Biographie
A singer-songwriter-actress with song placements under her belt to recently becoming a recurring on prime time TV. A former star basketball player, Noelle is no stranger to sacrifice, gut-checking vulnerability, and determination. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Noelle grew up doing everything music. From choir, to piano, band, and music theory, Noelle learned at an early age how to compose full songs complete with lyrics, melodies, and vocal production. It was also during this time that she quickly became a state-known-name in basketball, earning accolades as high as Nevada State Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year. Attending college on a basketball scholarship to the top 10 ranked Old Dominion University of Norfolk, Virginia, it was there she would continue her musical aspirations. It even became a home-game tradition that before every game, Noelle would sing the national anthem in front of a sold-out crowd.
Upon graduating, Noelle ventured back to Las Vegas in hopes of making a permanent move to Los Angeles, California. She began booking her own studio time to record original material while singing in an all-male band at popular Vegas hotels The Luxor and Excalibur. The money she earned from that gig would ultimately allow her the means to move to Los Angeles.
Knowing no one in the music industry, Noelle spent her days working at Lionsgate while recording new material at night. She knew she had a niche' of memorable melodies, witty lyrics, and a voice that didn't sound like most of the music out at the time. It was one day that Judy Palone, head of TV at Lions Gate Films got a hold of a CD of Noelle, and told her she she would use one of her songs in a movie if she liked any. Judy ended up using a song called "Running Away" in the Lifetime movie "Baby For Sale." In the meantime, Noelle's sleepless nights of recording and studio networking, helped her cross the path of celebrity Los Angeles deejay, DJ Felli Fel. They're chemistry in the studio was instant, and DJ Felli Fel would start to play her music on the radio in one of the biggest markets in the world.
With her MySpace page boasting of almost a million plays, there still was the struggle every artist faces: uncertainty. Noelle seemed to be perfect artist with a distinct look and sound, but many had doubts due to her height. Standing at 6'ft tall, the industry was not sure if that would work. She was even told not to wear heels! If that wasn't enough, Noelle was already a crossover artist musically, but to most people they only saw her as an "urban" artist.
Not afraid to different, Noelle did lot let the opinions of her height get to her. She knew it was an asset that she wore well, and when performing on stage it was always something people embraced and loved. She continued writing and working with those that believed in her sound.
Noelle did manage to land an independent record deal with an indie label out of Florida that was short-lived due the label folding before it could release her project. She did get another chance with an indie label out of New York with the legendary Easy Mo B, a label that folded right after the recession started. Ready to give it all up, Noelle continued to write songs through the experiences, but knew she needed to get a job during a recession that devastated the entire country.
Friends suggested Noelle try acting, something she always thought music would lead her into. She didn't think she had a chance as her other friends were seriously pursuing it full-time. But with money being short, Noelle had to work multiple jobs, even if it was background work to pay the bills. So she got with a background agency, and started right away.
It didn't take Noelle too long to join SAG, as she saw being tall in a different industry was actually a good thing. She felt embraced by this new path, this industry that has it's own common stories of rejection making her feel accepted. Noelle then got the courage to look for her own agent, hoping someone would see her as a diamond in the rough. After submitting to more than twenty agencies, one called her back to come in and read; a modest commercial agency that said she had a good look but little experience. Still, they would submit her for roles as they came along. It would take about 3 months before Noelle would go for her first audition as a guest star on a prime time TV show, "Rules of Engagement." That same week, she had an audition for role on "House."
Channeling from her experiences as a singer on stage, Noelle tapped into the depths of being an artist. Whatever the song was, she became that subject. She would perform the song and sing a song in a way that delivered whatever she wrote and wanted to come across. Noelle was able to take that experience of being a performer, and turn that script into a song of her own. With that commitment and studying, Noelle was able to book both roles. Her first acting roles being a guest star on prime time TV, playing "Shantae" David Spade's love interest on Rules of Engagement, and "Emily" a woman House can't seem to shake. Emily would be written in for a total of 3 episodes before the HouseMD ended it's television run.
Since then, Noelle has continued to place songs in TV and film, her most recent song closing the credits of Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family." The agency Noelle was signed to also discontinued it's theatrical department, giving her the freedom to seek representation as an experienced actress.
