Rising Star Chloe Perrin: “Why we need to inspire a greater movement for wildlife conservation”
If I were to inspire a movement, it would be for wildlife conservation. While filming CBS’ Reckless in South Carolina, I got to visit the Sea Turtle Hospital and South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. I love to see all the creatures of the sea up close. We learned about dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, crabs, and fish of all kinds. We also learned about how important it is to cleanup the oceans and keep our beaches free from all the litter. Did you know that Leatherback sea turtles love to eat jelly fish? Sometimes they mistake plastic bags in the ocean as jelly fish and get sick after eating them. The plastic bags get stuck in their tummies. We met a sea turtle at the hospital who had surgery to remove a plastic bag he had eaten. He was going to get to go home to the ocean soon. I was so happy he was better, but not all of the sea turtles in the hospital get to go home. Sea turtles are an endangered species…the whole ecosystem will be thrown off balance without them.
I had the pleasure to interview actress Chloe Perrin. Chloe is a young force to be reckoned with. The 11-year-old acting phenom will star opposite Oscar Winner, Gary Oldman in the feature film Mary, and opposite Oscar-nominee Bruce Davison in Itsy-Bitsy. Perrin will be seen recurring this season on ABC’s Single Parents.
Thank you so much for joining us Chloe! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
A: I have grown up in Fort Worth, Texas. My best friend is my sister…we have grown up acting and singing together. I love to sing. Growing up, my mom took me and my sister to sing every Christmas at local music venues. We sang Country Gospel and traditional Christmas songs together. I had the opportunity to sing once at the House of Blues. My mom also took us to model a lot, which we always had a lot of fun doing. I spend a lot of time on the set, and have spent a lot of time working on my acting with my Dad at our studio, and playing chess with him. I can’t remember learning how to play, but he must’ve taught me well enough to beat him because I remember always winning. We always had so much fun together. I also love to jump on the trampoline, swim, read, play with my dog, and eat ice cream to celebrate whatever it is to celebrate.
Can you share a story of what brought you to this specific career path?
A: My Mom and my Dad recognized my talent at an early age. By the time I was 3 years old, I was invited to audition for the role of Ella in an industrial with The American Heart Association in Dallas. My father was an acting coach, and prepped me for the role. I booked it, and it all took off from there. The whole experience of auditioning and working on set was so much fun, I wanted to do it again. So, my parents continued to take me to auditions and I continued to book. By the age of 5 I had garnered my first starring role in a movie out of Los Angeles playing Haley, the daughter of Ali Larter in The Diabolical. My whole family flew to Los Angeles for the shoot. We had a wonderful time together as a family during the filming.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career path?
A: The most interesting story that happened would be the start of my career path when I booked my very first horror/thriller movie, The Diabolical! It was a big step in my career, and I was so young. Many of my memories are of the stories I’ve heard from my family since then because I was so young, but I do remember my dad very clearly…these are some of the most cherished memories I have of him. He was very supportive of me, and we always had so much fun together with the acting. He prepped me for roles, and always had encouraging words for me. When he put me on tape for the audition of The Diabolical, he told me I was perfect for the role. When I booked, my dad was as excited about it as me! He took me and my sister and mom for ice cream to celebrate! I ate 2 scoops of cotton candy ice cream on a sugar cone!
Can you share with a story about the funniest mistake you made when you first started acting? Can you tell us the lesson you learned from it?
A: I cannot really remember any mistakes I may have made when I first started my acting career, because I was only three years old when I began. Fortunately, I never had to learn many of the lessons a lot of people starting out in acting have to learn since I was so young and I had my parents. My mom and dad spent many years as casting directors, and owned an acting studio. I think, from my experience though, that a great acting coach is key, and I was fortunate to have my mom and dad. I also work with an amazing acting coach in Los Angeles by the name of Gary Hudson. I call him Uncle Gary. He has become my mentor and best friend, and has offered me guidance since the loss of my dear father. He has had lots of success in this business, and the wisdom of over 40 years in Hollywood to share with me.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleges in this industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
A: If I were to recommend tips to colleagues to help them not “burn out”, then I’d tell them to stay positive, and keep on practicing…I would tell them to try not to overwork themselves practicing on a script, but to practice steadily — 3 to 4 times a day everyday up until the audition/shoot, and then again on your way to the audition or set, run your lines a couple more times. Most importantly, have fun!
