We recently connected with Martina Robledo and have shared our conversation below.

Martina, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2017, my agent called to tell me about an opportunity to audition for the Grammy Awards. At first, I didn’t realize how significant this role would be for me. It wasn’t until after the audition process that my peers began discussing who might be chosen as the first transgender Grammy Award presenter. When I got the call that I had booked the job, I couldn’t fully embrace the excitement because I wasn’t publicly out to my partner’s family. We were concerned that they might discover my “secret” through the broadcast.

My immediate family, on the other hand, was thrilled for me because they understood how much it meant. The truth is, while I was in that abusive relationship, the experience was overshadowed by my sheer joy and nervousness. Sharing the room with stars I had grown up watching, like JLo, Beyoncé, and Adele, was a huge treat in itself. Presenting Adele with the Album of the Year Grammy in 2017 was absolutely magical.

All of those reasons, however, don’t fully capture why this moment was so meaningful to me. As a trans woman of color, making history is my greatest accomplishment. The thought that this will be in history books is mind-boggling, to say the least.

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

I grew up in a small agricultural farm town called Salinas, nestled between San Jose, CA, and Monterey Bay. My family immigrated to the States from Mexico, hoping to provide a better future for us. I remember feeling different during my early years, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. I had no concept of being gay, let alone transgender identities. I naturally gravitated towards the girls in my classroom and the other feminine boys.

One particular memory stands out: I packed my sister’s mini Barbies in my backpack. They stayed in my bag during school, but for some reason, I wanted them with me. After school, my sister and mom would walk home with me. One day, my sister wanted to put her water bottle in my backpack, and I screamed “no”—it’s like time stood still. She opened the front pocket of my backpack and found her dolls. I had never run so fast in my life, and when I got home, I threw the dolls into the back alley.

The topic of transgender identities, especially among children in school, is a hot issue right now. I have my own opinions on that, but I know that if someone had been there to educate my family back then, it would have tremendously helped my well-being.

Fast forward to my early adolescence: instead of focusing on my studies, I preferred fashion and partying. A typical day for me involved waking up hungover, logging onto MySpace.com to catch up on the previous night’s drama, searching for the latest fashion trends, and then calling my friends to plan our looks for the club. I felt like a star, and even the house parties I frequently attended were, in a way, my Met Gala. The beautiful models and endless fashion editorials in Vogue Italia are the sole reason I chose a career path in this industry—it was my escape from the reality at home.

Now, in the present moment, I am signed with a model and talent agency. My two biggest jobs have been modeling for Sunday Riley and being the first trans Grammy Award presenter! This industry can be shallow and filled with rejection, but despite all that, I still want to be involved because I’m doing this for my younger self. Seeing a trans Mexican-American woman on the cover of Vogue or walking down the red carpet wouldn’t just be a perk for my resume—it would fill my spirit with certainty.

With everything I’ve been through and the repeated life lessons, I’ve acquired an insurmountable wealth of knowledge. It took me a long time to develop coping strategies for dealing with life’s stressors, which led me here to share my message of mental, physical, and spiritual growth with you all! I have a personal growth blog on my website. Being transgender is an important part of my life, but it’s not the only thing to know about me. I am also pursuing a marketing/digital communications degree, and I enjoy being creative through graphic design. Staying active through weight training is another passion of mine. The human experience is unique—there’s no handbook on how to do anything, really. I believe all people have the potential for greatness. With that being said, enjoy the journey and have fun with it all.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I am a self-proclaimed it-girl with a desire to share my knowledge of beauty with everyone. Aside from being a micro-influencer, I am still learning about this industry. There’s so much that goes into it, like algorithms, posting times, engagement, hooks, and much more. It can be overwhelming; however, I believe that having coping skills and confidence is key to surviving. Consistency is crucial to any creative work, but especially in the realm of social media.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

My best teacher has been YouTube. Any questions I had regarding social media posting, getting signed to an agency, or modeling tips—all of it was found on YouTube. I also enjoy reading and listening to books online. A recent book I’m reading is The Secret Door to Success by Florence Scovel Shinn. She is a spiritual self-help author who has truly helped shape me into the best version of myself. It is so pivotal to be the best you can be mentally, physically, and spiritually. It will show in your work and in all other areas of your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.martinarobledo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmartinarobledo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsmartinarobledo

Image Credits

ted emmons