Acting, Filmmaking & Rising Up In Hollywood with Belle Guillory

Jennifer Norman:
What does it take to stand out in an industry where thousands of dreamers chase the same spotlight? For today's guest, Belle Guillory, the answer has been courage, strong role models, and an unshakeable belief that anything is possible. Belle is an award winning actress and filmmaker who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Austin, Texas, she earned a scholarship to the prestigious New York Film Academy's Acting for Film program, Burbank, where she began shaping her skills as a performer. Since then, Belle has worked with icons like Tracee Ellis Ross and director Stephen Gyllenhaal. That's Jake and Maggie's dad, if you didn't know. She landed the captivating role of Cricket in the awesomely named movie Bitch Ass. Yes, Bitch Ass. A film that earned the audience award at South by Southwest, now streaming on Paramount+, Showtime+, and BET+.

Jennifer Norman:
But beyond the screen, what makes Belle unforgettable is her desire to broaden representation on the screen. In this conversation, you'll hear Belle's reflections on navigating Hollywood as a young woman of color, the lessons she's carried from working alongside industry legends, and how she's paving her own path as both an actress and a filmmaker. If you've ever wondered what it takes to break through barriers and stay rooted in your purpose, you'll want to stick around. Hey there, Belle. How are you today?

Belle Guillory:
Hi. I'm doing great. Thank you for having me. Jennifer.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh my God, look how you are just such a beautiful human being. I can't wait to dive in because after reading up about you, watching a lot of your videos, I just was so jazzed and really, really excited to introduce you to The Human Beauty Movement Podcast audience. So you have to start from the beginning and tell us what inspired you to pursue acting. Seriousl, how the heck did you win this scholarship to the New York Film Academy?

Belle Guillory:
Wow, that is a great question. How I even, like, got into it. Well, coming from, I was born in Austin, Texas. Then I was raised in Big Spring, Texas, a small town when I was around 10 years old. I was a very shy kid, by the way. Like, I was the kid that would not talk in class. Like, I was very shy growing up. And I remember doing my first musical when I was 10 years old in the fifth grade.

Belle Guillory:
And I don't know, something just ignited in me. I was like, oh my gosh, like, I love this. And that's kind of what made me, like, want to do acting. And so. But the older I got, coming from a small town, you start to think Is it realistic? Can I do this? Is this something I can actually do? And I was like, I'll just get my degree in marketing. So I went to college and got my degree in marketing. But it was actually a friend having a good friend around me. They were like, Belle, there's an agency, like, up the street, like, from our college, an acting agency.

Belle Guillory:
You should go. Like, you've always wanted to do this. And I was like, wow. Okay. So I went. And then there was a competition through the agency. There was a competition in Dallas, and I went to it and I did a monologue for one of the recruiters. My agent introduced me to one of the recruiters at New York Film Academy.

Belle Guillory:
He was like, you got to go to this school. Like, I see you not just acting, but writing, directing. Like, I think the most beautiful thing about my journey is people who spoke life over me to like. Because sometimes, you know, you don't believe in yourself when things get hard, but it takes. Like, I had a friend say this one time, sometimes people see your light in you before you see it. And isn't that true? Yeah. And so that really, like. And my mom was always a big supporter as well, the whole time.

Belle Guillory:
And she was like, you should go. Because at first I was like, film school, What I'm about to be done with my marketing degree, Do I want to go to school? Like, a city school? She was like, no, this is something you always wanted to do. Like, do it. And so you take that leap of faith from Texas to LA, and then that's what brought me here. And I'm so glad I did because it was such a great transitional period, being in school in LA and like, navigating it with, like, other students and stuff. So. So it was really great.

Jennifer Norman:
Amazing. So what do they teach you in that school?

Belle Guillory:
So at New York Film Academy, it's a conservatory, so I did the acting film program. But the great thing about being at a conservatory is they teach you all aspects of film to really prepare you. So I had not only acting classes or on screen classes, but I had screenwriting classes. I had to learn about past films. Like, we talking about the 1930 German films. We had to study. And so they teach you everything. And we also had a great opportunity to make our own, like, short films on the Universal backlot.

Belle Guillory:
So, like, we really got exposed to, like, what we can really step into, which is great.

Jennifer Norman:
That is really cool. Yeah, you're learning all different sides. It's funny, because I have a stepdaughter who is now a PA and so she's been working on some short form commercials, music videos, and right now she's working on her very first feature, which is like a three week stint for her. Exhausting. There's so much that goes on. You have to tell everybody what it's actually like to be on a set, really, whether it's either on camera or behind the camera. What is it like?

Belle Guillory:
Well, like you said, it is a grind, y'all. It is a grind. You're working 12 to sometimes 16 hour days, whether that's in front of the camera or behind the camera. Because people don't know. Like, it takes a lot of moving parts. Like, this is really a team effort and a team activity. It's really not a solo run at all because you got the people that do lights, people do camera, people that do wardrobe, people that do makeup, people like...

Belle Guillory:
And you really need all of them. I truly feel, really bringing together a successful project, which is something I love. I love teamwork as well. But. Yeah, so just to kind of step through, guys. It's funny because I heard someone say, man, this is not as glamorous as it looks, but, right. It is...

Jennifer Norman:
It's grunt work. It's a grind.

Belle Guillory:
Make it look so easy because I've worked as well. And it's funny. Like, when I first started PAing, I had a friend being like, you lost so much weight. You got so skinny because you're standing all day. I wasn't even working out. I was just standing all day.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, yeah. Yep. And so she showed me her watch and she's like, look what I did the other day. And it was 10.26 miles, like 29,000 steps. And her dad, who's also in the industry, is a first AD, you know, and he was the one who introduced her to being a PA. He's like, if I see you standing still, you better be running like, you cannot be sitting down. You cannot be standing still. You got to be going and hustling and running.

Jennifer Norman:
Otherwise, you know, I'm going to be mad.

