Today, for the "Women's History Month" celebration, I would like to introduce this fabulous woman
Meet Cali Rossen, wife, actress and a TRUE RENAISSANCE
"Sound will be the medicine of the future." - Edgar Cayce
My parents split up when I was a year old. I lived with my Mom and two sisters, right next door to our Nana & Papa, who were only a short garden path away. My Nana kept an eagle’s eye on us while Mom worked a full time day job as a clerk at the Barnstable County Courthouse, and to make ends meet waitressed nightly at the Howard Johnson on Main St. in Hyannis. Mom instilled a powerful work ethic in me and the strength to stand on my own at a young age. When she passed away in 2019, her last words to me were, ‘Cali, You can be anything you want to be’. She always encouraged me to be my best, try new things, create vision boards, and take actions to make it so. She’s been the greatest loss of my life.
My Papa came to the US via the Philippines, working as a Culinary Specialist for the U.S. Navy. He was a Chef for the Hyannis Port Yacht Club my entire life. My Nana was 1 of 10 children born & raised in Yarmouth, Maine, and moved to Hyannis after marrying my Papa. Her roots were from Scotland & Ireland. She was a homemaker, and the best soup maker I’ve ever known. Looks like my foodie genes came from both sides. My Nana always sang hymns to me, and we loved watching General Hospital, Star Trek and I Love Lucy together. I remember her dressing up as Lucy one Halloween, and her sister as Ethel. My Grandparents' love carries me most days. . .
From time to time my father would show up impaired on the doorstep unannounced. My Mom would become very alarmed out of pure protection. This caused negative feelings and a sense that something was wrong in my young mind. That thread of thought, “something’s wrong”, began to unfold in those early years of my life. I didn’t speak to my father again till I was 19, and then again many years later.
Around the time I was 4 or 5 years old, I had several EEG scans of my brain impulses, because I was having seizures. I remember thinking that ‘something is definitely wrong with me’. Then this negative thinking became even worse when I was held back in kindergarten. Over the next few years, while attending elementary and junior high school, I barely made passing grades. This is when I began creating the reality that ‘I am stupid & good for nothing’.
I have many happy memories too, and one in particular; my sisters and I wanted to surprise my Mom when she got home from her waitress job. We set up a section of the living room like a stage, and placed a few pots and pans for when my Mom was ready for us to begin. My sister began to play the pot like a drum and I played the pan like a guitar as we sang Gloria & William J. Gaither’s lyrics, “I am a Promise, I am a Possibility, I am a Promise with a capital P, I am a great big bundle of potentiality”. The smile on her face and the light in her eyes were just what we were going for. Mom loved music and was inspired to name me from a song by one of her favorite bands, The Holllies.
In my early teens my Mom met the love of her life and our new Dad. She had joy in her eyes again and this amazing man took us all under his wing. After they wed we all moved to Texas. I enrolled into a new school and met with the Texas City High School dean of girls, Mrs. Wheeler. At the end of our meeting, Mrs. Wheeler stands up and points at me exclaiming, “You are going to be somebody someday! I just know it!”
Her words were pivotal in my life, and created a new potential in me that shifted my mindset completely. The very next semester I got straight A’s and was on the honor roll. I then qualified to audition & became part of the girl’s Stingarette dance team, and performed during half-time shows during football games. The girls are required to maintain a higher than average academic standing and are expected to represent their school and community as positive role models. Then in college I became a straight A student, Vice President of my class, graduated magna cum laude, and was invited to be a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Society. I thrived!
After graduation I passed all my dental hygiene boards at the top of the bar, and began my first job in Houston, Texas. My good friend, Dr. Shelley Canada, D.D.S. invited me to a transformational training course she was in and I signed up for the next available course. During this training I met the love of my life, Chris Rossen, who is among the most creative people I know, and has made an impact on me in so many ways. His love, support, strength & commitment have been a guiding force in my life. I am so grateful for what he stands for and everything he does to make our life so wonderful.
Next we moved to Dallas, one of my patients was a casting director from Abrams Artist, C.J., who saw my potential and made the introduction to my first acting agent, Tommy, at Marquee Talent. A few months after that meeting, a car hit me from behind at a red light that caused bulging discs in my cervical region and a rib that kept popping out of place. The pain was awful and I had to take time away from the dental world to heal. I took this as a sign and opportunity to focus on my career in the arts.
Remember, You Are Capable Of Achieving Anything
Now That You’ve Set Your Mind To, Aren’t You!
