We were lucky to catch up with Paulina De La Parra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paulina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I was born in Mexico City, everyone in my family was in business but somehow since very young (around 4 or 5 years old) I always found myself completely mesmerized by art wether was painting dancing or singing. I grew up with multiple art classes and like every kid had dreams of becoming an artist. little did my family knew that I wouldn’t change my mind from then on. At 13 I began to look for auditions online, I had no idea how the industry worked, where do you submit your auditions, what companies but my hunger for acting and singing led me to this FB group for auditions and found this casting noticed that read “Vive un Nuevo Musical” casting call; I rapidly prepared myself without knowing how would I get there or if it was even real, My mom was and has always been my number one supporter and so she came with me to the audition and after several callbacks and immense lines of people I finally got offered one of the lead roles in the show. I always think of how my much that project brought to my life, not only I discovered at a very young age the power of going after your dreams without knowing how you will accomplish them carrying fear and doubt but doing it anyways but also feeling in my gut that that was just the beginning of something greater than MYSELF.

I’m currently based in the USA doing theatre, acting and singing in NYC and been blessed to perform at incredibly known places like 54′ Below, Tony award winning theaters and wonderful people in the industry and as my career continues to grow I always keep my 13 year old girl that goes after her dreams no matter how hard or imposible they seem.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an Actress, singer and Writer born and RAISED in Mexico City now based in NYC.

I started my carrer at a very young age in Mexico city where I did professional shows in leading roles such as: Sophie in “Mamma Mia!”, Eponine in “Les Miserables”, Velma Kelly in “CHICAGO”, Belle in “beauty and the beast as well as Vivian in “Leglly blonde the concert” in the Metropolitan Theatre in Mexico City. I always wanted to be where i am today and now I’m based in Nyc where I continue my career and intend to portray Latinas in a positive light through my art.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There is a great responsibility of being an artist.

You would think that being an actor is all about the glamour, lights and fame; well it turns out it’s about connecting with people, with community and with everything that makes us human. Being an actor and talk about healing and my human experience through theatre, song and writing it’s tremendously humbling and all I ever want and consider successful is if ONE single person that has seen my work can feel represented, HEALED or listened to.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since I started my career in Mexico City at a very young age I knew I had a good structure to continue a successful career in Mx however I had a pivotal point during Middle School and Highs School where I wanted to expand Internationally. I didn’t know how or when but I felt deep inside the urge to reach to more people to communicate and tell stories not only in Mexico but beyond. I did do professional theatre since 13 but never had formal acting training as so it was very important to me to continue to learn my craft, telling stories through art has an immense power and so I wanted to be as prepared as I could. I started looking for acting schools in NYC to attend after High School and finally got admitted to New York Film Academy for their Musical Theatre conservatory, I had no idea how to support myself and how to pay the school and it was then when I was awarded the Talent scholarship to attend. I could have been comfortable in staying in a country where I was born where all my friends and family are and where I know the language and industry well, but for BETTER or for worse I followed my instincts.

After graduating from New York Film Academy I felt another urge to keep expanding my craft. Once again I was challenged by my instincts to drop it all and continue working as every graduate does but I needed more acting training and so I started my second NYC Conservatory at “Stella Adler Studio of Acting” and once more I was taught of the importance of following your gut and holding on to whats true to you even if it means going against traditional paths and routes.

I now have and extremely difficult work visa to get in the USA, it’s called “O-1 Visa for extraordinary ability in the arts”.

The years I’ve spent in here have been the most challenging, difficult but fulfilling years of my entire life. NYC is a hard and expensive city they always say “If you don’t keep up this city swallows you whole” but with all the hardships, the change of routes and uncertainty not only about the Industry but of being young and international in the USA have GIVEN me the strength, fuel and my love for this craft instead of keeping me from following this beautiful and unconventional path with enthusiasm and energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paulinadelaparra.us/
• Instagram: @paulina.de.la.parra
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pau.sandoval.58
• Twitter: @pau_sandoval2
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7D9DJMJ0SKQ5RL3-Mo9gog