Today we’d like to introduce you to Chriz Ortiz.
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?
The day after I turned 22, I packed all my things into my tiny little car and left my lovely hometown of El Paso, Texas; I can still remember hugging my family goodbye and holding back the tears as I pulled out of the driveway and started my 13-hour journey to Los Angeles, CA.
I didn’t know anyone, had no job, only a credit card and a dream.
Once I arrived I got to work looking for a job, any job. Luckily this cute & delicious family chain restaurant “Los Molcajetes” gave me my first real job in LA as a waiter, I hustled it out daily, but without losing track of the vision.
Then I was fortunate enough to get picked up by Entravision Radio, the same company where my favorite radio personality ‘El Piolin’ had his show. I bonded with everyone there and had a lot of fun, but I knew it was only the beginning.
After that I got hired at SBS Radio/Mega 96.3 at the time LA’s only reggaeton station, I was in the middle of it all during the explosion of the genre, during the earlier days of Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Anuel AA, etc.
But I was still thirsty for more, and by the grace of the higher powers, I got hired as a national television entertainment reporter for Estrella TV. This is where everything started picking up! Not only was it my job to be on television talking and reporting on everything pop culture and entertainment, but new eyes on me, meant new opportunities.
I got cast in a bunch of commercials and even got to be a part of “100 Humans” streaming on Netflix, “Perry Mason” on HBO, and many other supporting roles.
While I loved being on TV and having my parents watch me all the way in Texas, I knew the future is digital.
Life blessed me when I was able to join Buzz Feed’s Pero Like, a creator team made up of Latinos making great content ‘pa’ la cultura’. It is truly the definition of a dream job. I get to have incredible experiences, work with some amazingly talented people, and make content that helps propel Latinos forward in media; something that is VERY important to me.
Recently things have been extra spicy as I went internationally viral for giving Salma Hayek Mexican candy on the carpet of the 2023 Golden Globes. I was interviewed on television and radio by the same companies I used to work at, talk about full circle. Even my tias from the south of Mexico saw it reported on their television.
I’ve interviewed many celebs including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Vin Diesel, etc., but that moment with Salma Hayek was extra special –as she held high her Mexican candy in her Gucci dress made me so proud to be Mexican and Latino. From the small town of El Paso, Texas to the glamorous red carpets of the Golden Globes, Grammys, and the Oscars, anything is possible, mi gente.
Now, I hope to continue my actor journey and get cast in movie and/or series to continue to represent for Latinos everywhere, I feel it, we’re so close, mi gente! I also plan on producing/directing my first short film this year. There’s so many new wonderful things coming my way and I can’t help but to be grateful for this beautiful life I have. So if anyone is out there reading this unsure if they are good enough to pursue the impossible, I’m here to tell you, it’s possible, believe in yourself and go after it-this world is yours!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, there’s been a few bumps on the road…
When I arrived, I had no real money, only a credit card. Then to make things worse the home-sharing place I was staying at failed to disclose this to the owner of the house. They flipped out and I had to leave, so I had no home, no money, no job, but needed to get an apartment in one day. Practically impossible, but what have we learned to far people!? You can imagine the conditions of the apartment I got, LOL.
Also, anyone living in a big city pursuing something bigger than themselves knows the daily struggle it is simply to survive, let alone thrive. So Im grateful I’ve been able to get this far in the time that I’ve been in LA. While I miss my parents every single day, I know they are happy I am out here doing my thing and one day I’ll be able to provide for them, move them out here so they can live their best lives.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve done A LOT, from modeling to commercials to scripted television.
I got into filmmaking because I love to create stories and share aspects of life rarely seen by most people. I create a painting with my work, the camera is like my brush. I pour my everything into every project and I think that helps it get that authentic flavor missing in a lot of modern media. My end goal with all my work is to increase the Latino representation in digital, film, and television; according to many studies on film/tv Latinos are severely underrepresented in media, I hope to change that.
ACTOR REEL https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TXGtOkL_PcFmLxh-82JZIugMvC353ar/view?usp=drivesdk
COMMERCIAL REEL https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bja2TsKBqACxE4Hw3zOtWc3aGo6aSVKd/view?usp=drivesdk
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is FOCUS. LA and other big cities can be A LOT of fun but don’t get lost in the sauce, it will always be there.
If you have a goal in mind, go after every single day like your life depends on it because it does.
Believe in yourself, as cliche as it might sound, no one will believe in you like yourself.
I have noticed recently that leaning into my spiritual side has giving me more than I can imagine, this is because I genuinely truly ~believe~.
If anyone is out there reading this unsure if they are good enough to pursue the impossible, im here to tell you it’s possible, believe in yourself and go after it-this world is yours!
If you have any questions, hit me up I’ll do my best to help @itzchrizortiz.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itzchrizortiz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2KM5zm71nrDWVOuEfY-2A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itzchrizortiz
Image Credits
@itzchrizortiz
