From the Owner
Dear Friends,
As a teen-ager growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, I dreamed of moving to Hollywood and breaking into show business, just as thousands of other young hopefuls. I had no idea that Hollywood was a possibility for me at that age, so I began pursuing modeling and acting on a local level. I became an NFL cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons and started looking for an agent in the Atlanta market. After several years of experiencing “the run around” by spending thousands of dollars on classes and photo shoots, I finally made the connection with a “legitimate” agent that was licensed by the Screen Actors Guild. I began working as a model, actress, and dancer. After a short time, I thought I was ready for Hollywood. To make a long story short, I left my hometown to pursue my “Hollywood dream”, only to return home four months later. During my short experience in Hollywood, I realized that it was “far more difficult” to break into show business than I had ever expected. Without the “right connections” it seemed impossible to survive in Los Angeles.
When I returned to Atlanta, I formed my own group of models and entertainers who did fashion shows and celebrity imitations all over the city. Eventually, I became an agent and began experiencing the “other side” of the business. I was eventually hired to be the director of an entertainment company in San Diego, where I found myself close to Hollywood, once again. During the seven years of this experience, I learned the “ins and outs” of the entertainment industry. After meeting hundreds of kids and young adults who had no means, resources, or knowledge of how to break into the industry, I recognized the tremendous need for someone who could “connect” aspiring entertainers to “reputable” talent agents. For this reason, I decided to open my own company that would help aspiring models, actors, and performers break into the business. I wanted this new company to be operated with integrity and have employees that would actually tell people the truth, which is a virtue that is clearly lacking in show business.
I was not in the financial position to open a major corporation, but after much soul searching, I decided to step out on faith with “four credit cards and an income tax return” to open XXI Century entertainment! I was also blessed to have a few loyal friends who left their jobs to come on board.
After a few years of hard work, XXI Century entertainment became a huge success. Our talent showcases launched the careers of aspiring entertainers who now appear as “series regulars” on major network shows as well as feature films, national commercials, music videos, and print campaigns. The reputation of the XXI Century entertainment talent showcases quickly spread throughout Hollywood, so we have been fortunate to place our talent with some of the top agents and managers in the industry.
In June of 2005, XXI Century launched a co-management division with Michael Cushman, owner of Cushman Entertainment Group, MGC and Associates. Michael Cushman has over thirty years of experience in the entertainment industry and has represented many successful careers in Hollywood. We are excited to merge the two companies on the management side of the business.
In January of 2006, XXI Century entertainment kicked off a ministry in Hollywood, called Hollywood Angels. This Christian-based, entertainment ministry is designed to encourage aspiring entertainers who are facing the struggles and many temptations of Hollywood. There will be monthly prayer meetings in Hollywood lead by Pastors Mike and Kana Steinmeyer as well as other guest speakers. In the near future, we are planning community outreach projects so that the “Hollywood Angels” can make a positive impact in the Hollywood community!
When I started this venture seven years ago, I had no idea that we would launch a “management” division and an “entertainment ministry”. I started the company on “faith” alone and that’s how we operate today, one step at a time.
Although XXI Century entertainment is a Christian-based company and the Hollywood Angels is a Christian-based ministry, we welcome “people of all faiths” to participate in our events, programs, and community outreach projects.
God Bless,
Kim Perez
