My True Love For Film And Acting by Lillee Jean
- Lillee Jean Trueman
- Dec 11, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 18
I have always been a girl who loves the camera, having fun, and performing. It didn't matter; I just loved to be flashy, dramatic, and be a part of something big! From an early age, I had an inherent joy in embodying characters and commanding "presence."
My love of the arts goes way back, and I am quite grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves in my path to guide me where I am today.
Every experience, from memorable school performances to producing my inaugural stop-motion film at 17 years old (written at 16 years old), meticulously paved the way to my current professional endeavors as an actress and director.
Written in 2023. For more about Lillee Jean Trueman visit: https://www.lilleejean.com/about
Early Stop Motion Film
It's widely known by now that my passion for acting and film took root at a young age. As early as eight, I was enamored by the ambition to film, direct, and produce, embarking on this journey by animating intricate stop-motion narratives featuring my American Girl dolls. It was my dream to film, direct, and produce segments - I knew this was "it", the "a-hah" moment of what made me feel SO happy, and lit up inside.
These were the exact moments I experienced an overwhelming sense of fulfillment, like an engine ignited. I recall vividly creating an ice skating competition scenario for the girls, and I even had an intense magazine competition between them, too.
They were unstoppable! Every carefully pieced-together photographic stop-motion segment, layered with my voice-over, represented a huge dive into filmmaking.
Though I had no formal film training before T. Schreiber in 2023, growing up in the digital age, being Gen Z, coupled with studying the behind-the-scenes magic of films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, provided huge insight into the process.
There was nothing my girls couldn't do. I mean, Ashley had a barbell weight-lifting comp. That was everything! Being a girl from Flushing, Queens, I have always felt inspired by my diverse environment and upbringing.
My Early On Stage Theatre Performances
Growing up, I performed in many school theatrical shows, including a show of The Nutcracker and a dance show inspired by The Wizard of Oz. It was inspiring for me to see modern dance, jazz, and storytelling through movement in the performances. I had the opportunity to learn so much, and I seized it!
Amid the sting of sixth-grade bullying, which truly chipped away at my confidence and reshaped my self-view, the theatre offered refuge—a space to reclaim my own identity through gesture. Performing a traditional Korean Fan Dance in flowing hanbok silk, or harmonizing in a Mary Poppins chorus that soared...had me savoring every pulse-racing second. These moments honed my dramatic core, teaching me that true presence isn't performed. Presence is forged in shared stories, and vision.
Photography & Beginnings
Around that time, in 5th grade onwards, my curiosity extended past simple photography...I seized my mother's BlackBerry as a portal to my future teenage-self avant-garde expression.
My original online space was full of avant-garde looks...I had an unrestricted canvas for vibrant color. I blogged extensively and felt "good" about myself. Just because I was an A+ student and was performing, it didn't erase the bullying happening in person. It still happened, and I still felt terrible. The deep artistic exploration I underwent became a powerful tool for channeling that experience into something empowering.
My first venture at a super young age, 'The Makeup Bloggers,' marked a pivotal chapter. After class, I published myself on communities like Beautylish and Sephora Beauty Boards, diligently photographing countless looks.
My English teacher was impressed and encouraged blogging, as she felt it made my writing a step up and put me on the path to being college-ready in the future.
I wasn't permitted to have a YouTube or Instagram account as my mom considered them unsafe. So, I had to get creative. I honed my visual craft and evolved my platform, known then by a distinct creative pseudonym "Thaeyeballqueen", that reflected my focus on intricate eye work. My site swiftly garnered a dedicated audience, with comments, shares, and industry recognition affirming my evolving self. At the age of 15, my St. Patrick's Day makeup look went viral on Pinterest, which was an incredible feeling. It confirmed that I was on the right path, so I thought.
My First Short Film Ever
When I was a teenager, something in me changed. Makeup wasn't enough for my creative spirit. With the encouragement of close friends, I uploaded a short film I had written at 16 years old to YouTube.
I began actively submitting myself as an actress on professional casting platforms like Backstage and Voice123. The film itself, titled Women's Makeup Throughout History, was conceived as a juxtaposition between what we think of women, vs the reality! It was an ode to women. A poignant and thought-provoking exploration.
By 17, I kept changing and changing. During that pivotal year of 2017, my understanding of my own identity deepened significantly.
"I AM NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE."
That is what felt right.
Career-wise, I thought like this: Do I want to be a makeup artist? No, I didn't at 16 years old, nor at 17 years old, want to pursue that career. This major clarity reshaped my career perspective; the world of theatre and film felt inherently real to me, and natural.
My formal education included Keystone High School, by this point, starting in 10th grade, where I took Video Development, as well as Art & Music Appreciation. The previous year, in 9th grade at Bayside High School, a Shakespeare Sonnets class had already ignited my passion for narrative, and it was all clear to me.
These classes are attributed to my full-circle moment back in film!
At 17 years old, my commitment just intensified even more.
I participated in Mandy Actor's monologue challenge at 17, performing a comedy segment from Charlie Brown (the theatre show), and put myself out there with a demo reel, and everything!