Belle Guillory:
Exactly. You are on the move. That's great way to say it too. You are on the move because, like, especially with, like, being a pa, like, if they need something, they're depending on you now. The power is now in your hands, young grasshopper. And come back on time. I remember being a PA one time on a commercial. It's so funny.

Belle Guillory:
Oh, my goodness. I had to run and get. We needed a flag for set, I need to get lunches. I need to get all these things. And I was just running everywhere. And if, you know West Hollywood, it's super congested, like, parking. And so I remember when I finally got back, they're like, what took you so long? I was like, listen, I have no idea. So, yeah, it really is a hustle.

Belle Guillory:
A hustle culture, for sure.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, there's definitely a lot going on. And I think that the beauty of it is, is that on screen, they all make it look so easy. It seems, like, so effortless. And I think back to, like, my dancing and my ballet days and my gymnastics days. I mean, and that's the art of it. It's like, you work so hard to make it look effortless, to make it look so simple. And sometimes we take it for granted until you kind of see the credits rolling and you're like, look at the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people who worked on this. It's amazing how much coordination and effort a production can take, especially the ones that are multi, multi, multi million dollars worth.

Jennifer Norman:
It's just huge.

Belle Guillory:
Omg. And I get blown away still, like, if I go to the movies, I'm like, wow, how did they do this on. Oh, my God.

Jennifer Norman:
Exactly. Like, this is a work of art.

Belle Guillory:
Yeah, exactly. Especially, like, what people don't know, like, on the acting side is, like, sometimes you're doing that take multiple times, and you have no idea that it probably took them four times to refilm that and reset up. Like, it really does take a lot. But that's why we call it movie magic.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, all the things just come together. And I think now a lot of people have developed more of an appreciation for it once they've seen, like, things like Adolescence or The Studio where they did The Oner. It's like, to actually be able to do something start to finish in one take. I can't get through a sentence without tripping over my tongue, let alone doing, like, a whole half hour or an hour with, you know, no breaks. Otherwise, everybody has to go back to one and reset and do it all again. You do not want to be that person that flubs the line or trips over a light.

Belle Guillory:
And that's why I loved Adolescence, too. Like, seeing that. And it kind of reminds me of. Because I had a teacher tell me one time, if you want to be a famous actor, do movies. If you want to be a rich actor, do TV. But if you want to be a good actor, do theater. Because theater, you're doing it all in that, like, you don't have retakes in theater, and you're, like, in front of an audience. And so I feel like they kind of brought that theater aspect in it when they're like, okay, we're going to do it all the way through, which is why we're also giving, like, them their flowers.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, yeah. So you've done all of that. You've done theater and, like, what? Do you have a preference, or do you have, like, different things that you've been taking from each of them so far?

Belle Guillory:
I love that question. I really like all of them. To me, it's about the character. I like to feel connected to the work and the words and the messaging behind it. So if that's in theater, if that's in movies, if that's in TV, whatever the case may be, I'm gonna love it regardless. But I really did take a little bit from everything, because it's funny, you kind of have to learn to switch on and switch off if you're going from theater to film and TV. Because, for instance, when I was, like, so focused on film and TV, once I booked a play, you're on stage, I'm talking like this, and I'm like, oh, hold on. I have.

Belle Guillory:
So I had to learn to flip that. And then once I went back to doing auditions for film and TV, I had a coach that was like, you have to tone it down. You have to tone it, tone it down. I'm like, oh, my goodness. I have to remember, like, to flip back and forth. So that's something I take, but something I take from theater into, I think, film and TV, or I guess both is, like, you need to have an intensity, because, like, with film and TV, they really look into your eyes, like, and you don't have to do too much. But then you have to, like, really be kind of more like, animated. So just having that intensity behind both, like, learn how to settle.

Belle Guillory:
And then when you got to go big, if that makes sense. So that's something.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, I think that that's been a unique thing that I've heard a lot of actors say when they're doing on the screen is that they'll get direction that's like, less, less, less. And they're like, am I even acting anymore? And. But that's the point. It should seem like you are not acting. It's just like you're just being your normal self, so to speak, in a character role. But, yeah, it definitely comes through as being much more genuine, I suppose, if you can just, like, tone it down. Whereas theater, you got to project to the back of the auditorium, you know.

Belle Guillory:
100%. I had a teacher once say, for film and TV acting, it needs to sound like a real conversation. Like, if he walked by me, he would think I was having a conversation with someone.

Jennifer Norman:
Well, yeah. Yep, that is true.

Jennifer Norman:
Hit subscribe right now for more soulful stories and inspiring conversations with me and The Human Beauty Movement Podcast.

Jennifer Norman:
Who are your early role models or your influences in film, theater, acting, all that?

Belle Guillory:
My early role models, I always loved... When... Okay, Going to like, the kids stuff. I always love. Like, That's So Raven. So that's more like the comedy. Like, I always loved her in her sense of humor. That was.

Belle Guillory:
That was when it gets into, like film. Leonardo DiCaprio. I mean, like, especially in the whole drama space, like, oh, my gosh, just get lost in the performances. So he's definitely one as well. And Viola Davis, those two. But then in the comedy space, I have to say, like, Raven and Chris Tucker, those are my people. Yeah.

Jennifer Norman:
Chris Tucker, he takes me back to The Fifth Element, you know?

Belle Guillory:
Right. You know what? Eddie Murphy too.

Jennifer Norman:
Eddie Murphy, Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's definitely a legend in these parts for sure. For acting. Wow. So, all right, so how was it to work alongside, like, Tracee Ellis Ross, Stephen Gyllehaal? Did you get any lessons or did you... What did you learn and how was it when you were with them?

Belle Guillory:
I learned so much about this industry from both of them that I am so incredibly grateful for those experiences. Starting with Stephen. I'll start with him first because I was with him first and probably the longest he. I learned. So this may sound, like, unconventional to say, but it's okay to take naps. That man taught me it's okay to take a nap. Like, yes, I'm a big napper in general, but sometimes you're like, no, you got to keep going. You got to keep going.

