We recently connected with Laura Diaz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the film “Más que el Agua.” Back in 2013, I participated in an acting reality show in the Dominican Republic called “De la Calle al Cine,” where the prize was a role in an upcoming movie. The original movie planned was “Más que el Agua,” and when I first read the script, I immediately fell in love with a character named Claudia. However, I knew I was too young to portray her at the time.

After winning the show, the film we ended up making was “Who’s the Boss?”—a romantic comedy. Though I loved the experience, “Más que el Agua” always stayed with me. Fast forward seven years later, while I was back in the Dominican Republic one summer, I was called in to audition for “Más que el Agua”, and this time the project was actually happening. I was cast as Claudia, and everything came full circle.

This project is incredibly meaningful to me because it felt like a journey of patience and growth, from initially being too young for the role to finally being the right fit years later. Playing Claudia was a dream that I had to wait for, and the experience was deeply rewarding both personally and professionally. It reminded me that sometimes the roles we are meant to play come to us when the time is right.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Laura Diaz, an actress originally from the Dominican Republic, now based in Los Angeles. My journey into acting began in 2013 when I participated in an acting reality show called “De la Calle al Cine,” which ultimately led to my first feature film, “Quien Manda.” The film received international recognition at festivals, and I was honored to be nominated for Best Actress at the Premios Soberanos. That same year, I was also selected for the Talent Campus at the Guadalajara Film Festival, which really helped to solidify my commitment to my craft.

After moving to New York in 2014, I trained at Michael Howard Studios, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a variety of acting techniques. I also became a part of the Primitive Grace Theater Ensemble, which allowed me to explore deeper layers of performance on stage. In 2020, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the LAByrinth Theater Company’s Summer Intensive, which was a pivotal moment for me as an artist. Each of these experiences has played a crucial role in shaping who I am as an actor.

What truly drives me as an actor is my deep love for cinema. Growing up, I was captivated by films and the way they could transport me into different worlds and perspectives. It was that passion for storytelling and the emotional impact of movies that made me want to become an actor. I believe in the power of film to connect people, evoke empathy, and spark change. The ability to bring a character to life and share that experience with an audience is what excites me the most.

At the same time, as a Latina, I feel a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to representation. Growing up, I didn’t always see people who looked or sounded like me on screen, and it motivated me to be part of the change I wanted to see in the industry. I believe it’s essential for people from diverse backgrounds to have their stories told in all their complexity. Representation matters because it shapes how we see ourselves and the world around us, and I’m proud to contribute to that shift.

What sets me apart as an actor is my relentless dedication to continuous growth. I’m always seeking out new opportunities to challenge myself. I believe that as an actor, it’s important to stay curious and fearless in your approach to each project, and that’s something I strive for with every role.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my versatility as a bilingual actor, fluent in both English and Spanish. Some of my most meaningful film credits include “Más Que el Agua,” “Malos Padres,” “De Pez en Cuando,” and the upcoming action film “A Tiro Limpio.” I also have a TV series, “Coolie,” set to be released soon.

I want people to know that my work is driven by a deep passion for storytelling and connecting with audiences on an emotional level. Whether it’s through film, television, or theater, I’m committed to bringing authenticity and vulnerability to the characters I portray. I’m most proud of the fact that, no matter how difficult the journey has been, I’ve stayed true to my dream of pursuing an acting career, moving from the Dominican Republic to New York, and now to Los Angeles. It’s been a path filled with risks, but I believe those risks have made me a stronger and more dynamic artist.

For anyone following my journey, I want them to see the value of resilience, passion, and the importance of both pursuing your dreams and seeing yourself reflected in the stories being told. At the core of my work is a commitment to my love for cinema and ensuring that more voices are heard and more faces are seen, especially those that have historically been underrepresented in the industry.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea of control and putting pressure on myself to reach certain goals within a specific timeline. Early in my career, I had this mindset that by a certain age or stage, I needed to have achieved particular milestones – landing a major role, securing representation, or reaching a certain level of success. I put a lot of pressure on myself to meet these expectations.

The reality is that this industry is incredibly unpredictable, and there are so many factors beyond your control that come into play when it comes to landing a job. It took time for me to realize that no matter how much I plan or push myself, I can’t force the timing of opportunities. I had to learn to let go of those expectations and instead focus on what really matters: my love for the craft.

At the end of the day, it’s about continuing to show up, doing the work, and trusting that things will fall into place when they’re meant to. Of course, it’s tough sometimes to let go of those ambitions tied to specific goals or deadlines, but ultimately, I’ve learned that the most important thing is to keep going and stay grounded in why I do this in the first place.

Acting has always been the call for me. I genuinely don’t see myself doing anything else, and that passion is what keeps me moving forward, regardless of where I am on the journey.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the vulnerability and the constant sense of discovery it offers. Being an actor means you’re always in a state of exploration – not just of characters or stories, but of yourself. There’s something incredibly freeing about being able to dive into different emotions, experiences, and perspectives, and it keeps you curious and open to the world.

I’ll be honest – sometimes, I feel like I have no clue what I’m doing, and the further along I go, the more I realize how much I still have to learn. But that’s part of the beauty of it. Being an artist gives you the space to mess up, to not have all the answers, and to embrace that uncertainty. It’s in those moments of vulnerability and questioning where real growth happens.

The ability to feel things deeply and to share those feelings with an audience is an incredible gift. It allows you to connect with people on such a human level, which is something I find deeply rewarding. Art makes you more attuned to the human experience, more empathetic, and more aware of the world around you. That, to me, is the most fulfilling part of what I do – the constant learning, the emotional depth, and the ability to stay curious and open to new experiences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lauradaliladiaz

Image Credits

Paul Smith

(Headshots)