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Hey there! Have you ever been in a pageant? Since performing in an ugly rose-themed pageant dress in an equally terrible rose-themed pageant at the age of 3 (excitedly waving at a women who I thought was my mother), the stage, not the spotlight, has been my truest home. It's about connection.

 

Tragedy was a common thread throughout my childhood and I turned to the art of storytelling to handle the turmoil, feel a positive connection and find my voice. I was terrible.

But, that drove me even more and I threw myself into years of theatre, dance, playwriting, singing, painting and more, determined to "win" (whatever that meant) and live free.

It was what enabled me to not only survive, but thrive.

 

Fast forward to today: I don't suck and I'm thrilled. Nay- proud! Constant growth and vigor has brought me here. Grateful. Loud or quiet, what was once a safe haven has become a vital platform for me to reach others in a meaningful way, giving a strong voice to those who often go unheard.

 

Impactful storytelling is everything.

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So, that's what I do.
I believe entertainment should not only represent where we are as a society, but also reflect where we should be (and not because it's cool; I mean it is, though). Whether filmmaking, motivational speaking, owning a gym, running my nonprofit, or writing music, my focus is to give to others what was given to me: connection that inspires growth and action to bring awareness and change.

And, goodness me, you are not alone.

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Currently, I am working on my first music album set to debut in 2025!

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Bio

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Vanessa Meadows is an actress (SAG-AFTRA), filmmaker, and singer-songwriter. She has been performing for over 25 years and currently has an album, short film and documentary in development. Theatre-based, she has been involved in more than 60 productions with leading roles on both the stage and screen, including, most-recently, the role of Eva Peron in EVITA!. She has been involved in front of and behind the camera on projects such as the award-winning film, “TRI” and Netflix’s “House of Cards.” Most recently, she starred in an ensemble cast as Dr. Fiona Gerard in the holiday film,"Christmas Couples Retreat" that premiered nationwide in December 2023. Vanessa’s passion for creating positive change in the industry and beyond is a constant motivator for her in both her work and personal life. She owns a fun fitness studio (Freedom Fitness) in Maryland and runs a nonprofit (beCause Parties). She has also previously spoken on a Women In Film panel during the 2019 Toronto Film Festival, was the Keynote Speaker at Catholic University's 2019 Cardinal Reels Student Film Festival to discuss creating a safer entertainment industry and co-produced an event for the nonprofit, Artists United, during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. In 2018, she began hosting workshops for actors that focus on a sustainable approach to the actor’s life and in 2020 started a public Youtube channel to help empower others on their journey with stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.