Would you leave the life you’ve always known to try your luck in Hollywood, if you believe you have the talent? That’s exactly what young actress Suzette Tomlinson did. She drove more than 2 days westward from her home in Chicago to LA with her dog, and it appears that her exotic features and talent were just what Hollywood was looking for. Mateo Magazine caught up with Suzette Tomlinson as she dishes on current projects, and what it's like to be an up and coming actress in Hollywood.

Mateo Magazine: Ms. Suzette Tomlinson, it looks as though you’ve had an amazing start to 2010.
Suzette Tomlinson: There has been a lot of activity in my career this year. I feel like a very lucky girl! There's nothing like starting the year off with a movie and having the opportunity to work with amazingly talented people.

MM: Tell us about “The Preacher’s Family.” Who's in the film?
ST: It's a family movie, with a Tyler Perry feel to it. There's drama, but of course there's some comic relief too. After all, when life gets crazy, sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh. The film stars Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister, Jr., Sam Sarpong, Farrah Franklin (former member of Destiny's Child), and Cisco Reyes of "Next Day Air." I play Areon, Cisco's girl in the movie, and if you know Cisco, you know that you’re going to laugh a lot on the set. All jokes aside, Cisco is truly talented; working with him makes you raise the bar.

MM: We understand that the writer was so impressed with your audition that he wrote a part in the film just for you. How does that make you feel as an actress?
ST: It's truly an honor to know that someone has that much confidence in me as an actress. You don't take things like that lightly, or for granted. You show up to the set on time and get ready to do your best work. Knowing that the part was written specifically for me, I couldn't let Dale down in any way. To sum it up, I feel very blessed.

MM: Now, Dale Stelly, who is the producer of the film contacted you for the video for Noize, correct?
ST: Yes! Dale is always looking out for me and anyone he works with. He's one of the hardest working and most positive people I have ever met in Hollywood.

MM: Tell us about the video shoot.
ST: The shoot for the video was really dope. Dale had a Phantom on the set, and Noize is hella talented. I also just did a music video for Mista Perkins for his single, “Patron.” The song is really sick, and since he's from Chicago too, we had to represent on the set.

MM: What's next for you on the acting front?
ST: I now have two movies in the can, and I've been auditioning like crazy. I read for a new show that Queen Latifah is putting together, and I'm currently in negotiations for two more movies. I'm getting close to the goals that I've set for myself. Monique just won an Oscar, and I want one too. I want it all!

After just a few short years, Suzette, a rising star, is well on her way.