Story & Lesson Highlights with Leopold Nunan Soares of Los Angeles

Leopold Nunan Soares shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Leopold, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
Just daily fights. I avoided spending that energy.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Leopold Nunan is a Brazilian-born, Los Angeles–based performer, music maker, and community leader known for fusing the fire of Rio with the freedom of West Hollywood. My work lives at the intersection of music, performance art, and social impact — a colorful, unapologetic celebration of diversity, sensuality, and resilience.

Through my brand Leo from Rio, I’ve built a world where samba meets house, tropical funk meets queer liberation, and performance becomes activism. I create music, direct videos, and produce live shows that spotlight Brazilian culture and queer talent in the U.S., always blending high art with street energy.

Right now, I’m working on my upcoming Leo from Rio remix album, new visual projects like The Political Illiterate and Lucifer’s Defense, and community events under my company ZARABATANA Productions, which brings Brazilian artists to tour in the U.S. My mission is simple — to connect, empower, and entertain through the rhythm of authenticity

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother, Naira Nunan. She saw me clearly before I even understood who I was becoming. A brilliant lawyer and a fighter who never lost her magic or tenderness — she taught me that strength and softness can coexist. Her belief in me gave me the courage to create, to perform, and to lead with heart.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could — compassion, truth, and resilience. Success celebrates the light, but suffering taught me how to survive the dark and still dance

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people are getting it wrong when they confuse intellect with wisdom. We live in an age of information, not transformation. You can know everything and still miss the soul of it. The smartest minds sometimes forget to feel — to listen, to be human. Real intelligence is empathy in action.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. Because art is not a transaction — it’s a pulse. I’ve performed in empty rooms and in front of thousands, and the truth is the same: the work has to be honest. Praise is beautiful, but it can’t be the reason. I give my best because creation itself is the reward — the magic, the madness, the freedom of expression.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopoldnunan
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/leopoldnunan