Rising Stars: Meet Lua De Morais of West LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lua De Morais.

Hi Lua , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew I would be on stage in some way — singing, dancing (my mother thought I would become a dancer), acting, reciting poetry, or simply communicating. There’s actually a photo in my kitchen of me singing on television at two years old. Expression was always part of who I was.

However, I was born and raised in a cult, where pursuing a life as an artist wasn’t really an option unless it was strictly connected to religion. It took many years, and many obstacles, for me to arrive where I am today — free to do what I love and to fully embrace my identity as an artist. That journey became the inspiration for my one-woman show, WINGS, it’s legal to Dream, which tells my life story. I perform it every other month at The Zula Den in Culver City, and my next performance is on March 11.

In the past three years, I’ve also created, alongside my daughter, son, and close friends, a children’s educational YouTube show called Playbug, focused on language learning through music and storytelling. We’ll be launching a crowdfunding campaign between March and April to help us continue growing the project, and we’re excited to invite our community to be part of that journey.

Whether I’m singing, dancing, acting, writing, or producing, I’ve always felt a deep need to express and to inspire others. For me, art is about connection and contribution — about making a difference, no matter how small. I believe we’re all here to offer something meaningful to the world, and living by that philosophy is what makes me feel whole and complete.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Leaving the cult where I was raised meant starting life over in many ways, without the tools or structure most people take for granted. I became a mother young, later a single mother of two, while continuing to pursue my passion as an artist. At 32, I went to college for the first time and “became” an actress because I realized I needed a formal education to better navigate the world outside of the environment I grew up in.

Along the way, I also went through two marriages, searching for a partner who could truly understand and support my passion and sense of purpose, rather than trying to reshape who I was to fit their own expectations. Those experiences were challenging, but they also taught me a great deal about self-worth, boundaries, and the importance of choosing differently as we grow.

The journey has been anything but smooth, but it has been deeply transformative. Over the past four years, therapy has played a major role in my life and has truly been life-saving. Combined with a daily meditation practice, it has helped me stay grounded and connected to myself through uncertainty and change.

It’s very easy to become discouraged or distracted by life’s challenges, especially in a creative path that comes with so much unpredictability. I’ve learned how important it is to pause, check in with ourselves, and reflect on how far we’ve come, where we are, and where we want to go next. That awareness allows us to keep moving forward with intention rather than fear. Today, I feel wiser, stronger, and genuinely happier because of that journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist — singer, actress, writer, producer, and storyteller. At the core of everything I do is communication and emotional connection. Whether I’m performing live, creating children’s content, or developing a theatrical piece, my work is always centered around expression that moves people.

I specialize in music and storytelling across languages. I’m a trilingual singer (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) and I’ve spent over 20 years working in children’s entertainment as a voice-over actress and content creator. I’ve had the honor of contributing to projects for platforms like Discovery Kids, Disney, The Children’s Kingdom, etc., singing and creating characters, narrations, and educational content that reach families across different cultures. At the same time, I perform original music and live shows that blend theatricality, vulnerability, and empowerment.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is my one-woman show, WINGS, it’s legal to Dream, which tells the story of breaking free from a cult and reclaiming identity. It’s raw, musical, intimate, and deeply personal — and audiences often tell me it gives them permission to reflect on their own freedom and dreams.

I’m also incredibly proud of Playbug, the educational YouTube show I created with my children and friends. It combines language learning, music, and storytelling in a playful, multicultural way. Creating something meaningful alongside my own kids feels like a full-circle moment — art, motherhood, and education coming together.

What sets me apart is that my work is not just performance — it’s lived experience. I don’t create from theory; I create from transformation. My journey through adversity, reinvention, motherhood, and self-discovery informs everything I do. There’s a sense of purpose behind my art. I’m not just here to entertain — I’m here to connect, uplift, and create spaces where people feel seen.

How do you define success?
I define success as freedom — the freedom to do what you love and to live in alignment with who you truly are. For me, it’s about waking up knowing that I am doing the work I’m meant to be doing and standing in the place I’m meant to stand, even if the path isn’t always easy.

Success isn’t just financial or external recognition, although those things can be wonderful. It’s about inner alignment. It’s about navigating life with integrity, purpose, and self-awareness. It’s about feeling whole in what you create and how you contribute.

When I look at my life — the obstacles I’ve overcome, the risks I’ve taken, the projects I’ve built from the ground up — I realize that success is being able to choose consciously, to create intentionally, and to remain connected to my mission. If I have that, I already feel successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luademorais.com
• Instagram: @luademorais
• Facebook: @luademorais
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lua-de-morais-9b4a7240/
• Twitter: @luademorais
• Youtube: @luademorais

Image Credits
Hube Salamanca
Oscar de Aguila