5 Degree. Chantel's most resent project is working with "Norky" and the PolarBall. Norky is a pen-eagle (penguin/eagle) hybrid and keepers of Santa's naughty and nice list. Chantel is the "Youth Ambassador of Goodwill" and "Celebrity Host" of Norky TV Network. Keep an eye out for the first book in a series of children's books Christmas With Norky being released in September 2005 with a Celebrity Christmas Special to follow. Chantel is very passionate about helping others and changing our world one person at a time. She feels it is part of her responsibility as an actress to be a good role model and lead by example.