Actress Erin Michele Soto Lifts Through Her Trauma to Return to Her Hit TV Series
Audiences know Erin Michele Soto from her work in the miniseries Shirley and Shelly and the TV series Studio City, the smash hit and Emmy – winning drama.
Around the world audiences see stars on red carpets, TV and movie screens; and often never consider the challenges these performers face to live their dreams.
Advertisement
So many people recognize a star’s good looks, their talent, the laughs and tears from the characters they portray. But the audience doesn’t really get to know the person behind that work. Today Erin is sharing a deeper look into her journey.
Erin Michele Soto Reveals Her Bright and Her Dark
Recently we had a chance to sit down with Erin Michele Soto and she revealed the brightest and the darkest moments of her story and the excitement yet to come.
Like so many, Erin moved to Southern California with big Hollywood dreams. But she did not become the struggling cliche. She had the talent and good fortune to quickly find work as an actress and as a dancer.
Tragedy on a Celeb-Filled Dance Floor
Erin Michele Soto’s grace on the dance floor quickly brought her attention. She found A-list work immediately in Modern, Ballet, Jazz dance genres. Stars of the stage, small screen and silver screen all demanded her time, attention and help.
Then as her star was rising, suddenly it all crashed down. Literally. One day in the middle of dancing, Erin fell, hit her eye and the trauma from the fall punctured her brain.
The next moments created a chronic ailment that took Erin over a year for her to recover. The glitz and glamour lifestyle was replaced with being bed-ridden and living a small, dark, lonely life.
Hearing Soto reflect back today, there’s still a pain in her eyes and her voice. But a growing strength and courage in her soul.
Was her journey hard? Yes. Painful? Yes. Encouraging? No.
But, Erin wasn’t done yet.
Ironically, her body really thought she was finished. She rarely left the house. She couldn’t socialize with friends. She forgot how to do the smallest tasks constantly, things like closing her house door; she would routinely black out as she walked through her neighborhood.
The things most people find common, this talented star was suddenly struggling to complete.
“No One Can See My Pain”
Even worse, her mind was playing tricks on her.
This normally proud, healthy, optimistic person was suddenly having thoughts of self-harm. It was a dark time. The good news is, she knew better. Luckily, she never acted on those dark, harmful thoughts.
Your Village Supports Your Recovery Journey
To meet Erin is to fall in love with her. Her energy, her spirit, her intelligence, her motivation. Luckily, even in her darkest moments after her trauma, Erin’s community rallied to cheer her on and find ways to help her while she struggled to live daily life. She bravely chose to get professional mental help which also supported her and returned her closer to light and happiness.
She learned to over-power her own thoughts and regain positivity. She now meditates daily and credits that mental strength with her return to courage and creativity.
“I used my imagination
to get back into the world”
Back on Set
Just over a year after her life-changing trauma, Erin was itching to get back to performing. The injury focused her true passions in using her voice in acting. Performing, acting, dancing. But she was dealing with a very foreign feeling: insecurity. Could she remember her dialogue? Could her body move as gracefully as it used to? Would she feel as comfortable acting as she did before?
As a performer, Erin had to “learn to walk” again.
Erin was eager to return and try. She chose a small, local theater in SoCal’s modest San Fernando Valley.
“To her surprise, relief and excitement,
all of her worries went away.”
To her surprise, relief and excitement, all of her worries went away. Her mind and body cooperated and she had a blast performing again in front of huge crowds.
“If something brings you joy,
push through your fears”
Today, Erin is busier than ever. She’s currently working on projects for both stage and screen, taking meetings as an actress for both tv and film.
She credits her friends, family, health professionals and community with helping her overcome her dark moments. Her continued meditation keeps her mind clear and strong.
As a performer, she’s excited to be in front of an audience – whether you’re watching her in-person on stage, on your television or on the big screen.
With confidence, motivation, discipline and support from your community, everyone can rebound from their challenges and return to what they love. Erin Michele Soto is a brilliant and inspiring example of this.
Follow Erin Michele Soto on her social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialErinMicheleSoto
https://www.instagram.com/erinmichelesoto
https://twitter.com/erinmichelesoto
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
NYC’s Newest Margarita: Hailee Steinfeld Launches Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail with Premium Beers Group
Hailee Steinfeld Launches Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail with Premium Beers Group
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording artist, and producer Hailee Steinfeld, in partnership with Premium Beers Group, a leader within the alcohol industry in Mexico, proudly announces the launch of Angel Margarita.
Hailee Steinfeld falls in love with flavor
Hailee Steinfeld has openly expressed her love for margaritas, often sharing glimpses of her favorite citrusy cocktail on social media. Whether enjoying a classic lime margarita or experimenting with fun flavors like spicy or strawberry, she appreciates the drink’s refreshing and vibrant appeal. Her enthusiasm for margaritas perfectly complements her fun-loving personality, making it a go-to choice for celebrations and casual outings alike.
