Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Cabral
Monica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When someone ask me to tell them my story, it’s a moment of reflection, how can I tell my story, and what is really my story made of? Is it, where I came from, where I am and where I am going to? I am sure for a lot of you reading this, you feel the same way.
Well, let’s start with that and see where it leads us, but for sure the story of each of us, is much more than that!
I grew up in the beautiful island of Sao Miguel, Azores in Portugal! Very grateful for having my upbringing here, even though I didn’t see it at that time, I was really lucky! It’s such a safe and magical place, where freedom felt like a way of life. Being a teenager here was spectacular, summer in the beach with friends, then dancing at night and going to concerts, just hanging out, enjoying life, was definitively special! It’s where I met my best friends since we were 3, and met my better half. And where my love for acting also started! My grandmother, was an amateur actress, and I am not sure if the acting bug came from her, but when I had a small part in my first movie with my mom, I felt like that set was home for me, in front of the camera, with the other actors and crew, and the make belief magic, felt like what I was meant to do.
Since then, my desire to do it professionally started, so the goal was to finish school in Portugal and then move the US to pursue the career as an actress. So, at 18 I moved with my better half to Los Angeles, and started my professional journey. As you might have read on my previous article, life as an actor, is definitively unpredictable and a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs, but through the journey I have had so far, I have learned a lot. I have had some amazing experiences on set, and some roles I really wanted but didn’t get, but I think that industry really teaches you to build some strength with your ego, and to take the no’s as a what’s next. And I think that is something that can be applied in life, and in any other profession. The no’s can just mean not right now, but maybe later, and not to be stuck on the no, and to move on to what is next, because the yes can be just around the corner.
Through my professional journey I continue with this mindset, sometimes it’s easier than other times to let go, but the truth is that when you let go and accept, it makes space for new opportunities and new paths.
So, this where I am in my story, my love for acting is still there, but I am at a stage in my life, where my priorities have shifted a bit, and they continue to change each day, and I am seeing where this new path will lead me to. So, story to be continued…
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Regarding acting, the obstacles and challenges I faced, were in the beginning the language and culture barrier, having moved from the Azores, I spoke fluent English but with an accent, which limits the roles a bit, and then the culture was completely different from what I was used to, so that took a bit to adjust to, and not fall for several scams, and some predators, so I had to build a bit of tough skin and street smarts, and get myself in the right place mentally and financially. Talking about finances, that is a bit of a challenge in Los Angeles, life is expensive there, and paying for rent, car, headshots, acting classes, and still have money for food and the basics, turned out difficult just with acting, so finding side jobs became a necessity, and having those side jobs not distract you from your main goal, is another challenge into itself😊
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor, and I have had experience mostly in film and tv. I am most proud professionally of a couple projects that even tough were not big blockbusters, I got to work with people I love and admire. But I have to say, that I am proud of all the projects I had the opportunity to be a part of so far, each one with their own unique experiences and lessons. I believe just being you sets you apart from others, there is only one You, and I feel the biggest competition we have is against ourselves.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
So many lessons learned along the way, I feel all the obstacles and challenges, made me grow so much and made me much more appreciative of everything my parents had done for me. I feel when you are growing up, you take for granted so many things, and don’t realize the things your parents had to do and sometimes sacrifice for you to have your best life.
The no’s made me stronger, and made me start focusing on working on my mind and body and implementing habits each day that would help me be more present, grounded and grateful. To make the priorities in life your family and friends, and not make getting the part the number one priority.
To strive each day for a balance, between work and life, and to do my best each day, to find things to be grateful for, and to work on being a better human, friend, daughter and lover.
And all of these lessons, even tough I feel like I’ve learned them and strive to implement them each day, there is some days it’s harder than others, so I would say give yourself a break, and don’t be so hard on yourself, each day is a new opportunity to relearn.
Lessons keep happening each day, sometimes we notice them right away, but sometimes it takes us a bit longer to realize what that experience taught us and made us uncover about ourselves. So, keep learning, be open and be willing to go deeper, there is so much to discover.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mclife100
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2565689/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
