If you have watched the childhood classic, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, you will know Cerina Vincent! She was none other than the yellow ranger, Maya. Besides the well-known Sci-Fi series, the actress acted in Disney Channel’s “Stuck In The Middle” and indie film “Killing Eleanor.” Most recently, she has transformed from a superhero to a super mom on a mission. Like Maya’s wild spirit and ability to understand people and everything around her, she launched a podcast series on parenthood — Raising Amazing — with her Pediatrician, Dr. Gator, which garnered over five thousand downloads in the first 24 hours! She did not stop there —she also supports two nonprofit organizations. Take a journey with Jejune to learn more about Cerina’s story as a super mom, working for decades in Hollywood, Parenting during a Pandemic, and more!

Where are you based?
I live in Los Angeles and love it! I’ve been in LA since 1997!

You were born and bred in Las Vegas. How did you feel growing up in such a vibrant environment and how did that influence your love for performing?
Yes, being born and raised in Las Vegas was really a gift! It was a small town back then. A lot of good old-fashioned family fun riding 4-wheelers throughout the desert, going to the lake. But it was my mother who influenced my love of performing. She was a dance teacher —she taught ballet, tap, and jazz in a studio in the back of our house to hundreds of girls and women in the Las Vegas valley. So, I grew up playing makeup believe in our studio with my siblings and cousins and an attic full of dance costumes. At 12, I joined a youth theatre ensemble called The Rainbow Company, and it was there that I fell in love with acting.

Alongside performing in theater productions, you were also competing in beauty pageants. What was your favorite thing about pageantry?
Honestly, I really only did one! I had watched my older cousins compete in Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada Teen pageant and I had always wanted to enter —primarily because it was held in a gorgeous Las Vegas ballroom on a beautiful stage! At 16 I begged… but my parents said “no.” They went out of town, and I raised all the money to enter myself and bought myself a dress — I totally manipulated them into letting me enter and getting their support. And to everyone’s surprise… I won! So, that brought me to the national competition of Miss Teen USA where I lived with 50 other teens for a month. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about TV production, but I knew that I was done with that pageant world after that.

How has pageantry impacted your work ethic as an actress? What made you decide to move towards acting?
It wasn’t pageantry that made me decide to be an actress. In 2nd grade, I memorized everyone’s lines in the Christmas play. I had been in plays and musicals in High School, and in my city and community. I was Leisel in The Sound of Music at 16. I was Pepper in Annie at 13 at a big summer outdoor theatre. I had already fallen in love with being on a stage, backstage, rehearsals, production, all of the glamour and all of the hard work, and also all of the not-so-glamorous aspects of performing. There is an incredible amount of work ethic that goes into this business… but I would say it was my parents who inspired my work ethic. Being Miss Nevada Teen gave me a platform, so to speak. And it showed me that I can accomplish my dreams if I work hard. I loved speaking to kids and going to events and showing up and being a role model. But I think my love for acting started long before …in my mother’s attic full of dance costumes. And my work ethic I owe to the wonderful people who raised me. My parents were and are very hard workers. Lower-middle class family, my parents often worked two jobs. All my aunts, uncles, and cousins… we come from a very hard-working family. My grandma came from Italy, was very poor, my dad is the youngest of nine kids and they all worked their butts off to have what they have. My mother is still the hardest working woman I know. They inspired my work ethic. And they still do.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to aspiring actors about moving to Hollywood and navigating the entertainment industry?
Do it because you love acting and you love performing and digging into characters, and love being on sets and on stages, and even just auditioning from your own home! Because it’s hard work and there’s a ton of rejection —you can’t be in it to be rich and famous. You have to do it because you love it. It’s a rollercoaster and you have to be willing to hang on and stay steady and focused and positive through the lows, and then enjoy the highs.

Your first major screen role was the yellow power ranger in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy! How was it like taking on such an iconic character?
It was amazing. Such a gift. I learned so much from that show and made life-long friends. And I love that we are still talking about it today and that my role is inspiring new generations of kids! Power Rangers never stops! I’m really grateful to forever be a part of the franchise.

