Charis Michelsen Gives Us an Insight into Her Life and Career in Hollywood
I recently caught up with the lovely and inspiring Charis Michelsen to talk about her extraordinary career so far, incredible invention and upcoming projects. Here is what she had to share:
Hi Charis, it’s so lovely to catch up with you. I wanted to talk to you about your career and latest achievements, which have all been incredible. Firstly, when did you get into acting, and what was your first role like?
When I was a teenager, I moved from a small town in Oregon, where I had studied acting under renowned theatre instructor Janet Mouser, to New York City to study fashion design at Parsons School of Design/The New School. I believed my destiny was to be a fashion designer, as I never thought I would be lucky enough to be an actor and loved fashion. Yet, within two weeks of being in NYC, I was scouted by a photographer for Harper’s BAZAAR magazine to model, which led to me being sent to audition for a horror film, which I booked. The project’s producers offered me the lead in their next film, a crime drama, which launched my professional acting career.
You’ve worked on some incredible films, including Wonder Boys, High Art, and Bringing out the Dead, with such directors as Martin Scorsese. How has that experience been for you and what did you learn the most about playing roles in these projects?
It was an absolute joy and honor to work with such talented Academy Award-winning directors as the legendary Martin Scorsese in Bringing out the Dead and Curtis Hanson in Wonder Boys, as well as Lisa Cholodenko in High Art, which won a prestigious award at Sundance. My biggest takeaways from playing roles in these films and others have been to be fully present in the moment, so the experience becomes reality, which makes it authentic for you and the audience, and to take calculated risks, which can add value to a scene.
What has been one of your favorite roles to play so far?
That’s a tough question to answer, as I’ve played so many roles I’ve loved. I’ve enjoyed playing characters that are very different from who I am, as I love exploring characteristics that are foreign to me but have also enjoyed playing characters that include amplified aspects of my personality. If I were forced to choose my favorite role thus far, I would have to go with Grace Paine. I starred in the film, of the same name, which was produced by top producer and former president of Universal Pictures Thom Mount (Natural Born Killers, Bull Durham, Tequila Sunrise), and played a woman who was transformed by heartbreak because of betrayal into a type of James Bond. I was trained to use firearms for the role and have since had the pleasure of learning MMA fighting. I’d absolutely love to do more action movies.
You’re also an author who has written some amazing and informative books. Tell us about that.
After starring in several movies, I was missing working in the fine arts, so I took a professional makeup artist certification course. I ended up teaching techniques within the course, as I had worked with and learned from some of the industry’s top makeup artists. Upon graduating, I was offered to be a spokesperson for one of the world’s top five luxury cosmetics companies. It was a life-changing experience.
While speaking with thousands of people nationally and internationally, I learned that almost no one knew what they should do with cosmetics to look their personal best, so I was determined to gain the answers. I read as many books as possible that were available on the subject, and to my utter shock, discovered that almost no one had a clue.
I decided this needed to change. Being a natural problem solver, I went to work to find the answers. The answers led to the creation of the first Universal Beauty Standard System™, which is science-based. I used my system to create new techniques and easy-to-follow methods, so everyone can apply cosmetics and style themselves to look their personal best. We shouldn’t try to emulate the appearance of celebrities, which creates image issues. We should embrace our unique aspects, to shine as our own celebrity!
After a friend suggested I write a book incorporating the Universal Beauty Standard System™, I wrote Hollywood Beauty: The Art of Star Makeup, which I self-illustrated. I then wrote a book for men to address their personal grooming needs titled Grooming for Men: Dirty to Polished. My books can be viewed on my website, charismichelsen.com. I thought why stop at the neck up and proceeded to write more books using the Universal Beauty Standard System™ to help an individual utilize fashion products to look their best from head to toe. Desiring to make the information easy to use, I created an algorithm. My algorithm was used to build the first artificial intelligence (AI) personal stylist.
I love that you’re a world-class entrepreneur who invented the first Universal Beauty Standard System™ which was used to create an artificial intelligence personal stylist. That’s incredible! How long did it take to get this all off the ground?
After seeing how my system and techniques provided people with confidence that positively transformed and empowered them, I became fixated on creating materials that would fill the gaps in the beauty and fashion industries to help everyone look and feel their best and nearly locked myself in my home until the materials were completed. The process took approximately fifteen years. My AI stylist, the last piece to complete what I believe will transform the entire industry, is nearly built, and I’m waiting for a TV show I created and will host to launch before releasing my books and other exciting beauty and fashion products.
You were discovered by Liv Tyler and her mother, Bebe Buell, who was the career manager for Liv and Debbie Harry of the band Blondie. Bebe also became your career manager, which must have been a life-changing journey for you at such a young age.
It was! Liv and Bebe saw me at a rock concert and were introduced to me after the show. Bebe learned I’d been doing movies and modeling and connected me to a great theatrical agency, commercial agency, and the modeling agency IMG, where I was added to their celebrity division. I also had the great pleasure of meeting a plethora of rock & roll royalty such as Joey Ramone, Gene Simmons, Steven Tyler, and, of course, Debbie Harry, through Bebe, which was amazing.
You’re currently working on a new TV show; can you give us a brief insight into that and what we can expect?
I’m thrilled about a new documentary-style fashion, beauty, and Hollywood-related TV show I created that pays homage to unsung beauty, fashion, and style elements that have been integral in our culture and making Hollywood the glamorous brand it is. I’ll host and direct the show, which is fast paced, visually exciting, and highly entertaining.
What have you learned the most about people in the industry and yourself over the years?
I’ve worked with A-list directors and A-list stars, and most are so hyper-focused on doing good work and busy with life that quickly getting to the heart of what needs to be communicated when in dialogue with them, is very important. Also, the entertainment industry is a small world. Everyone knows everyone. Being authentic, reliable, and a person of integrity is paramount. What I’ve learned about myself is that the storms of life and cruel people can’t crush me. My positive choices can inspire others to make better choices, which I love, and one of my most enjoyable hobbies is helping others meet their goals.
You are also an award recipient for your incredible work and achievements. Tell us about that.
I’ve recently been honored with receiving the Hollywood Royalty award at the WGA for my extensive history in the industry on-camera and off and for the contributions I’ve made with uplifting those who create quality content, helping to build a content platform that can positively inspire viewers, and for finding talent that can facilitate building said platform.
What is your best advice to up-and-coming artists wanting to get into this tough business?
Refine your skills to be the best at what you do. Be ready to work hard with humility. Don’t wait for someone to see your value; instead, create projects and opportunities that showcase your talent, and never give up. By sticking with your goals, people will notice and take you seriously, and doors will open for you.
