Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victoria Zapata. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Victoria, 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.
Back in 2022, I joined a music project that helped me truly understand what passion feels like. A close friend—who also became one of my biggest mentors—taught me the ins and outs of the music industry and how to build strategies for social media. We were launching an emerging artist’s first campaign, and although we faced multiple challenges, we learned from every single one of them. I co-directed and produced my first music video, handled the social media strategy entirely, and helped grow a loyal fanbase from scratch. That project didn’t just open doors—it taught me that the best results come when real passion is involved.
Fast forward to today, I decided to throw myself into something completely out of my comfort zone: improv comedy. And honestly? It freaked me out. I would literally think, “what am I doing?” or “¿en qué peo me metí?” But that’s the beauty of it. It’s an experience where chaos meets creativity. Improverentes was born from culture, from friendship, and from the desire to create something real. Improv is unpredictable, absurd, and vulnerable—and yet, it feels more human than anything else. It’s something out of the ordinary, built from the ordinary.
These projects have brought so much meaning into my life. They taught me the value of investing creativity, time, dedication, and even sacrifice. Whether it’s helping something grow or building it from scratch, what matters is putting your heart into it. And right now, I’m loving this version of me—someone who’s taking risks, stepping forward, and chasing everything that lights a spark inside.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I consider myself part of the small percentage of immigrants who had the privilege of coming to this country with great opportunities—while understanding the value of effort and sacrifice. Even though I was raised in Venezuela, I moved to the U.S. to pursue my bachelor’s degree, and one of the best decisions I ever made was to start gaining hands-on experience early on in my academic journey.
In 2020, while working retail and attending school full-time, I completed my first unpaid internship. At the same time, I supported my aunt in launching our family’s fast food business in Miami—balancing work, studies, and new responsibilities as best as I could.
Soon after, I was invited to join a music project that evolved into a full campaign launch. It was one of the most rewarding and creative experiences I’ve had, where I co-directed my first music video and helped shape the artist’s digital presence from scratch.
Shortly after that, I was offered a position at one of the biggest Hispanic TV networks in the U.S., TelevisaUnivision, where I worked simultaneously as a social media producer, assistant editor, and production assistant. It was one of the most mentally exhausting yet creatively fulfilling periods of my life. Juggling so many responsibilities tested my limits—but I kept going, because I was working in something I genuinely loved.
From working retail jobs and serving tables in the restaurant industry to eventually landing a role at one of the top Hispanic TV networks I dreamed of joining when I first started my associate’s degree—I’ve always followed a path fueled by persistence, creativity, and purpose.
What I want people to know is that every step of my career has been driven by curiosity, hard work, and the need to keep evolving. I don’t have all the answers—but I’m not afraid to figure things out, take risks, and keep moving forward. That’s what’s gotten me here, and that’s what keeps me going.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Ever since I was young and discovered my passion for the entertainment industry, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do—I just knew I wanted to try everything. When I moved to the U.S. and decided to pursue a degree in Mass Communications, I made myself a promise: “I’m going to earn this degree and work at either Telemundo or Univision. One way or another.”
After a lot of ups and downs—working in restaurants, retail stores, and juggling multiple responsibilities—I realized that if I wanted to gain experience, I couldn’t just wait around. So I started knocking on doors. Most of them stayed shut because I didn’t have “enough experience,” but I kept showing up anyway, determined to create my own opportunities.
That’s when I decided to take on an unpaid internship while juggling school and two jobs. At the same time, I started going to every concert, event, or show I could get into—anything that could bring me closer to the industry. I also took on random freelance projects just to stay active, learn, and build something real.
In 2022, while going through yet another period of uncertainty, I received a life-changing call from a Univision producer asking if I’d like to join the team. I didn’t even let her finish the sentence before I said, “YES, OF COURSE!” Since that moment, my career has taken a whole new direction. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, and I’ve proved to myself that no matter how tough things get, I’ll always find a way to move forward.
Looking back, I’m proud of everything—especially the parts no one saw. The hustle behind the scenes, the mental exhaustion, the small wins that led to bigger ones. That version of me deserves her flowers too.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The best way society can support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem is by opening doors and creating real opportunities. Not everything has to be about long résumés and “years of experience”—sometimes, what someone really needs is a chance to show what they can do.
Companies should be more open to recognizing potential, especially in new voices. Instead of sticking to rigid hiring norms, they should look for people who bring fresh skills, modern perspectives, and the kind of cultural insight that can truly move things forward.
I’m not saying experience isn’t valuable, it is. But so is curiosity, adaptability, and creative instinct. Sometimes the person who brings the most to the table is the one who’s still figuring things out but shows up with genuine drive and ideas that don’t sound like everyone else’s.
If we want a creative industry that keeps evolving, we need to start valuing growth, not just credentials. Support means giving people the space to grow, take risks, and make an impact—because that’s where real innovation happens.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: victoriaazapatar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriazapata-fl/
Image Credits
Ernesto Batista Photography