Today we’d like to introduce you to Milla Vela.
Hi Milla, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
There are a great many things that lead me to where I am today as a Marilyn Monroe Impersonator and business owner. I was raised in the theater, as well as a competitive gymnast for 10 years in my youth. Throughout my teenage years, much of my time was devoted to community theater and summer performing arts programs. A few months prior to graduating high school, my 5th audition for the Walt Disney World Entertainment Department landed me a role I had dreamed of for years. While working for Disney, I was able to be “close friends” (as the lingo goes) with Snow White, Belle, Vidia the Fairy, and Princess Leia from Star Wars. While performing with these amazing characters, I was given special opportunities to work in media positions with Disney’s parades, stage productions, and even promotional events with celebrities. During this time period, my close-family relationship to George Perez launched me into a wonderful world of comic conventions and events where I debuted many famed comic characters! Although my name is actually Camille, George’s personal nickname for me, ‘Milla,’ caught fire with friends, family, and fans, and thus the nickname stuck! After a few years, I decided to leave behind college, conventions, and my career at Disney to venture out of the country to complete an 18-month volunteer mission for Hispanic communities in Canada. There I taught myself to speak Spanish and built a deeper connection to my own personal heritage as a Costa Rican. Soon after my volunteer mission was completed, I was married to a wonderful man, Israel Vela, I met during my time in Canada. We lived in Mexico for nearly two years where I became a certified belly dance instructor and coached competitive gymnastics! We moved home to the U.S. in 2016, and soon after we discovered our surprise pregnancy! Tragedy struck just three months later, as we lost my husband to a tragic swimming accident. A month later, I moved to live with his family out west in Utah, until our son was born on December 26th, 2016. Once I was able after my son’s birth, I began to resume teaching belly dance again, which was a big first step toward healing from all I had been through. After a year, I moved back home to be with my family in Florida, where I became determined to start a new life with my son on my own. One of my first jobs I gained was working for the ‘EverAfter Characters and Events’, as a face character performer. With this amazing company, I began a journey to restore my skills and confidence as a performer. By 2019, I gained an additional performing gig working with the amazing Theater Company, ‘Phantasmagoria Orlando.’ I was immediately put to work as an actress and specialty act with my belly dancing skills. Before I knew it, my world was healing and theater was bringing me back to life in unexpected ways. In the fall of 2019, I was offered a dream role with Universal Studios Orlando to perform as Marilyn Monroe in their tribute show and meet and greet opportunities. It was truly a remarkable period for me, and one that has launched me to where I am today. Due to Covid, everything in entertainment came to a cold freeze and none of us knew what would survive this drought of income. During this time period, Universal and I parted ways in order for me to pursue an independent career as a Marilyn Monroe Tribute Artist. It is truly thanks to the Universal Orlando Director, Colleen Defeo that brought me on to debut in Marilyn’s shoes, as well as a dear friend, Mattison, aka Bebe Calliberr Mercy (a fellow Marilyn) who helped me gain opportunities own my own, that I am where I am today as a tribute artist! I wouldn’t be where I am without all of these experiences, my family, my friends, and colleagues who have supported me every step of the way.
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?
As you can imagine, unexpectedly losing a spouse while pregnant can take a lot from someone’s mental and emotional stability. I waited to grieve until two months after my son was born, which in total was approximately 8 months of waiting to cry. I didn’t want to harm my son while he was in utero was my reasoning.
These life milestones are normally met with celebrations and parties, my journey of pregnancy and giving birth tried to, at best. I struggled with severe anemia my entire pregnancy, and his birth was exceptionally difficult with him needing to be turned around successfully. Not to mention, he was 10.5lbs.
An important challenge to mention is that I was not untouched by mental illness throughout all of these events. Throughout my intensive psycho-therapy, after my son was born, I was able to have the assistance I needed as a new widow and single mother. I had to battle severe PTSD, episodic depression, and eventually episodes of anxiety with amazing tdheraupedic methods and techniques. I mention this element of my life to only share with others who might be dealing with similar obstacles that there still is hope, healing is possible, and life can be beautiful again.
Some other challenges I faced was getting my body back into shape post-birth. I had had an 8-year hiatus from the entertainment scene from when I left my career at Disney to when I returned to performing after my son was born. That took a lot of willpower, a lot. I couldn’t go out to a gym as a single mom who couldn’t afford babysitters or childcare. I had to be inventive and develop an at-home dance studio and gym. I depended a lot on youtube for training videos to rehearse and practice skills, and all on my own. Past the parental exhaustion, and stress of finding gig work, along with trying to find ways to stay in shape was and still is quite the feat.
As you know, we’re big fans of Vela Luz Productions LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My company, Vela Luz Productions LLC., is a platform that launches many different theatrical productions and events. We are currently working as an agency for Milla Monroe, a Marilyn Monroe Tribute Artist, as well as developing plans of opening a new interactive theatrical experience and venue in the greater Orlando area. Vela Luz Productions is a family-owned and run operation and is dedicated to the late, Israel Vela, who desired to run an immersive theater with his wife. The name of the company, ‘Vela Luz,’ is Spanish for, “candlelight.” The name is symbolic for anyone who associates with the company, that their light is worthy to be seen no matter how dense the darkness is. Vela Luz Productions is in partnership with Fantasea Character Co., as well as Legendary Character Ceremonies.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I feel it is essential to look at Walt and Roy Disney when it comes to owning and/or operating an entertainment company of any kind. Walt was the instrument of groundbreaking creativity and invention, while Roy was the money and business partner that helped lead and secure the foundation and future. I feel you can’t nor should have a ‘Walt’/Creative Director without your ‘Roy’/Business Manager. Although on person can labor in both positions, you’ll often see that individual run ragged, exhausted, and sooner or later the creativity or the business falters.
When networking is concerned, don’t waste people’s time. Know your platform, know your goals, know your plans, and know who you need to know. Be authentic, be genuine. People believed in Walt Disney not only for his magical executions but because of who he was, that twinkle in his eye and love in his demeanor.
Finding a mentor is crucial for success. The right mentor can not only guide your steps toward your success but also help you avoid easy mistakes. However, what I have is a bit different that just one mere mentor, have a few! I have what I call my “inner circle”. This inner circle is compiled of about six different individuals that harbor unique skills whether creative or business. These individuals are also people I know I can trust with my secrets, plans, and documents. I know that they’re inner circle quality when I don’t feel that I need to present them with an N.D.A.!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://velaproductions.vip/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_milla_monroe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsMillaMonroe/?ref=pages_you_manage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzIzhS3dNH8
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ms_milla_monroe
Image Credits
Mike Tuffley
Shannon Sikora
Zac Allen
PB & J Studios
