Meet Diana Vergara of Di Loves You Productions in Koreatown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Vergara.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was five years old when my mother escaped domestic violence in California and took me to live in El Salvador with my grandparents. I spent the rest of my childhood there, learning about my roots and attending Catholic school. When I was fifteen, my father insisted I come back to the United States to finish high school and attend an American university. In the hopes of a bright future, I decided to separate from my beloved mother and move back to the U.S. I moved in with my overly strict father and began adjusting to a new life and culture as a high school teenager. At 18, I graduated from high school and moved out on my own with $700 in my pocket. I started working at a local restaurant, became the manager, and enrolled in community college. A short while later, I got accepted into UC Berkeley, where I majored in media studies and theater performances.

During my last semester in college, a friend asked me if I could take on a freelance job that she didn’t feel comfortable completing. Playboy Magazine had offered her $300 to find five girls to pose nude for their Pac-12 college edition. “I got this,” I told her. Motivated by the cash, I found six girls in two days, impressed the photo director, and cashed my check. A year later, the same director hired me again, this time to work full-time in Los Angeles. The day after I got the news, I quit my job, packed my car, and headed south to work at the headquarters of Playboy Enterprises in Beverly Hills. My first day was surreal. It happened to be a party for Playmate of the Year. There were celebrities, models, and good-looking people as far as the fabulous downstairs office bar could hold. I didn’t know then, but that would be the first day of my next five years working in Hollywood. I started in an entry-level position until I worked my way to writing and producing entertainment. My master plan consisted of becoming a producer and learning the business from the inside out so that one day I could put myself on camera without the struggle.

Eventually, I moved on to work with different networks and publications as a producer and achieved some success. At that point in my life, work felt fabulous. The days of smelling like food and studying all night were far behind me. Now my life was surrounded by private events, working with celebrities, traveling first class, and hosting entertainment segments all over the country and even in Canada.

After years of being a producer, I started to struggle with my work environment. As fun as my job was, tasks began to feel repetitive and meaningless. I felt like I poured my heart into every project but did not receive proper recognition or motivation from my higher-ups. Over time, my creativity felt stunted by the same script and the same video formula. Even though I was financially stable for the first time, I felt utterly drained and out of life. I was comfortable but, at the same time, uncomfortable. No matter which celebrity I met or where I traveled, the fleeting fun was no longer feeding my soul. I wanted more.

After much thought, I quit my job and decided to leave Los Angeles for a fresh start in New York City, a place where I always wanted to live. Soon after, a contact linked me up with an interview for a TV network stationed at the Rockefeller Building. The interview went great, but I couldn’t get myself to write a pitch for them. I quite literally had nothing to give. I was exhausted and came to terms with the fact that I couldn’t do the job at that time. While in New York, I started processing my feelings for LA. I felt heartbroken. My career goals felt clouded by experiences with narcissistic personalities who took full advantage of what I offered. I experienced sexism from male peers at my last job, which made me grow resentful towards them and towards the industry. I had accomplished things I never imagined. I had given so much and worked so hard for all my projects. Why didn’t I have what I truly wanted yet?

I decided to take a break from producing and went back to square one. I asked myself what I truly wanted. I made it my purpose to nurture and honor my creativity no matter what I decided to do for work. To practice, I started writing non-stop, learning music, going to auditions, and taking dance lessons with some of the top Latin choreographers in the city. I realized that all I ever wanted was to be a creative artist and a performer. It was time for me to create a platform and space for myself rather than putting all my energy toward others’ goals. I knew I had to take ownership of my time and work towards financial independence to make this happen, so I got to work on making this reality happen for myself.

Deep down, I didn’t know if I wanted to be back, but I knew I was not done with Los Angeles. I spent so much time wrapped up in working for others that I lost sight of my own goals and all the work I had put into this city. I couldn’t just give up or get run out by disappointment. L.A. was my city; I just had to have the strength to own it.

After spending a year healing my creativity back to life in New York I relocated to LA this past summer. I am now publishing my first book of poetry, producing a podcast called Di Loves You, booking commercial gigs as an actress, and building my way to financial independence by taking on entrepreneurial ventures. Since then, I have never felt better about my place on earth, my work, and all I have to offer as a Latinx creative, right here in the City of Angeles.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a challenging road, to say the least. Many told me that I could not succeed as a creative force. Along the way, I believed the editor who told me I was stupid and would never be a writer, and I believed the video director who told me I would never be on camera. For a long time, I took their word on that. Until I realized I’m not here for anyone who can’t relate to me or who thinks they deserve my accomplishments more than I do. I’m here for that young Latina aspiring to have a bright future. I want her to know that she can be anything she wants, no matter her circumstances.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a writer, producer, and actress. My work has always leaned toward the edgy. I like to talk about subjects that make us uncomfortable because discomfort helps us to grow, learn, and be better. I make a point of this in my work. I want to make people blush, think, and question.

As a freelancer, I consult privately on production, development, and creatives. I have written and produced live events, TV specials, documentary series, and reality shows for different TV networks, publications, and private clients. I’m also a working writer and actress. Lately, you can find me writing about entertainment for digital publications and modeling different products around the internet.

My first poetry collection is a tribute to the journey that brought me where I am today. We Are Flowers is available for pre-order at www.dilovesyou.com.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is a fantastic place to do whatever you want to do. No matter how tough your day gets, the sun always shines and reminds of all the other things that matter. The energy keeps me on my toes, and the talent keeps me on my A-game.

Pricing:

• We Are Flowers Poetry Collection (Pre-order at www.dilovesyou.com for a personalized poem) $15.99 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dilovesyou.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dilovesyou/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dilovesyou
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dilovesyou_

Image Credit:
The main image, book cover image, and podcast cover image are by Ashley Balderrama.

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