We had the good fortune of connecting with Ella Schuman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ella, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from growing up as a working actress is that rejection is just redirection. It took me a while to really get that, especially when I was younger and everything felt like a make-or-break moment. Being in such a competitive industry at a young age was intense—there were so many talented people around me, and there were definitely times I wondered if I was eqipt enough for the industry.

But over the years, I’ve come to realize that every rejection, every “no,” was actually a redirection toward something better suited for me—something that was meant to be in my life at that moment. When you’re a child in an adult world, it’s hard not to take things personally. You’re learning to navigate not just the craft of acting, but the business side of things, where things can feel out of your control. But the more I faced rejection, the more I understood that it wasn’t about me as a person or even my talent; sometimes it just wasn’t the right time or the right opportunity.

Growing up in this industry shaped me in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later. I had to develop a thick skin, but not in the way people might think. It wasn’t about becoming cold or hard-hearted—it was about learning to trust the process, even when I didn’t understand it. I learned to let go of the things that weren’t meant for me and to embrace the idea that if something was truly meant to be, it would happen. That mindset has carried me through so many tough moments, both in my career and in life. I’ve realized that I can only control my efforts and my attitude, and the rest will fall into place when the time is right.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve had the privilege of learning from and working alongside some of the biggest names in the business, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, William Zabka, and Jack Black. Working with Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon on George & Tammy was incredible. I watched them fully immerse themselves in their characters, and I was particularly fascinated by Jessica’s approach—every camera movement and light placement had a purpose to tell the story. She was so committed to doing justice to George and Tammy’s story, and it was inspiring to witness. On the Cobra Kai set with William Zabka and Xolo Maridueña, I learned about the playful side of the business. They absolutely loved being there, and it showed in the way they carried themselves on set.

Looking back, I realize that the only true failure is when you quit. If I had given up all those years ago after coming so close to booking a series regular role I didn’t get, I would’ve missed out on being on set with the Jumanji cast, witnessing the passion behind George & Tammy, and seeing the fun, lighthearted side of the business on Cobra Kai. Every step, every lesson, led me to where I am today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m going to give two answers since I’m a resident of both Nashville and Atlanta. In Nashville, I’d say my favorite restaurant is Barcelona—it has such a fun vibe, and it’s tapas-style dining… what’s better than that? The coffee in Nashville is amazing, but right now, my favorite is The Well on Music Row. And you absolutely have to take a tour of the Ryman—it’s totally worth it.

As for my Atlanta roots, I’d say one of my favorite things to do is grab coffee at The Alchemist Trading Co. in Johns Creek. It has a great vibe and amazing coffee! Also, my mom and I love shopping at Finer Consigner in Alpharetta. They have great second-hand clothes, and the staff there is wonderful – you have to check it out!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my mom. She’s been my #1 fan and supporter throughout the last 12 years of my career, and I honestly wouldn’t be here without her. From filming self-tapes with me to being my “mommager” on set, she’s done it all. If it weren’t for her signing me up for acting classes when I was 7—because of my big personality—I never would’ve discovered my love for entertaining and how much I thrive in front of the camera. She truly deserves all the recognition for my career. Yes, I’m the one who did the acting, but she’s the one who lit the fire, and for that, I owe it all to her. I love you, Mom!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellaschuman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-schuman-946578295/

Other: IMDb : https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6701146/

Image Credits
Headshot done by Brian Jones Photography.

Pictures taken with Jessica Chastain, Jack Black, Dawayne Johnson, Steve Zahn, Kevin Hart, and Xolo Maridueña

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