Meet RaShad Arnold | Professional Actor and Model

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

Hi RaShad, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
We don’t have a lot of time, but I love the quote “Cinema inspires us to dream and dreams inspire us to work hard and achieve. ” To me there is a thrill of preparing for a role or photo shoot. Then show casing it to the world. Most likely I will probably not become a doctor, lawyer, gangster, scientist and so on, but preparing for those roles and seeing what that life and profession could be like is exciting to prepare for, then show case for the people to watch. Also preparing for roles that you are familiar with, you bring that much more knowledge when you are preparing for that part. I’ve been an actor since I was a teenager if not before and I’ve done plenty of roles for free just to be around the industry because I love it so much. I also love the connection between performer and audience & making the audience feel a certain way after seeing my work. If I get asked what something meant, I will ask back, how did you interpret it to make the viewer think deeper.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel like what separates me from others is I really do this. A lot of people may claim to be a model or actor.,, Ya know, I was just having this conversation the other day, that there are models and then there are influencers. Influencers post pictures, and models actually model & I’m not bashing influencers, get your bag, but I’m a model and not an Instagram influencer. Acting and modeling is not easy. I am a trained actor and model. I take modeling and acting classes to perfect my craft with instructors across the country. I really work for this, I just didn’t roll out of bed and say I want to act and model, no. I’m putting in the work & that is what separates me. What I’m really proud of right now is, having a goal & working hard to accomplish that goal, to me there is no better feeling than when that goal is accomplished. But being a “struggling actor” you face many setbacks and challenges like wanting to be cast in roles and having all the faith that you will get that role, only to not get a call back, then getting a part and a week before filming you get dropped from the project. That’s life and you’re not going to make every shot. You can only control what you can control. So, there are many challenges, but you keep grinding, & that \’s what i want the world to know about me. I am going to continue to grind and give acting and modeling my all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from Portland, Oregon. Born and raised, go Blazers! So, if one of my homies is in town, we are going on a drive to the coast one day, we going to Multnomah Falls and checking out the water fall or any other hike or waterfall not too far away. Oregon is very green, and we have the best hiking trails and waterfalls. We are definitely going to a Blazer game and checking out Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers. This city loves Damian Lillard. There is no better fan base than Rip City. We get the Moda Center rockin’. Portland has tons of breweries. I don’t drink but I’m not opposed to checking out a bar or club spot. When it comes to food, I feel like Portland is a top food city in America. I like Noble Rot, Screen Door, Portland City Grill, so many to name. A lot of bomb Thai restaurants. Shout out Sivalai’s. Near my old apartment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God, all my success is for his glory & honor. My parents, Tamarind & Tyrone. Fly high Dad. It really pains me because there was a time my Mother & Father were my only supporters & not being able to see my Fathers reaction, of me being in a film or the photos from my gigs, really hurts. I know he would be so proud. But something tells me, he sees it. So that eases the pain just a bit. Also my brothers, Jamal & LaRonn. They show love & support. My Aunt Crystal, growing up she would write plays for church, like theatre & I would act in those plays, so that gave me my initial start in acting as a kid. So much love to my Auntie for planting acting in my soul. The acting and modeling community in Portland. Very talented actors and models coming out of my city. Lastly shout out one of my best friends, his name is Ron. He actually played an integral part in me really stepping up my acting and modeling. We talk dreaming big & going after it. I’m also really proud of all his success in youtube. Youtube.com/ronfromportland check him out. Don’t ever look back and think “what could’ve been”. Nah, go after it.

Instagram: @rashadwestlife

Twitter: @rashadwestlife

Image Credits
1st Image – Courtney R. 2nd Image – Casey H. 3rd Image – Canyon Bakehouse 4th Image – Portland Gear