Zyra Gorecki

Zyra Gorecki Lighting Up The Entertainment Industry

On set of Zyra Gorecki’s shoot with us at BELLO, her positive energy radiated throughout the room and brought a bright smile to everyone’s faces. Starring in LA BREA, an exciting new series that just came out this week, the young and talented actress wows is with her hard work and dedication. At the age of 13, she had an accident that led to having her left leg amputated, altering her life completely. Despite the shock and turn in her life, Zyra remained positive and it pushed her to follow a path in which she could inspire others. Taking in all that has happened up until this point, Zyra Gorecki is a name you want to keep an eye out for!

Congratulations on your role in LA BREA! How are you feeling about the show finally coming out?

I am so stoked for La Brea to come out. Everyone has worked their butts off on this project, and I look forward to people seeing that.

Do you remember the day you got the call that you booked your role? Describe it.

We were in Florida at a Cracker Barrel, when we got the call from my agent, Debra. It seemed completely surreal that we would be filming, let alone in Australia.

What acting skills of yours were highlighted throughout the filming of the series? Others you had to work on?

I learned while acting that I have a very expressive face and my eyebrows have a mind of their own. It took a lot of concentration to reel that back in and remember that sometimes the most minute expressions speak the loudest.

Share with us your journey up until now. What do you believe you were meant to be?

My journey up until now has made me who I am. I’ve had a lot of truly amazing things happen, and some life lessons. I had a normal childhood. Then my grandpa on my mom’s side got lung cancer when I was 11. He died in April 2013, and a few months later my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. While she was fighting her cancer, my other grandpa was living with us. He had cancer and COPD. He lived with us for three years and died in 2015. I had my leg amputated when I was 13, in 2015. I decided then that I wanted to do something that would inspire other people, so I settled on a model. I sought out an agent, and Bravo Talent Management began representing me. My agent, Debra, would send me on acting auditions as well. One thing led to another and here we are. I never knew when I started all of this how much I would love what I do.

Can you share with us the experience you went through at a young age? What have you learned from it?

When I was 13, I had an accident that resulted in having my left leg amputated below the knee. It changed me as a person completely. I had watched my mom deal with cancer with such grace and acceptance. So, when I woke up without a foot, the only choice was to roll with the punches and keep looking forward. Because of what happened, I treasure moments with the people I love over everything. I laugh more because who knows when it will be the last time? I feel all my emotions to the fullest, and then move on. Life truly is too short to do things you don’t love and to be around people who don’t make your heart happy.

Was there a time where you felt like you couldn’t overcome an obstacle but did? Explain.

When I was younger, I dealt with a lot of anxiety and depression. I felt as though there was nothing beyond how horrible I felt. It was a downhill road and there was no stopping it, but my mom was the person who saved me. She would hold me when I was crying so hard it hurt. She would talk me through panic attacks. She helped me find a therapist that I love. Without her, there would be no me. But I did get a therapist and worked for a very long time to be where I am. Sometimes the anxiety and depression creep up on me, but I know I can reach out to those I love for help and remembering what I learned in therapy.

Tell us more about your activist side. What are some important topics you like to discuss and defend?

The topics most important to me are educating and bringing awareness to amputees and disability, as well as mental health. Those topics tend to be brushed under the rug and make people uncomfortable to talk about. I am an ambassador for an amazing nonprofit organization called Amputee Blade Runners. Running blades cost anywhere from $20,000-$70,000. Insurance considers them recreational, so they won’t cover them. Amputee Blade Runners provide running legs to active amputees at no cost. Essentially, they give them back the choice to be active. It’s very difficult and painful to exercise in an insurance-covered prosthetic leg. It’s about running a marathon in wooden shoes.

Share with us what your family dynamic was like growing up.

My family dynamic growing up was very close. My dad is a carpenter that builds bridges, so he worked a lot during the summer. My mom gave up her career to raise my sister and me. We had family get-togethers every single holiday with all my extended family. My family enjoys road trips as well. We have always been close to my grandparents.

Three fun facts about you.

I adore libraries. They are truly magical places. 2. One of my most prized possessions, which I share with my grandma, is my grandpa’s class ring. I rarely go out without it on. My grandma is also one of the most fascinating, strong, hilarious people you will ever meet. 3. My very first vehicle was a 2002 Chevy truck I bought from my uncle. Gosh, I love that truck.

Your next move.

I have no idea what my next move is. I think it would be fun to be in an action film, or animated film though.

TEAM CREDITS

@BELLOmag

Talent ZYRA GORECKI
Photography & Creative Direction DYLAN PERLOT @dylanperlot for Exclusive Artists
Styling AMIA SERRANO @amiaserrano
Styling Assistant VY NGUYEN @nguyenconstance
Hair TEDDI PRIOR @teddi.prior
Makeup LILLY KEYS @lilly_keys
Interview ALEXANDRA BONNET @alexbonnetwrites
Production @bellomediagroup x @maisonpriveepr_la x @alexbonnetwrites x @platformprteam