- Pop
By Galore Girl
Emelia Hartford is a renowned automotive personality known for her immense passion for cars. She builds and drives really fast cars and makes videos about them. She even broke a world record with her Chevrolet Corvette C8, which has one of the most powerful engines in the world. She did all this from her own small garage, beating big car companies. But also, she is a talented actress who has acted in movies and shows, apart from being part of SAG-AFTRA.
You might have seen Emelia in two recent movies on Netflix. One is called “A California Christmas: City Lights,” and the other is called “That’s Amor.” She was also in the movie “A Hollywood Christmas” available on HBOMax.
Her next step is “Gran Turismo”, a movie directed by Neil Blomkamp, that will be in theaters in the summer of 2023.
She hosted a special episode of “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” on the Discovery channel, she was also on Netflix’s show called “Fastest Car” and in a commercial and documentary for the new Corvette Z06 by Chevrolet, with NBA star Devin Booker.
Emelia has over 3 million followers on socials. She’s a strong woman making a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, which is why it was such an honor to have this chat with her, in which she shares 3 steps for success.
EMELIA, SO MANY TITLES CAN BE GIVEN TO YOU, BUT HOW DO YOU PREFER TO DEFINE YOURSELF?
Haha, thank you! I know I wear a lot of hats, but without putting myself in a box, I’d say Actress and Car Builder/ Driver.
WE KNOW ACTING HAS BEEN PART OF YOU SINCE YOUR CHILDHOOD AND THAT IT TOOK YOU ALMOST 10 YEARS TO GET YOUR FIRST ONE-LINE ROLE IN A FILM. TODAY, IF YOU LOOK BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO EMELIA AT THAT MOMENT?
It’s crazy that it really did take almost 10 years to get my first line in a film! I’d honestly be scared to say anything to my younger self, the lack of certainty is what kept me so motivated to keep pushing and building. However, if I could give advice to others who are fighting to pursue a dream, I’d say to keep at it, keep working hard, and don’t give up! I promise your time will come.
AND THE DECISION TO BUILD OR MODIFY CARS? WHERE DID IT COME FROM AND HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?
Building and modifying cars was something that came later in my life. I lost my dad to suicide at 15, right before getting my driver’s license, so getting my license to provide that sense of freedom and escape so it was all I could think about. From there I met the car community, who essentially became my new-found family… Cars and the car community really helped me through a dark time so I am very grateful for that. And fortunately, there are gear heads around the world. So I always feel a sense of home wherever I go.
THERE IS NOT A LOT OF FEMALE REPRESENTATION WITHIN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. HOW HAS YOUR PRESENCE FELT IN A WORLD THAT IS SO MALE-OCCUPIED?
I’m very happy that today there are so many more women in this industry than when I first started out. I can only hope that I’ve helped to inspire some. There definitely have been times of sexism, but I handle it the best way I know how: by outworking and outperforming anyone and everyone regardless of gender. Now sure, I often feel I have to work twice as hard to gain half the respect and/or see half the success, but I try to demand respect through my actions. And for any other women out there, just know we have to support each other and recognize the uphill battle we share.
HAVE YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH BELITTLEMENT IN THIS AREA FOR BEING A WOMAN? AND IF SO, HOW HAVE YOU GOTTEN OVER IT? BECAUSE I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT MANY WOMEN COULD BE EXPERIENCING AND YOURS CAN BE A PIECE OF ADVICE THAT HELPS MANY OF THEM.
These are really good questions, and I’m an open book! Yes, I have absolutely dealt with belittlement for being a woman. Unfortunately, you can’t rewrite the history books, but together we can rewrite the future. I wish my gender didn’t matter so much. But I surround myself with a good group of people who treat me as an equal. You really can’t let someone else’s ignorance bring you down. Ultimate I just say demand respect and good treatment through actions, create the world you wish to live in whether it exists today or not and go where you are celebrated, not where you are tolerated.
THERE IS ‘GRAN TURISMO,’ A MOVIE THAT WILL BE IN THEATERS ON AUGUST 11TH! TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE FILMING IT.
Yes!! What an unbelievable experience. Getting to blend the world of film and cars together has been my biggest dream. I essentially lived in Budapest, Hungary for 2 months this past fall, with a bunch of passionate filmmakers. I felt like I had been studying for this role for over 10 years now! Everyone was so great to work with from the producers to Neil Blomkamp the director, to the cast and crew. I couldn’t have asked for a better movie to be a part of. They really wanted to make a true racing movie, using real race cars on real race tracks. The movie is based on the inspiring true story of Jann Mardenborough, a Gran Turismo video gamer who received an opportunity to race professionally for Nissan. I hope everyone goes to see it in theatres this August! I seriously cannot wait for it to come out!
DID YOU DO ANYTHING WRONG, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, THAT HAS TAKEN YOU AWAY FROM WHAT YOU WANTED IN PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL TERMS? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU REGRET?
Hmmm… I’m going to compare this question to building a car. When you start off for the first time, you don’t really know what you’re doing. You somewhat have an end goal in mind, but you need to learn the steps to get there. You may make a mistake along the way or do a rough job that you end up having to go back to correct once you learn how to fix it the right way, but ultimately, you’re learning something new every day and constantly applying and reapplying this newfound knowledge. So, is anything a mistake if you learned from it? I try not to live with regret or in the past. It’s all about the road ahead!
LET’S TALK ABOUT GOOD THINGS. SUCCESS. HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT? WHAT IS IT FOR YOU? DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE REACHED IT?
Success is so subjective and something you have to define yourself and isn’t the same for every person. For me, personally, it’s setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. There are daily successes and big high-level successes. Family successes and work successes. I’d be ignorant to not recognize the success of my career thus far, but also am fully aware of my hopes and dreams and know this is still just the beginning. I like to strive for very far stretching goals so my definition of success is very difficult, some people would say impossible, but it’s what motivates me most.
TELL ME THREE (3) THINGS THAT YOU THINK A WOMAN MUST HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS INDUSTRY OR LIFE.
I hate the thought that a woman must have something to be successful that maybe another counterpart wouldn’t need. So instead, let me share with you 3 things that a person must have to be successful in this industry or in life.
1) Discipline and Consistency, doing the things that need to get done, even when you don’t want to do them. Breaking down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable steps, and taking action on them.
2) Visualize. Know where you want to go with what you’re doing. Have a clear path and end goal. It’s ok if it deviates but keep the final destination in mind.
3) Be a good f*cking person. Period.
WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT ACTING PLANS?
Truthfully, that’s the next step. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come my way, I’m keeping busy with creating my own projects to provide opportunities for not only myself but for others as well.
SPEED ROUND QUESTIONS:
The hardest experience you have had to live and from which you learned a lot: Losing my dad, but it taught me how important mental health is to take care of.
Your top 3 songs right now: Maneater by Hall & Oates, Chant by Macklemore, and Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi.
Favorite movie ever: Ugh impossible to choose! That’s like picking a favorite child. I just watched 2001: A Space Odyssey on my flight home from France and that’s definitely a classic masterpiece.
If it’s Sunday and you have no commitments, where should we look for you? Either working in my garage or at the movie theatres… unless it’s snowing, then the mountains!
Snow or beach? Hehe snow
Who is the most famous person you have among your phone contacts: I can’t answer this lmaooo
If you could have a superpower what would it be? I wanna fly!
Something that really triggers your rage: When people are mean to others.
Your life mantra: Everything happens for a reason and be kind because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about!
Photo Credit: Diana Ragland
Hair: Richard Grant
Makeup: Kendal Fedail
Wardrobe Stylist: Jordan Gross
