When life threw Pauline Sala some of its toughest challenges, she found an unexpected source of strength and community at the Venice Beach Skate Park. What began as a way to cope with loneliness, soon launched her into the worlds of modeling and acting, thanks in part to her unique presence and resilience.
Through her journey, Sala has succeeded on Casting Networks, landing major gigs with brands like Target and Coca-Cola by leveraging her skateboarding skills, building a strong portfolio and embracing every opportunity with authenticity.
In this inspiring interview, she shares how she turned adversity into an opportunity, offers her tips for breaking into the industry and emphasizes the importance of never giving up.
Insights From Pauline Sala
- Build a strong, authentic portfolio that highlights your unique skills and experiences, and keep it updated on casting platforms.
- Take acting classes to broaden your skill set, boost your confidence, and make yourself more versatile for diverse roles.
- Embrace rejection as part of the process and persistently pursue opportunities, knowing that perseverance leads to breakthroughs.
How did you get into skateboarding, and what drew you in?
It was during the pandemic in 2021. I was going through a lot. I’m originally from France, and I couldn’t travel back home.
I was very alone. I had just moved to LA, was going through a breakup and my grandma passed away. I couldn’t go to the funeral. I was really sad and thinking, “What am I going to do with my life?” At this point, I was still going to acting school. That was the only thing I had going on.
I went to the Venice Beach Skate Park at some point. I felt called to go there for some reason. I was watching people skate. Eventually, I picked up skateboarding, and I fell in love.
You mentioned that you were scouted for modeling at a skate park. What was that moment? Did you see that coming? How did that whole thing work out?
I did not [see that coming] because I’m short. I’m 5′ 3″, so I never knew I could be a model and do that for a living. I always thought that I needed to be tall to be a model.
I was skateboarding when a casting director approached me and asked for my email, and they booked me. I got booked for Gymshark and then for a job with 47 Brand.
I felt excited. I also felt imposter syndrome because I thought, “Why me, and why not other girls who are pretty, know how to skate, and are giving off awesome vibes?” But it happened.
Did that happen early on when you were learning how to skateboard, or was it after you had already learned the ropes?
It happened a couple of months into my skateboarding journey.
Wow. That’s quick.
I know. It was crazy.
How did you decide to pursue modeling after that? Was it a tough decision, or did it feel natural?
It felt natural because I had originally moved to LA to go to acting school. I grew up interested in theater, and I realized how challenging it is to be in the industry. A lot of people want to be actors, especially in LA.
I didn’t know what I was going to do because I was thinking, “Damn, how am I going to get into this industry that I love?” Then I got into modeling and eventually started doing commercials and stuff, and I fell in love with it. It came naturally to me for some reason.
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How did you first hear about Casting Networks?
I started using Casting Networks last year and began working on it full time. I discovered it on my own.
I researched the best casting websites and tried several of them. Casting Networks was the one that I fell in love with, and that is giving me many amazing opportunities.
That’s awesome. What was the thing that finally got you to sign up and start submitting? Was there a role in particular that stood out to you?
It was all the different casting calls for different roles. I love the diversity and how there are different things for different clients. I was also interested in other things, and I love how Casting Networks is updated daily with new roles.
I love how easy it is to post things and upload my pictures on Casting Networks. I fell in love with it because it’s clean, and it’s super easy for me to read through roles and not be overwhelmed.
Can you walk us through the process of submitting for the Target commercial? Did you have to film a self tape, or was it based on photos or a reel?
Oh yeah, the SW/CH Board! I submitted myself because they were looking for a skateboarder that looked young. I was 24 at the time. I’m 25, but I look very young. My age range varies from 16 or younger to my age. I submitted clips of me skateboarding. I saw the role and said, “This sounds awesome.”
I had kind of forgotten about it, and then I heard back a couple of weeks later. I didn’t even remember what it was for, and then I showed up on set. I was like, “Wait, this is awesome! Now I remember!”
I met a lot of cool people on set. It was awesome. I didn’t know it was going to be at Target and on the Target website and everything.
What was your reaction when you found out that you booked it? Were you pleasantly surprised?
I was super stoked and, honestly, felt like this was what I wanted to do. Eventually, I started booking way more and for even bigger clients.
I booked a Coca-Cola commercial with Casting Networks in December. That one was insane. I’ve ridden bikes before, so I thought, “Yeah, I can ride a bike.” Turns out I had to ride a BMX on set, which was super fun.
Tell me more about your day on the set for the Target commercial for SW/CH Board. What stood out to you the most?
