Wantagh native Michelle DeBellis always knew she would find herself in Hollywood one day. Fast forward 27 years and one can find her enjoying the California sun as a television producer. But a move from the east coast to the west coast took more than a dream and some sunblock. For DeBellis, it took hard work, perseverance and a confident dose of her independence.
Upon graduating from Levittown’s MacArthur High School in 2005, DeBellis enrolled in Western New England University (WNEC) in Springfield, MA. An avid lacrosse player, DeBellis was also a theatre junkie and was always passionate about performing.
“Lacrosse was an easy way to go to college and I knew it could help me financially,” said DeBellis, who earned a scholarship to WNEC. “I studied TV production and broadcasting because I always wanted to be in that industry.”
After graduation, DeBellis headed back home to New York where she worked for a production company.
“I graduated in 2009 and that was when everything went downhill. Fortunately for me, I ran into the right people and ended up working for a private reality TV production company,” said DeBellis of her time creating shows with producers. “As a kid I always loved the spotlight and performing, but I especially loved American Idol because it was such a revolutionary show; it brought the whole voting aspect to reality TV.”
DeBellis American Idol dream became a fast reality when she was recruited in a bar to hop on a plane and fly out to LA.
“I was a bartender in Roslyn and I was telling a man what a fan I was of the show, when he turned around and told me that he was a producer for American Idol,” said DeBellis.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Since Idol flies the final contestants to New York, DeBellis was able to meet her potential boss after securing an interview. Three days later, she packed her bags for LA.
“I came out here with two suitcases of clothes,” said DeBellis, who has lived in Echo Park for the past four years, which she calls the Williamsburg of LA. “I was lucky to move out here with a job lined up and I worked on the 2011-12 American Idol Season 11 as a talent coordinator.”
DeBellis considers herself very lucky to live on Long Island, a train ride away from Manhattan and to have attended a great school like MacArthur High School. As she was packing, she discovered an old journal that said by 2011, she would live in Los Angeles.
“I had always wanted to live in LA and to be part of that fast paced life. Working on live TV was always the ultimate goal for me,” she said. “It was everything that I expected: crazy, full-time super long hours. It was such an amazing learning experience for me because it was Hollywood 101.”
As for her favorite part about working in show business, DeBellis said it’s the opportunity to work multiple jobs and meet new people.
“Everyone—the crews, directors and photographers—all come together and works together as a team. You make great connections and it’s a community,” she said.
After working on American Idol for a year, DeBellis moved on to several smaller projects, before finding a home on the hit ABC show Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) as a freelance story producer.
“DWTS is amazing because it’s like a family. The cast and the pros have been on it forever. It’s a live shoot and the pressure is on,” said DeBellis, who is responsible for producing the story packages before each dancer dances. “I talk to the dancer and celebrity and also help film. I follow them for hours during rehearsal both on and off camera for the week and if they flirt, kiss, get hurt, whatever it is, it’s my job to capture that.”
DeBellis loves meeting the celebrities and dancers, but not for the reason of adding to her celebrity meet and greet roster. She enjoys developing relationships with them and seeing their true colors.
“You just want to make them feel comfortable,” she said. “The live shows are fun because you have to pull the contestants and ask the how they’re feeling right away, that’s the rawest emotion but it’s challenging because they don’t want a camera in their face at that moment.”
As living proof that big time dreams do come true, DeBellis encourages others like her to take hold of the endless opportunities today. The Long Island native plans to stay in California and hopes to become a TV personality.
“We can teach ourselves anything and kids need to realize that. Sit down and map it out, what you want to do and go for it,” she said, “There’s endless forms of help. Don’t let anyone hold you back and don’t be afraid to fail because so many successful people have failed.”
