Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Jonaneth
Jocelyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Okay, so… I received my Bachelor’s Degree in English from UCLA. That is still one of my proudest achievements. After being born in Mexico, and then living in the US for 16 years as an undocumented student, my dream school — the #1 public university in the country — validated the importance of my story. It’s definitely an underdog story. The biggest misconception about it, is that we were criminals because we didn’t want to ‘wait like everyone else’ to get legal documentation, but we didn’t come to the US for fun, we were fleeing violence and hoped for a better future. Originally, I intended to go to law school to become an immigration lawyer, so that I could make a difference for my Mexican community, but along the way, I realized that there was a greater need for me to use my talents to help increase Mexican American storytelling and representation in Hollywood. That brought me to acting and the Howard Fine Acting Studio.
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?
Haha, absolutely not! I mean, in all seriousness though, is it ever? I come from humble beginnings and living as an undocumented student meant we initially didn’t get financial aid. We were treated as international students so tuition was twice as expensive. My parents and I had to get creative and work a lot. Thankfully, the DACA (Deferred Action Against Childhood Arrivals) immigration policy passed in 2012, which allowed for me to become a DACA recipient or ‘Dreamer.’ From there on, I had protection from deportation, was able to work legally with a social security number and be exempt from international tuition. However, I still had to renew my permit every 2-3 years, which was expensive, and I couldn’t leave the country for any reason. If I left, I would be banned from reentering the US forever.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m first and foremost an artist. I have multiple talents, but all my work is creative at heart. I love to act, model, paint, dance, write and sing. In 2018, I got to participate as a vocalist on the jazz album “American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom,” which ended up winning 3 Grammy Awards. The prestigious recognition of our Mexican immigrant stories as a ‘Dreamer’ by the Recording Academy was the first time in my life I felt seen in Hollywood. Interestingly, that experience grounded me further in my acting career and fueled my interest for exploring tenacious characters. I specialize in roles that are gritty, smart, and passionate. I care a lot about the soulfulness in my work. Whether it’s performing on stage in front of an audience, or painting in private, I care so much about authenticity and am constantly in the process of finding deeper ways to express that.
What were you like growing up?
It’s interesting to think about this… Until I was four years old, growing up in Mexico, my parents used to call me their little parakeet. My dad owned a transportation bus and he would bring me along on his shifts. He has told me that I used to spark up meaningful conversations with strangers as though I were an adult. I would then perform the most romantic heartfelt songs for his passengers, singing passionately in Spanish at the top of my lungs! It’s so funny. However, growing up in the US thereafter, I became highly studious and adopted a reserved scholarly attitude. It was only until I graduated from UCLA and became a US Permanent Resident that my passion for my artistry undeniably has resurfaced again… and the rest is history in the making!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jocelynjonaneth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelynjonaneth
Image Credits
Photos by Peter Lee Johnson
