Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Ross.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I guess it was sort of whirlwind. Life as a kid in Hamilton, Ohio was okay. Expectations were the same for almost everyone. Either you made a name for yourself in sports which would never happen for me because I was an obese adolescent raised my great grandma, or you found a job at local business in town. I think it all started when I just wanted to do better than the people around me. Most had succumbed to drugs or crime, and I knew I wanted more. I loved watching movies and television, and I always told myself that if someone could think of ideas for movies there certainly had to be some truth to what I was watching.
On tv there were happy family’s, people chasing their dreams and relationships filled with love. So, after fumbling around awhile after high school, and losing over 70lbs, I held a job in the community working at a nursing home. Until one day, it was no longer enough. After being approached by an army recruiter I bravely enlisted not ever looking back. The Army brought me my husband a wonderful man and then my amazing little boy.
My life was starting to look like those glimpses I remember on tv and films, until one day my greatest heartache was inevitable. The sudden death of my mother. This chapter in my life was a spiral filled with lots of emotions and the unknown on what the future held.
My little family and I soon settled near Savannah. A beautiful city with kind and creative people. Hope started to place the bandage on my heart. A new friend I had met had invited me to a casting call for a movie I thought I’d go for fun. Upon my arrival I felt very out of place, and I left the call with no expectations. A week later I was at Mcdonalds with my son, and I received a booking opportunity for that casting call. It led to me being on a movie set for the very first time and after that the rest is history.
Before I knew it this life of mine was filled with opportunities which felt like therapy to me. The right people came into my life such as my manager and my talent agents who help me stay connected to this new world I never imagined being a part of. When I’m not on set, I love to work out and inspire others to chase the best versions of themselves because we will never meet them if we give up on ourselves.
Hope, Fath, and Resilience led me to where I am today. I’m so grateful for the incredible actors I watched tell stories as a kid. If it wasn’t for the “make believe” I would haver never thought about making it a reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve dealt with adversities such as generational curses, the death and loss of loved ones. Often times just not fitting in the “Box.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am model, actress, & Health Advocate. I have appeared on National and local television commercials such as Eicholz law firm, Horne Law and Veterans Affairs Alabama along with many more print and tv ads.
I’m most proud of the first set I was ever invited to, Halloween, which is my favorite movie and a Veterans commercial because I was able to advocate for veterans experiencing PTSD and other trauma.
I love that on my free time I have the opportunity to coach a group of women in Savannah. They’re called SLAM (Sweat like a Mother.) I instruct specialty workouts to help them feel there best.
I also published a book about my adversities and how I overcame them through faith and the will to inspire others. It’s for sale on Barnes and Noble.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on continuing to raise my son here and to continue leading by example to show him anything is possible if you dream big and put it into action. I look forward to Gods plan and what he has in store in my journey as an actress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-darkness-to-light-jessica-ross/1145468258?ean=9798218422608
- Instagram: @jessicaazora
