Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Fuentes
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was little my mom told me that I loved to entertain people. When the family used to gather and the music started to play my 4 years old was already at the dance floor moving the booty. Other times, I loved to perform to the family. In school, I loved to be part of the dance team or doing other sports like soccer, tae kwon do, swimming. I am not going at writing about me, it is hard for me to put in words all about me. Probably because now I have been battling with believing in myself. Back then, I used to be the most confident person alive. Recent years, I have lack of confidence and is ironic because I chose a career that requires it.
I am not truly sure when it was when I fell in love with acting but I always liked the behind the scenes of each movie. Once I finished watching a movie I ran and looked for the behind the scenes of the film. I found every detailed so interesting. But their was something that acting has that got my attention. The idea of being anything you want was so interesting, like Barbie used to say. Most importantly is the fact that you can change someone´s view, I can inspire people. Even if it is indirect I can do a change like those actors I´ve watched changed mine. Movie can tell stories but we actors bring that story to live. Is so amazing. Due to this I gave acting a chance and since then I have been pursuing acting. I did an intensive program with a film director Luis Mandoki known for his film “Innocent Voices” (2004). I was 14 and everyone else was above 25. Everyone was so nice and even though I felt out of place I had so much fun. At the end of that program Mandoki used to give his view of our acting like a feedback and I will always remember this, he said “your acting is so natural”. That made so happy. After that I confirmed I wanted to do acting, so my dad let me do a summer camp in New York at New York Film Academy. Those three weeks I learned so much and had so much fun however I started to be more insecure with myself because I was overweight and all my friends were so skinny so that when for some reason I started to think I was not fit to be an actress. We know this industry always sees the outside and is rear when the not stereotypical looks have a chance. So, I started demotivating myself. So, I left that idea go. Years passed and I was already 19 when I was in my senior year and I need to decide what to do with my life. Had so much struggle. So, I applied for NYU for it´s new bachelor “Collaborative Arts”, Julliard and New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Campus for it´s bachelor in acting for film. So, in August 2021 a started my new journey in Los Angeles. NYFA accepted me and 3 years of what would be the most challenging years of my life. I´ve met so many great friends. I fell in love. Fell out of love. And fell in love once. more. However this story is for another time.
But yes, now after these three years I wanna follow my dream. I want keep growing in my craft every day. I want keep working even though things might be hard. Knowing I already have the no, I will go and search for the yes. If not, I will open my own doors. This era is for the people who does not wait for people to give them the opportunity. So, I wanna keep growing and become a better person and that will show in my art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth and only because I chose that way. Most of the problems I faced in my life where because I was the only one who put myself down. I never felt good with myself. The lack of confidence in me has made my life so hard. And that is what I learned recently, we see the life we want to see. If I want to see dark, my whole life will be dark. If I focus on the problems, my life will be all problems. So, I decided to change my perspective and life has change for the better.
Another challenge I faced, is the stereotype of the Latina image. As a Mexican, people or the industry expects of me to look like Salma Hayek or Eiza Gonzalez and I am not that. From 85kgs to 58kgs I still not fit in into this stereotype because my looks are not as well define as them (Hayek and Gonzalez). Hopefully, there’s been some change but still I have faced with this obstacle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Responding this question is hard because I really haven´t done anything so big that people are able to spot me and say “hey! can I get a photo?”. I am here to be an actress, that is my dream and in this competitive industry I must keep working on my craft and uniqueness. Because I believe we all humans are unique. We all are different and I want to put me, myself, into this industry. I probably do not have so much or big talents but I am someone who loves to work with people, who sees for the good of everyone. I am hard working, and when I set a goal in my head there is nothing who can stop me. As you read this, you probably can say my story or my work (which I haven’t mentioned because is all small student films) is not as outstanding as you can think but I am someone who has dreams, someone who is trying to find her place in this world. Someone who wants to share her story to the world and there is people who identify with my story and won’t feel out.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The power of believing in yourself. Throughout my life I always doubted of me till not long ago I had two strong situations that taught me how important is to be sure of who you are. How important it is to love, to care, to have patience and believing in yourself. That has been my biggest lesson.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessfg19/
Image Credits
My photographer is Santi de Alba (https://www.instagram.com/santiagofda/)
