Daily Inspiration: Meet Alyssa Mandujano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Mandujano

Alyssa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Atascosa, Texas. It’s a rural little area, but it was so big in my imagination. I was raised by my parents, Melissa and Alberto Mandujano, and I shared them with my two siblings, Cassie, and Albert. I grew up on two acres of land, so I had a lot of space to drive my hot pink Barbie Jeep that took me to my dream city, California. It only took me up and down my two acres but in my head, I drove all across the world. That’s pretty much how my household was run, it was a hub for dreams and our dreams were never too big, and still to this day, never are. My childhood consisted of art, but if there was one art form that really took the cake, it was acting.
The very first movie that I remember watching was “Pretty In Pink,” Starring Molly Ringwald at age six. That’s when my dreams took flight. After watching this Coming-of-age ’80s romance with a hint of woman empowerment was all I needed. It became a lifestyle. On the weekends when I didn’t have school, it was a new 80s movie. Especially if John Hughes was attached to the film.
And if it wasn’t movies, it was a magic show I directed and put together and forced my brother to learn, or I had a new scene ready for my mom to play along with, such as; Real Estate, Party scenes, oh and of course making my dad practice the infamous Dirty Dancing lift over and over again.
In middle school, I joined theatre and continued up into my senior year of high school. I spent my time doing plays, musicals, and scene study, constantly honing my craft because I knew that the plan was always to end up in Los Angeles.
After high school, I studied at AMDA College of the Performing Arts and majored in Acting on Camera, and was fortunate enough to receive my associate’s degree!
Anywhere I’m able to create, you can find me there.
Growing up, I was constantly told that I didn’t take enough time to just be a kid, but I disagree. I think my imagination was just ahead of its time. I learned about life, morals, and people through film. If anything, I was a better child because of it. It was school through art!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, but I didn’t expect it to be.
I left for college two weeks after high school graduation. I was eighteen years old, moving away to college without any family, or friends. I was going to start completely fresh. That’s terrifying at eighteen. Especially moving to city life, I’m a country girl at heart.
I remember leaving and feeling so sick to my stomach. I have performed so many times in my lifetime and I don’t think I’d ever been so nervous.
My family and I decided to drive up for move-in day so that way we had just a bit more time with one another. I remember my dad asking me, “Are you sure you want to do this?” He even offered to turn right back around, even though we were like two hours into the drive. I said no. Partly because we were two hours into the drive, but mainly because I knew that little Alyssa would never let me quit. She was too fiery to let anything kill her spark. I knew I had to do this, it was scary, that’s all, but I wanted it just as bad as I did at six years old.
My dad also had a health scare while I was away at college, and I kept trying to figure out if it was worth being so far away. Feeling like time was just going and I couldn’t make it pause for a second. But, thankfully he recovered, and My parents believe in me sometimes more than I believe in myself, and that’s a challenge too. Especially when they’ve given so much, and I haven’t quite yet reaped the fruits of my labor. But when I do, it will all go back to them.
Finally, now that it is my first official year in this industry, I struggle with not acting 24/7 anymore, but with that adjustment, have come new art forms that have opened me in ways, I never imagined.
These obstacles and challenges are just that. It’s risky and scary. So remember, if it’s worth it, do it scared!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor, writer, poet, and all things creative! My main focus is acting. It is my end goal to make it in film and be a working actor. This was once a dream, but I am now working toward making it my reality. Just the other day, my mom asked me what my niche was. I don’t particularly love that question only because I don’t like being put in a box. I also came to realize, that I can’t be put in a box unless I let myself be.
After thinking about it further, and remembering the moment I knew this was what I wanted to do, I realized, my niche was love, aka, romance. It may sound a bit cliche when you first read it, but let me explain. Romance is my forte, it encompasses every emotion, and if you’ve ever experienced love firsthand, you’ll understand that love is one of the hardest things to fake. So, I am your leading lady in love, and I promise I’ll keep it honest. And to my mom, sorry for fighting you on it, but you know that when I write it out, it all becomes clear!

Yes, I am also a poet, I have to thank my sister first for being the OG poet and for helping me discover that the words pouring out of me can be used for clarity. I recently finished writing my first-ever poetry book, and I am so beyond excited for what is to come next with it! It was accepted for publication, but I am still weighing my options for what will fit my vision best. That’s also a hint of who I am. I want my art to reflect meaning just as life does.
I am most proud of my bravery. I dive into situations without knowing the outcome, and if I had never bet on myself, I don’t believe I’d be sitting here answering these questions right now. Also, I’m proud of graduating from college at nineteen. It was a nerve-racking experience that I would not change for the world. And you know what they say, “If you’re an artist, you have to run towards the danger.”
First semester of college, one of my professors gave me a quote that has stuck with me ever since, and I plan to keep it with me throughout the rest of my career.
“Amateurs do it until they get it right, professionals do it, until they can’t get it wrong.”
That is what sets me apart.
Give me a script, project, anything, and I will be the last to leave the room.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned that being present is a privilege. I tend to get wrapped up in life and forget to give gratitude for the small things that aren’t so small. God as well. God is my guidance through life and reminds me every day to slow down and reflect on my journey because you never know when it’ll be gone.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssaamandujano/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alyssamandujano19
• Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/alyssaaudeliamandujano

Image Credits
Caroline Rose
AMDA College
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Jenny Walpole
Leo Foti