To all the people that say teens are too young to know their passion, Hailey Nicole Ralston is here to prove you wrong. She knew her goals since just over two years old and is currently embarking on an exciting journey to get there, with no plans to slow down. At just the age of 17, Ralston has been in numerous films and TV series with Nickelodeon, HBO, and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Not only that, she is presently producing her own short film, The Creature, on top of her existing lineup of several creative projects. When she’s off-screen, she spends her time doing humanitarian work. A star not only with talents but with a huge heart. Check out our interview with Ralston as we go in-depth to find out more about her talents, as well as, the inspiration behind her creative and humanitarian endeavors.

Where are you based?
Charlotte, NC.

You have been in the entertainment industry since you were 2½ years old with multiple talents having dancing, voice lessons, musical theatre, and acting experience under your belt. How did being in this creative atmosphere and environment influence your development as an artist?
I think being in this industry for so long has its advantages. Starting off at a young age gave me the extra experience that I needed to succeed in this biz.

There are huge things installed for you in 2021 with films such as “The Black Phone”, “Meet the Meows” and a Nickelodeon musical series lined up. How do you prepare for all the different roles you are in?
I do lots of homework! I research my character and make a backstory for them. This makes it easier to become my character when we are filming.

You are currently producing a short film called “The Creature” where you wrote, directed, and plays one of the principal actors as Jenna. What inspired you to produce and act in this short film? Can you share with Jejune what this film talks about?
Seeing other amazing female filmmakers in the area inspired me to try and live out my filmmaker dreams. I star in the film as Jenna Kingsley alongside young actress Riley Madison Fuller as Jade. “When Jenna's younger sister, Jade, goes missing, she gets ready to face her worst nightmare, a creature that emerges at night preying on the young kids of Ridgecrest, California. On the search for her sister, Jenna bands together with her best friend, Emma. Throughout this horrifying night, the sisters must overcome their fears to battle the murderous, bloodthirsty creature who leaves a mark after each kid the creature takes.”

From “Time Girl” to “The Righteous Gemstones,” you have played many roles. How has your previous experience impacted you with producing “The Creature”?
Precious experiences on set have helped me learn the on-set terminology and how to operate a film crew and cast. This definitely helped me be more professional and knowledgeable on the set of “The Creature.”

What do you hope people get out of watching “The Creature”?
I hope that people enjoy the movie and get inspired. I want other young filmmakers to reach for the stars and push themselves as I do.

With so many diverse entertainment experiences, can you talk about your journey as a woman in the entertainment industry? Have you ever experienced gender discrimination?
I have definitely witnessed my fair share of gender and race discrimination in this biz. Fortunately, I have never been directly impacted by this. But I feel for others who have and I’m hoping my film will contribute to the positive change that we need.

Where do you see yourself in the entertainment industry in the next 10 years, and what other projects would you want to try out next?
I see myself living in LA as a full-time filmmaker and actress. I will have graduated from college and made many amazing friends in the industry. I’m hoping to make more horror films but this time, feature-length.

Jejune loves that you are a big supporter of any charities that advocate for people with special needs and has been taking part in events that help this cause. We learned that the biggest drive is from your sister who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and she is also your significant role model. Can you share with us some important lessons you have learned from her?
I have learned to be grateful for everything that I can do and be. She has taught me to be selfless and kind.

We admired that you have a strong sibling relationship with your sister. You also have a brother. Do you have a close relationship with him as well? What advice do you have for forming such a close relationship with siblings?
Yes, I do! My advice would be to take turns doing what each other likes. You may not like it but it will eventually strengthen your relationship and it can become something that you both love and bond over.

Off-screen, you actively partner with the Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. How did you get involved?
I get involved through my school. My school partners with them and we have a club. We get to hang out and go on field trips with kids and adults with special needs.

How can we raise awareness for organizations such as these and their causes, and why is it so important to do so?
You can check out their websites (link in my Instagram bio) and donate! You can also volunteer and share their posts on your social media. It is important to keep these organizations going for the sake of everyone that benefits from them.

Besides actively partnering with the Special Olympics, you have also fostered 10 kittens and 4 puppies through local shelter/groups during Covid. Can you tell us a bit about how you and your family got started fostering and why it is important to you?
We have always loved animals and I have always wanted to foster. When covid hit, we figured it was the perfect time since we had nowhere to go or nothing to do. It’s important to me because I believe that no animal should suffer and all should have amazing homes.

If our readers want to get involved with fostering, what can they do?
They can do their research on what it takes to be a full-time foster parent and then look up local rescues. That’s how my family got started!!

You are a very active person, how do you go about balancing acting/music projects, humanitarian work, studies, and family life?
This is something that I am still working on. School comes first. After that, I focus on my regular job and being with family and friends. I do acting after school and on the weekends unless I have something booked that takes up more of my time. Although I sometimes wish I could be doing the arts full time, I can’t at this age and that’s okay because I know my day will come.

How have you been staying positive during the shelter in place?
I have not been sheltered in place for a while now but I do remember staying positive by practicing my craft and preparing for when I could go out and chase my dreams again.

Lastly, what is your motto in life?
Keep your eyes on the prize and remember that every day is a second chance to be and do better.

To keep up with Hailey Nicole Ralston and all her upcoming projects, please follow her via the platforms below:
Inastgram - @officialhaileynicole
TikTok - @haileyactor

Hailey Nicole Ralston: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize