Actor, singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and a former Mr. United States pageant title holder Hollis Morrissette is a man of many talents. In his interview with Jejune, we asked him if he had a favorite passion, and his answer was self love. If you read farther into the interview you will truly understand this answer, as Hollis truly believes in giving back in any way that he can. He is a charity partner with Save the Children and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, where he helps raise funds and donates both his time and talents to each organization. As COVID restrictions begin to ease up, Hollis is hopeful to begin volunteering in person again. Right now he helps out with the LA Mission by serving food and packaging hygiene care packages for men and women, and will be volunteering with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank during the holidays. Read on in our interview with Hollis to read more about his volunteer work, the recent release of his new single “Your Love Is,” and more projects that he has in the works!

Where are you based?
I live in Los Angeles, CA.

You’re an actor, singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and a former Mr. United States pageant title holder. Clearly you are an artist of many talents. Do you have any early memories of the arts pulling at you? Do you have a favorite passion?
Yes! I love being an artist and a multitalented one at that. I’ve pretty much been involved in arts and entertainment just about all my life. I started out doing theatre when I was eight years old and pretty much stuck to it. I remember growing up watching old video footage of me and I was pretty much always a character. I wanted to keep that going so I took interest by imitating who I saw on tv. I started imitating around age five from what I can remember, but again didn’t start acting until I was eight. I have so many passions that keep me going however, my favorite passion would be self-love. I love spreading love and positivity. I really love helping people know and understand that they are more than enough and are needed on this earth. We’re all here for a reason.

Has being a former Mr. United States pageant titleholder affected your career trajectory at all?
Being a former Mr. Michigan United States, and a former pageant titleholder with the Mr. United States Organization has not affected my career at all. It’s actually helped me. Not a lot of people follow pageants but, I can say they do know about them. A lot of people (myself included), find pageants interesting, fun, hard work and a safe place for a piece of vulnerability, to say the least. I can also say, my titles (former now), usually make great conversation topics from my experience.

Photo by Haldane Morris.

You recently released a new song, “Your Love Is”. Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind this song?
Thank you for asking! “Your Love Is” is my third released single but my second released single from my upcoming EP album. When I wrote this song, I wanted people all over the world to feel loved, know they’re loved and are capable of giving love. I wanted people to feel love and that connection they have in the present moment, wherever they are in life. Whether it’s to love yourself, newly married, you’ve been married for a while and needed a reason to remember why you’ve fallen in love, or miss the old love you once had. My upcoming EP touches on that but it’s told in story form — from song to song.

You have even written a children’s book! Can you tell us about this and where we can find it?
My children’s book isn’t published as of yet. I’ve been trying to find the right literary agent so my book can be published. I’ve written three books actually and I cannot wait to share them with the world.

You clearly love kids, as you are involved in Save the Children and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. What inspired you to work with these organizations? Can you share a little bit about your work with each of them?
Yes, I do love kids and I also believe they are a huge part to our future. In 2017, I became a charity partner with Save the Children. I’ve been familiar with the organization for several years so when I was presented with the opportunity, I didn’t hesitate at all. Especially when it involves saving kids and their families. If it puts a smile on their face and I’m able to help, I’m involved. No questions asked. In 2018, I was presented the opportunity to become a charity partner with CHLA. It breaks my heart to see all of those kids in the hospital, but when I see them smiling, engaging, talking and living life beautifully one day at a time, that’s what warms my heart. Those kids fight hard every day but from what I’ve seen, they do it mostly with a smile. With Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I’m a donating partner with this organization and try to get others to donate. Most recently my time has only allowed me to safely buy stuffed animals (toys in general) and have them donated to the children in the hospital. My goal over the past two years has been to host a children’s reading day and do small arts and crafts, but unfortunately my schedule hasn’t allowed me to do that. Now with the pandemic, it’s been even harder to do so however, I’m always sending out personalized Christmas cards each year. But I refuse to let any of this stop me, and I’m trying to come up with a way to still safely read to the kids. By helping raise funds, I have my shareable link and before COVID I would attend small charity events in the Los Angeles area. These past events were typically awareness specific for example, (cancer awareness month or toys for the kids). The events were of course themed by the event organizer(s). This allowed me to network with other brands and help raise more money so the proceeds go to CHLA, Save the Children and of course other organizations. Now that things are slowly opening back up, I have been reaching out to CHLA volunteers department to get back into hands on activities or anything as close as possible. I’m trying to set up weekly or bi-weekly book reading events so I, as the guest can read, encourage and help kids know they’re more than enough. With Save the Children, I’m a monthly donator along with my own link to provide my followers information. Encouraging them to help me in supporting hungry children and families in need. I’m always keeping up to date with current information on what’s going on especially with Afghan children. Recently, I was able to help raise money to help Afghan children and their families in which we raised more than the asking minimum amount. To all that supported however they could, I’m sending a huge thank you!

