Daily Inspiration: Meet Angela Torres

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Torres.

Hi Angela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a Filipina fireball, professional goofball and fun connoisseur originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. I was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. when I was three. Growing up, I was obsessed with Disney, musical theater and karaoke, and regularly forced my family and stuffed animals to watch my “performances.”

Ironically, growing up I was painfully shy and insecure. I actually chickened out of my first high school audition. A friend convinced me to go back the next day, and I reluctantly auditioned to be in the chorus. By a stroke of destiny, I got cast as the lead in The Secret Garden. That was the moment my world changed, and I fell madly in love with acting.

Coming from an immigrant family, pursuing acting wasn’t exactly the obvious career choice. I didn’t grow up seeing many Filipinas on TV and in movies, so I took the practical route and majored in… English Literature. LOL. But I kept finding my way back to performing. I even found a job doing educational theater and taught high school students about consent and safe sex. Performing was in my bones. It was what I lived and breathed and eventually, I took the leap and gave acting a real shot.

Since then, my career has been a wonderfully weird mix of rom-coms, sketch, and procedurals. I’ve appeared on SEAL Team, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-0. After years of auditions, rejection, almosts and being the “second choice!” I started landing the kinds of roles I used to dream about. I starred in A Wedding Contest, A Fantastic Relationship and A Vineyard Christmas, which landed on Netflix and Amazon. Leading a Christmas rom-com as a Filipina American actress felt especially full-circle because growing up, I rarely saw women who looked like me getting to be the lead of the love story.

Next, I’m starring as Ernie, a big-hearted Filipina caretaker, in the multicam comedy Ethel and Ernie, As Jen in East of Western with the Bosco family, and I’ll appear as Nikki in the upcoming film Babies alongside Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen.

My career definitely hasn’t been a straight line and thank God, because that would be boring. It’s been a lot of persistence, rejection, laughter and learning that the things that once made me feel different are actually my superpowers. I’m still chasing the same thing I was as that little girl performing for her stuffed animals. I love telling stories, making people laugh, making them feel something, and I have a lot of joy doing it.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not and I’m pretty sure “smooth road” and “acting career” are rarely used in the same sentence. 😂 Even for the most successful.

Rejection is such a huge part of this business, and honestly, I’m still navigating it. You can have an amazing year, star in something you’re incredibly proud of, and then wake up the next morning thinking, “Cool! So…what’s my next job?” There’s always another audition, another role you really want, another almost.

I think one of my biggest challenges has been learning how to protect my mental health and self esteem in a career where so much is completely out of your control. When I was younger, I could let booking, or not booking a job, determine how I felt about myself. Over time, I’ve gotten much better at separating my worth from my work. It’s still really hard, especially when the part that feels destined for you, doesn’t go your way. But I try to focus on the things I can control. Like, being prepared, doing work I’m proud of, creating my own opportunities, surrounding myself with people I love, and having a really full life outside of acting.

I’ve also learned to trust timing a lot more. Some of the jobs I desperately wanted and didn’t get made room for something better. That doesn’t mean rejection suddenly feels fabulous. But I’ve started to believe in my bones, that what’s meant for you will ALWAYS find you. Your job is to keep showing up, keep growing, and not let all the “no’s” convince you to stop before you get to your “yes.” If it lights you up, keep pursuing it. And keep growing in your art so that not only does it fulfill you, but you become so undeniable, you can’t be ignored. And maybe most importantly, enjoy your life, while you’re waiting for the phone to ring.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m an actress who loves making people laugh, and pulling at your heart strings. I specialize in characters who are charming, goofy, a little chaotic, and deeply human. I love comedy, but I’m equally obsessed with what is real and finding the heart underneath it.

I work across film, television and live comedy, from starring in rom-coms like A Vineyard Christmas to playing in the more serious worlds of SEAL Team, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and Magnum P.I. I also perform sketch comedy at UCB, and do plays with companies like Eight Ball Theater, which is basically my playground. There’s something magical and terrifying about live theater because there is nowhere to hide. It’s an exhilarating energetic dance between performer and audience, that requires the utmost presence. As a performer there is no rush or challenge quite like it.

I think what sets me apart is that I’ve never fit neatly into one box. I can be the quirky best friend, the frazzled mom, the tough cop, the outrageous loser, the cold hearted debutant, and the comedic heroine who gets the love story. For a long time, especially as a Filipina American actress, I didn’t see many women who looked like me getting to do all of those things. I’m really proud to be part of changing that narrative.

One of the things I’m most proud of is A Vineyard Christmas. Not only did I get to be the lead of a holiday rom-com that found a home on Netflix, but the film also celebrates Filipino culture. Getting to be the Filipina woman at the center of the story, and not on the sidelines, meant a lot to me. I got to play a funny flawed, ambitious and in love lead and also amplify Filipino representation in American media.

Ultimately, I think my sweet spot is heartfelt stories with drama and levity. I want to play women who are messy, joyful, complicated, ridiculous, romantic and real. And if I can make someone laugh, be moved, and feel seen? Dream gig

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest advice for networking is to stop thinking of it as “networking.” The word alone puts a shiver down my spine and makes me want to put on a stuffy blazer and hand out business cards. 😂 I’ve found that the best relationships in my career have come from genuinely connecting with people, being curious about who they are, and building community. And also approaching each “networking” interaction as an opportunity to learn.

For me, comedy, theatre, training and performing have been huge. It introduced me to so many talented people, and helped me build an artistic tribe. I developed self confidence, learned to trust my own voice and figured out my authentic skill set, through creating things in community. Some of my closest friendships and professional relationships started because we were in a class, wrote a sketch, performed in a show, or were on set together.

When it comes to mentors, I don’t think you necessarily have to walk up to someone and ask, “Will you be my mentor?” Sometimes mentorship happens organically. Find people whose work you admire, ask thoughtful questions, stay in touch, support their work and most importantly, show up and do the work yourself. People are much more inclined to help when they see that you’re passionate and already helping yourself.

I also try to remember that networking isn’t just about meeting the person who can give you a job today. Your peers are incredibly important. The assistant you meet now may be running a studio someday. The actor doing a tiny play with you might create your favorite show ten years from now. Grow together, root for each other, and don’t only reach out when you need something.

And honestly, be someone people want to work with. Be prepared, be kind, and be a good hang. I’m a firm believer that talent will get you into the room, but being a good person ensures you get invited back, over and over again.

Pricing:

• Self tape and coaching avail inquire on IG

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thenikkimckenzie@gmail.com
• Instagram: Nikkitabanana17

Image Credits
Nick Rasmussen and Ray Raymundo