This premium ready-to-drink margarita cocktail is made with 100% Agave Tequila from the rich soil of Jalisco, Mexico.
Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail
To ensure that each can offers an authentic and refreshing taste experience, Angel Margarita is then fully crafted just moments from the Agave fields.
Blending Hailee’s West Coast style with the deep Mexican roots of her co-founders Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez, Angel Margarita will lead the category with its commitment to quality. Angel Margarita will launch with four vibrant and refreshing flavors: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry.
“Margaritas have always been my go-to cocktail,
so making a ready-to-drink version with high-quality ingredients that didn’t compromise on taste was important to me,”
Hailee Steinfeld
co-founder
“After visiting the Blue Agave fields in Jalisco with my partners Jordi and Rodrigo, I was inspired by the region. I am so proud of what we have created together and cannot wait for the world to try Angel Margarita.”
In 2023, premixed cocktails were the fastest-growing spirits category in the US, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, marking a 26.8% increase year over year. Tequila was the second fastest-growing category, valued at $6.5 billion, up 7.9% yearly.
To underscore the excitement and potential of this fast-growing category, Angel Margarita has partnered with Philip Button, Founder and CEO of Seven XV Ventures and Geloso Beverage Group, one of the leading alcohol beverage manufacturers and distributors in North America. With their support, Angel Margarita will begin its launch in Southern California.
“Hailee is the perfect partner to help us share an authentic piece of our culture and redefine the ready-to-drink market through Angel Margarita with a more global audience,” said Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez, co-founders at Angel Margarita. “We invite consumers to taste our 100% Agave Tequila premium cocktails and to experience an authentic piece of Mexico in every sip.
Stay up to date on Angel Margarita: www.angelmargarita.com / @angelmargarita
100% Tequila, 100% Angel Margarita.
Angel Margarita stands out with its high standards of craftsmanship and tradition:
- Protected Denomination of Origin sourced and manufactured in Jalisco, Mexico
- Expertly crafted high-quality ingredient list featuring 100% Agave Tequila Blanco, a blend of sparkling water, agave syrup, and natural flavors
- Each 12 oz can is 6% ABV and is gluten-free
- Available in four flavors to start: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry
- Retail = $14.99 / 4-pack, $28.99 / 8-pack variety
About Hailee Steinfeld:
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording musician, and producer Hailee Steinfeld remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Her leading performance in the 2016 critically acclaimed film THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN garnered her two Critics’ Choice Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Her big-screen debut was in 2010 with the Coen Brothers’ film TRUE GRIT, for which she earned an Oscar nomination at only 14 years old. Up next, she will star alongside Michael B. Jordan in Warner Brothers and Ryan Coogler’s latest film, SINNERS. The supernatural action horror-thriller is set to release globally on April 18, 2025.
About Premium Beers Group:
With over 3 decades of experience, Premium Beers Group has innovated and revolutionized the alcohol category in Mexico. PBG was the first company in Mexico to import 100% malt beers from Europe and introduce craft beer and non-alcoholic beer. Premium Beers Group is the benchmark for excellence and a leader within the premium alcohol category.
About Geloso Group:
A leader in the innovation and development of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Geloso Group manufactures and distributes premium malt beverages, wines, ciders, beers, and spirits. Geloso Group is a valued supplier and trusted partner recognized for its professionalism and commitment to quality, service, and marketing.
Thanksgiving in NYC: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe here]
This Thanksgiving in NYC, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
-
Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
-
Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee: A New Era in Health-Conscious Brewing
In today’s health-focused culture, where wellness transcends mere goals to become a lifestyle, mushroom coffee is emerging as a leading trend. This innovative beverage combines the classic energizing effects of coffee with components often linked to the reputed benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Such a blend makes mushroom coffee a more mindful, health-oriented option for daily consumption, resonating especially with those who weave wellness into their daily routines.
Image courtesy of Freepik
The uniqueness of mushroom coffee lies in its ability to enhance the usual coffee experience by potentially offering additional benefits. For those who find regular coffee too acidic, mushroom coffee presents a more stomach-friendly option. Additionally, it incorporates adaptogenic mushrooms, which are believed to help the body better manage stress. This attribute makes mushroom coffee especially enticing to wellness enthusiasts and those seeking a natural way to support their body’s stress response.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of Freepik
Finding a coffee that delivers on both taste and health promises can be a daunting task. Leading the initiative is More.Longevity & Wellbeing with its Coffee Superfood Blends. These products are meticulously developed, selecting each ingredient for its quality and scientific backing, ensuring they contribute effectively to the blend. Flavors such as Salted Caramel Vanilla and Mocha are designed to mask the natural earthiness of mushroom, making the beverage more enjoyable while enhancing its appeal. The addition of adaptogens and essential vitamins in the blends aims to support overall health by boosting immunity, enhancing energy, and improving mental clarity.
