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Young & talented: 16-year-old taking runway to global success

DJ, actor, artist, model, musician, dancer. At just 16 years old, Isabella Tancredi has already garnered the title of a young renaissance woman. She is mature beyond her years — an old soul if you will — and on top of also being smart, funny, humble, beautiful and uber talented, Isabella, exudes a joy for life that is contagious.

Whether she’s walking down a runway for a fashion show, showcasing her acting skills on a film set, or spinning behind the DJ booth with her iconic headphones resting on her strawberry blonde locks, Isabella’s work ethic is impressive … and has been noticed.

Just recently, Isabella received the wonderful news that she was signed to Modelco Vancouver Management, an international TV, film and modeling agency based in Canada. She also is represented by Del Corral, a TV and film acting agency in New Orleans.

In the fall, she received a New Orleans “Gambit” 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes some of the “brightest and most innovative young people” in a range of areas, including healthcare, literature, education, art, law and more.

Last year, Isabella wrapped up shooting for the film “Impact Earth” with famous actor Tom Berenger.

She also is gaining significant momentum as “DJ Bella” with gigs booked from New Orleans to Florida.

Of all the artistic realms Isabella channels, music is her passion. She started dabbling in the music scene at 13 years old after Nicolle Miller, 30, also known as DJ Nikky Stylz, took her under her wing and began teaching her everything she knew about the craft. At times, Bella would assist Miller for sets at the Beau Rivage pool, and would even provide song recommendations because Miller says her student was “extremely good at music forecasting.”

“She was listening to European radio stations and knew about songs before I did,” Miller says. “I was so spoiled with her as a student. She knew beats, measures, counts, and I didn’t have to take any steps back with her because she was already there musically. I would be proud to take her anywhere — any stage in the country and have her spin.”

Isabella says she is very grateful for her time with Miller and she’ll never forget the moment at the Beau Rivage pool when she saw a chilled crowd awaken with excitement from one of her suggested songs. She was hooked by their reaction and by the power of music.

“Nicolle taught me everything I know, and I loved it so much that I started to buy my own equipment,” Isabella says. “It’s out of the box. I’ve always been interested in technology and I love the combination of making a new song with two different songs. It’s an art.”

She has studied styles of other artists in the trade as well. Another mentor is Walter Pennington, 29, also known as DJ Hyphee. He is a well-known DJ and music producer on the Gulf Coast and is impressed with Bella’s talent.

“She has a sense of style and a will to learn that many deejays don’t possess,” Pennington says. “Bella is a great talent in this industry for all the right reasons — the love of the music.”

Next to music, modeling also has captivated Isabella. Last year, she tried out for New Orleans Fashion Week and was selected as a model, which also led her to Tieler James, a 15-year-old designer and a winner of Lifetime’s “Project Runway: Threads.”

Since meeting, Isabella has modeled the young designer’s line at Pensacola Fashion Week and in Vancouver, Canada.

At age 4, Isabella “wouldn’t have a conversation with you, but she was

constantly singing and performing,” her mother says.

“The runway is an adrenaline rush,” she says. “The excitement, rush of people, putting on the clothes and makeup, the faced-paced movement — there’s some kind of energy that’s there. I just love every bit of it!”

However, above all the excitement, glitz and glamour, and continuous doors of opportunity opening, Bella says she is happiest when she is with her family.

She resides in Biloxi with her mom, dad and 4-year-old sister, Yvie Jane, who wants to be just like her older sister. When asked what she likes most about Isabella, Yvie smiles and simply says, “That she loves me.” And of course, their penchant for watching Disney movies together also greatly strengthens the sisters’ bond.

Their mom is Tanya Tancredi, owner of Tanya Tancredi Salon in Gulfport. When Isabella was a little girl, Tanya says she didn’t speak for a long time, and instead, chose to express herself through a more artistic means.

“She wouldn’t have a conversation with you, but she was constantly singing and performing,” Tanya says. “I love all the 40s music and would play it all the time, so she would sing Etta James, Billie Holiday, and sing, ‘Hey, Big Spender.’ It was hilarious!”

Isabella had a grand imagination and loved to play dress-up, too. When Tanya would ask about a particular outfit, her precocious daughter replied, “Mommy, I’m making movies in my head.”

Speech therapists said Isabella was just fine and would talk when it was her time. In kindergarten, she started to come out of her shell, and the snowball effect of creativity has produced a sparkling, humble gem steadily making her mark.

Isabella is a 10th-grader at Biloxi High School and her favorite subject is Spanish. College is definitely on the radar and she is considering a major in music production or international business.

Balancing auditions, music gigs and modeling demands a very disciplined and organized lifestyle. She equates sharpening her talents to how a baseball player practices every day for the game he loves. Every day after school, she practices and then does her homework.

Her advice to other young dreamers stems from her own work ethic: “If you love something so much, work hard for it — show your love by working hard at it. Dedicate yourself to what your love and do the best that you can.”

Tanya is very proud of Isabella and has greatly enjoyed watching her daughter blossom into a young woman with a bright future ahead.

“I like to see my kids happy, safe and involved,” Tanya says. “Isabella is so kindhearted, so generous, loving and giving to other people. I hope God is good to her — she has a lot to offer.”