We recently had the chance to connect with Carolina Takagi and have shared our conversation below.
Carolina, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Speak up.
To use my voice, share my experiences, and in doing so, liberate others to give themselves permission to stand fully in their authentic expression. I’ve had a very complex relationship with my voice – throughout my childhood, into adulthood, and right up until quite recently. Public speaking was something I not only avoided, but truly dreaded. Whether it was giving a presentation or a simple poem at a friend’s wedding, the thought of standing in front of an audience – being seen, exposing myself to judgement, criticism, or rejection – would instantly paralyse me.
And yet, I had so much to say.
The inner conflict was painful: my mind was full of thoughts I longed to express, but my body refused to cooperate. I was trapped in a loop of self-doubt, consumed by negative “what ifs”—What if no one finds me interesting? What if what I have to say isn’t important?
I had lost perspective. The truth is, I was the one judging and silencing myself. It took a shift in mindset to realize staying quiet was a disservice – not just to myself, but to others who might need to hear what I had to share. Who was I to decide what’s valuable or not? My only real job is to be authentic. To be present. To be myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a filmmaker – Director, writer, creative producer, I use creativity to connect people. My multi cultural & multi lingual upbringing, (Japanese/Swiss, raised in Texas, Tokyo & London) has nurtured a passion for visual narratives that transcend language. My goal is to amplify the unheard voices and illuminate the unseen. My ultimate purpose is to awaken empathy and conscious thought that inspires action.
I am the founder of Pink Production, a bespoke creative production company for photography and film – bringing creative visions to life through the power of storytelling. My productions have graced the covers of VOGUE, GQ, Vanity Fair and more, as well as campaigns for top brands including Gucci, Porsche, Zara and Netflix. I’ve collaborated with Zendaya, Adele, Idris Elba, Venus Williams, Viola Davis to name but a few, along with top models in fashion. Based between LA and London, I produce worldwide.
I’m currently developing scripts for both short and feature films. I also offer mindset mentoring through my program, Trust your Truth. www.trustyourtruth.space
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For so long, I carried the weight of perfectionism and performance—thinking I had to achieve more, be more, impress more, just to be enough. That version of me served a purpose: it kept me safe, helped me navigate expectations, and pushed me forward. But it was also exhausting. These old beliefs once shaped me. They built my strength, courage, and resilience—but they no longer reflect who I am today. Now, I’m learning to release those parts of me.
The part that believed worthiness had to be earned, that validation and acceptance lived outside of me. The part that questioned whether I was ever enough—and thought I had to be perfect to be loved. Most of all, the part that believed love was a prize to be won, rather than a gift to be received.
I no longer let the external world define my worth or dictate who I need to be.
I embody who I am, from within. I’m not here to perform for acceptance. I’m here to share my unique gifts—with presence, with truth, and with love.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of rejection -and ultimately, abandonment- made me believe that simply being myself wasn’t enough. I thought I had to be extraordinary, to offer something exceptional just to be valued or worthy. That belief took root early and led to a deep sense of unworthiness. I became a perfectionist, constantly shapeshifting, trying to become whatever was needed in order to fit in, to blend, to be accepted. Unsurprisingly, it held me back from fully embracing who I was at my core. It didn’t feel safe to express myself authentically. I often silenced my voice for the comfort of others, or out of fear of how I might be received. It’s been a long journey to unlearn those patterns and come back to my true self. But naming the fear was the first step in reclaiming my voice.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Truth, trust, accountability and connection.
Truth above all else -because without truth, you cannot trust. And without trust, real connection isn’t possible. My friends would say I’m direct. I always choose honesty over sugar-coating, even when it’s not easy to hear. It’s not about being harsh, it’s about being real. The only way is through, so rip that band-aid off and let it breathe. I say what I mean and mean what I say. My friends can rely on me to tell it as it is. They know where they stand.
At the heart of it, I care deeply about integrity. I want the people around me to feel safe, seen, and grounded in something genuine. That only happens when truth is the foundation.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I lived with courage, compassion and integrity.
That I moved through the world with an open heart, and used my voice to speak truth. That I turned my pain into purpose, my questions into art, and my presence into something others could feel safe in. I hope they say I helped others feel seen. That I made space—for honesty, for healing, and transformative expression. That I was brave in my vulnerability, generous in my creativity, and committed to truth, even when it was uncomfortable.
I hope my legacy is one of impact, not just intention. That the ripples of my words, my choices, and my art continue to move through the world—quietly, powerfully, and with love. That I lived in purpose, led with empathy, and left behind deeper connection. That I lit a spark in others and inspired them to live in their truth—And that I made beauty out of the messy, meaning out of the silence, and love out of the unknown.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolinatakagi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkproduction_carolinatakagi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-takagi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolinaTakagi
- Other: https://www.trustyourtruth.space
