ON THE COVER ACTRESS AND PRODUCER LEESA ROWLAND
MAGIC IMAGE HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF INTERVIEWING ACTRESS AND PRODUCER LEESA ROWLAND! SHE OPENED HER HEART TO US AND TALKED ABOUT HER CAREER AND PROJECTS; LET’S SEE WHAT SHE IS ALL ABOUT…
MIHM-Tell us a little bit about you. Where are you from and what inspired you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
JR- I grew up in Rockport and Austin, Texas, taking drama in high school as well as outside classes and summer theater. I was Miss San Marcos and Miss Coastal Bend.
MIHM-You are an actress, author, and producer. What makes your heart beat the fastest?
JR- I love creating characters and putting myself in other people’s shoes!
MIHM-Tell us about your book “Discovering the IT Factor Within You.”
JR- “Discovering the IT Factor Within You” was inspired by a desire to help people recognize their potential and have greater confidence. We all have skills and talents as well as problems to overcome.
My book elevates personal attributes and urges the reader to focus on inner beauty and strength to overcome adversity. The book unveils my secret methods – from spirituality and religion to auras and chakras to mantras and more – helping each reader to build their charismatic personality, discover their own bright light, and excel in life.
MIHM-You love animals, and you are the founder and president of the New York non-profit group Animal Ashram. Please tell us about that.
JR- I have been a vegan since birth. For some reason, I could not tolerate eating animal flesh or dairy products when I was young.
My parents insisted that I eat the things they ate, but I had an aversion to ingesting any part of a living creature. This was a source of debate and acrimony in my parent’s home.
The more they pushed meat and poultry in front of me, the more I resisted. That was the guiding force for me to start my non-profit, Animal Ashram.
Animal Ashram provides grants and funds to worthy organizations and individuals offering sanctuary to homeless and helpless animals of all species. Animal Ashram respects and promotes the oneness of life and the principles of Ahimsa.
Our not-for-profit’s mission is to raise money for a variety of educational and public outreach programs, provide financial resources, and raise awareness of equality of life among all living beings.
MIHM-Define what success means to you.
JR- Success to me is peace of mind.
MIHM-You have been through a lot in your personal life. What makes you keep moving forward?
JR- At this very moment, I am personally devastated because my best friends in the world live in Rockport and Houston, Texas and they have lost everything from Hurricane Harvey. It’s difficult for me to even comprehend what has just happened.
My best friend from childhood, Shawni Alexander, just returned to our hometown from Houston and says it is completely wiped out. It’s hard for me to even do this interview because all I can think about is that my friends and family have just lost everything, including loved ones.
They have nothing but each other and they are what keeps me going. They are the reason I am who I am.
I’m going back to Rockport within the next few weeks and there is just so much that needs to be done. We’ve been completely wiped out. I am in utter shock and this is just so much worse than I can even put into words.
MIHM-Who have been your biggest mentors in your career?
JR- I have always admired Susan Sarandon.
MIHM-What other projects are you working on right now?
JR- I just finished a dark comedy called “The Lion’s Den” and did a cameo in Troma’s “Toxic Tutu.” I am also in negotiations for a television series that I can’t really talk about at this time but am really excited about!
MIHM-What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in show business?
JR- I would be a fashion designer if I were not involved in show business. I have always loved designing and have been a fashionista my entire life.
MIHM-How can people reach you? Do you have social media, a website, etc.?
JR- I am on Instagram as @leesarowland, Twitter as @leesarowland, and Facebook as @realleesarowland