Belle Guillory:
But something about Stephen is he would take the time to take a 10 minute nap, a 15 minute nap. So I know that sounds so random, but because you want to present your best self, and he told me he would do that on set too. Like, he'd find a sandbag and just like lay down. And so I think it's important to show up as your best self. And so if that means, like resetting your mind in a nap, like to present your best self forward like that. So that is something I learned from, like, okay, it's okay to take a nap. With Tracee, I learned so much about what it means to be a black woman in a male, white, male dominated space and to hold and to she Just has such a presence to command respect. And I feel like in a lot of ways, like, for me in general, like I told you, like, as a kid, like, being shy and stuff, sometimes it can be easily, like, especially if you're around, like, a bunch of people who may be like, this is their set.

Belle Guillory:
Because being an actor, you're coming on to the set, but making it like, no, I'm a part of this too. And making your presence known. I think it's something I learned from her, which is powerful, like, to really. Because sometimes I guess what I'm trying to say is, like, you. Well, for me, I'm a speak. For me, you can feel small. Like, okay, like, let me just do this. Like, you want to please everybody, I guess.

Belle Guillory:
But she told me, like, no, if I don't like this, I'm gonna let it be no. If this is wrong, I'm gonna let it be no. And she's not afraid to tell who it needs to be told to. And I love that because it's funny because, like, after that, I started with my own projects, and it's like we're saying these things to make production go one the best it can be, be the best it can be, run as smoothly as it can and efficiently as it can. And so. And sometimes you just gotta make it known. I really like that about Tracee. And she's a hard worker.

Belle Guillory:
Like, I saw only juggling, like, being on set, but, you know, her hair care business. And so, you know, juggling those things and just being a boss. And also, like, even though she commanded respect, she still gave such a kindness to everyone. And I love that. To me, the word that came into my head is like, a queen. What is a queen? Because, you know, nowadays in this generation, we're like, yeah, queen. Yeah. What is a queen?

Belle Guillory:
She commands, she carries herself a certain way, but yet she's kind. She's gentle to others, but she puts her foot down when it needs to down. And so I got to really see, like, what that means, what a queen means. Like, it's not just like, yes, queen. It's like, no. You get what I'm saying?

Jennifer Norman:
I think that that is such a perfect word for her. Yeah. And it's such a great role model to have. And because sometimes I think when you're younger and when you're just like, breaking in, you don't want to be seen as difficult to your point. You want to be like, okay, I'll do whatever you say. I'm here to learn. I'm Here to absorb whatever you think is best. And obviously, she's cut her teeth.

Jennifer Norman:
She's gotten to the place where she's able to. No, that's not right. And that she probably has a really good eye for those things and a good mind for what the scene should be like and what her character will do, et cetera, et cetera. And so I think perhaps you don't want to be seen as difficult. Perhaps you don't want to be seen as a diva or come across as kind of overstepping. But, yeah, when you are directing or if you are the actual producer and filmmaker, I think that that's something that's really good to learn, is that confidence and to have that vision of what you believe is what you want to see manifest and then just not compromise when we feel that the integrity of the production is going to be at stake.

Belle Guillory:
A hundred percent. Yes.

Jennifer Norman:
So true. Amazing. Okay, so tell us about your script writing, because you had written this wonderful. And I actually did watch it. Is it called...

Belle Guillory:
A Time To Remember.

Jennifer Norman:
A Time To Remember. You wrote for The NAACP. You wrote this script. You had a short film produced called A Time To Remember. And that was very sweet. Can you tell us about that and why that was written and what it was all about?

Belle Guillory:
Yes. Oh, that was such a great time. And it's crazy, like, how that came about, because I remember praying before, I was like, God, I want more opportunities to, like, practice this craft and like to go up in it. And so I had a friend submit. So The NAACP, they hold something every year called a Cinematic Shorts Competition, where they select six directors and writers to. And they pair you up in teams of two, and you have to write and direct a short film with a certain budget for The NAACP surrounding different topics on, like, black social injustice. And so I got selected out of hundreds of, like, submissions, which I'm so grateful for to them as well. And my partner was Colton Nixon.

Belle Guillory:
Shout to him. He's in his master's at USC. And so one of the topics were. So there was a few different topics that we could have chose from, but something that really resonated with me that I had already seen, seen, like, a couple of years prior was about the book bands and how some schools already are changing black history from slavery to black immigration. Like, it's already schools and textbooks. And that just really resonated with me years ago when I first read that. And so I was like, oh, my gosh, this is my opportunity to, like, really bring it to life. And Colton, he loved it as well, because his mom was a teacher in Seattle, and she actually showed the film to her class, which we appreciate because.

Belle Guillory:
Because the kids loved it as well. So that was great to get their feedback. And so. So pretty much the story is about a dystopian future where our history is gone. Like, if we're already taking the steps now, Lord forbid, what's going to happen in the future? And so our history has been removed, our books have been removed, and it's. Our history is now condensed into this small, thin paper book.

Jennifer Norman:
Tiny book.

Belle Guillory:
A tiny book. And I related to the character era because growing up in West Texas, because I was about 10 when we moved to Big Spring, the class, I was sometimes, most of the time, the only black kid in the class. And, like, there's so many times if we did talk about, like, black history or slavery specifically, it's the. Oh, the eyes are looking at who you. And it could be uncomfortable. And so when your history is condensed to just that, and now it's being called black immigration, it's like, what do you know about yourself? And so it's this journey of Era, kind of like denying it. Like, no, like, there has to be more than just that. And the CEO of black history, this magical character taking her on a journey of learning about our history because we're so much more than that.

Belle Guillory:
Scientists, inventors, poets, artists, even before that, kings and queens. And it's something you said before the interview. Like, when you see it, you believe that you can do it, too. It's important, I think, for anybody to know that whether you're black or any race, like, if you do see it, you can believe you do it. But specifically with the black community, like, having the means to see that it can uplift. And because I know for myself, like, writing and directing.

