Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelita Villezon. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Raised in Los Angeles, CA, a multi-ethnic actress, martial artist, and weapons specialist who began her career as a child. Nelita is the daughter of Erwin Villezon, an aspiring actor, Filipino martial artist and student under Dan Inasanto. She is trained in Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Eskrima, Tae Kwon Do, Wushu, Northern Shaolin, and many more. With her extensive training background, she was able to compete in the Southwestern Regional Stick Championship and earned a medal in the U.S. Open, Junior Olympics and was a sponsored athlete. Although Martial Arts is a huge part of Nelita‘s life, acting and performing was another key component. Continuing to follow in her family‘s footsteps of performing, Nelita was put into acting and performing arts at a young age.
Over the years, she’s been in several national commercials, fashion ads, and more. What many would think is a wonderful time at some point didn’t make her happy anymore. The grind of trying to make it in Hollywood and the near death of her father pushed her to make a drastic shift in her life. She decided to make a changed and nothing could be more drastic than moving to Dubai. She spent several years traveling, learning and what she puts simply as “living”. “I wanted to discover what it truly meant to live.” as she quotes. She had her own version of the film Yes Man starring Jim Carrey. Only it was her life. 2020 she made an unexpected return to the states due to the untimely death of her grandmother whom she was very close to. As if timing couldn’t be anymore not be any more obscure, she returned during a global pandemic that us all at a loss.
She was forced to start over in a time where we were all uncertain. Not sure of a return to entertainment, it all came to her. She began sharing her skills on social media and that got the notice of producers. Work began to flood in for her. From global commercials to scripted shows and now to her first lead in a feature film. Her quest to become the biggest female action star in the world is looking very promising. She continues to share her journey and keeps a simple philosophy, “Through the many adversities and the winding roads on your journey of life, you inevitably end up on the path you were always destined to be on. “
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road. I could name several roadblocks that came along the path. Growing up mixed was confusing for many others while I too was still trying to navigate my own identity. It was hard not fully being excepted by either side of my cultures at the time, but ultimately I found and understood exactly who I was. Another major roadblock was the near death of my father when I was 20 years old. I come from a very small family with not a lot of males. So when my father fell ill and was on his deathbed, the roles that we would normally associate going to the man of the family I began taking on. I had to quit school and get several jobs to try to help my family survive. We had times of having no food, no hot water, and simply not knowing how are you going to make it through. But we fought and we made it. There was a lot more that went into all of this but it’s not me some of my greatest lessons in life and it’s been a major catalyst and who I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actress and martial artist. Many know me from my martial arts skills. I am a martial arts expert and weapons specialist. I trained my entire life, competed and now own my martial arts equipment and training company. In the age of social media when I began sharing my skills and knowledge with my followers. They deemed me the “Sensei Bae” because I broke the mold of what others thought traditional arts were. I wasn’t posted up in a Gi or traditional uniform. I would have my hair and makeup done while wielding weapons/tools. Nails pristine while going rounds of boxing. I would be kicking around in dresses and heels. I brought a new face to martial artists and even traditional arts people hadn’t thought about in a mainstream way. I like to say I made martial arts appealing and sexy again. Now I look and see so many other women and men using and learning Filipino Martial Arts.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have two favorite childhood memories. They both involve my parents. One is training with my dad. He never had a son and I wanted to be just like him. He once told me, “Nelita I am not only teaching you martial arts so you know how to defend yourself. I am teaching you this so if ever you don’t have a job or money you can use this. You can teach this and make money. Funny thing is that is how I have not only survived in life but and now thriving in my career because of it. My other favorite memory is of my mom. She always wanted to be a professional dancer but couldn’t because of her upbringing. So she wanted to make sure I had rhythm. She would have my sister and I up at night while my dad was at work and had us dancing to George Clinton.
Pricing:
- My shows are free to watch!
- My training app will be available May for $14 a month. They will have access not only to my training, but many other great trainers and programs as well.
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@nelitav.com
- Website: www.shopnelitav.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelita_v/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/follownelitav
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nelita_v
Image Credits
Caleb Josh @cjsteelphotography (Studio shots in black jumpsuit with sticks, headshot in black, and pink outfit) X @xshotya (stick photo on green turf) Dametetreus (Meech) Ward @meech213 Stick photos in sports bra and tan backdrop)
