Meet Iris Almario

Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Almario.

Iris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The start of my career as an actress was not straight forward.

I actually started off as a jazz and modern dancer after training on a full scholarship to Phil Back Studios in NYC. I then moved onto pageants and won two titles, Miss Latina USA and Queen of the National Puerto Rican Day parade. It was a beautiful time in my life. I learned a lot about myself and through my pageant travels to places like Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador… etc. I realized how much more we all have in common than not.

With all that said, deep down, I always knew I wanted to act. It wasn’t until an actor friend of mine gave me a reality check and asked me “Do you even have headshots?” I didn’t. “How about taking a class?” I hadn’t yet. He was right! I didn’t know how to go about business. Perhaps, I naively thought an opportunity would somehow come up and things would fall into place. Boy, was I wrong! I quickly learned you have to study and prepare just like any other career.

It was a lot of work to get started but I didn’t look back. My first professional acting job was a guest star on Sex and the City. We shot on location in Atlantic City.

That same year, I became the NYC Correspondent for a news magazine-style show called Latin Access on NBC & I won a modeling contract through the Latina Magazine & Wilhelmina Modeling contest.

As much as I loved the opportunities coming in, I knew I wanted to act. I was also aware that at that time the bulk of film & television work was in Los Angeles. I made the decision to move to the west coast where I hit the ground running.

I booked my first LA job a month after moving. It was a guest star on King of Queens. It was an amazing experience and my first time shooting on a big studio lot.

It’s been years since my move to LA & I’m still in love with storytelling as much as when I moved here.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth ride, but I get that’s the business I signed up for. There are times you consistently work and other times not so much or at all. Along the way, you’ll also leave agents and some agents will leave you.

I remember there was a time when I wasn’t happy with my agent and the feeling was mutual. I didn’t know how to break away and it turns out I didn’t have to worry as they beat me to it. Both my manager I were relieved. I was excited to start fresh with a new team. I turned around to my manager and asked her to pitch me to other agents. I was confident we would land the right rep quickly. Well, it was not that easy. She explained I had no heat on me. I asked “Heat? What does that mean?” She said a current booking. I’ll admit I felt a little thrown. I had done a good amount of work, I had recognizable credits & what about this Latin craze going on in Hollywood? Well, I was told it wasn’t enough. I would have to wait and hopefully, an agent would come later.

I wasn’t going to wait. I was clear that I believed in me. That was enough to focus on securing new representation. I signed with an agent soon after and buried myself in the work. As a result, I booked a top of show guest star on a network series that thankfully helped place me back on track.

There have been many more struggles and also many successes. I try to stay positive and not take it personal when things don’t go my way. It’s a career that will test your spirit on the daily if you let it.

One thing I have to admit is I get frustrated that Latinos are still underrepresented in front and behind the camera. We still have a long way to go. I’m looking forward to more color-blind casting and seeing film and tv represent what I grew up with… a melting pot of different people and cultures in all kinds of roles.

I love what I do. I’m grateful for the ups and downs in my career. After all these years, I still get giddy when I see the Hollywood sign. It’s pretty special.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor, host and model. I’m also one of the co-founders of a non-profit called WUFAW, Women United for Animal Welfare. We work together with other organizations to help rescue animals locally and aboard.

I’m proud of both my work as a creative and in animal activism. Acting gives me an opportunity to explore and tell a story which I hope can touch people’s lives and take them on a fun ride. People tend to remember me from my work on Jane the Virgin while others from way back will mention Sex and the City. Both shows have wonderful, loyal fans.

With rescue, I focus on being of service. It hurts my heart to see these sweet animals suffering at the hands of ignorance and cruelty. I’ve worked in rescue for the past five years.

In 2017, I traveled to China to help assist at a dog shelter and traveled back with WUFAW president Valarie Ianniello and four dogs. Three dogs from the dog meat trade and a stray who can’t walk found out in the street. The stray was Koko. I adopted her shortly after we arrived in the US. She’s a sweet girl who has the best smile. You can catch photos of her on my Instagram.

I think what sets me apart is my empathy & passion to give back and help others, humans and animals.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
What better place to make your dreams come true then Hollywood? : ) There is a lot going on here but an aspiring actor can also train and start auditioning in New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston or outside the US i.e. London, Vancouver and Toronto. These are just a few places. Many production companies film outside of LA. If you’re not based in any of those markets, try community theater first. See if you really enjoy the craft of acting and storytelling. If you find that you love it and want to pursue it, then you may want to consider relocating to a busier market.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.irisalmario.com
• Instagram: irisalmario
• Other: www.wufaw.org

Image Credit:
Arms crossed/black tank top : Richard Munoz photographer
Red wrap dress photo : Michael Roud photographer
Emmy dress designer: Goga Couture

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