Belle Guillory:
Like, seeing Issa Rae, like. Like, oh, my gosh. I remember being in college, I had an ex. Well, a boyfriend at the time. He was like, you remind me of this girl. And he showed me her web series at the time, An Awkward Black Girl. And I was like, hold on. I don't have to just act. I can actually just make it, like. And so that kind of also propelled me to take advantage of film school as well later on. But going back to The NAACP and with her going on this journey of learning her black history, she's also trying to share it with her classmates.

Belle Guillory:
Like, look, like, there's so much more that we just don't know. And then they stand up for her at the end. Like, no, these books need to be told which together they stand.

Jennifer Norman:
Okay, together they stand at the end. They stand.

Belle Guillory:
Back to the, come on, the alternate title. Together we stand with her and they're like, yes. And so. And then she finds out that this magical character is actually her great, great grandfather who was an invent adventure. And that's why she likes inventions and stuff like that. So, yeah, it comes around full circle at the end.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, it was very sweet. And I think that it just. The whole lesson about erasure was done in a very gentle way. I mean, it could have been done, you know, in a very much more provocative way. But I think it's important. It's just, to me, so, so important to remember the roots, not necessarily be held back by them, but say, like, look how far we've come. And not erase and try to recreate and reimagine what might have happened. I mean, to call it black immigration.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, my goodness. I hadn't heard that statement, that phrase until I watched your. This short film. But I was like, wow, I can see how this is happening. By the way, how are you feeling today? Like, how are you feeling in this day and age? Right now? It seems like...

Belle Guillory:
It's in God's hands. Okay. Yeah. You take it one day at a time.

Jennifer Norman:
I feel like I just. Just wake up and I'm like, call it Stranger than Fiction. Like, I think we all just are living in, like, an alternate reality right now.

Belle Guillory:
Yes. No, seriously. Sometimes it's funny you said that because I was driving yesterday and I was like, whoa. Why do I feel like I'm in a dream? Like, is this even real? Am I in a dream? But yes, to your point. I love what you said. Like, to not reimagine history or anything like that or it. To hold us back, but to like. Yeah, empower us.

Belle Guillory:
And that's why when you. It as well for Era like to like, this should empower you.

Jennifer Norman:
Wow. Wow. What would be your vision for people on screen, for art these days, for how you might want to write certain movies or shows going forward?

Belle Guillory:
I really do think being in film and TV, in Hollywood, we do have some sort of a responsibility to spread, like, positive messages or messages that can promote change. My journey, I feel like, just has prepared me to be in this industry for funny enough. So being in high school and in college, I did debate. Speech and debate and what a lot of people don't know what debate is. There's these categories where you pretty much, you have an important message, like a political message or inspiring message, and you put art with that to your audience or move your judge. So, yes, there's the actual, like, debate categories, but then there's something called interpretation, where you take poetry, prose, plays, and you act them out to promote a message. And doing that, that has really inspired me. Like, hold on.

Belle Guillory:
We have a responsibility that we can really share, and some do great jobs at it already, like spreading positive messages. But I think we can really promote change with the shows, movies, and that's what I personally want to do, like, with The NAACP, like you said, that's promoting a message of erasure, but in a gentle way, because I love family content since I grew up in a big family. You know, I'm the lg oldest of seven, so, like, family is, like, just so important to me. So I always think, like, what would I want my siblings to watch? What would I want my family to have watched back in the day? Like, when we would watch things together and it surrounds the messaging of positivity, uplifting, and change. Because I think we can really change. Like, I always hear the saying, like, what is it? Art imitates life. I'm like, then let's put out some good art we. We doing to imitate that.

Belle Guillory:
Let's really promote some goodness into the world and. And change. Because we've seen in the past, like, how a movie can't. Sorry. I had thought of one idea of how, like, a movie promoted change. The R. Kelly documentary. No one arrested that man until the documentary came out.

Belle Guillory:
So it's like. You get what I'm saying? Like, we.

Jennifer Norman:
It's like all these true crime things coming up.

Belle Guillory:
I know now all these true crime things. I'm like...

Jennifer Norman:
Now I'm thinking about Only Murders In The Building.

Belle Guillory:
And it's like, we can really show people what they can be and what reality can be and what we can do to change our own reality. And so I think it's a very powerful tool, and it can touch a lot of people very quickly. So that's why I love white entertainment. And we just have that responsibility to carry the torch and do good things.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, my goodness, that is so great. And speaking of which, tell us about God Be With Us, because you wrote that and it's streaming, and it was so cute. I actually watched it yesterday, and I thought that it was just really sweet. Very humorous. Tell me all about that and how that came to be.

Belle Guillory:
Wow. God Be With Us. That has a very special place in my heart because, so I grew up. We grew up very religious and so obviously eight kids. Come on, y'all. And so growing up I would look at, like, other people. Like, people.

Belle Guillory:
People could do things I couldn't do. And so I was like, man, like, I just want to be normal. I just want to fit in. I just want to be like everyone else. I want to live my high school movie dreams. Like all the high school 90s movies that you see, you're like, man, I want to do that. I want to be popular. I want to go to parties.

Belle Guillory:
I want to live life. And I think we're always taught that, like, obviously the world and the spiritual world are different, but to me, I felt that God was with me through everything. And that's what I want to promote with that is like, God is with you, you through everything. Through you going to your first party, obviously for the teenagers, adolescence through you messing up, driving your car. Like, God is with you in everyday life. And so I really wanted to, yeah, promote a relationship with God in a human way. Like her. Like, she calls God her homie, her best friend.

Belle Guillory:
Like, she goes to him for everything. And that is literally what I do to this day. Like, and to just humanize that relationship a lot more and not hide it. Like, it's probably of every day and to just normalize it. Like, he's with you every day. So, yeah, when she takes that edible, guess what, he's still there. He actually showed up more.

