Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am born and raised in Southern California, I consider Los Angeles my home. I began my acting career at the age of five, and I’ve been in the business for the last 12+ years.
Hollywood is an amazing city, and it does feel really special to be able to walk onto the backlot and to be able to create countless characters. The business is tough, especially for a child actor trying to navigate life, friends, school, and an acting career.
Once I got my first agent, I started working pretty quickly commercially, I think it was because I was so young and I really didn’t understand how not to be a silly kid. Because at the end of the day commercially that’s what productions are looking for. Theatrically was a complete different story, It took years to get my first costar role. The older I got, the more I wanted to work unfortunately that combination isn’t good because you start overthinking and overanalyzing instead of being in the moment. I also found it really difficult being of mixed races. I’m Filipino and Cuban, it seemed that I was too mixed for some roles and not mixed enough for other roles. I tried to take it with a grain of salt but rejection is rough when you’re a kid. I can honestly say that it wasn’t until I was about 11 years old that I had enough experience under my belt to let things go. When I learned to let things go that’s when I felt the shift in my acting career.
I’m one of the lucky few to be able to have transitioned from a kid actor to a young adult actor, producer, writer, and director. You can say my calling is to create. I hope to bring a new perspective to Hollywood, not only do I want to tell beautiful stories but my personal goal is to make the audience really feel. I want the people that are watching my projects to feel invested not only in the characters and storylines but also to have a push and pull with emotion. A relatable connection that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats and that also gives wonder, excitement, and hope. I have been able to tap into my own life experiences of loss and disappointment which I layer with hope, love, and perseverance to give not only well-rounded performances but it helps me bring truth to the new stories I am currently creating.
I just completed a short film with my good friend Lily Brooks O’briant about three girls who find support in one another while each copes with having a parent with an addiction. It’s called “Sharing the Floor,” which is currently in the film festival circuit. I’m currently working on a script for a new short that I hope to film this summer about two teenage girls with mental health issues. Telling honest and real stories is important to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had times in my career that were complete dead zones, where the auditions were far and few in between. As a child actor who felt like I didn’t look like everyone else, it was easy for me to look in the mirror and not like my reflection. I was a little chubby and my hair was curly. I looked Latin but with Southeast Asian features. At that time, I was about 8 years old and because I was used to working in my younger years it was really hard when the phone stopped ringing. I can say it was devastating. If that wasn’t enough, my older brother got severely ill and almost passed away. I almost lost my best friend. I really regressed and became introverted. It was honestly the most horrible time in my life. That was definitely a crossroads for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actor, I booked my first guest role on NBC’s SWAT as Lina Ecco’s niece. Shortly after I booked my first guest role recurring on ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, I starred alongside Constance Wu and Ian Chen. That gave me my first real taste of being on a television show. Right after that, I booked the Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max, where I had the pleasure of staying for three seasons. I’ve had other theatrical roles along the way but these specific projects really helped me get to the next level in my career. When covid hit in 2020 we had just wrapped Season 2, we were scheduled to return to work the week the world shut down. During lockdown, I began filming my dancing and being a content creator. I’ve always been a dancer by trade but lockdown helped me to put my art out on social media.
I’m most proud of my growth in acting. The experiences I’ve been given has allowed me to make strong choices with the ability to become more sure of myself in my art. That growth has given me the ability to be me and to be true to myself.
What sets me apart from others is my Faith, having hope in the future and knowing that my path is my own and that I can be a positive example for others.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Keeping it real, just the fact of working in the entertainment business is a huge risk. In life, it’s not good to be comfortable all the time. When you’re comfortable you never push yourself far enough to try new things or learn new abilities. Risk-taking is a big part of that. Taking risks really shows the type of person you become. When you take risks you are aware of your limits, risks can be a positive thing because it changes your perspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1194588/
- Instagram: @realjuliagarcia
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/realjuliagarcia/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@RealJuliaGarcia
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsreallyjulia
Image Credits
The very first picture only, (Headshot in green shirt) Image by: Kenneth Dolin.
