Life & Work with Natalia Bilbao of LOS ANGELES

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Bilbao.

Hi Natalia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It has definitely been a wild, non-traditional ride. I was born and raised in Bilbao, Spain, and for the first major chapter of my life, my entire identity was tied to sports. I was a semi-pro tennis player, competing all over Europe and eventually grinding my way to the top 100 national ranking in Spain. My world was defined by early morning routines, intense discipline, and a fierce competitive drive.

While I was competing, I also earned my degree in Business Management from Deusto Business University. But even then, I knew I was a storyteller at heart. I loved the performance aspect of the tennis court, but my true passion was acting, storytelling, and connecting with people on a deeper level.

So, I made a massive pivot. I traded my tennis racket for classical theater training in London and Madrid. After cutting my teeth and building a foundation in Europe, I took the ultimate leap and moved across the world to Los Angeles.

Today, I am incredibly grateful for where that relentless hustle has led me. I am a 2021 Emmy-winning TV host for LA This Week, I was the in-stadium host for Angel City FC, and I won 11 international Best Actress awards for my lead role in the indie film No Man’s Law. Because I am fluent in four languages, I get to truly bridge cultures—whether I am interviewing global icons like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Momoa, or telling the authentic stories of our local Latino community. Looking back, every single step—from the tennis court to business school to studying Shakespeare in London—gave me the exact tools I need to thrive on camera today.

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?
One of the biggest initial struggles was the reality of starting completely over. I had built a highly disciplined life in Spain, achieving a top 100 national ranking in tennis and earning my Business Management degree. Transitioning into acting meant leaving that security behind to study theater in London and Madrid, and eventually packing up for Hollywood to navigate a notoriously unpredictable industry.

The reality of this business is that you experience incredible highs—like winning a Los Angeles Governors Emmy or taking home 11 international awards for my film No Man’s Law—but you also have to survive the quiet periods. Coping with those ‘moments of little work’ is the true test of how much you like what you do and how quickly you can adapt and come up with ways to “survive”.

I relied heavily on the early morning routines and intense discipline ingrained in me from my tennis days. Staying healthy, working out every single day, eating well, and meditating became my armor. That strict routine kept me grounded, focused, and energized during the lean times, ensuring that when massive opportunities came—like hosting for Angel City FC or interviewing icons like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson—I was completely ready to execute.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I am a storyteller and a global communicator. I work as a bilingual actress, an Emmy Award-winning TV host, and a communications specialist. I specialize in bridging cultures and connecting with highly diverse audiences. On the hosting side, I am known for anchoring the Emmy-winning shows LA This Week and LA Currents, and serving as the energetic in-stadium host for Angel City FC. On the acting side, my passion is playing empowering female characters. My athletic background allows me to bring a grounded, sometimes dark or vulnerable edge to thrillers and action films, while my extensive improv and dialect training lets me lean into playing larger-than-life goofballs in comedies. Whether I am working in film, TV, or live events across the US, Latin America, and Europe, my job is to bring charisma, professionalism, and heart to the project.

What truly sets me apart is the combination of my physical dynamism, academic background, and cultural fluency. I don’t just memorize lines; I bring a unique, gritty edge to my roles. I am a former semi-pro tennis player and I’ve been a ‘badass biker’ since I was eight years old. That athletic discipline is paired with a Business Management degree from Deusto Business University and fluency in four languages. That versatility makes me a ‘Swiss-army knife’ for productions. It allows me to effortlessly execute stage combat, interview global icons like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Momoa, or break down complex local policies in Mexican Spanish without ever missing a beat.

“I am incredibly proud of the formal recognition my work has received across entirely different mediums. Winning a 2021 Los Angeles Governors Emmy Award for my hosting work was a massive milestone. Equally, taking home 11 Best Actress International Awards for my leading role as ‘Morales’ in the indie film No Man’s Law was profoundly validating. But beyond the trophies, I am most proud of the trust I’ve built with my audiences. Moving across the world from Spain to Los Angeles to represent the Latino community with force, respect, and authenticity is the achievement that drives me every single day.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The reality is that this industry is an endurance test. To survive and thrive, I rely on a very strict early morning routine. Being a healthy person, working out every day, eating good food, drinking water, and meditating are the non-negotiable habits that keep me focused, grounded, and energized. That discipline is what gave me the stamina to earn a Business Management degree at Deusto Business University while competing, and it is what gave me the courage to move from Spain to Los Angeles to start from scratch.

Paired with that discipline is my cultural adaptability. Growing up in a multicultural environment in Bilbao and being fluent in four languages allows me to walk into any room, or onto any set, and truly connect with whoever is in front of me. But it is the discipline that gets me in the door, and the discipline that keeps me in the room.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://nataliabilbao.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalia_bilbao
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliaabilbao
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliabilbao/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2JJJVnv1IcePU5htVq3kkA/

Image Credits
Haila Alkamis
Jake Tupas
William Bonilla
Poveda La Pelicula