Jennifer Norman:
Probably more so than ever.

Belle Guillory:
And so in a humorous, funny, hopefully relatable way, people can see, like, okay, I can have a relationship with him too.

Jennifer Norman:
It's really cute because the dad is a pastor. And then there's the pastor's wife, was the mom. And they have a very cute kind of banter back and forth as well. Like, praise the Lord Jesus and all that. Yeah. And then the. Your character goes to school in a new place for the first time, meets some cool girls and gets invited to the party.

Jennifer Norman:
And they end up doing things that the parents would wish that the child did not do. But what can you do? And she meets a boy.

Belle Guillory:
There's always boys there.

Jennifer Norman:
Boy sticks up for her. Even though she hasn't done. Done a lot of the things that the other girls have done, she's still learning the ropes and all that. What would happen if there's a sequel to that, to that show?

Belle Guillory:
That is the goal is the series. We've actually, we've been working on that, pitching it to different places. So hopefully, fingers crossed, prayers up, it turns into a series. What it would dive into is her at school. Like, something that people kept asking me, even when it was done was like, Bill, we want to see her at school. I'm like, girl, I want to see her at school too. And so her going to school and to just dive into that relationship a lot more. Like, how is she at school? How is she fitting in and also like her journey because I think as we see Belle has this close relationship with God.

Belle Guillory:
But as we know, sometimes things aren't always smooth rolling in life. And how she deals with challenges, she's coming from this bubble. How does she deal with life challenges when. When things don't go your way. Way. And when you deal with like betrayal and like losing love and like just these everyday things. Like, she's really just going to have to grow not only in herself because this is the coming of age story and like she's finding her identity and her belonging, but in her faith as well.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. Yeah. Hit subscribe right now for more stories and inspiring conversations with me, Jennifer Norman, the host of the Human Beauty Movement podcast. What shows shows out there right now do you really appreciate and watch on a regular basis?

Jennifer Norman:
 

Jennifer Norman:
 

Belle Guillory:
Oh, it's like I said, I have siblings, so they always put me onto something. I just finished the Summer I Turned Pretty.

Jennifer Norman:
Okay.

Belle Guillory:
I love the teen. The. What is it? The coming of age adolescent YA stories. They. They're fun. So I was watching the Summer I Turned Pretty. But in general, the shows I love, I love Everybody Hates Chris.

Jennifer Norman:
Yes.

Belle Guillory:
Watch that on repeat.

Jennifer Norman:
Do you watch Abbott Elementary?

Belle Guillory:
Oh, yes, Abbott Elementary. Yes. Yes. Quinta is also definitely an inspiration for me as well. Love abit. What else? I love me some. I just watched something on Netflix.

Jennifer Norman:
I do that all the time. I'm always like, what did I just watch? I've been binge watching something and I don't remember anything from it. I don't remember the title. I can see the faces, but I don't remember anybody's names, literally.

Belle Guillory:
But I love me a little drama mystery as well. And then if I'm doing something, I got to put me on some reality tv. Tv. Okay, I'm sorry. I did watch Love Island. Okay.

Jennifer Norman:
I tried. I tried. I couldn't do it.

Belle Guillory:
A lot was going on. I don't blame you. But. But we got through it. We got through it. But yeah, I love a good little reality dating show so to while I'm doing laundry or something like that. So. Yeah, but no, I do love Abbott.

Belle Guillory:
And then what else was out? Oh, yeah, I think they canceled it. But the Wonder Years, me and my mom like that. Oh, squid game. Oh, my goodness. Squid game.

Jennifer Norman:
You too?

Belle Guillory:
Yes, yes. No, that one's good too.

Jennifer Norman:
Very interesting that a lot of the Korean genre is coming out. Did you watch K Pop Demon Hunters?

Belle Guillory:
Oh my goodness. I watch it.

Jennifer Norman:
Like I was gonna say. Yeah, I've got like the soundtrack is on repeat. I constantly on in my house, having a. A younger one in the house and yeah, can't get away from it. I just went to ComicCon LA over the weekend and it was all over the place.

Belle Guillory:
Yeah. Oh, really? They were there and they're on it. No, it was so good. I watched that, yeah, like four times and I do have the soundtrack on my phone. Like Netflix is still in the game and I love the Korean music. The K pop girlies, the shows are coming up.

Jennifer Norman:
It's crazy. As a Korean adopted woman, who I am now, but I was being younger, I knew nothing about my heritage. I did not know the language. I grew up with a white family and I grew up kind of embarrassed to be Asian. I grew up on Long island where there just wasn't very many. In that particular area, there just wasn't very many Asian people. And I always felt so awkward and out of place. And then all of a sudden K Beauty came in.

Jennifer Norman:
I'm like, what? Like, I just didn't understand it. Like, how is this. How is it possible that like Korean beauty is a thing? And then all of a sudden it's like K pop stars and the bands are like 10 deep. They're all in synchronized, you know, doing the dancing and the girls and the boys. And I actually had the opportunity to speak at a kcon one year for the adoption agency that I came from, which is called Halt. And they were having adoptees and like this forum and a panel discussion and I was speaking and then afterwards I was able to go to the concert and my ears were ringing for days after that because it was so loud from all the screaming. Like all the fans were just so nuts. It was amazing.

Jennifer Norman:
And I was like, wow. And kimchi, the Korean food, all of the culture is now like very, very trendy. So. And a lot of the shows, Parasite and Squid games, all of that is like, wow. There's just so much interest in K culture these days. It's a. You know, to me, I was like, why didn't this happen when I was growing up? And I was tortured.

Belle Guillory:
I know the timing, I think that they just bring to their work is just top tier.

Jennifer Norman:
There is. Yeah, there. There is some meticulousness in the design and the craftsmanship. Yeah, it's really quite, quite extraordinary. And I saw that In a lot of, like the K beauty skin care products where you'd see just like the attention to detail was so refined. So I was very proud of that girl.

