We recently connected with Annette Figueroa and have shared our conversation below.

Annette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I spent 11 years working as a dental hygienist. It was a stable and respectable profession, but deep down, I always had a burning desire to pursue acting. However, I was held back by fear. Nobody in my family had ever taken that path before, and it felt like a risky venture.

But one day, I had an epiphany. I realized that living with regrets was not the way I wanted to go through life. So, I made a bold decision: I let my dental hygiene license expire. It was a nerve-wracking moment, and those who knew me were understandably concerned. However, I knew that having a backup plan would only dampen my motivation to give acting my all.

Stepping into the world of acting was like entering a whole new universe. I had no clue how to navigate it, but I was determined to make it work. I enrolled in classes, attended workshops, and got professional headshots taken. I started telling myself, “I am an actor.”

Though I managed to land some roles in independent films and commercials, they weren’t enough to pay the bills. At the time, hosting was a popular gig in Florida, and it promised a stable income. Funny enough, I had never considered hosting before, and honestly, I wasn’t particularly keen on it. But I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, I stumbled upon an audition on Craigslist that asked applicants to talk about something they loved. Drawing on my background, I chose to speak about the Oral B electric toothbrush. Little did I know that this seemingly unrelated opportunity would change my career forever.

After a few interviews, I was fortunate enough to land a life-changing job as a TV spokeswoman. It was a turning point in my journey. Fast forward nine years, and I am still doing what I love – hosting and representing various brands on television. I feel incredibly blessed to have followed my passion and taken that leap of faith. The risk I took paid off beyond my wildest dreams.

I firmly believe that stepping out of our comfort zones is crucial for personal growth. It’s through those experiences that we discover hidden aspects of ourselves we never knew existed. So, I encourage you to embrace your passions and pursue them with courage and determination. You never know where they might lead you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

You see, this industry demands resilience and a thick skin, and if you know me personally, you’ll understand that these were qualities I had to develop over several years. Even now, I occasionally find myself grappling with them.

One crucial aspect of success in this field is discipline. Coming from a background where I worked a traditional 9-to-5 job, the concept of self-discipline was foreign to me. I had to fight against procrastination and the numerous distractions that inevitably arise throughout the day. However, once I adjusted to this new way of working, I became laser-focused and unwavering in my pursuit of the ultimate goal.

As a TV spokeswoman, I possess acting skills that have allowed me to captivate audiences and connect with viewers on a deeper level. More recently, I have expanded my repertoire to include producing and writing, adding additional dimensions to my professional profile. It’s important to note that the entertainment industry is characterized by its peaks and valleys. During those quieter periods, instead of waiting for opportunities to come my way, I took it upon myself to create. This proactive approach led me to collaborate with a colleague who happens to be an entertainment attorney. Together, we crafted and worked on a reality show project that is scheduled to stream at the end of this year. This endeavor once again pushed me into an uncomfortable space, but as they say, “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

Reflecting on my journey, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride for facing my fears head-on in a world that was initially foreign to me. Taking that first step had a monumental impact, and I now hold it as a reference point, which enables me to embark on new ventures with greater ease and swiftness. It’s an invigorating and exciting experience, knowing that I have the ability to overcome obstacles and embrace unfamiliar territories.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that success lies beyond our comfort zones. It’s through facing our fears, pushing our boundaries, and exploring uncharted territories that we truly thrive. I encourage you to seize your own opportunities, embrace the unknown, and never underestimate the power of that first step.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To really support artists and the creative community, we can:
– Show some love and appreciation for their awesome work!
– Help them out with funding. (Ex: Gofundme, fund raisers, etc.)
– Support arts education and training programs.
– Make resources and spaces easily accessible for artists.
– Make sure they get fair pay and protection through good policies.
– Get involved in art and cultural events for some fun!
– Embrace diversity and welcome artists from all backgrounds.
By doing all this, we’ll create a great environment for artists to thrive and bring us amazing movies, musicals, plays, TV shows, and more! Let’s keep the creativity alive! 🎨🎬🎶

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had this unforgettable audition experience in downtown Miami, which was a whole new world for me. Picture this: I was at work, minding my own business when I got the call. But, of course, I had to leave early and rush to a clothing store because my agent insisted I dress the part. Talk about last-minute panic!

I grabbed an outfit in a hurry and dashed to the dressing room to save time. As luck would have it, right as I was adjusting the dress, it decided to tear. Seriously?! It wasn’t exactly high-quality, but why did it have to choose that precise moment to fall apart? As a relatively new actor, I started to panic. Time was slipping away, and there I was, contemplating taping the dress back together when I arrived at the audition. I mean, surely they would have some tape there, right?

Finally, after navigating through Miami’s notorious traffic and getting lost in a colossal parking garage, I made it to the audition location. But, let me tell you, finding the right spot to park that would lead me to the correct office was like trying to crack a secret code. I had to call my agent in desperation, and thankfully, they picked up and guided me to my destination.

Now, imagine this scene: I had a mere five minutes to spare, and I had to conquer two flights of concrete stairs in my heels. Naturally, I was rushing like a maniac. But then, the unthinkable happened—I tripped and tumbled down half a flight of stairs. Ouch! I scraped my knees and ended up with a road burn down the front of one leg. It wasn’t exactly the glamorous entrance I had envisioned.

With my knees swollen, pain coursing through my body, and a ripped dress, I limped into the audition room. But you know what? I didn’t let any of that stop me. I mustered up every ounce of determination and resilience I had within me. I asked for tape and a bathroom to clean up the battle wounds. The folks at the audition felt so sorry for me, offering the chance to reschedule or pass, but there was no way I was backing down.

In that ripped dress, with my knees throbbing and a fierce determination in my eyes, I delivered the audition. It wasn’t perfect, but I did it. And let me tell you, I’ll never forget that day as long as I live. It was a defining moment—a testament to my unwavering spirit and proof that nothing, absolutely nothing, could stand in my way.

So, yes, that audition may have left me battered and bruised, both physically and emotionally, but it also reminded me of my indomitable will. It’s a tale I’ll look back on and chuckle at, grateful for the resilience it instilled in me.

And that, my friends, is how I triumphed in the face of ripped dresses, concrete stairs, and the challenges that come with pursuing my dreams in this wild world of acting.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://annettefigueroa.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/annettelfigueroa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnetteFig
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-figueroa-7704a31b
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AnnetteFig
• Other: IMDB: Annette Figueroa https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3687721/

Image Credits
Lynn Parks Photography