Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Tyler Bueno

This answer might be a bit of a stretch for the question. I’m not sure if misunderstood is the right word but underestimated seems more on point. I knew I wanted to be an actor ever since I was at least 11 or 12. I loved Power Rangers when I was younger… Well I still do… but Austin St. Read more>>

Alan Diaz-Soto

I think that anytime someone looks at one of my paintings and they say “good job” or you know, they’ll say “oh that’s really good.” I think anytime that’s being said, I’m being misunderstood and mischaracterized as someone who wants to make something that looks “good.” I want to make something that’s ugly. I want to make something that’s real. Read more>>

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

As a blogger with a following in digital media, I have been told many times to define myself and my writings. My response was that I am a blogger who dedicates his time to sports [soccer] and artists with certain artistic videos in the realm of Postmodern Existentialism. The response of others to my comments were acceptance with certain exceptions [You cannot please everybody]. Read more>>

Lucila Tolis

Have you ever thought about what happens after you decide you want to be an artist? Lately I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to choose this path. Is that decision like the vows of a marriage, or like a nun who consecrates her life to a divinity? Is it a choice that lasts forever? Read more>>

Jai Humble

I think any creative or entrepreneur who pushes boundaries gets misunderstood at some point. For me, the biggest misunderstanding has always been people assuming that I “do too much,” instead of realizing that everything I build is connected. I’m not just working in entertainment, branding, talent development, events, and community work separately — I’m building an ecosystem. Read more>>

Grace Ayars-Feazell

Yes, there have several been moments where I’ve been misunderstood due to my mild cerebral palsy, which affects my speech and fine motor skills. One particularly memorable instance happened a couple of years ago while I was out with a friend at a local bar and restaurant in Charlottesville. We were on the back patio, chatting and enjoying the evening vibes. It’s worth noting that I hadn’t touched alcohol in about a year and a half at that point—I’d quit drinking entirely as part of my personal journey of self-care. Read more>>

Suzanne Gladstone

From a young age, I was always very ambitious with my creative projects. I spent a lot of time alone and enjoyed being in my own energy. Most people considered me shy or naïve. Most people really didn’t know who I was, and would judge me before they even spoke to me. Most of my young life, I was characterized as a loner and someone who just stuck to themselves. I wanted friends and I wanted to fit in, but no matter what I did, it never seemed to open up those doors for me. I was never part of the partying scene in my younger years and I never had many friends, if any at all.  Read more>>

X. Ho Yen

This question is phrased from the standpoint of a single occurrence, but I’d like to talk about something recurring. It’s important. Hollywood has trained everyone to think “science fiction” means derivative trash that’s about juvenile stories of alien invasions, men with guns/violence porn, time travel, space opera and other such material that’s driven by technological or scientific contrivances amenable to flashy visual effects but without cultural challenge. Read more>>