Belle Guillory:
Korean skincare is all I use. I'm like, you know what? That's my skin.

Jennifer Norman:
What do you use? Okay, yeah. Do you use like...

Belle Guillory:
Do you know Face Shop?

Jennifer Norman:
Of course, of course.

Belle Guillory:
I use Face Shop the rice water bright line. I used to. To do the TikTok live streams for them. But I actually, obviously I use the product and I was like, oh, my gosh. Who knew rice was so beneficial? I never knew.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. You know what's a very interesting factoid that a lot of people probably didn't know is that things like rice and soy, like these ingredients came about because there were workers in the fields and they were picking soybeans or they were making rice and all that. And all of a sudden somebody noticed that their hands looked so beautifully clear, clean, white, youthful compared to the rest of their skin. And they were like, what the. And it turned out that it was because of the rice and the soy, things like that, that actually helped to make the skin look younger. And so that's essentially where it came from. And now you see like soy and things like that in a lot of these skincare products because of the way that it was discovered, which I thought was very interesting as far as just little tidbit.

Belle Guillory:
That is crazy. That is great. That's good to know.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, yeah, it's true. And a lot of the natural ingredients is very interesting to see how they've derived. You know, a lot of people think, oh, it doesn't work as well as like the chemical stuff. And certainly there are a lot of great, great. And I love all types of products, natural and unnatural, to be honest with you. I do. But. But they all have their lace and, and whatnot.

Jennifer Norman:
And I find joy in a lot of things. But yeah, it's just interesting. Interesting to see the whole kind of panoply of different kinds of products that are coming from all over the place. Very, very cool.

Belle Guillory:
I love it. Yeah.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. What do you do for your makeup? You have such beautiful skin.

Belle Guillory:
Oh, thank you. It's funny because like I said, I used to do so I used to do beauty TikTok live streams. I reached up to focus on like, film and TV and stuff. And so I got to try all these different makeup products. So right now on my face, I have. You said it. Kimchi. But Kimchi Chic.

Belle Guillory:
I don't know if you've heard of Kimchi Chic. They're concealer. So good. What is it? It starts with the S for bronzer, but it's not Kimchi Chic. It's. I'm using all sorts of products on my face. Hold on. It's natural.

Belle Guillory:
It's not Sage. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Jennifer Norman:
Saje?

Belle Guillory:
I gotta go look at it. But that one for bronzers, Kimchi's powder is really good. They have, like, a pink powder. They have translucent. They have all the shades. So I really like their powders. I also use One Size a lot.

Belle Guillory:
Yeah. Like, the three main brands. Brands I probably use is Patrick Star's One Size line, Kimchi Chic's line, and even some Elf. Y'all can't be sleeping on Elf.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, Elf is amazing. Elf is amazing.

Belle Guillory:
Absolutely. They have some great products for a reasonable price. I like them as well. So those are, like, my top three brands. I'm just loving.

Jennifer Norman:
Awesome. Awesome. And I love your coily hair. You have such beautiful hair. What do you like? What do you like to do with your hair?

Belle Guillory:
Hair. Okay, so thank you. I literally just trimmed it last night as well. Like, literally curl by curl. So the products I use, I usually vary from products, but I shampoo once a week. I've been using Dr. Groots for, like, the past. You heard Dr. Groots?

Jennifer Norman:
Okay.

Belle Guillory:
The shampoo, the thickening shampoo.

Jennifer Norman:
All right.

Belle Guillory:
Deep conditioner, y'all. That Camille Rose. That Camille Rose! Okay. It is so moisturizing. And then. So when I went to curly hair specialist, because for the past few years, I've only been to, like, curly hair stylists, my hair, I just decided to do it myself because I thought they were cutting too much.

Belle Guillory:
Something that one of them told me is to just use a gel and a mousse, and that is something I never heard of. So I... moisturizing gel, though. So I'll vary between moisturizing gels that have, like, avocado oil or flaxseed oil. So that can differ. Whatever's at Sally's really. And then. And then a nice mousse to lock it in. And then, yeah, the curls just...

Jennifer Norman:
They're gorgeous. Oh, I love your natural hair. It's stunning. Yeah. Yeah. No, I think that a lot of people. It's hard to figure out what to do with your hair, especially you've got curls and coils. I know it can be difficult.

Jennifer Norman:
A lot of times it is trial and error. You can go to an expert, and then they'll make it look amazing. And then trying to recreate it is like...

Belle Guillory:
It took me a while to actually appreciate my curly hair. Because in high school I used to.

Jennifer Norman:
Isn't that true?

Belle Guillory:
All the time. Until I will never forget it. But God bless him. I had a friend, he was a gay guy. He was like, your hair smells burnt. And I was like, oh. Ever since then, I was like, you know what? Let me figure out my curls.

Jennifer Norman:
Like, but hey, the truthfulness of a gay friend. That's all I have to say. That is a friend that you need to keep forever because they will never lie to you.

Belle Guillory:
Seriously. Exactly. Because some people be like, oh, my God, they say this, but when people tell me things, I'm like, you know what?

Jennifer Norman:
Okay, thank you.

Belle Guillory:
Maybe I need to do something. And also another girl in the class one time, my hair was straight. She was like, you should straighten your hair. And I was like, it is straight. But it was like. And so I was like, okay, we getting too many comments now. Now let me just start figuring it out. And it was trial and error for a very long time.

Belle Guillory:
And still now I'm learning so many new things. But hey, you just gotta dive in.

Jennifer Norman:
Well, it's fabulous natural hair. Keep it up, girl. Okay. I actually used a crimping iron today. I just. Because I have. My hair is thinning. I'm at that place where it's just like, I'm finding more of it on the floor than on my head.

Jennifer Norman:
So, yeah, yeah, I do the biotin, I do the iron, I do the B vitamins and all of that. So it's just that time of season for me, I think.

