We interview Natanya Ross about her career as an actress & mental health advocate, and her personal journey into recovery.
SUBSCRIBE to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/got-mental-health/id1650666143
FOLLOW Rachel Kove - https://instagram.com/rachelkove
Arthur Mogilevski - https://instagram.com/ajm22449
Natanya Ross is one of the most notable child actresses of the 90's
decade, most famous for her portrayal of Robyn Russo on
Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack. Ross is originally from
New York and moved out to Los Angeles at the age of 8 years old to
pursue her acting career after landing the role of Laura on the ABC
series Billy starring Billy Connelly. Ross went on to star in many
television shows with memorable appearances on ER, Beverly Hills
90210 ,Baywatch, Step by Step and Boy Meets World. Ross also
starred in films such as Little Monsters, Munchie Strikes Back, The
Babysitters Club, Bellyfruit, Showtime's Undead Express and Freaky
Friday. Ross won 2 Youth in Film awards for Best Supporting Actress
for The Secret World of Alex Mack and Best Supporting Actress for The
Babysitters Club. Ross was also nominated 3 years consecutively for
the Young Star Awards as outstanding Supporting Actress in a
television series. In her 20's Ross took many years off from her acting
career while battling substance abuse. Throughout that decade Ross
experienced rock bottom heroin addiction and a bout with
homelessness.
Now in recovery, Ross counsels others facing similar mental health
challenges helping hundreds of struggling addicts get into treatment.
Ross is currently the Director of Business Development for a Los
Angeles rehab facility and has sat as Vice President on the National
board of WAAT (Womens Association of Addiction Treatment) since
2020. In 2013 Ross founded San Fernando Valley Feed the Homeless a
non profit organization that provides meals and clothing to those living
on the streets. Most recently Ross has joined forces with the non profit
organization Hope of the Valley using her platform to fundraise money
to help get people off the street and into the shelter of a tiny home
also considered transitional housing, which is a cause very dear to her
heart.
In recovery for the past 10 years Ross currently travels the country
making appearances for her fans at meet and greets.
Ross also produced the reunion special of the 90's hit series The Secret
World of Alex Mack. As an adult now, Ross returns to the industry with
a hard hitting edge, shedding the image of her days as a child star.
Ross has been writing her autobiography throughout the last year with
an expected release date of 2023. Ross now 40 years old lives with her
fiancé and their 2 dogs and currently resides in LA.
