Today is Friday August 3, 2012 and tonight on GMC TV there’s a wonderful movie to watch, “Raising Izzie”. The delightful young actress and singer, Victoria Staley, plays a pivotal role as big sister to Izzie. She recently had a conversation with me about the movie and her take on life as a contemporary teen. Born in 1996, Victoria has been getting vocal training since age 5 and began acting at age 8. She’s currently working on an Urban Pop music project, and has a real passion for musical theatre. No doubt Broadway is on her mind.
What struck me as most significant during our conversation was her complete and total trust in God for her future. This was refreshing. Throughout history, many whose impact for the Kingdom has been great have demonstrated a similar trust at a tender age… from shepherd boy David, and Joan of Arc to moderns like Jim Elliot. In the movie, her little sister character Izzie demonstrates a similar childlike faith of trusting God in critical life situations that affect her future in stark contrast to the older children and adults around her.
From her responses, she’s been working very diligently on her craft and it definitely shows on screen. She is very believeable and her range of emotions is well beyond sixteen years. Victoria also shared a very touching backstory about her Grandfather which helped her performance in what she considers to be her biggest scene in “Raising Izzie”. Victoria’s parents wisely make academics a top priority in her life. She made the point that “her role in “Raising Izzie” was a real stretch because she has such awesome parents.” How many parents would like their children to speak so highly of them publicly? I don’t want to give away the entire movie plot but Victoria’s character, Junior High student Gertie, finds herself in the unenviable position of raising her little sister Izzie on her own and without trust in God.
When asked what do you hope to accomplish with her music, Victoria said she wanted to be a positive role model. In an era when popular professional athletes want no part of being a “role model”, someone in the public eye who does genuinely deserves to be celebrated! My humble observation based on our interview is: Victoria, you don’t have to wait to be a role model… you already are!
As mentioned above, GMC TV will air “Raising Izzie” tonight. Another is scheduled for Saturday August 11th. Please check your listings for broadcast times. You can hear the complete Victoria Staley Podcast Interview anytime at: http://www.sntradio.com/podcasts or click on the Podcasts tab on the SnT Radio.com homepage. Blessings to you – James Burkhardt.
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