Jennifer Norman:
I want to ask you, before we continue, we have to talk about Bitch Ass. Because I can't say that title of that movie without just like, chuckling to myself. But how was it to do a horror genre? That was really interesting. I liked your character. She was cute.

Jennifer Norman:
I watched part that you had on your website. Yeah, I like. I liked her sassiness.

Belle Guillory:
Nice. Okay. Bitch Ass. It's funny because I don't like horror movies. I don't typically indulge in it. It's not my cup of tea. But the thing is, my family loves horror movies, so I end up watching it with them anyways. So it was kind of funny.

Belle Guillory:
Like, this was probably one of my first, like, bigger roles. And I was like, dang, it's a horror film. But I had gotten everything I wanted because I remember around the time I was praying, I was like, man, I really want to do a movie with an ensemble cast, A black ensemble cast. And like, we're like playing like young teens. Like, we're playing Teen. I literally got that in Bitch Ass, which is so funny. And so the process was great, though. I really enjoyed it.

Belle Guillory:
The cast was great. I was with guys, like, around my age, so we got to really lean on each other. And I don't know if you see my scene, the scene where I go in and...

Jennifer Norman:
Where you're playing Connect 4.

Belle Guillory:
Yeah, yeah, Connect 4. So for anyone, if you do watch it, it's pretty much about these four, like, teens. They're trying to get into a gang, and it's a gang initiation that they have to go rob this house and the person's house that it belongs to. They nicknamed him Bitch Ass because our gang leader knew him when they were like, I guess, teens. And they just. Bitch Ass. And so that name.

Jennifer Norman:
Ah. That's where the name comes from, that name.

Belle Guillory:
And so. And they thought the house was empty because they never knew what happened to the kid. And they thought that his grandma just passed and, like, she was rich. So they were gonna go rob the house. But little do they know, Bitch Ass is still up in there preparing for them.

Jennifer Norman:
He's all up in there.

Belle Guillory:
He's all up in there. He set these childhood games like Operation, Connect 4 with the twist, and we'll see who survives at the end. So. Yeah, but it was really fun. It's funny. I don't like scary movies, but I actually had fun with this.

Belle Guillory:
Like, it was actually a lot of fun. Like, because my character, she was, like, cracking jokes. She was kind of the goofball. And it's funny when my friends out there, like, were you just playing yourself? Kind of. And so. But she wants to be one of the guys and. And she just doesn't know what's about to come. But she's probably the toughest out of all of them.

Belle Guillory:
Funny enough because when she meets. She's not going down without a fight.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah, but. But stay tuned. Stay tuned. Yeah, I'm curious because I've heard of some people, when they do a movie which is very taxing, it might be a horror film or a drama where there's a lot of tragedy or something like that. They get really affected in their personal, emotional life. And some. Some of them have to go to therapy afterwards to kind of work it out. I was just curious.

Jennifer Norman:
Curious how that does. You're able to separate that from your everyday.

Belle Guillory:
It's funny because. No, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've definitely heard them say that. I don't know. It didn't affect me that much. I guess because I connected with Cricket in different ways. Like, for instance, I never knew this, but once my aunt watched it, she said, like, they said that her nickname was Cricket as a kid. And it's just like, how it was connected, how things were just connected through this.

Belle Guillory:
I was like, wow, that is actually interesting. And then obviously, I have my faith. Cricket sees Jesus, literally, while she's robbing the house. She's like, Jesus, don't judge me, please. And it's funny because I heard in a roundtable of actresses say this, and I think it's so true. Like, the characters you end up playing, they do maybe not all always, but they do already have some kind of alignment, some kind of connection with you. Like, I mentioned, like, my aunt being named that I never knew that was her nickname. Like, I just said, like, her looking at Jesus and she's stealing from the house.

Belle Guillory:
Or like, my friend saw I was already joking and stuff. So the only thing I really had to separate was from her death. And I rebuke that in the name of Jesus. You know, we. Cricket had to go, but I going, so that's the only thing I had to separate from because she goes in a kind of way. But, hey.

Jennifer Norman:
Well, it was. I mean, yeah, it was shown at South by Southwest a couple of years ago, and it actually won an audience award.

Belle Guillory:
So, yes, it did. And it's funny because the producers actually told me, because I didn't go to South by Southwest, I was still here in LA. They told me that Cricket was a fan favorite. Like, people really loved her character. So.

Jennifer Norman:
All right, then. Way to go, Cricket. Way to go, Belle.

Jennifer Norman:
I want to ask you too, like, for young people trying to get creative juices flowing, who might feel that the odds are stacked against them, them, what kind of advice might you give to them when they're kind of a little bit intimidated, but want to pursue this kind of a career?

Belle Guillory:
I love that because it's gonna happen. At times that fear or doubt may creep in, but you have to believe in yourself where no one else can, because it really does come down to you. So I would say the things that even kind of helped me have that belief in myself is like, you know, when you feel like you have a calm falling, like something's just like, pulling you to it. Don't deny that pulling like, that pulling is for a reason. And so I think it's better to surrender into it than to try to fight it. And so remember, like, I heard Steve Harvey say this once, because I used to go to his show a Lot the first year I moved out here, and I feel like I needed to because he. He would say so many inspirational things. At the end, when the cameras cut off, something he said is that God showed you that vision for a reason.

Belle Guillory:
Like, you had that vision for a reason. And whether you believe in God or the universe you like, that vision came to you for a reason. And so believe in that. Like, that vision wasn't shown to your best friend, who may not think it's possible, which I had a lot of friends that aren't friends anymore because of the. Like, they didn't have the belief in themselves either, or they didn't even think I could probably make it out here. But he didn't show the vision to them. He didn't show the vision to your mom, your teacher, whoever's doubting you. He didn't show the vision to them.

Belle Guillory:
He showed it to you. So it's up to you to fulfill it. So you just got to believe. Like, okay, I'm seeing this vision for a reason. I'm being called to this for a reason. Let me go for it. Let me believe in myself and bet on myself to go do it.