By that age, I decided to pursue acting as my career path, 100%, all the way. However, I faced a challenge as I didn't have any connections or a fortune to invest in it.
What I did was utilize the considerable audience I had cultivated over the years in the digital space, and acted upon it with new films I wrote. I saw this as a highway to realizing my cinematic dreams, and believed in myself.
Lillee Jean TALKS! Webseries
I started experimenting with web series when I was just 19 years old, and it was loads of meticulously done work! From posters, loglines, to pilots - this experience gave me a deeper understanding of how films work.
It's great to know acting, but having knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes and understanding what to look for while wearing the director's hat was invaluable. The truth is, New Media has definitely opened the door for actors and actresses alike!
Despite fully airing and branding Lillee Jean Talks at 20, 19 years old is actually when I came up with my show Lillee Jean TALKS! live.
Lillee Jean Talks was born out of casual conversations with friends. From Donny Most on Happy Days, to Lady Clegg, Neil D'Monte, Shelley Wade, Staci Layne Wilson, and Chick Allan, it was just wonderful.
There was no script, just friends talking to friends! Through this show, I was fortunate enough to have conversations with many people in the Hollywood circle.
I’ve now taken the opportunity to expand the show into Season 4, with Donny Most once more amazingly coming back on my show, Neil D’Monte awesomely back on, with new talents such as Charlie Allan, Chara Allan, John Callas, and more.
I went on from 2024 onwards to win two awards at indie film festivals for Best Webseries (Pageant Int. Film Festival 2024), and Best Podcast (Gothamite Film Festival 2024), which was super insane and amazing.
Down to the branding, everything is me. I designed the logo, the concept, the format - it’s extremely rewarding to have your friends feel comfortable on (we all know how some interviews can be, and knowing that I think I excel), and for fans to enjoy on a different level.
The Now: Acting & Training
Things such as my dramatic side, my any side, flourish so much. Acting has helped me with many obstacles, and this is why this piece is my ode to acting.
At the age of 20, I made a huge life decision to quit working for brands. I said in one statement earlier this year,
"It's important to clarify that my creative journey, from its very beginning, has always been rooted in filmmaking and artistic expression, not beauty influencing. I'm not an influencer, and I never was. What some might have perceived as 'tutorials' were, in fact, early iterations of my passion for film—a series I called 'Lillee Tutorals'—structured more like short-form visual narratives. My ambition was never to be defined as a YouTuber; that path wasn't aligned with my vision. I was branded by a media agency, trying to profit off smear campagins that turned criminal as these things. While the digital landscape can foster a unique form of engagement, it also often breeds a parasocial dynamic where connections can feel super invasive. My true calling lies within the world of acting and theater. This environment unleashes an exciting creative fire within me. Above all, I am dedicated to filmmaking.” — Lillee Jean
At 22 years old, I made a strategic commitment to my filmmaking career development. This included intensive study at the prestigious T. Schreiber Studio. There, I immersed myself in the Meisner Technique under Nick Landry and specialized in Dialects with the renowned Page Clements
As an award-winning filmmaker, my body of work fully showcases my celebrated indie productions, notably with the critically acclaimed web series Lillee Jean TALKS! Live. This series has earned accolades and features collaborations with distinguished Hollywood talents, including Donny Most, Chick Allan, John Callas, and Lady Clegg. I also, in the coming years have proudly served as director and writer for two feature films: The Trapper Trap: The Rise of Princess Glamourite and The Chorus in Our Eyes.
Now 24, having marked my birthday on April 18th, 2025, the past year has been a whirlwind of professional development. From The Chorus in Our Eyes, to The Trapper Trap: The Rise of Princess Glamourite, airing with awards globally, I truly have expanded myself.
I thank God daily for the chances I receive.
-- Official Lillee Jean Trueman --
Official Lillee Jean Trueman Websites:
Watch Official Shows by Director Lillee Jean Trueman:
Official Lillee Jean TALKS! Live Show Episodes: https://www.lilleejean.com/lj-talks-live
Official Lillee Jean So Lillo Qui Show Episodes: https://www.lilleejean.com/so-lillo-qui
The Mission is Complete, Angelique: https://www.lilleejean.com/the-mission-is-complete-angelique-film-lillee-jean
The Trapper Trap: The Rise of Princess Glamourite: https://www.lilleejean.com/the-trapper-trap-part-1-film-lillee-jean
Official Lillee Jean Trueman IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10479689/
Official Lillee Jean Trueman FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/LilleeJean_
Official Lillee Jean Trueman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilleejean
Official Lillee Jean Trueman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REALlilleejean/
Official Lillee Jean Trueman Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/lilleejean
Official Lillee Jean Trueman Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LilleeJean/
Official Lillee Jean Trueman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillee-jean-b97621215
Official Lillee Jean Trueman YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LilleeJean
Official Representation: Manager (NYC): Laura Rene Marks-Trueman: Hello@LilleeJean.com / https://www.laurarenemarkstrueman.com
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