We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mina Ownlee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mina , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects for me is a movie called Mixed Emotions vol. 2 on Amazon. Its about Lana, a Senior in high school, and her Puerto Rican family who become transplants in the SouthSide of Chicago after hurricane Maria destroyed their home. Lana meets Caleb, an African American jock, and the pair have instant chemistry. Their high school love is tested when Lana’s family forbid her to date a black man. Their story unfolds as they choose love over family, but it comes at a high cost. This movie touches on the unnecessary rivalry between the blacks and Latino’s which is a problem that still exist today. The movie itself already had an important message to make it meaningful for me but what I never expected was the amount of people messaging me and thanking me for the performance. They said they felt represented and that it was refreshing to see someone other than the incredible Jennifer Lopez on the screen. Some expressed how it was great to see themselves or their mom, others expressed how they appreciated the performance that brought how they felt to life.
Their kind words brought me to tears as I never imagined myself being a representation of anything. Yet this is what the performance world is about, giving your heart and soul into the performance and maybe just maybe you can touch the hearts, mind and soul of the audience.

Mina , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in NYC the arts was always apart of my life, heck it didn’t help that my father is world renowned artist Rigoberto Torres. The arts is in my blood and my soul. For years, I tip toed in the industry until one day a car accident almost took me out. After that I decided its time to pursue my dreams and finally do what I loved more than anything in the world. I study hard, I take my craft seriously and I always give my all in each and everything I do. What sets me apart from the others is mot only the respect I have for the craft, but there is an undeniable presence when I step onto a set. You either hate me or you love me, but you can be sure you will respect me. It is that same presence that caught the attention of legendary actor Stephen Dorff, which lead him to demand that I speak in a movie I was in with him. He doesn’t know it but that one act of kindness not only changed my life but my career. That same presence is the reason why my wonderful agents at Aligned Stars in Atlanta work hard to make sure I can get in a room. I am proud of all my work, both big and small. Proud to have performed with Julianne Moore and Kimberly Guerrero In The Glorias, proud to be baby cakes in Homicide Hunter; but what I am absolutely most proud of is showing my son that even though I was bullied, chastised, ridiculed for “trying” to be an actress, that I did not let anyone stop me. My son watched his mom not only go after her dreams and obtain it. That is something no one can ever take from me. You can do anything , if you just put your blinders on and go for it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that who I am is more than enough! I am NOT what others opinions were placed over me, this included family, friends, school mates, everyone. No one gets to dictate who you are or what you will be, you can decide that for yourself. For years, I allowed others toxic behaviors to make me feel broken, worthless, I didn’t really care to much for myself and just moved through life as a broken shell. Until one day I learned what I get to accept in my life and I chose me. I chose to listen to me. That is one the mindset changed and my life started moving into a positive direction. Is this easy? No of course not, its really hard to reprogram your brain. You will slide some days but you must remember always that you and only you get to choose how we live, For the choices we make dictate the life we lead so why not make it great.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to not only build a legacy for my son but to change the trajectory of my families history. To show the world that we are more than the labels society has placed on us. That the next young person can see me and say wow if she can do it , I can do all I have to do is go for it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mina ownlee
• Twitter: dareal mina
• Other: tiktok: actriz mina ownlee

Image Credits
all photos were taken by friends, family or strangers