Life & Work with Fabiola Aquino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Aquino.

Fabiola, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in the island’s metro area. I started taking dance and acting classes at 12 years old, and quickly discovered my passion for the arts.

As I grew older, I leaned into a more corporate route, receiving a degree in Economics from Pace University in NYC. Post-graduation, I held corporate positions for fashion companies, including Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Macy’s. However, my passion for the arts always lingered.

During the pandemic, I made a promise to myself to explore my creative side and in 2021 I became Miss San Juan Puerto Rico. I was elated to place in the Top 10 finalists on the final night, having no previous pageant experience. Following my participation, I began working in national commercials and modeling campaigns for brands like Corona, Walmart, and Bakers Shoes.

I moved to LA in 2022 to take my acting career to the next level. I have been a principal in commercials for Wendy’s, USPS, Denny’s, and Buick, and am looking forward to expanding my commercial footprint! I think it’s a fun and creative world.

I am also eager for the premiere of a short film I starred in, The Tenant. Seeing my hard work pay off has been gratifying, and I am looking forward to developing my career in TV and Film.

No matter what I do or where I go, representing where I come from has always been a priority. I am blessed to be Puerto Rican and want to share my island’s magic with the world.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Is it too cheesy to say that you are your biggest challenge? Because it’s true! In any industry, whether it is in corporate or entertainment, it is important to have a fundamental “why.” Without one, we lose focus and motivation: instead of becoming our biggest cheerleader, we become our biggest critic. Staying motivated and disciplined when training and working is always a challenge, but it is what will make success all the more sweeter.

On a personal level, balancing work along with training, auditions, and filming has been particularly challenging. I often wish I could be at multiple places at once! But though hard, it is not impossible. My key to success has been centered on organization and a lot of optimism! If there’s a will, there’s a way.

I also have to thank my parents for their unwavering love and support – without them, I would not be anywhere near to where I am today! They make the hard days easier.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost, I am an actor. Through pageantry and corporate life, I’ve always been an artist at my core. I can say that this is probably what I am most proud of: sticking to my artistic instinct and following it all the way to LA until today.

This instinct is what lead me to participate in Miss Universe Puerto Rico. Pageants are a wonderful platform to not only showcase our power as women but also serve as a stepping stone towards the contestant’s personal goals. In my case, I knew participating in the pageant would help me become the best and most confident version of myself while also getting more comfortable in front of the cameras. It was also a wonderful place to celebrate Puerto Rico, our culture, and our women. Being Miss San Juan was an honor I will always cherish.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think we’ve all benefitted from a little bit of good luck sometimes! I’ve noticed these moments of relief when my schedule is packed and something gets rescheduled or canceled. I take these unexpected moments as a time to rest and recharge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiolamarieaquino/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabiolamarieaquino/

Image Credits
Michael Roud Angel Rodriguez Alvaro Arana Díaz TamorawPhoto Pascal Fontana Lexter Leonardo