Jennifer Norman:
Amen, girlfriend. That is some great, great, great advice.

Jennifer Norman:
Okay, now to end, I ask three questions that every human being carries deep inside of them. Beauty, being, and belief. So these are questions that remind us all about what conn us. Our beauty, humanity, and the truths we live by.

Jennifer Norman:
So, Belle, I ask you. First question. What makes you beautiful?

Belle Guillory:
Oh. Oh, I love that. I honestly think it's. I guess it's a few things, but intertwined with me is my spirit, my personality, I guess, together in my kindness. Like, I just. Because when I see people, I always see the best in people, which sometimes could be to a fall. But. But still, even if you done me wrong, I'm still praying great things for you. Like, so I think that is what makes me beautiful is, like, the willingness to see the beauty in people and the good in people and to just.

Belle Guillory:
Yeah. Remain kind. No matter what I've been through, no matter who's knocked me down, no matter what I've been told on the journey is like, you still just keep that light shining and don't let anyone dim it. Ooh, ooh, ooh.

Jennifer Norman:
Yes. Kindness is the biggest beauty secret of all. All right, second question. What does it mean to be human?

Belle Guillory:
Wow. What does it mean to be human? I'm gonna just go with the first things that come in my mind, because I think that's the best thing to do. Well, Two things came into my mind now. I think what it means to be human is to serve one another. Honestly, truly, I really think that is what it means to be human. That can be tied with my faith as well. But just because no one can do it alone, and no one's gone to their place without someone's help along the journey, like. Or with someone else else.

Belle Guillory:
And so I feel like serving one another. It's not about serving you, but, like, once you serve someone else. And serving can be in a lot of different ways. Whether that's just saying a kind word or like, helping a kid tie their shoe, or it could be anything. So serving one another, I think, because once you serve someone. I have to give this to my mom, actually, because my mom taught me, because. So when we were younger, like, if people didn't have a ride to church, she. She would drive them, like, go.

Belle Guillory:
She'd pick them up, even if they were the most annoying person in the church that nobody. No one else. Dan. We will be in the time with them. And so.

Jennifer Norman:
No judgment in church, y'all.

Belle Guillory:
Some of them. But. But my mom would always talk about helping others. She would always help others. And she had eight kids herself, you know, she had a lot going on herself, but she always helped others. And that's something she taught us is, like, when you help others, others will be willing to help you. And that's so true.

Belle Guillory:
True. And it's not just saying, like, oh, I helped you, you'll help me. Because they may not help you again, and that's okay, but someone else may help you. You'll get repaid in some way or form, and obviously don't do it just to get repaid, but. But you will, Because God sees it. Universe sees it. Whether you believe in karma or whatever the case, like, it. When you put good out, good will come back to you.

Belle Guillory:
So, yeah, serving one another, I think, is what. What it means to be human.

Jennifer Norman:
Oh, what a beautiful answer. And my last question for you is, what's one truth that you live by?

Belle Guillory:
Oh, one true. One truth that I live by. Yeah. Wow. I feel like there's so many, so I'm trying to see what comes up. One truth that I live by. Wow. Let's see.

Belle Guillory:
I guess it would have to be that. Man, that's a good one. Come on, you.

Jennifer Norman:
That's why I like that. It's, like. Makes you think it does.

Belle Guillory:
One truth that I live by. Wow. That is so. Because I feel like there's so many things I could say. The one that just keeps. Keeps coming up to me that just kind of keeps going, is that God is good and. And he's working for you. Like, I think that is something.

Belle Guillory:
You can also change it if you don't believe in God. That, you know, the universe is good and the universe is working for you. But for me, it's like, yeah, God is good. He's working it out for you. Literally. I just watched. I don't know if you watch Big Brother, but that's been my family's show forever. We watch it every summer.

Belle Guillory:
And something that a girl says. She got third, by the way. She said she. And they were asking, like, oh, my gosh, how do you feel? She was like, like, God's plan is the right plan, and I'm at peace. And I heard that. I was like, whoa, that is so good. Like, you know, like, you know, because sometimes you're not gonna win, but it's gonna be for the best. Like, I can.

Belle Guillory:
Oh, my goodness. I just thought of a time of, like, a time I didn't win something, but it actually ended up being, like, the best thing for me to not win it. I'm like, yeah, like, God is good, the world is there, is good, and it's working for you no matter what. Matter what. Yeah.

Jennifer Norman:
Yeah. No, I think there was an interesting. And I'm going to butcher the quote, but Albert Einstein said, like, one of the biggest questions that we can ask ourselves is, is the world a friendly place? And if you say yes, then the world is a friendly place. If you say no, think about what your life and how your demeanor will be if you believe that the world is not a friendly place. And that reminds me of your answer is that God is good. And if you believe God is good, God, good is God. And you, your life will. Will resonate in that it will truly, truly true.

Jennifer Norman:
Well, Belle, oh, my goodness. I enjoyed our time with each other today. I can't wait to see what you're up to next. Everyone, please go and learn a little bit more about Belle. Watch her stuff. She's on Instagram at. What is so cute. BellPeppah.

Jennifer Norman:
B E L L E P E P P A H Bell Peppah. And the website is GuilloryEntertainment.com, so check her out because you are going to see much, much more of her in the future. Belle, thank you so much for being my guest on The Human Beauty Movement Podcast today. It was so awesome to see you.

Belle Guillory:
And thank you for having me, Jennifer. This was absolutely lovely. Thank you so much.

Jennifer Norman:
Take care.

Jennifer Norman:
Thank you for listening to The Human Beauty Movement Podcast. Be sure to follow, rate and review us wherever you stream podcasts. The Human Beauty Movement is a community based platform that cultivates the beauty of humankind. Check out our workshops, find us on social media and share our inspiration with all the beautiful humans in your life. Learn more at thehumanbeautymovement.com. Thank you so much for being a beautiful human.