THOUGH she is American, aspiring actress Natalia Chamberlain says having a Jamaican parent kept her in touch with her Caribbean roots. Indeed, some of her biggest influences, like Nia Long and Naomi Campbell, have Caribbean heritage.

“I grew up in the culture, the music, art and the language. And to be part of my projects would be a dream come true for me because I see myself establishing my JAmerica brand,” the 19-year-old said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Chamberlain, who goes by the moniker NatC, made her acting debut in Malice, an independent film produced by her school, the Hartford Community College. That project has aired on YouTube.

She hopes to gradually make her way up the ladder by developing her acting chops in diverse mediums including music videos and television commercials in the United States and Jamaica.

Born in Maryland, Chamberlain is a graduate of the John Casablancas School of Modeling and Art which has a reputation for producing talented actors and models, including Ondria Hardin (Teen Vogue), Amy Hixson (Victoria’s Secret, Vogue) and Sunny Suljic, who has appeared in Criminal Minds. She is determined to make similar strides.

“In five years, I hope to be signed to a major network doing commercials, TV, print, movies, and hopefully some Jamaican music videos,” she said.

That station, founded in 2011, covers a variety of Afro-centric issues and entertainment in the US, Africa and the Caribbean.