Featured Talent

From the age of 5, Vanessa and Veronica Merrell expressed an interest in modeling and acting. They would spend hours changing and putting ‘fancy’ clothes on, posing for pictures and enjoyed putting on shows for their family. As they got older, their desire to model, act and sing became stronger. They became involved in singing, acting and performing at their local church and other community events. They both began private piano, guitar and violin lessons at the age of 6. At age 11, after a chance encounter with stylist Michele Taylor who saw their picture and suggested they go to Hoffman International, Vanessa and Veronica were enrolled in Hoffman International’s Prep course for modeling and later the Pro Course as well as the Acting Courses. The courses at Hoffman gave them the confidence and preparation they needed to pursue their interests in performing. Soon following the completion of the Hoffman courses, both Vanessa and Veronica were going on regular auditions for TV commercials and print ads. Vanessa was cast in an international Build-A-Bear commercial which aired from October to December 2008 and Veronica was cast as an extra for a different national TV commercial for Build-A-Bear as well. In July of 2009, Vanessa and Veronica attended AMTC (Actors, Models and Talent Competition) in Orlando, Florida. Prior to the competition, Vanessa and Veronica received six months of one-on-one training by Kim Hoffman, where they worked hard to prepare for this competition. They signed up to compete in 13 out of 17 competitions which consist of Acting Monologue, TV commercial, Spokesperson Monologue, Cold Read, Scene Read, Improv, Group Improv, Fashion Runway, Creative Runway, Family Runway, Photography, Swimsuit and Singing Duet. The week long competition proved to be very busy but brought much recognition, awards and honors for Vanessa and Veronica. Both Vanessa and Veronica were awarded as the Top 40 actors for performance in TV Commercial and Veronica was selected to perform in the Top 40 Showcase for the Improv Category. Vanessa and Veronica were also recognized as Top Model and Best Actor finalists in their category. Vanessa was awarded Best Top Model and Best Actor for her category as well as the very coveted and prestigious award of Grand Best Overall Child Top Model. The final day of AMTC, contestants are given an opportunity to meet and talk one-on-one with the many agents who attend AMTC scouting for new talent. Both Vanessa and Veronica each received an unprecedented 28 callbacks from agents from New York to Los Angeles who expressed a desire to meet and talk with them further. Vanessa and Veronica gained a lot of confidence and self knowledge from the AMTC experience and it was an affirmation that they have talent and their love and passion to model, act, sing, play their instruments and perform is something they can pursue. In October 2009, Vanessa and Veronica signed on with an Los Angeles talent and modeling agency, Jet Set World, LLC of La Jolla, California for representation in modeling and acting. Currently Vanessa and Veronica attend middle school where they are honor roll students and are involved in choir, theatre, orchestra, student council, as well as their many activities outside of school including, private piano, voice, guitar and acting lessons. They also enjoy cheerleading and dance. Vanessa and Veronica have a desire to be positive role models to young children and their peers. A few years ago they adopted a song by the Newsboys called “Shine” as their motto. Vanessa and Veronica keep the lyrics to that song in their school backpacks and they keep the words posted in their room as a reminder that they want to “Shine” for Christ in all that they say and do. They give God the credit for their gifts and talents and are thankful for all the opportunities He has given them so far. They are committed to let God use them to “Be The Light” to their world and hope they can continue to use their talents and gifts for His glory.