We were lucky to catch up with Alexis Bustos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alexis , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
From a young age everyone told me I had an outgoing personality. I’ve always been a social person and genuinely enjoy connecting with new people. Many people would remark that I was ‘born to be a star.’ Recognizing this quality and potential, my parents supported my early steps into the entertainment industry. I was blessed to sign with CESD Talent Agency in Hollywood at the age of five, and shortly thereafter, I also joined Elegance Talent in Carlsbad. These experiences on set and stage ignited a deep passion and sense of fulfillment that continues to fuel my commitment to a professional career in the entertainment industry.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Alexis Bustos! I’m a 13 year old professional model/actor from Oceanside California. My passion for performing took root early, around the age of four, when I began staging my own childhood productions – an experience that truly helped me find my voice.
What started as a childhood passion gained momentum thanks to positive feedback, leading my supportive parents to recognize its potential. While I explored other activities, acting and modeling was always my true calling.
A significant turning point came when I signed with CESD Talent Agency in Los Angeles at the young age of 5 years old. My first job was modeling for a backpack company called Puku Pals. I’ve appeared in commercials for fantastic brands like Knott’s Berry Farm, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ring Doorbell, and Uber Eats to name a few. I’ve also modeled for companies such as New Balance, Keen, Birkenstock, TEVA, and Schuler Shoes.
A long-held childhood dream of mine was to be featured on a toy box, something I would always tell my parents. Putting in the dedicated work and treating every audition with seriousness paid off when I booked a toy box project! That surreal moment, especially when a friend spotted my box at a Toy Fair in New York, truly solidified the belief that anything is possible with work and dedication.
After eight years in this industry, I can attest that rejection is a tough reality. Pouring your heart into auditions and not hearing back is always challenging. However, the incredible feeling of seeing your dreams materialize – whether spotting yourself on TV or being recognized by loved ones – makes it all worthwhile.
Of course, there are other hurdles, such as the disappointment of scenes being rewritten or cut. Yet, I believe these experiences contribute to personal growth, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
For me, it’s about connecting with people and telling stories that matter. As an actress, I love stepping into different characters and exploring their experiences. It’s like getting a glimpse into someone else’s world, and if I can make an audience feel something – whether it’s happiness, sadness, or even just understanding – then I feel like I’ve done my job.
With modeling, it’s a different kind of storytelling. It’s about bringing a vision to life visually and helping to communicate a feeling or an idea through images. I also think it’s really cool to be part of creating something beautiful or inspiring.
Ultimately, I hope that through my work, I can bring a little bit of joy, spark conversations, and maybe even inspire others in some small way. That’s what keeps me excited and driven on this journey.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
For me, a big lesson I’ve had to unlearn in my journey as a young actress and model is the idea that everything has to be perfect. When I first started out, I put so much pressure on myself to get every line exactly right, to hit every pose flawlessly, and to nail every single audition.
But over time, I started to realize that perfection isn’t really the goal – connection and authenticity are. I’ve learned that sometimes the most captivating moments in acting come from those little unexpected things, the genuine reactions. In modeling, it’s not about being a perfect mannequin; it’s about bringing a feeling or a story to life in a real way.
I’ve seen actors give incredible performances even when they’ve flubbed a line slightly, and models capture stunning images even when a hair is out of place. It’s made me understand that it’s okay to not be perfect. In fact, sometimes those imperfections make things more relatable and real.
Now, I try to focus more on being present in the moment, taking risks, and letting my personality shine through.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Headshots: Tamara Tihanyi