The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of More.Longevity & Wellbeing
The company’s commitment to radical transparency ensures that consumers receive a product free from unnecessary fillers and additives, affirming a respect for consumer health and environmental sustainability. This level of honesty and ecological consideration is becoming increasingly important to consumers who prefer products that are both healthy and environmentally conscious.
As the trend continues to carve a niche within the beverage market, consumers are presented with expanding choices. It’s no longer just about picking a brand; it involves selecting a philosophy and a level of quality that resonates with personal health values and taste preferences. The coffee not only invites coffee lovers to rethink their daily mug but also serves as a gateway to a more mindful and intentional morning routine.
Image Courtesy of Freepik
-
Warhol-Basquiat Play ‘The Collaboration’ Sets Winter Broadway Opening; with Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope Starring
Warhol-Basquiat Play ‘The Collaboration’ Sets Winter Broadway Opening; with Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope Starring
The Collaboration, Anthony McCarten’s hit London play about artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, will make its American premiere on Broadway this winter, with Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope as the two painters.
The Manhattan Theatre Club production will begin previews at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Tuesday, November 29, with an opening night set for Tuesday, December 20. Kwame Kwei-Armah directs.
The production will be the second Broadway production of MTC’s 2022-2023 season, following the fall premiere of Martyna Majok’s Cost of Living.
The Collaboration, which made its world premiere in a critically acclaimed production by London’s Young Vic Theatre in January, is set in the summer of 1984, when longtime superstar Warhol and wunderkind Basquiat agreed to work together on what would become one of the most famous exhibitions in the modern art history. As the official synopsis puts it, “But can these two creative giants co-exist, or even thrive?”
Bettany (The Avengers, WandaVision) and Pope (Broadway’s Choir Boy and Ain’t Too Proud) reprise their roles from the London staging.
The announcement was made today by Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) and the Young Vic Theatre, Kwame Kwei-Armah (Artistic Director) and Lucy Davies (Executive Director) by special arrangement with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Anthology Theatre, Stanley Buchthal, and Denis O’Sullivan
Additional cast members and the creative team for The Collaboration will be announced at a later date. Two additional productions for MTC’s 2022-2023 season, including one at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway and one at MTC at New York City Center – Stage I, will be announced soon.
-
Performance with Elegance – BioLift Focus Drinks Deliver with Flavor
BioLift Focus Drinks Deliver Performance with Elegance and Flavor
Supplement drinks have raced into your grocery store. What started with one shelf has exploded into several aisles and sometimes their own stores – devoted to delivering aggressive results!
What’s your favorite supplement drink?
Most of us have one. Some of us have more than one. A morning drink, an afternoon drink, even a before bed drink. Each with different flavors and functions.
Yeah, competition is fierce. And so are these supplement company’s claims. Weight Loss. Focus. Help you stay awake. Help you fall asleep. Help you run faster, build bigger muscles.
Placebo vs Real
Some of the most common questions involve the science behind it, the supplements effectiveness and flavor – what does it actually taste like?
A dirty (not-so-secret) secret to some of these drinks is that they hide a bitter or sandy “science taste” behind big sugar and big flavors.
BioLift Focus wants to get you moving. Launch you in the morning, float you over your lunchtime dip, keep you awake, alert, focused. In a healthier way than others, with no crash and no heart rate or blood pressure increase. Today we’re looking at BioLift Focus line of drinks.
BioLift Focus Flavors are Subtle and Elegant
Sparkling Mixed Berry has notes of raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry .
Sparkling Mandarin Orange has citrus notes blended with vanilla spice aromatics.
Sparkling Peach Mango has sweet peach and tangy mango.
For all three, the flavoring is subtle. In a world of “berry blasts” and “Epic frosts”, these are a welcomed change. Mandarin Orange was my favorite.
The Science Behind BioLift Focus Drinks
BioLift Focus’s WakeUp!® formula is rooted in Chronobiology. What is chronobiology? It’s the biology of natural physiological rhythms and other cyclical phenomena.
Every living organism – including us, humans – responds to the cycles of the sun and moon. Chronobiology studies those periodic cycles and how organisms adapt to them, especially through our internal biological clocks.
But is BioLift Focus’s WakeUp Actually Healthy?
BioLift Focus’is very mindful of wanting to be healthy, using nature-based options to create the results that normally would be chemicals in a factory. Here are details summarized from their website:
Guarana: From the Amazon forest, contains Guaranine, which is similar to caffeine, but more effective in mental and physical stimulation without the common drawbacks.
Ginkgo Biloba or Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant that supports blood circulation, affecting concentration, mood, fatigue, and response rates.
