Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Salmeron. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My mother loves to share with me (& everyone) that by the age of 3, I knew I wanted to be a “Movie Star” a “Singer” & a “Model.” I have always known that being creative was my chosen path. I recall teaching myself how to sing whilst watching Nick Jr’s Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends— specifically the episode titled “Sing it, Sister.” I remember coming to school and singing the “La La Ladybug” song for my friends at Lunch & Recess”
My family always believed in me. My mother has never denied me of my passions.
I moved to Charlotte, NC shortly after completing Kindergarten in Long Island, NY. My mother enrolled me in a lottery to join a Magnet School Program at Dilworth Elementary School (now known as First Ward Elementary)
It was here that I was able to thrive as a young child artist. I picked up many clubs that included step club, acting club, art club, etc. The extracurricular activities including musicals, plays, and step performances only solidified that a life of show business, was something meant for me.
To be clear. I did face many setbacks growing up. I was one of the only Latino representing children in most of my learning spaces. I also struggled financially due to my mother having to raise me financially on her own. I lived in a house with 8 other people. My semi-immediate family that included my uncle and his wife with their 2 children, my other younger uncle, my grandma, my mother, and me.
I found myself immersing myself as much as possible with my creative endeavors.
In the 5th grade, the Principle of Northwest School of the Arts; Dr. Barry Bowe (Rest in Peace) visited my school. He explained to the students of my grade, that if we enjoyed our current curriculum style at Dilworth, we could audition for Northwest and join their 6th-12th grade program.
I was determined to get in. I memorized monologue from “Happy Birthday, Wanda June.” The monologue was about a girl getting hit by an ice cream truck, and how she’s sharing her story from the afterlife in heaven.
My mother took me herself to the audition. She made sure I was dressed for success in a yellow easter dress, with a slicked back high ponytail. I remember the “judge” at my audition (who later came to be one of my favorite teachers) referencing me as “the lady in yellow” — a line I’ll never forget.
I was accepted as an Acting major, and later in my programming switched to the Musical Theatre. I spent the rest of my adolescence gaining experience in various realms of art. From playwriting, to directing, to spoke word poetry writing, I always applied myself in everything I could be a part of. Regaurdless of whether or not I was chosen did not stop my hunger, and drive to be seen on stage— doing what I love, which is being a part of something bigger for the enjoyment of any spectator willing to witness.

If it wasn’t for these seemingly fated events, I’m not sure who I’d be today. I’d hope that the parallel universe version of me is also an aspiring performing artist.

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

Currently, I consider myself a traveling performing artist. I am multifaceted, and I love working within a community as much as I love being a solo artist. Networking is second nature to me. I love announcing what I do, and learning what others bring to the table. I find that being authentically you is the quickest way to find others who want to work.

During my college years, outside of my Fine Arts in Acting program, I began to dabble in the music promotion & club scene. Already having known the Musicians/Promoters “Milan Hightower” & “The Gnarl3y Boyz,” I found myself in tune with how they branded themselves as aspiring influencers. They ran the night life scene in Charlotte, NC for years and were a huge part of the city’s growth culturally.

After graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting degree, I began looking for alternative ways of showcasing myself. I started streaming on Twitch, posting on TikTok, doing locally ran short films, and just about any creative endeavor that was presented to me. I even did Zoom style, original play readings during the lock down.

It wasn’t until the later half of 2020 that I considered the possibility of writing music. I already wrote plenty of poems, however I always wanted to put them to into song. That was when things started to fall into place.

With the help of my team based in Charlotte, I was able to craft my first project: “The Sola Show” EP in 2021. Through that project I was able to locate performance opportunities all throughout North Carolina. I performed with a bang every time, and I was so excited to share my talents with the world professionally.

I was booked throughout the 2nd half of 2022. Whether it was for a show, a fashion shoot, a music video, even spoken word performances, I was everywhere. Sometimes I’d be in two places in one night. Those were some great times. I also began joining creative collectives, and stepping into my role as a natural born leader.

If there’s one thing I’d like any supporter of mine to know, is that you have a story that wants to be expressed. It’s in your birthright to discover your medium. I’m an advocate for using your craft as a means of protest and freedom of speech. The climate today demands our authenticity now more than ever! Don’t stop, and never let anyone tell you that your dream is futile. When the world shut down, everyone ran to the comfort of their favorite tv shows, songs, and books— we know deep down that without art, the “Earth” is just eh.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The rehearsal and preparation process is one of the most rewarding parts of being a a creative. I love to showcase my professional training. I love being on time, and punctual. Being aware of scheduling for the day, and what is needed to accomplish is important for me. I believe some artists forget that the show isn’t about them. They forget that we’re all just moving parts in something much bigger. There’s a message we must get across to our audience. We lose that message when we focus solely on ourselves instead of the whole collaborative team. There’s nothing quite like a seamless dress rehearsal right before the opening night of a show.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There comes a time in every aspiring artist’s life where they have to make a decision of whether or not they wanna live a safe life, or a fulfilling one.

I’ve learned that being a “starving artist” means you actually do starve sometimes. I’m a brown, female artist trying to follow her dreams whilst combatting late stage capitalism in a failing American government. I’ survived in my early 20’s, whilst never giving up on my passions. I’ve battled homelessness, grieved the deaths of many loved ones, lost friendships and relationships, yet I never stopped looking for opportunities to shine. This dream of making it is the only thing that keeps me sane. With every finished project, I feel more and more validated. I may not be in the best place financially, but spiritually I am reaching a precipice.

Contact Info:

• Website: Samsalmeron.com
• Instagram: Solalaledad
• Linkedin: Samantha Salmeron
• Twitter: Solalaledad
• Youtube: Solalaledad
• Other: TikTok: Solalaledad

Image Credits
@itshervisuals @shawns.view @treesintheville @krystalklearphotos @captured_by_comfy @kingkidchris