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herlife | inspirations “I want people to know that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. You can be whatever your heart desires if you set your intention and believe in yourself. I truly feel that the only things in life we regret are the things we do not do.” by ann e. butenas photography by jill richardson for jill richardson photography hair and makeup by jennifer mccarthy norton for true grace makeup wardrobe by new 2 you, upscale, resale & more latham, ny new2youny.com stylist nichole k. rigolosi for style by nichole kristen jewelry by connelly’s diamond gallery, latham, ny, connelleysdiamondgallery.com 16 <strong>HERLIFE</strong>newyork.com
C hristy L ee Hughes After another show-stopping performance on the stage, threeyear-old Christy Lee Hughes proved to herself that acting was not just a fun thing to do, but a genuine calling. Seriously? At age three? You bet! When you know in your heart what you were born to do, destiny has a funny way of plugging into your soul and leading you in the right direction, no matter what your age. All grown up, professional actor Christy Lee Hughes, Albany native and now Hollywood resident, recalled that special time in her life, before she could even read. She pointed to a picture of the “Hollywood” sign and her mom asked her if she knew what it was. Despite her tender young age, Christy replied with all of the bravado and confidence of an experienced adult, “I don’t know, but that’s where I’m going to go!” While her mom embraced Christy’s obvious enthusiasm with all of the motherly love required at the time, she didn’t necessarily contemplate the depth of Christy’s proclamation. It wasn’t until years later when Christy’s talent, ambition, drive and trust in herself proved to her mom that the bold statement of a preschooler was less a misguided fantasy and more of a glimpse into a wildly spectacular future full of possibilities! When Christy sets her mind on something, look out! She definitely knows how to make dreams come true and former visions a reality! Of course, Christy knew when she was just a little girl that being an actor was not something just for her; it would be her gift to the world. “My first play was a Christmas play,” she recalled. “I was on stage with all of the other little kids and was the only one who knew everyone’s lines. I was whispering them into the ears of the other kids who forgot them.” Ever since she can remember, Christy has been fascinated with Hollywood and instinctively knew it was where she was supposed to be. Even when many people strongly suggested that Christy should just pursue a college degree and enjoy a “regular” life, Christy held fast to her performance ambitions and was actively involved in the community theater and was also a cheerleader in school. She has always loved an audience and never met a stage she didn’t like. Despite her inner calling to find her way in Hollywood, Christy first made sure to pursue her academic career, initially at Schenectady Community College, earning an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies and eventually receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from SUNY-Albany. At one point, she even contemplated the rigors of law school, but her sincere desire to fulfill her dreams of acting quickly dissolved those ambitions. When she finally made her way out to Southern California in her early 20s, it was as if she had truly come home. “While it would have been much easier to take that proverbial nine-to-five job, that never felt right to me,” she noted. “When I came to California, however, I felt as if I had aligned myself with my true purpose. To me, the performance is all about making others feel good. I love the fact that through my performances, I can somehow help people.” This award-winning actress is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. She is not only an accomplished and gifted actor, but holds her own as a comedienne, producer and writer. She honed her comedic skills with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Manhattan and with Lesly Kahn in Hollywood. She is currently with The Groundlings. Christy obtained her start in the business over ten years ago at Upstate Independents (UI), a non-profit organization consisting of media artists based in the Capital Region. “It is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the entertainment industry,” she noted. “I learned a lot of valuable information and met some close friends through my association with UI. After serving on the board as the Secretary, I was then named its Vice-President. Kevin Craig West, a colleague and good friend is the current President.” Some of the highlights that comprise her extensive and impressive list of credits include earning the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actress for her role as Anna in Amerikan Partizan at the Edwood Film Festival in New York in 2007. She also enjoyed the lead role in Thoreauly Lost at The Lake Placid Film Festival in 2008, which garnered her the Audience Choice Award. From there, she played the supporting role of Janice opposite Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo <strong>HERLIFE</strong>newyork.com 17
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