HOLLYWOOD,
Calif. - In the year 2003 Michelle Raes Web site had the
most hits for an American Indian woman (200,000). She has received
e-mails from around the world including far-away places like Australia,
New Zealand and Europe.
Most
were positive e-mails from indigenous people praising Rae for being
a positive role model for younger Native girls. Rae said she wants
to do it all and continue to challenge herself on every level. She
hates the word "cant." It just isnt in her
vocabulary.
Rae
was born in San Gabriel, Calif. but grew up in Los Angeles. She
is very proud of her Native heritage, Yaqui/Pima (Akimel Oodham),
and Mexican from Arizona. Rae believes that Native Americans need
to tell their own stories and she wants to break down the stereotypes
and misconceptions Hollywood has of Native women.
Recently,
Rae served as the coordinator for a fashion segment on the popular
Los Angeles TV show "KTLA Morning News." She was also
the spokesmodel and design consultant for the promotion of several
Native design companies including Native Threads, Com-n-acha and
Tribal Gear. Rae is grateful to her associates Rachel and Janet
for giving her the opportunity. She couldnt have done it without
them.
Rae
is no stranger to modeling and has an impressive list of credits
on the runway with the Movie Making Technology Showcase, Pow-Wow
Television, Santa Barbara Native Arts Festival and several GRAMMY
Nominee showcases in Los Angeles and New York.
For
the last year Rae has been busy working in front of and behind the
camera learning from each experience. She has appeared in two independent
films: "Freeze Out" and "Room 214." She also
appeared on the Discovery Channels "Wild Wests
Most Wanted." As a background extra she has appeared in many
of todays most popular TV shows including: "ER,"
"Las Vegas," "The Practice," "Charmed,"
"Americas Most Wanted" and "The Luis Guzman
Show." Rae enjoys meeting people in the business and learning
every aspect of a production. She asks questions and watches producers,
directors and technical people so that she can do those jobs in
the future. Rae has also worked the last three years as a production
coordinator and assistant on the First Americans in the Arts Awards
in L.A.
Rae
has landed a much sought after photographer in Los Angeles named
Kevyn Major Howard. To date no one has better captured her beautiful
look.
To
stay in shape, Rae runs six to seven miles a day and has a passion
for surfing. She spent last summer teaching youth as a resident
advisor and lead surf instructor for the Young Native Scholars Program
at UC San Diego.
Rae
has also been involved in law enforcement and public safety for
more than a decade. As a former police officer shes worked
hard and earned numerous certifications. Rae will soon take a re-certification
class at Orange County Sheriffs Academy in California. Afterwards,
she will start processing with Los Angeles County Sheriffs
Department as a reserve deputy. Rae will attempt to take that training
to another level in Hollywood with plans to perform stunts and stand-in
work.
Rae
has done many things including traveling around the world and exposing
herself to different cultures. But, she is a Los Angeles native
and remains close to her family. Her brother Danny, a fire captain
in Pasadena, Calif. is her hero. Her mother and stepfather still
live in the same house where Rae was born and raised. Her sister
Cathy is a happy homemaker.
Rae
is a Native woman who believes in tradition and culture but wants
to flourish in todays society through movies and television.
Michelle Rae is certainly every woman.
For
more information on Michelle Rae, visit her Web site at: http://www.michellerae.com.
|