Photo by Haldane Morris.

As an actor and singer/songwriter, how do you implement aspects of your career into your charity work?
I try to use my platform to help spread awareness and information that can be eye opening to as many people as possible. I’m not really that well known; so, using my platform isn’t as easy compared to those with a larger platform or following. But I don’t let that stop me because, at least, I’m using my platform for good, and it does reach a pretty decent crowd. That makes me happy.

Recently, you have also been able to help out with LA Mission by serving food and packaging hygiene care packages for men and women. How does it feel to volunteer in person again?
To volunteer in person again is pure joy. I love doing things virtually; however, there's nothing like doing things out of the kindness of your heart, and seeing people’s faces light up with joy. That’s one of the many reasons why I do what I do with volunteering. Additionally, the holidays are approaching; so, helping out during this time is also fun.

Next up, you will be volunteering with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank by distributing food during the holidays. Could this be your next holiday tradition? Can you tell us a bit about how this works?
I would love to make this a holiday tradition or any tradition honestly. Growing up my family has done a lot of charity work and traveled around the world to build libraries in other countries, for example. Their excellent acts of charity service became yearly traditions growing up, and I wouldn’t mind helping to distribute food, clothing or anything during the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas are magical times of the year and should be filled with togetherness. In terms of how this works, I’m signed up with a profile with Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. You have to do this orientation first however, it’s pretty simple and fun. Once that orientation is complete, I can log into my profile and choose the type of charity work I’d like to do and the location based on what they’re offering. For example, I’d log into my profile and see the organization needs volunteer food servers for Thanksgiving, in West Hollywood between the hours of 2pm- 5pm. If the slot for volunteers hasn’t filled up, then I just accept the location and help out. It’s a pretty simple way of finding volunteer locations.

Do you have any special memories you would like to share from your time as a volunteer with any of these organizations?
I have so many memories. I’ll say with Save the Children, I have the most memories. I’ve been with them for quite a while now and I just enjoy talking to some of the ambassadors and seeing on tv and social media the smiles these children hold. To be a part of that is amazing, and to hold memories in a world of uncertainty, these children will no matter what be taken care of. I love that. Sometimes, the kids from different areas send me little gifts or cards and stuff. I love that they know I’m one of many that’s here for them.

On top of your charity work, you are also a generous donator. Why is it important to you to give back? How would you like to see others get more involved?
It’s important that I give back, because that’s what I grew up watching my family do. If you have it, then give back in any way you can. That could be money, time, books, conversation, you name it. I just love giving back. I just feel it’s the right thing to do. I would love to see more people getting involved and to realize that giving back can be, in any way you can, be positive. If I could see more people reading to kids and doing arts and crafts etc. That would be amazing!

Has COVID-19 affected any of the charities that you work with, and is there anything others can do to help?
It certainly has affected some of the charities. For example, going into CHLA to visit with the children was stopped for a while. That hurts, but I know I’ll be able to go in soon, and do all kinds of activities with them. The only thing I can think of in regards to people helping, would be to wear a mask and just be safe. That way we can move forward in life happily.

How are you staying positive during the current wave of the pandemic? Are you almost back to normal?
I’m just remembering that God is in control at all times. I keep my mask on when I’m out, and just do my best to stay safe. At home, I’m always creating and working on my music. Auditioning, being with my dog, working out, cooking and a number of other things. I pretty much keep myself busy. I will say meditation, eucalyptus aroma oil with a diffuser, and green tea help a lot. Those help me start my transition into positive thinking. In terms of back to normal. Well, I’ll just say I’ve accepted where we are in this world, and I’m always ready to move forward making our world a better one.

Do you have any future projects coming up that you would like to share?
I do have some projects coming up that I’m super excited about. I cannot say at the moment, but once I have the okay, I’ll be happy to share. In the meantime, just get ready for my EP album! It’s almost finished, but that does take time.

What is your motto in life?
My motto in life is to “remain keeping your face towards the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.” This is a quote by American poet Walt Whitman. This quote has also been said in many similar ways by others as well. I just believe in being optimistic. Always focusing on what's in front of you instead of behind. What’s behind you has already passed, and what’s in front of you has yet to come.

Please learn more about Hollis Morrissette through the links below:
https://hollismorrissette.com
Instagram: @thehollismorrissette
Twitter: @thehollism

Hollis Morrissette, Formerly Mr. Michigan United States, is Now Mr. Self Love