We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlize Diaz de Leon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlize below.
Hi Charlize, thanks for joining us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
In order to pursue acting you have to be willing to invest your time and money. Time to go to acting class, film auditions, play the waiting game after an audition, etc. Money on acting classes, headshots, etc. In order to be the best version of yourself in these auditions you have to invest. It is a complete risk, but if you love it enough it is alls so worth it.
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 have been acting since I was six. I remember growing up and being so fascinated by Movies and Television. Besides putting on surprise performances for my family, I actually got my start on the stage with a Musical at a Local Theater in Arizona. I also sing, so musicals have always had a big piece of my heart. I moved to Los Angeles when I was in the 3rd grade to really test out the waters of this career field. Side note, I seriously have the best parents in the world for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. It was not easy. I was never the kid that was constantly booking but I had a fire in me that was never put out. After six discombobulated years, my parents decided I needed to move back to Arizona to be a “normal kid.” Being in LA as a child actor is anything but normal. During this time back home I really studied my craft, worked on a few shorts as well as a play. I never fell out of love with acting when I left LA, but felt like I fell in love all over again when I went back home. If anything going back to Arizona sparked the flame even bigger then before. I worked 3 jobs to be able to save up enough money to move myself to LA to continue pursuing my passion. I moved back to LA in January of this year, it was the biggest and best risk I’ve ever taken.
I’ve said this before and I mean it, storytelling is one of the most spectacular gifts the world has to offer. I am so lucky to have acting in my life. Acting means everything to me.
I would also love to take a moment to acknowledge the current Strike going on in our Entertainment Industry. First off, I am actually not yet apart of the Union, I am SAG-AFTRA Eligible. I think every actors goal is to one day be lucky enough to have that SAG-Aftra card, at least it has always been for me. Most working SAG-AFTRA members are way beneath the threshold they need to meet to qualify for health insurance. Also as an actress we would be no where without writers, who are also currently on strike. Unions deserve fair wages and contracts. I stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA, and WGA. If you are able to donate to The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and WGA to help support all those currently affected by the strike I urge you to do so, if not please join a picket, and post on social media.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
It’s not necessarily a specific lesson but it’s about forgetting the past and starting fresh. I feel like my entire adult journey in LA; although still just getting started; has already taught me so much. When I moved to LA earlier this year I realized how much I was still living in the idea of what the industry was like when I was a child. I had been carrying around all this built up resentment, sadness, and confusion about why I did not have HUGE success when I was younger. It was not until someone had pointed out how much I kept bringing up past things and putting myself down that I realized what I was doing. The only person that will get in your way is yourself, and I was my own worse enemy. By putting that negativity out into the world I was fully obstructing any doors that were coming my way. I decided to completely pivot my mindset and started telling myself everyday, “everything happens for a reason, and the next opportunity is one knock away.” Looking at life like this has completely changed the game for me.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Truthfully I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I get to do what I love. I am genuinely the happiest I have ever been when I step on a set. The atmosphere, the community, the stories that get to be told, everything about these experiences are so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3949804/
- Instagram: @charlizediazdeleon
- Other: https://sagaftra.foundation
Image Credits
Kenneth Dolin