Check Out Paula Méndez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Méndez.

Hi Paula, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Oviedo a small town in Asturias, a province on the northern coast of Spain. Starting at a very young age, I have always felt a great intrigue for everything related to art. I was a creative child, constantly dancing and acting. I signed up for ballet classes at the age of five at the Royal Academy of Dance of London, and I loved it! I also started taking guitar, painting and acting lessons. It was then that a teacher informed me about casting in my province for the feature film “Sunday Light” with the Spanish Oscar winner director Luis Garci. I got cast and participated in the film, and that’s where I can say that it all began.

When I finished my university degree, I decided to move to Madrid to continue my artistic training. I arrived alone and with a lot of uncertainty but with great enthusiasm and a desire to learn. I believe in the philosophy that when you follow your heart, all the steps you take will lead you in the right direction. It was a beautiful learning experience. I have incredible anecdotes and adventures from that period of my life. I attended theatre classes in different schools and started working in a company where we performed in several playhouses throughout Spain. Casting agents started calling me for auditions, so I decided to incorporate acting in front of the camera by taking drama classes at the Madrid Film Institute and several other schools.

Positive feedback in the auditions and the casting process led me to work in commercials, catalogs, and music videos. I then got the opportunity to work in several short films and many well-known tv series in Spain such as “Club Houdini” by Disney, “Los hombres de Paco” (Paco’s Men) by Channel 3, “Aida” by Telecinco, “Physics and Chemistry” by Channel 3, “Red Eagle” by TVE and “Cita a ciegas” by Channel Four.

It was five years ago when comedy knocked on my door, and I got a leading role for two seasons in a comedy Tv show for a prime-time Spanish channel. “Jose Mota presenta” It was an amazing experience for me as an actress. I decided to come to Los Angeles to continue training and explore new challenges. As soon as I set foot in California, I fell in love with the city. Los Angeles has something very magical that’s aligned with my essence. It motivates me, challenges me, and makes me grow a lot as an artist.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Art and the craft of acting have not been an easy path. I had to work many other jobs to stay afloat while also investing in my artistic career. Finding balance and time away from these jobs in order to train and go to auditions was also a challenge.

Everything that is required to be in the US as a budding actress from Spain, like adjusting to a new environment, acquiring visas, and supporting myself in a new country, is difficult. However, being far away of my family is the hardest part.

It feels like a “mission impossible,” but everything in life worth having requires sacrifice and effort. I am so grateful for this career and all that it has given me. That level of demand has helped me grow leaps and bounds as a person, and through all of the good and the bad, I feel very alive. Sometimes there are doubts when there are difficult moments, but I think that no one ever regrets being brave in the face of a challenge. So go for it!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am primarily an actress, but I have also worked as a dancer and model. Some highlights of my career: • I am part of this summer’s national campaign for ULTA Beauty. It has been very exciting to be a face in all 1,196 retail stores in the US. I love that my friends from cities all over the US send me photos when they see me.

• A dream come true job as an actress was to be in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantino. I was on set for several weeks and shared scenes with Brad Pitt, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Margot Robbie. Being on the big screen with Brad Pitt is very special to me.

• I have starred in music videos by Halsey, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, J Balvin, Revolution Saints, Chayanne, Gloria Trevi, and Enrique Bunbury.

• A year ago, I had the opportunity to work in the feature film “Death Rider in the House of Vampires,” a Spaghetti western featuring the amazing team of Devon Sawa, Danny Trejo, Glenn Danzig, and Eli Roth. I loved being a vampire and greatly enjoy transforming into characters like this.

• Another incredible opportunity was getting the lead role in an internationally promoted film and global campaign for Marriott Hotels. Marriott Bonvoy was directed by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amélie) and cinematography was led by two-time Oscar-winner Janusz Kaminski (Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan). The film debuted as a commercial during the 91st Oscars.

• Another beautiful job that takes my breath away was the work I did as an actress and dancer in two productions for the Los Angeles Opera at the amazing Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: “La Clemenza di Tito” (The Clemency of Titus) and “The Wild Cat.” There were moments on that stage that I cannot describe with words.

• As a model, I have done campaigns with brands such as a film directed by Penelope Cruz for Agent Provocateur and others including Nivea, Clean and Clear, Guess, Mitsubishi, Woman Secret, Mario Valentino, and more.

I continue to learn and grow from my experiences and hard work. As for the future, I am always ready for the opportunities that come my way!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
When I came to America, my friends taught me a new word to describe me: a tomboy. I am an only child, but I grew up playing soccer and roughhousing with my male cousins. In my village, we would hike up mountains and play all sorts of sports and games like rugby, soccer, basketball, mountain bike, shooting pool, and everything in between. Any time I have the opportunity, I like to kick off my heels and get my hands dirty!

Most people are surprised by this, and when they meet me, they learn that I am also quite goofy. I love to laugh and enjoy pranks – I’ve gotten into some trouble for this! If you are around me on April Fool’s Day… be careful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/paulamendezweb

Image Credits:
Marcos Garzo Mishan Warnakulasuriya Phillip Faraone Rafael Leyva