We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Krystal Anaís Amaya Navarro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Krystal Anaís below.

Krystal Anaís , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Yes, I’m very familiar with mischaracterization. I know her very well.

Jokes aside, back in 2020, I made a short film called “Home, Again”; an experimental movement piece that follows a young girl who wakes up in the desert and is forced to find her way back home. Throughout the journey, she takes off pieces of her wardrobe to cool off from the intense heat. Ultimately, she ends up dancing blissfully in the desert as she inadvertently reconnects with Earth, and her Heart – wearing only her lingerie….

The film represents a spiritual awakening, and it was created right before the global quarantine which, in my opinion, induced a global awakening. I sent the film around but I feel it was greatly misunderstood and admittedly difficult to categorize. The process of making the film did help me build my artistic faculties in profound ways.

Other tools that help me ground are; having a morning ritual that reminds me of my main intention in life(for me it’s prayer), journaling to process information/experiences and remain in alignment with my inner life/dialogue, yoga/movement to be in my body, and connecting to nature to obtain stillness.

I promise you I did not write to lure you into watching my short film…of me…dancing…in lingerie….which is found on my Vimeo account.

https://vimeo.com/661490503?share=copy

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up obsessed with making fun videos with my friends and family.

I was also always immersed in hobbies like; playing the violin, horseback riding, boxing, dirt-biking, singing, and many other activities that kept my spirit growing. So, performance was necessary as I had so much creative energy inside of me wanting to get expressed.

I was also learning about many cultures, as the school I attended had a diverse student body, my family often traveled – and I studied abroad so I had a large awareness of different ways of life.

My “Ah” moment occurred when I went to see “The Lion King”, at the Pantages Theater with my mom. It was during the climax that a hyeenah purposefully spooked me while running down the aisle towards the stage.
I remembered feeling so excited to be a part of the play, I wanted to follow the hyeenah on stage.

My “HA” moment came in High School, when I was forced against my will to take a second elective alongside Orchestra and P.E didn’t qualify. I went with “Drama”, which put me on the path to becoming the Drama Queen I am Today.

I haven’t completed my Full Circle yet, but this year I produced a self written play called “Casa Fuego”, and it was a success.
It premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with an all latinx cast/crew and I was Lin – Manuel Miranda esque – as I directed the play and starred in it as well!

I became an official “Multi – Hyphenate” and have been working in a variety of departments like; graphic design, directing, screenwriting, and acting – ever since.

The play “Casa Fuego”, ended up garnering adoration from a Producer who prompted me into developing the play into a full length film. Which is what I am working on right now.

I’m so excited to be evolving the story.

It’s a fun comedic drama about a mystical latin family who are hot heated and wealthy. It’s inspired by my personal experience growing up in a Hacienda having ghosts for roommates, and a wish to have peace within my ever boiling family.

My biggest goal as a human and creative is to express my identity and story authentically. And, to breath life into my unique cultural quirks – while remaining universally relatable.

As the great playwright Publius Terentius Afer once said, “Nothing human is Foreign.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Trust yourself and the Universe.

I’m constantly operating with uncertainty, and taking big leaps of faith.
It’s terrifying, but there’s always been a deep knowing that everything will work out, as long as I keep going for it.
And, it has!

If you haven’t already, I recommend reading “The Alchemist”, by Paulo Coelho. It’s food for the heart and soul that essentially depicts all of the necessary requirements that one needs to have when traveling through life/the unknown.

Trust. Gratitude. Constant communication with the heart. Perseverance. Determination. And, an unwillingness to stop g(r)o(w)ing.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To make the world a safer and more loving place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.krystalanaisamayanavarro.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystalanaisamayanavarro/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-ana%C3%ADs-amaya-navarro-0964a825b/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@krystalnavarro44/videos
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/discover

Image Credits

Cool Media LA: Isaac Cruz