Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elíseo Equihua. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elíseo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

For me the biggest risk I ever took was to follow the great ambition within me to follow my dreams. I come from a very low sector of society. Born and raised in East L.A. I am the first born son of immigrants from Mexico. Who on the weekends and on holidays would street vend to make ends meet. On Sundays especially we raised funds for the non profit organization my parents started.

Going after a non conventional career path is something most people look down upon in my community. Job stability and settling down by your mid twenties is the correct path in most people of color households. I just knew that wasn’t the case for me. I could never see myself behind a desk or working for someone else my whole life.

Working with my parents on the weekends selling food or flower arrangements on the curb really showed me how to have a great work ethic. You constantly have to be on your toes and reach out for opportunities. And if there aren’t any opportunities then you create them yourself.

For me it all started in the beginning of the pandemic. I moved back to my family home in East L.A. at the insistence of my mother. I was living in downtown LA at the time and was loving it pre pandemic.
I moved back at the perfect time because around that time both my parents health took a dramatic turn and I turned into their caregiver to help them recover and thrive.

That time was so hard for me. I was taking care of both sick parents and I was trying to keep my health in order as well.
I spent many nights in my backyard alone when my parents were asleep by a fire reflecting on everything and reminiscing on the good times. I cried a lot and I think it was good to do so. I let out so much and everything was put into perspective for me. I saw things in a whole new light.

I started to look at creativity as an outlet, not just something I did to kill time. I started to find a deeper love for it all. Also to show people from the hood that you can have more. There is so much more out there for us if we have the guts to go after it and come out on top of the trials and tribulations.

From the moment I get an idea on how to use my brown body as a form of expression to seeing it to fruition.
Once I did that, taking the risk to live a freelance creative lifestyle really flourished for me.

I went from being a newcomer to the scene to modeling in more than 15 campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein, Fenty Beauty, Savage Fenty, Adidas, Doc Martens and Spotify to name a few. All within my first year of really listening to the great ambition within me. That relentless voice that propelled me forward in good faith. That success led me to get signed with JAG Models in New York.

I’m stepping into a new horizon and I am so excited for my future.

Statistically speaking I wasn’t supposed to rise to so much. I’m a person of color from a very low sector of society. Add onto that all the trauma that comes from humble beginnings in the household. Ive had a life most people wouldn’t believe is true they’d think im saying things for publicity. but it is my truth. In retrospect, I am proud of it. In this day and age where sharing your authentic story can help others to see more for themselves. I think that’s why were here. To learn and to be of service.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am Elíseo Equihua a first-generation, Chicano artist, activist, model, actor and DJ from East Los Angeles. I use my own brown body to break norms and conquer prejudice.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Doing the work. Say it with me, Preparation. Preparation. Preparation!

I find the reward in working on an idea and seeing it to fruition.

whether its big or small, I created it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think people who are not creatively inclined might find some difficulty in resonating with me or my story thinking it might be a fairytale. But I challenge them to see it in a deeper meaning. Im someone who really just followed that voice inside of them to live a life an authentic life to me. Not for nobody else but myself. I made decisions for my life and my career in good faith based upon the things that spoke to me. I challenge anyone who might be struggling with a sense of direction in life to do the same and stay strong under pressure and watch yourself flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://models.com/models/eliseo-equihua
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliseoequihua/