Interviewed by Medina Shala
Tell us something about yourself, where are you from and where do you live?
My name is Melisa, an Albanian born in Kosovo, I moved to France when I was 12. Four years later I moved to this island named New Caledonia where I grew up for 4 years. So, this heavenly place, its culture, its people, and all the different experiences lived there have shaped me into who I am today and the way I creatively express myself. Started appreciating the little things, as life was quite simple and way slower. This helped me get in touch with my true self which led to me expressing myself fully and freely, mostly through arts such as dancing, acting, modeling.
Even though this constant moving was hard as I had to start from square one over and over again, I’m forever grateful as my level of understanding of the other (and myself) has deepened. Now I’m back in Paris, making out the best of a love affair with the city and every beautiful experience it has to offer.
How did you get started in modeling?
By accident! It was back in New Cal; I was 16 and got a ride to the beach from a friend. On the way, we came across his photographer friend. This guy pulled out his camera and took a quick picture of me from his car. We were joking when I told him that we could do this another time. I remember shouting my name at him. The next day he contacted me and it was the beginning of a beautiful journey. It became a form of expressing this creative side that was yearning to come out. I gained confidence. While preparing for the photoshoots, we would always focus on the process, the experience itself, and not the outcome.
This mindset in which I’d do something, not for the end results but because the process felt really good to my soul, is the kind of mindset that opened bigger doors for me. I’ve shot for magazines, a cover magazine for MUST, walked fashion shows such as Tales of Gaia, and others. It worked well for me because I was enjoying it and when you enjoy something, it shows from the inside. People around you can feel it. So go do whatever that is, whatever feels right in your heart.
What really makes you happy?
Ever since I came to the realization that happiness is not a destination but a mindset, a perspective, I’ve stopped chasing it. It is not a place where you finally reach and then you’re done, nope. Happiness is found in little moments, that’s why you gotta pay attention when you feel the happiest and your best self so you can recreate those moments. Whatever those are. Makes me happy whatever makes me feel alive! Waking up in the morning with the sun rays peeking through my window and the warmth of it on my skin.
The beauty in deepening my connections with those around me. Connecting to the source, being at the present moment with no expectations. Silence, nature, art, passion, kindness, writing, roller-coasters, photographs, new places, performing on stage, dancing to the point of losing myself, learning more about the world around me and beyond me, good food, good music, a good sleep a good nap. Always worth it.
How did you become a dancer? Please tell us something about your journey as a dancer.
I come from a family of dancers. My grandparents used to be traditional Albanian dancers. I believe I got it from them. I’ve been dancing since I was 3. I was 5 when I got on stage for the first time, I started with belly dancing. Hip Hop culture is huge in Kosovo so I got introduced to Hip Hop music at a very young age. I felt a type of comfort within the hip hop culture so I started dancing to hip hop music quickly afterward.
I’d always be down for a class, a school project, any opportunity I’d be able to dance. I loved performing on stage, that moment of vulnerability, going out there and letting yourself be seen. Living the moment. Communicating your feelings to the audience. Those moments felt like magic. That’s why I love it.
I also self-taught myself a lot, during my teen years, I’d spend 8 hours just dancing in my room and checking up many different styles and moves with the goal to master each one of them.
What are the most important traits a dancer should have?
As important as talent and passion are, self-discipline is a MUST for a dancer and it applies to all the other arts. It enables you to stay in control over your habits and stay focused, so you don’t have to count on your feelings or the moment “you’ll feel like it” to get started on something. I’m currently struggling with this one and if you are, it’s okay, as long as you’re aware and are willing to find a way to work things out.
What is your favorite movie?
I don’t have ONE favorite movie. I’m an artist. I find inspiration everywhere.
Therefore there’s a French classic that usually comes to my mind, La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz, a universal movie in its context that speaks the truth. Another one I believe every human being should watch is La Belle Verte by Coline Serreau as this French comedy helps you become conscious of the world around us.
There’s something I truly love about French movies, they feel so real, plain, and raw, just like that.
Extra: Solaris, City of God, and Freedom Writers.
What do you like about acting the most?
I’ve started acting in 6th grade and loved it for another 8 years afterward. As a highly sensitive person, I feel a lot, and putting all those feelings into bringing a character to life, through my own life experiences and observations is what I find profoundly beautiful in acting. I realized that every new experience in life has made me a better actor in a certain way. I’ve reached a higher state of mind where I’m constantly observing my own emotions, my own feelings, and thoughts.
And if I want my character to feel alive to others, they must have real feelings, emotions, and motives. Being real and not faking it is the only way of touching the audience’s heart. People need something they can relate to, something that makes them feel less lonely on their journey. Creating that feeling of oneness in someone is what I aim for as an actor.
What is your favorite quote of all time?
“Don’t count the days. Make the days count” – Muhammad Ali
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