How is playing a superhero different from any acting other roles?
It’s not different actually! I approach every role exactly the same. I find the honesty and authenticity of the character. I know who the character is, create their life fully, and enjoy being in those shoes and bring them to life through the amazing words that writers write for us.

You didn't stop there, going on to star in Disney Channel’s hit series Stuck in the Middle. Could you tell us about your character, Suzy Diaz?
I LOVED playing Suzy Diaz! She’s a quirky, nurturing mother of seven children and I had a blast with every joke, every pie to the face, every tender moment with the amazing, talented young actors. And I loved working for Disney Channel. Another gift in my life. And I definitely worked hard for it!

How is it like being part of such a big cast?
I come from a big family, so honestly, I felt right at home! And I truly fell in love with the kids, the writers, the producers—every day on set was really special. I’m ready to be part of another big ensemble cast!

Not only are you a mother of seven on-screen, but you recently welcomed a son. Congrats! How are you feeling?
Thank you! It’s the BEST. I always knew I was supposed to be a mother, and I feel so blessed and grateful that this little boy is mine. I wasn’t sure it was going to happen for me —and I can’t put into words how much joy and meaning and deep love being his mother has brought to my life.

What’s something you’ve learned about motherhood from Suzy?
Sarcasm! Ha! My toddler is already negotiating with me, and I already hear Suzy in my responses to him.

Speaking of motherhood, can you tell us about your podcast, Raising Amazing, and what inspired you to create it?
Yes! Yay! It’s called Raising Amazing and it’s everywhere you listen to podcasts! I co-host with a wonderful pediatrician, Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh. It’s a parenting podcast that features celebrities, doctors, and experts. We hear honest parenting stories and advice as well as get fact-based, science-based information from doctors and experts for all kinds of parenting concerns. Also, general health and wellness advice for families. Honestly, I decided to do this because I want to learn, and I want to learn from the best and hear from other more seasoned parents that have been through it before me. I tell our listeners, “I am learning along with you!” And it’s true. Every interview, every episode I am inspired to raise the bar on myself so I can raise my amazing child. Dr. Gator is so much fun to work with, he asked me to host with him and I am so happy that I said yes! Thanks to our amazing producer, Jacqueline Albert, from Chiquita Miami Productions. Together we crafted a parenting podcast unlike any other out there!

What kind of topics do you cover?
Everything from nutrition, healthy eating, potty training, mental health for toddlers, mental health for tweens and teens, screen time, getting kids in nature and outside, gardening, meditation, mindfulness, neuroscience, postpartum anxiety… the list goes on. Season One had a big focus on mental health and the pandemic, and we’ve also had some extraordinary guests! Dr. Ian Smith from The Doctors, Dr. Aviva Romm, and Mallika Chopra was incredible. We’ve had actors and mothers like Kyla Pratt, Elisa Donovan, and new mama Hunter McGrady. We featured same-sex parents for Pride Month! It’s been so much fun, so honest and real, and I have learned so much. It’s a great mix of mental health as well as physical health for the whole family —and even if you don’t have kids, you will learn so much.

In one sentence - what advice would you give to young mothers?
You’re doing enough. Don’t waste energy that you don’t even have feeling guilty. Mom guilt is real, but don’t let it take you down. You are doing amazing.

Your philanthropic work includes A Sense of Home. Could you tell us about this organization and your volunteerism with it?
A Sense of Home creates homes for kids that age out of the foster care system. They do extraordinary work for teens and young adults who have nothing and need help transitioning into the real world so to speak. It’s a women-run company—and they do incredible work. Currently, I give free advice to mothers through Little Spoon and Little Spoon donates $100 for every mom question I answer! Once things are back to “normal” (Covid. Sigh…) I want to actually physically help build homes.