That one was really fun because I knew one of the talents. He’s a little kid and an awesome skateboarder that I’ve seen at my local skate park. It was fun to work with him.
I was working with other talented skateboarders, too. It was fun to be on set, skateboard and learn.
The client was there, too. He was telling us about how he came up with the idea of the skateboard that allows you to switch different trucks, which is awesome.
I had to show up early on set because they wanted to take shots of my hands beforehand, showing how you put on the trucks. It was a really fun day.
The team and the crew were amazing. They were following us on roller skates as we were skateboarding. It was insane. The camera guy had his camera, and he was roller skating behind us while we were skateboarding.
Awesome. Tell me about the Coca-Cola commercial.
Coca-Cola was a dream come true. It was an “I made it” moment because we shot at the Universal Studios lot. I showed up and was like, “Wait, what?”
I had my own trailer on set, right by where they have the Jaws ride when you do the studio tour. It was really, really fun. We shot on Wisteria Lane, where they filmed Desperate Housewives. I love that show.
I was starstruck, like, “Whoa, this is my life right now.” I was working with John C. Reilly’s kids.
What do you think helped you stand out and succeed on Casting Networks? Especially if someone is new to modeling.
I think I was very lucky because I got scouted and had that experience. I feel like it really helps to have a good portfolio and a little bit of experience to book roles. I was very lucky with that because I got started where I already had done a job. I was able to find that on Casting Networks and put my pictures from that [onto my profile].
Also, a lot of times, people would take pictures of me without really asking, and then give me the pictures. They’re genuinely good pictures that were taken without my knowledge at first. Maybe my pictures helped.
I also had experience in acting. I went to acting school for 10 years. I was trying to study and did improv. Maybe that helped a little bit as well.
Do you have any tips for other skateboarders, athletes or extreme sports people who might want to break into acting or commercials?
Taking acting classes is very important. It’s a way to learn about acting, and also makes you realize that not a lot of [skateboarders or athletes have both sets of skills]. They’re shy, and they’re scared about what other people think of [them], but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. You will have to do things like eating on set, and then sitting out in front of 30 people on set.
It’s not a big deal to do things that are weird or kind of embarrassing, because they’re not. It’s really fun. Be confident and not afraid to be yourself 100%. That’s how you stand out.
I will never get tired of that feeling of my friends telling me that they saw my commercial on their Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and even on TV. It makes my day.
With Coca-Cola, a lot of people told me they saw me on Amazon Prime while they were watching something.
My parents are in France, and they actually saw me [on TV]. I was in a music video for Sia and David Guetta’s new song, and they were like, “Hey, we saw you on TV!” I was like, “What?”
To me, it’s surreal because I remember when I was little, it was my dream to be in my position now. I’m very grateful.
What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned so far in your journey from skate park to set?
Part of the industry and part of doing what we do is hearing a lot of “no”s. It’s okay to be rejected because then all the “yeses” will be so worth it at the end of the day. My biggest lesson was to keep pushing and not take “no” as a final answer.
When you’re skateboarding, you’re going to fall a lot. It’s part of skateboarding — and yes, it’s going to hurt — but you keep getting back up and trying again because it’s worth it. It’s all about having fun and trying again.
What would be a dream brand that you hope to work with?
I’ve been a fan of Disney since I was little. Anything that has to do with Disney would be a blessing. The theme park or show would be amazing, or even a model for their merch. Anything with Disney, I would be so happy.
Any last words of advice for your peers?
Never give up. It is tough out there, but I think that whenever you have a dream in your heart, and you feel that it’s meant to be, you have to work hard and persevere and not take “no” for an answer.
If you get a “no,” don’t give up. [It’s] okay. It’s part of the industry, because one “yes” is going to be worth it.
Final Takeaways
Pauline Sala’s inspiring journey from feeling lost at the Venice Beach Skate Park to starring in major commercials shows that resilience and authenticity can open unexpected doors. By turning challenges into opportunities and always staying true to herself, she’s built a career she once only dreamed about. Here’s a quick recap of her story:
- Pauline discovered skateboarding at a low point in her life and found community and confidence at the skate park.
- She was scouted for modeling while skateboarding, which led to commercial work for brands like Target and Coca-Cola.
- Using Casting Networks and a strong, authentic portfolio helped her land major gigs.
- Acting classes and embracing new skills made her stand out, especially as an athlete and performer.
- Her biggest lesson: never give up, and treat rejection as a stepping stone, not a roadblock.
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