We were lucky to catch up with Aidan Martinez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Aidan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve always known. But if I had to pick the moment, it would be drama camp in 2007, when I won the ‘Best Performer’ award. That trophy is still on my wall next to my diploma and headshot—like a little reminder of why I do this.
But honestly, the real reason I fell in love with acting? That’s So Raven. Raven Baxter and her whole crew were everything to me. She got to be so many different characters, have so much fun, but still stay completely grounded and real. I was mesmerized. She made acting look like the most fun job in the world, and I studied the way she performed—balancing comedy with authenticity. And I realized how powerful storytelling can be. And I guess it stuck, because if you watch me now, you’ll definitely catch some Raven Baxter mannerisms slipping out. When I was a kid, my Mom Peggy would always tell me, “STOP acting like Raven and be yourself!” But Raven shaped so much of who I am—how I perform, how I express myself, and probably even how I move through the world. Bold, confident, and unapologetically extra—not to mention a fashion icon, lol.
I had a rough childhood, so acting started as an escape for me. It let me step into different realities and be someone else for a little while. But in high school and early college, I realized the best performances don’t come from disappearing into a character—they come from bringing yourself into it. The more genuine and grounded you are, the better the performance. That shift changed everything for me. Acting stopped being just an escape and became something bigger: a way to connect, to heal, and to tell stories that actually matter.
Aidan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Well, I’ve been acting since I was six, and I haven’t stopped since. I’ve been blessed to be involved in some kind of acting endeavor every year—whether it’s creating my own content, participating in a friend’s project, or being part of a school production. Acting has always been my thing.
Like I mentioned before, my childhood was a bit rough. My birth mom struggled with addiction, my dad was in prison until I was 22, and I was raised by my grandparents, Mom Peggy and Grandpa. But throughout those years—especially during the pandemic—I learned how to cultivate that trauma and shape it into stories that are raw, genuine, and unapologetically authentic. I shared a post about one of my experiences trying to live with my birth mom, and it went viral with over 600,000 views. I built on that success with a few more videos, and now I have 36,000 followers! That momentum led to my new podcast, @ Aidan, Tell Me A Story, which I launched in December. It’s been a blast expanding on my life stories and interviewing people who inspire me.
I dabble in everything—poetry, writing, content creation, even directing! Every summer, I go home and direct at Camp Broadway, a program I’ve been a part of since I was a kid. It’s come full circle, and I’ve been steadily directing for the past five years. I find so much joy and value in that program, both for me and the kids. I remember what it was like to be their age and how important the directors and counselors were to me. They played a huge role in my journey, and I’m beyond grateful to give back, support, and inspire these children and counselors alike.
I’m excited to see where this journey takes me, whether that’s expanding my podcast or continuing to explore new creative projects. I truly believe that every story matters, and by sharing my experiences, I hope to connect with even more people and inspire them to embrace their own truths. I’m so grateful for the support from my followers and the incredible community around me. Together, we’re creating a space where authenticity thrives, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to grow and inspire one another!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is all about creating authentic and relatable stories that resonate with people, especially those who’ve been through tough times. I really believe that every story matters and has the power to inspire and connect us. It’s important to me to show that it’s okay to embrace your truth and share your experiences—because we’re all a little messy, and that’s what makes us human!
I’m particularly passionate about using my platform to uplift voices that might not always be heard. I want to encourage others to express themselves without fear of judgment, whether it’s through acting, my podcast, or directing. Every time I share a part of my journey, I hope it creates a space where people feel safe to open up and share their own stories.
My podcast, Aidan, Tell Me A Story, is a big part of this mission. I love having conversations with inspiring people in my life and digging into their stories. It’s such a joy to see how our experiences intertwine and how we can all learn from each other.
Ultimately, I want to make a positive impact with my art. I’m here to inspire people to embrace their authenticity, pursue their dreams, and find strength in their own stories. I want everyone to know that they’re not alone, and that sharing our journeys—no matter how messy—can lead to healing and connection. That’s what drives me every day!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that really illustrates my resilience happened during a catering gig I was working at. It was a hectic day, and I was in the middle of serving when the event coordinators asked me if I wanted to model a 52-foot dress—the Amsterdam rainbow dress—because the original model was running late. Instead of hesitating, I thought, Why not? I figured it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
So, I took off my catering garb, jumped into the opportunity, and embraced the moment. I wasn’t dressed for the part, but I was ready to roll with it.
That experience not only pushed me out of my comfort zone but also reminded me of the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise. I learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from challenges; it’s about being flexible, thinking on your feet, and having the confidence to embrace new possibilities, even when they come unexpectedly.
Modeling that stunning and powerful rainbow dress was exhilarating, and it reinforced my belief that when you stay true to yourself and are willing to take risks, amazing things can happen. That moment became a reminder to always be ready for whatever life throws your way and to trust in my ability to adapt and shine, no matter the circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aidan-martinez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidanmartinez?igsh=MXF0a2ppZmFhbWEyZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15Cgwx9H6T/?mibextid=kFxxJD
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aidanmartinez_actor?si=Ql5o42MWBZu8a2yh
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aidanmartinez?_t=8rBRslbt9Hm&_r=1
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aidan-tell-me-a-story/id1781796323
Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YitKJAsa5rB6huqija2hQ
Image Credits
Robert Quiles, Lydia Hudgens, Chantal Heijnen,