Today we’d like to introduce you to Darina Eid

Hi Darina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I started as a child who could not sit still. Ever. Before the age of 5, my favorite part of the day was coming home from school and dancing in our toy room with my sisters for 4-5 hours straight, playing pretend, of course. Little did I know that I would still, quite literally, be doing that today—though a bit differently, I hope. Or maybe not.

My father was the artist in the family, although he never pursued it professionally. He adored performing arts and was quite good himself. He instilled a love for dance in me from a very young age, as did my mother. They finally enrolled me in dance classes at five, and the rest is history. Dance became my entire life; I gladly gave up any social event for it as I grew older. Like many dancers, my vision was New York and Broadway—I wanted it so badly. So I spent my senior year applying to colleges in New York and virtually auditioning for them. I ended up receiving a scholarship to the Dance Department at Marymount Manhattan College, one of my dream schools.

My time there was tough because I went from being a pretty solid dancer in my dance studio in Bolivia to feeling like the worst in every class in New York—or at least that was my perception. I decided this would not crush me, so I worked incredibly hard. I was always the first person to arrive in class, sometimes even an hour early to get extra training, just as an example. I finished college still feeling rather insecure, but I believed in myself. I believed that there was something out there for me.

In summary, after 96 auditions, I landed an amazing cruise ship contract with Norwegian’s Regent Seven Seas. Little did I know, COVID would hit, and my trajectory would change forever. Like many, I returned to my home country, Bolivia, and felt lost in my career. I didn’t enjoy online dance classes, so I tried acting classes. Acting had always been something I wanted to pursue at some point in my life, and at that moment, I was drawn to it. It was magnetic. I ended up falling in love with it, and when COVID calmed down a bit, I auditioned for acting conservatories. I was accepted into HB Studio in New York and embarked on the greatest journey.

I loved dance and will always be grateful for my education, but in my acting training, I felt, for the first time, a sense of belonging and a voice. It changed my life. Doors started to open—of course, with a lot of hard work—but things I could never have imagined happened. Now, I dance for myself, which is much healthier for my mental health, and I use it as an incredible tool for my acting. This journey made me realize that when something is meant for you, it will come, if you allow it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Not at all. I know it’s a cliché, but it truly has been a rollercoaster of a ride. Like in a real rollercoaster, things feel slow and smooth at the start, but can erupt at any moment. I’ve faced many struggles—countless, to be honest. But when I really sit with that thought, I realize my biggest obstacle often tends to be myself. There’s a reason we hear that so often.

Self-doubt, I believe, is a universal experience, and it can have brutal consequences. I’ve spent so much time battling the feeling of not being “good enough” in so many ways. It’s only when I look back that I realize I was wrong, and today, I’m actually proud of the woman who gave everything for her passions. Sure, I have some regrets now, but they mostly come from being too hard on myself. Now, when those feelings rise up, I try to remind myself that my future self will feel the same way about my present self as I do about my past self. So I work on handling my struggles with grace and kindness—or at least I try to.

I won’t go into too much detail about this because it’s very vulnerable for me, but many of these insecurities stem from an eating disorder I’ve had since I was a teenager. It was only strengthened by the “norms” in dance—or at least how I perceived them. That’s why I say acting changed my life. Through my training, for the first time, I was able to face my disorder, surrender to it, and finally take action.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am an actress who can dance. I do struggle a bit with how I perceive myself as a dancer these days because, while I’ll always be a dancer, I’m not training professionally anymore. These days, I spend my time doing self-tapes, taking acting classes, dance, and even singing classes—anything that helps me train my instrument: my body, my voice, my emotional availability, and more.

As for whether I prefer theater or film, I honestly can’t decide. I love both and want to continue pursuing both, as I have so far. In Bolivia, especially, I’m known as an artist whose craft isn’t just a hobby but a profession—something that’s not always the norm there. I’m also known for never giving up on my passions, no matter the odds. At least, that’s how I’d like to be perceived.

What I’m most proud of is my drive. No matter the setback, the fall, or the loss, I let myself feel it, embrace it, accept it, and give myself that time. Then, I always get back up. Always. Even when I felt lost, my compass was my drive, my art, and my dreams—even if those dreams have taken new directions lately. I believe that’s what sets me apart. I don’t care how long it takes; I know I’ll achieve everything I dream of.

I’m not trying to romanticize the process—it’s been brutal, and it will continue to be—but there’s beauty in that as well. Having the certainty that I won’t give up, while staying true to myself through the lows, is what I believe sets me apart.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?

I have a deep desire to create impactful work. At the end of the day, aside from enjoying my art, I strive to have a platform that allows me to make meaningful change and contribute to causes I’m passionate about. I actually double-majored in Dance, as well as Politics and Human Rights in college, and although I don’t actively pursue that now, I wholeheartedly believe in social justice. I believe that when people unite as a collective against oppression, discrimination and many other injustices, systemic change can occur.

I also believe art is a powerful tool for expressing one’s view of the world. Art is always political, and to say it isn’t, is a political statement in itself, I believe. In short, I think people may not realize how intentional I am with my art. I always try to connect with something “bigger” than just entertainment, even if no one notices but me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.darinaeid.com
• Instagram: @darinaeidh
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Gx66jJeIo&feature=youtu.be / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Image Credits

Jeffrey Mosier
Drago Tomianovic
Sid Gopinath
Alvaro Gumucio Li