Carmela Zumbado discusses her first-ever film role in Need for Speed during an appearance on The Crew Has It Podcast. Courtesy of Starz
Carmela Zumbado, like many young performers, was grinding through auditions and cities before becoming known for her compelling work on Power Book IV: Force. Zumbado spoke about the moment that made her feel like she had truly reached her potential in the industry during a recent appearance on The Crew Has It Podcast.
Racing Into Hollywood With Need for Speed
Zumbado mentioned that her initial booking in Atlanta was a minor role in the huge studio film Need for Speed. She played a race car driver and found herself behind the wheel of a Porsche 944, racing against none other than Aaron Paul. Despite the lack of dialogue, the role still required a full audition process, and she remembers it vividly.
The fact that she had to audition for a real role made it feel legitimate and hard-earned, especially given the scale of the production. Zumbado didn’t care about having just one line or possibly none at all. The experience of being cast in a major film so early on was surreal and affirming.
Making the Trailer, Even If the Scenes Didn’t Make the Cut
Despite having many of her scenes cut from the beginning of the film, Zumbado still achieved a major triumph: she was featured in the film’s trailer.
She remembered a moment when the camera caught her giving a bold, confident look while sitting in her Porsche, an image that remained even after much of her screen time was removed. Another emotional dimension was added to the experience by watching the movie in theaters with her mother. Even though the final cut was different from what she expected, the pride she felt remained intact.
“I Was in a Movie”: A Career-Defining Mindset Shift
As she looks back almost 15 years later, Zumbado recounted how that small role became something much larger in her mind. It served as proof. Evidence that she is capable of booking studio films. Evidence that she participated in the discussion.
When she relocated to Los Angeles, she carried that credit as a badge of honor. Whether or not she secured her next role, she had already reached a mental finish line. She had been in a movie, and that alone made everything else feel like a bonus.
According to her, that mindset fueled her perseverance. Anything that happened after Need for Speed was not a burden; it was a bonus.
From First Audition to Power Book IV: Force
Zumbado’s story reminds us that careers aren’t built solely on leading roles or overnight success. The small victories can be what keep artists going. From racing cars in Atlanta to commanding the screen in Power Book IV: Force, Carmela Zumbado’s journey reflects the power of momentum, pride, and the belief that one moment, no matter how small, can change everything.
About the Author
[[Anthony L. McKnight II]] also known as Krispy was Born in Rochester, NY attending the “School Of The Arts” Class of 2009. He graduated with a Regents Arts diploma while studying Creative Writing and other arts. He recently became the founder of the Los Angeles Lakers Fan Club on Clubhouse. His club has hosted several celebrity interviews inside the fan club, from names such as Robert Horry, Gloria James, Mark Medina, Jovan Buha. His favorite hobby is spending a day out in nature, favorite sports basketball & football.