Elderberry is known as the “medicinal tree”. Its flowers have anti-viral and antioxidant effects, contributing to proper function of the immune system.
Carob and Apple Extract are natural, low glycemic sweeteners derived from fruits to help manage fatigue by maintaining a constant sugar level, reducing a decline in energy levels for better, longer-lasting physical and mental results.
Visit the Biolift website here.
-
Broadway: Mike Birbiglia Extends “The Old Man & the Pool” Through Jan 15
Broadway-lovers! Mike Birbiglia Extends “The Old Man & the Pool” Through Jan 15
On the heels of the show’s sold-out first weekend of performances, producers Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Patrick Catullo, and Seaview, are thrilled to announce
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool will extend its Broadway engagement
due to popular demand.
The acclaimed new solo play, written and performed by Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award winner Mike Birbiglia, will now play an additional two weeks through Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the esteemed Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool
Tickets to Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool are on sale now at Telecharge.com/212-239-6200.
One of the greatest comedic storytellers, at the top of his game. Following his award-winning show The New One, Mike Birbiglia has returned to Broadway with a coming-of-middle-age story about when life takes a dive – into a highly-chlorinated YMCA pool.
Propelled by his singular, insightful voice and everyman style, Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool is a wildly hilarious and deeply moving play that offers “a galvanic, endearing and very funny meditation on mortality – deftly using comedy to demonstrate that when you stop thrashing around and exist in the moment – you float.” (Chicago Sun-Times).
Following sold-out runs in Los Angeles and Chicago, The Old Man & the Pool began Broadway previews on Friday, October 28, 2022, and will celebrate its official Opening Night on Sunday, November 13. The play is directed by Seth Barrish (The New One), with contributions by Peabody Award-winning Story Consultant Ira Glass (This American Life).
“In my 22 years of performing comedy, and five solo shows,
The Old Man & the Pool has given me the most rewarding experience I’ve ever felt with audiences,”
said Mike Birbiglia
upon the announcement of the show’s Broadway premiere. “This is a show I’m very proud of, and I can’t believe I get to perform it at Lincoln Center – after auditioning for the Philharmonic, the Opera, and the New York City ballet, I thought I’d never get the chance. But here I am. Sometimes you get lucky!”
Birbiglia continued, “It’s always been a cliché that audiences need to laugh but— honestly— after all we’ve been through in the last few years, people really do need to laugh. And sometimes, laughing about the darkest topics can be the most cathartic. I hope you join me. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll call your parents. You’ll write your will.”
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool was Originally Produced by Center Theatre Group and played to sold-out houses in its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, CA in 2022, following a sold-out developmental run at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Entertainment Weekly raved, “The artful storyteller Mike Birbiglia is excellent at his craft, and in The Old Man & the Pool, the comedian is at the top of his game. I felt connected to him. Hilarious observations unfold into tales that are charming and gripping. You never feel like he’s performing a bit, but rather like you’re throwing back a beer with your funniest friend.” Variety wrote, “The core of Mike Birbiglia’s charm is… he’s favorite-pair-of-jeans comfortable, and remarkably skilled at finding profundity in subjects well within arm’s reach. The Old Man & the Pool feels like catching up with an old friend – you never want him to shut up.”
Marking Birbiglia’s fifth solo play collaboration with director Seth Barrish, the play’s creative team also includes Tony Award-winning Scenic Designer Beowulf Boritt (Act One, POTUS), four-time Tony Award Nominated Costume Designer Toni-Leslie James (Paradise Square, The Piano Lesson), Lighting Designer Aaron Copp (The New One, Falling Out of Time), Tony Award-winning Sound Designer Kai Harada (The Band’s Visit, Kimberly Akimbo), and Projection Designer Hana S. Kim (The Visitor, Eve’s Song).
Tickets to Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool are on sale now at Telecharge.com/212-239-6200, and at the Lincoln Center Theater Box Office (150 W 65th Street, NYC). The regular performance schedule is: Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 5pm. During previews (prior to November 13) the playing schedule is: Tuesdays-Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm & 7:30pm. Holiday week showtimes may vary – check Telecharge.com or www.MikeBirbigliaBroadway.com for the full schedule.
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool is produced on Broadway by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Patrick Catullo, Seaview, No Guarantees, Jon B. Platt, James L. Nederlander, The Shubert Organization, Jillian Robbins, Sony Music Masterworks, Cathy Dantchik, Runyonland Productions, Marlene and Gary Cohen, Jeremiah J. Harris, Kaymat Productions, Madison Wells Live, TodayTix Group, Triptyk Studios, Diana Dimenna, Plate Spinner Productions, Lawryn Lacroix, Andrew Diamond, Jamie Deroy, Candy Gold and Alexander Sandy Marshall.