What are some of the most interesting or excited projects you are working on now?
A: I’m currently working on a web-series called Charlie Tries. I star as Charlie…a little girl whose curiosity gets her in a lot of trouble. She is mischievous and funny — a goofy girl. She loves to explore life and new things. Release date to be announced soon. I also am auditioning for other projects.
Is there a person in the world that you would love to have a private lunch with, and why?
A: If there was any person I could have a private lunch with, it would be my dad. I lost him at 8 years old, and it was tragic. In the blink of an eye, the man that cherished me as a daughter was gone. I didn’t get to tell him what he meant to me. I would love the opportunity to tell him how much I love him, and how grateful I am for his support and guidance with my acting career. I would love to play chess with him after pizza for lunch, and then enjoy a double dip of cotton candy ice cream on a sugar cone. He’d have butter pecan.
Can you please tell us your favorite “life lesson quote”? Can you share how that was relevant in your life?
A: My favorite “life lesson quote” is to stay positive and keep practicing. You have to love what you do, and enjoy the hard work and struggles that go into it. Find what is right for you, and then have fun doing it. All the hard work I’ve put into my acting is paying off, and I’m having fun. You can do it too.
Can you share three reasons why diversity is important to have represented in film and television? How can that potentially effect our culture?
A: I think that diversity is important to have represented in film and television so each and every one of us have someone to identify with. Diversity can give a child hope; something to aspire towards. Diversity also lets people know that they are accepted and appreciated. There are so many wonderful people in the world from different backgrounds that deserve recognition for being who they are. We all can learn to appreciate each other when we have diversity around us. Everyone is special in their own way, and has something to offer that can enrich the world.
If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would it be?
A: If I were to inspire a movement, it would be for wildlife conservation. While filming CBS’ Reckless in South Carolina, I got to visit the Sea Turtle Hospital and South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. I love to see all the creatures of the sea up close. We learned about dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, crabs, and fish of all kinds. We also learned about how important it is to cleanup the oceans and keep our beaches free from all the litter. Did you know that Leatherback sea turtles love to eat jelly fish? Sometimes they mistake plastic bags in the ocean as jelly fish and get sick after eating them. The plastic bags get stuck in their tummies. We met a sea turtle at the hospital who had surgery to remove a plastic bag he had eaten. He was going to get to go home to the ocean soon. I was so happy he was better, but not all of the sea turtles in the hospital get to go home. Sea turtles are an endangered species…the whole ecosystem will be thrown off balance without them.
Is there a particular person that you are grateful towards who helped you get to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
A: There are so many people I’m grateful towards for helping me get to where I am now, but the person I would say I am most grateful towards would be my mother. She is so supportive of me, and always believes in me. Even after we lost my father, through her brokenness and our hardships she never lost site of me and my sister and our dreams. She continues to help me with my career and I am so grateful I have such a wonderful mother like her!
What are your “five things I wish someone had told me when I first started” and why.
A: I first started acting at age of 3, and had the help of my parents. So, fortunate for me, I never had ‘five things to wish that someone had told me when I first started’ because I was so young. But, I can share with you five things my parents taught me. They taught me I could do this if I had the desire to do it. They taught me to practice if I wanted to do well. They also taught me that it is okay if I don’t get every role I audition for, and to keep trying. Fifth, my dad taught me to always have fun.
How can our readers reach you on social media?
A: I would love to connect on social media with you all! Follow me on instagram at chloeperrin.usa! I post about my roles in movies and on tv. I also post about all the things I love, like spiders and turtles. I would like to see what you post too!