Today we’d like to introduce you to Gissette Valentin
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was younger, my mom enrolled me in an acting and modeling school—the Maile School in Orlando, Florida. I never finished the program, though. Instead, I ended up putting all of my energy into dance, something that allowed me to express myself without words and still brought me joy. I was constantly watching Broadway shows, concerts, and dance videos, learning choreography by heart, and spending hours dancing in our garage. Eventually, my mom bought me my first pair of dance shoes and signed me up for a class. I wore those shoes down to the point where I had to patch them up with Scotch tape and duct tape just to keep going.
Later, we made the move to Atlanta to pursue a dance career. That chapter of my life lasted for 12 years. I had the pleasure of performing on major TV shows, films, award shows, Christmas programs, and stage performances, even traveling for gigs. While I loved the energy of a live audience, I began to miss the feeling of acting. I dabbled in auditions here and there, but with my focus split, dance no longer gave me the joy it once had. I’d accomplished everything I set out to do, and it was time for a change. I made the tough decision to step away from that industry. As difficult as it was, I knew it was what I needed to grow.
When I fully committed to acting, it felt like a weight had lifted. I’d wanted to leave dance for a while, but fear kept holding me back. It wasn’t until I “burned the boats” that I really made the leap. I walked away from everything that wasn’t in line with what I wanted at that point. Once I was all in, I threw myself into acting the same way I had with dance—studying everything I could. I took classes, watched films and TV shows old and new, read plays, books and scripts, and soaked up every interview I could find from the greats, taking notes on their processes. No more taped-up shoes, but acting demanded a deep emotional connection to the work, which I welcomed.
The common thread between dance and acting that got me to where I am now—and continues to push me forward—is a clear understanding of my obsession. I’ve learned to say “no” to things that don’t serve me, to walk away from people or situations holding me back, and to stay focused on each step I take toward something new. Of course, there’s always the unseen parts of the journey—the sleepless nights, the rejections, the chaos, the tears, and even those moments of pure joy. Every emotion is part of the process, and you can’t achieve success without feeling them all.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. One of the biggest challenges for me has been knowing when it’s time to walk away—whether from a career, a relationship, or even a project. It sounds simple, but it’s rarely easy. Sometimes, it’s something you love or enjoy, but deep down, you know it’s no longer serving you. Whether it’s holding you back mentally, emotionally, or physically, or causing stress that ripples into other parts of your life, knowing when to let go is a constant learning process. I don’t think it ever gets easier either, but your ability to navigate the choice grows.
But I’d also add this: questioning my beliefs and enriching my life in areas outside of my chosen career. I felt like every second of my day had to be dedicated to my craft, but I learned how limiting that can be. Eventually you run out of experiences to pull from as a performer. Same with my belief system. When you challenge your own thoughts, you open yourself up to growth and new perspectives. And by enriching your life beyond the industry, you gain more tools to bring into it. In the end, these two approaches—self-questioning and enrichment—are deeply intertwined.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wouldn’t say it necessarily “sets me apart,” but I believe my strategic approach to prioritization is somewhat uncommon. I’m very intentional about what I say “yes” to and where I invest my time. This ties into what I’m most proud of—my mindset. It’s a daily practice, and it’s not always perfect, but I’m constantly challenging myself to take on something difficult, something that pushes me out of my comfort zone. That keeps me growing—and keeps me young, which is a bonus!
As for what I’m known for, I imagine people see my physicality first—my history in dance and the more action-based roles I’ve taken on. I would love to take a stab at comedy. Who knows, maybe one day all the jokes I make to myself can be used for good.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Check out Red One, staring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, and Lucy Liu, in theaters on Friday, November 15!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: gissettevalentin
- Youtube: gissettevalentin
Image Credits
Kael Vox, The Rookie, Renfield, The Dirty South, The Tomorrow War premiere