Not only is helping out young mothers dear to you, but you’re also an advocate for Cystic Fibrosis. Could you describe your work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation? What drew you to them?
I raise money for CF every year in one way or another. It’s a foundation that is near and dear to my heart. I have a cousin with CF and it’s very important to me and my family to continue to do our part to help find a cure. I’ve hiked 40 miles, I’ve golfed, I’ve done so many different things to help and so does my entire family.

What would you like more people to know about Cystic Fibrosis? How can we advocate for Cystic Fibrosis patients? How can we be more empathetic?
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic, inherited disorder that damages the lungs. It is life-threatening and babies born with CF live a very complicated (often short) life in and out of the hospital having to do daily breathing treatments as well as take so many pills to help keep their lungs clear. It also affects the digestive system; so many kids with CF also have to have feeding tubes. It can devastate families and is so heartbreaking for kids. BUT the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does incredible work. People with CF are living longer and longer because of the drugs and treatments that the scientists have created through all of the fundraisings from the foundation and families and friends of people with CF. How can people be more empathetic? Read Alex, The Life of a Child. I found it at the library randomly and did a book report on it in 7th grade and I just sobbed and sobbed. Then a few years later, I had a cousin who was diagnosed with CF. I knew what was in store for my sweet cousin and her family because I had read that book. Now, every year, I do whatever I can to raise money for the foundation.

What’s one trend from the 90s you hope makes a comeback?
Tie-Dye is back!! That makes me happy. I’ve never let go of the combat boot. I love wearing my Docs. And I think that is coming back, too! But I’d love for good 90’s romantic comedies/love stories to come back. Like Ghost!!!!! I, of course, want to be in it!

Should we be on the lookout for anything new from you?
I have a book for babies and toddlers coming out in January 2022 from Skyhorse Publishing! I wrote it the day George Floyd was murdered. My son was 14 months old and sitting in a highchair and as I wept along with the rest of the world. Enraged as a new mother, I decided right then that I needed to teach my son about skin color, race, equality, and equity. I was at the time teaching him where his body parts were. His belly button, his nose, his eyes, and his toes. And so, I made up a little poem teaching him about skin color the exact same way. And he loved it. I put him down for a nap, then I wrote the book! I found an extraordinary artist named Zoi Hunter who brought my words to life in the most magical way. It was very important to me to find a female artist, as well as a Black artist, and Zoi is truly brilliant. It’s been so fun watching her put pictures to my words. And it’s been such a joy working with my editor, Nicole Frail, at Sky Pony! I just can’t wait for every parent to read it to their babies and toddlers. Systemic Racism is a huge problem in our country. So many things have to change. This book is just me doing my tiny part to help parents start the conversation about skin color with their babies. I hope parents and babies find as much joy and peace reading it as I’ve had to create it.
And…pre-order my book Everybody Has a Belly Button!

How are you staying positive during shelter in place? Has life for you gone back to normal?
YES! I am staying positive. I have my off days like anyone else, but I live off of hope as an actor, so being positive is everything to me. Life is not fully back to normal for me yet and that’s okay. I’ve been very busy working, and writing, and auditioning, and podcasting from home, as well as mothering my high-energy toddler! The first year of his life we were on a plane every month. I took him to set with me, I took him to comic cons with me. So, the break from travel was really nice. I have cherished this time home with him. But we are ready to see the world again and I’m ready to play new roles, new characters, work with new people!

What’s your motto in life?
I have a few! “Teamwork makes the dream work!” “Energy flows where attention goes!” And I remind myself weekly that thoughts of lack create more lack —and thoughts of abundance create more abundance! The law of attraction is always working and from my beloved cousin Billy Skupa who was gone too soon…. – “Don’t put limits on your fun!”

To find more about Cerina Vincent, please follow her via the below platforms:
Raising Amazing Podcast
Instagram - @cerinavincent
Twitter - @cerinavincent
Facebook - Cerina Vincent
IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898597/

Cerina Vincent: Super Mom on a Mission