A Trail native looking to make it big as an actress has put down her serving tray to act in her first paid gig.
J. L. Crowe graduate Laci Mailey will play the lead role in Hallmark’s new film “The Heart Healer,” a part she accepted Tuesday.
The 20-year-old will portray a 19-year-old, “who just had a baby, ran out of money and can’t catch a break,” explained Mailey when the Times caught up with her over the phone.
“I was freaking out – I’m just really happy,” she said. “For the last few months, I’ve been getting really close to landing parts, I’ve been short listed and short listed, and it’s finally paid!”
Mailey is heading home for the weekend before spending the rest of her summer on Vancouver Island, where the movie will be filmed.
Acting has always been a passion for Mailey, daughter of Trail’s Tammy Crockett and the late Ron Mailey.
After completing an acting for film and television program at Vancouver Film School in 2009, Mailey landed much work in short film but without compensation. To make ends meet, she worked in Vancouver’s serving industry.
“I definitely don’t make any money acting,” she laughed. “I spend all my money on classes, headshots, clothes and costumes and it’s finally paying off.”