Looking back on my journey, I realize that my experiences have shaped who I am today. From the challenges and struggles to the moments of joy and empowerment, each step has contributed to my growth and resilience. And now, as a Transformational Leader, I am passionate about sharing my story, guiding others to release old traumas and helping them to believe in themselves and their potential.
So if you're feeling grief, loss, stuck or lost, remember that you are not alone. It's okay to have moments of pain, doubt and uncertainty, but it's important to keep pushing forward and to believe in yourself. Surround yourself with positive influences, practice positive self-talk, and focus on nurturing the words and thoughts that empower you.
I am excited for the future and all of the possibilities that it holds. I know that there will be ups and downs, but I am ready to face them head-on with courage and grace. And no matter what happens, I will always hold onto the lessons and love that I have received from my family and those around me.
"Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind." - Mick Jagger
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Founder of SacredFrequencies.org Member of ATL NYC - Association of Transformational Leaders, The Sound Healers Academy - Sound Healer, Time-Line Therapist, Reiki II Healer, Master Neuro-linguistic Programming Practitioner, and Registered Dental Hygienist.
Philanthropist & Children’s Advocate: Former Ambassador Save Children of Tibet, Ava’s Heart, Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus, Operation Project HOPE, Chairwoman Passion & Partnership Benefit Concert, Save Children of Tibet Concert Series, Compassion International, Lifenotes Edutainment, Circle of Charities, Operation Gratitude, International Documentary Association, The Big EQ Campaign, Bullies Keep Out, R.I.S.E. and Stand, Love2Hear Foundation.
Founder of RFAM Networks - RockFashionArt.com - Voice Arts® Awards Nominee, Four-time Bestselling Author, Multi-Award Winning Actress, Artist, Filmmaker, Singer, Songwriter, Host & Creator of Inspiration For Your Soul Podcast, Keynote Speaker, Former Ms. North Hollywood Elite
Cali has performed in more than 20 films, numerous television shows and stage productions. Appearing with such stars as George Takei, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Debra Messing, Ben Stiller, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and co-starred with Ed Asner in Sandcastle and Bryan Cranston in The Hollywood Quad, featured in Emmy Magazine.
“The Vixen with the Velvet Voice” - Con Fullam, 5 Time Emmy Nominee, Multi-Award Winning Composer, Mainer of the Year 2021 Maine Magazine, and Founder of Pihcintu Choir
“First, and foremost, she is an Artist, but with a capital A. As an actress, writer, producer, fashion model, painter, she is on a roll now having won the title as Ms. North Hollywood Elite, among a formidable group of stunning contestants. I should know. I was there. She was born to play an extensive range of roles from the femme fatale, the sensual seductress, the sweet mom, the lost soul, not to mention the neurotic wife, (There should be many of those parts around) The role has not been written that could contain her talents.”
- James Metropole, Writer / Actor / Director, known for Falcon Crest (1981), Night Gallery (1969) and Out of the Unknown (1965)
“Your performance was breathtaking and I am positive you will be excited to see how much of the nuances in your acting Tigran captured. I enjoyed our talks, especially playing along with you to help conjure the emotions you wanted us to capture on screen. Inspiring. Can't thank you enough for being a part of my project! It could have never worked unless you were the lead role. Thank you for your patience, professionalism, and entertaining attitude between takes. I wish you nothing but the best of luck! Thank you again for cranking out what we did in a surprisingly efficient schedule! I hope to work with you in the near future, and will find joy watching you rise to stardom.”
- Saiful Haque, Avatar: The Way of Water, Coming Home
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For Bookings or Press Inquiries
www.calirossen.com/links 818.749.3934 cali@rockfashionart.com
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Thank you, Cali, for sharing your jouney and empowering others!
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#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer
2 Comments
Mar 6, 2023, 12:41:52 PM
Frank Paras Jr. - You are the best and I am very proud of you. I enjoy reading your biography. You are very positive Hollywood actress and strong determination and motivation. I’m very proud of you because who you are. You are blessed because you are beautiful and talented especially in entertainment business. When you come to California please drop by to our house. PTFTTSAK from The Magical Christmas Tree Actor, Wise Guy Christmas Actor and Fight of Fury 2 Actor,🙏💯🎈🇺🇸🇵🇭
Mar 6, 2023, 12:33:20 PM
Frank Jr. Paras - Cali, You are the best. I’m very proud of you and your achievements especially in movies entertainment. Email me anytime and I am looking forward seeing you when you visit California. Remember you are always welcome to visit us anytime. Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊🍾 for all your achievements. PTFTTSAK from The Magical Christmas Tree Actor, Wise Guy Christmas Actor and Fight of Fury 2 Actor.🙏💯🎈🇺🇸🇵🇭