Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Maya Delgado

Maya Delgado shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Maya , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Since starting college, I’ve been going to many live shows and experiencing music in a completely new way. I’ve found that intimate live music is incredible—it truly brings people together and demonstrates a kind of connection that makes me so happy. Going to smaller shows has made me feel even more connected to my friends and my community, and it’s reminded me how powerful shared musical experiences can be.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maya Delgado, and I’m a 19-year-old aspiring music industry professional and artists from Los Angeles. I have been singing and acting professionally since I was eight, and have guest-starred on All American (The CW), Ghostwriter (Apple TV+), and Diary of a Future President (Disney+). I released my EP, Diary Entries, in September 2024 on all streaming platforms! Currently, I’m pursuing a degree in the Music Industry at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where I’m combining my creative experience with my passion for the business side of entertainment. I am also the founder of a nonprofit organization called HeARTs of Maya, which awards scholarships to youth who want to train in the arts (singing, acting, and dance). To date, we have awarded over 50 scholarships to deserving young artists pursuing their passion for the arts.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most impactful moments in my life was giving a very shy yet talented singer a scholarship to vocally train. Her mother could not afford to send her to professional vocal lessons and seeing her discover her singing ability was incredibly powerful. That experience solidified my belief that giving back comes back around tenfold; it’s not only personally fulfilling but also helps others in the process. I got to see her become so much more confident in her voice on stage, and I couldn’t have been happier to be a part of her creative journey.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell young Maya not to be so worried about the future! I think everyone has a tendency to try and plan as much as possible for their future, and it’s good to be prepared, but sometimes life is going to take you on another course. You just have to embrace it and ride the wave!

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Resilience is an attribute that the Latino community has and continues to have. It’s a value I grew up with, especially when hearing my abuelos’ stories about their struggles and immigrating to the US from Mexico and Cuba. I carry their stories with me as motivation for everything I do. I believe that many other Latino-American teens have been raised the same way, because our families often share similar stories and upbringings. These experiences are something I hold very close to my heart.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I want to give my best for myself, to reach the goals I’ve set because I’m passionate about what I do and what I believe, even if no one else is watching.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaixtadelgado
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/h4wCZ
• Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mayaixtadelgado?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/maya-ixta/1725422473
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5MFUfJ0RCNgxWQaiTnYSCS?si=ErgSq2QoSZ-uQCvi3c9t-g
  HeARTs of Maya: https://heartsofmaya.org