Today we’d like to introduce you to Ximena Galiano.
Hi Ximena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Peruvian woman and I consider myself as a Storyteller. Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to be an actress, but I also loved to write and create my own stories. So in High School, I decided that I will first study Communications and then Acting. The goal was in my mind, but time was just passing by and led by destiny, one day on an assignment for a Project Development class, I decided to start creating comedy content in social media. It was 2016 and I was a college girl of 21 years old. Back then, there were only a few Peruvian women doing comedy content and mostly were on YouTube, so I decided to change the route and do comedy on Facebook and Instagram, which was an upcoming social media in Peru back then. Just from the very beginning, my sketch videos were a hit! They become viral and gave me a space in the local press. Back then, being a woman able to put herself in ridiculous positions and lose status in social media was something rare to see. So, out of nowhere, I became very popular, I signed with a content creation representation company (Content Studio) and I started to grow my own business, but always keeping in mind that just as soon as I end college, I will start studying Acting.
So I did it, I graduated from University of Lima in 2018 and right away signed up for an Acting class in El Estudio by Leonardo Torres Vilar (a recognized Peruvian actor and former student from the AADA NY). At first, it was very challenging to combine both areas, I was very aware of what people may think of me: “The content girl wanting to do theater? Yeah, right We’ll see what happens…” There was a stigma on the social media creators, and in my mind I was fighting against it instead of acknowledging who I was and how I was creating my own path.
But eventually, I felt more confident with who I was and what I was capable of, I stopped worrying for that external validation and focusing on my work and that’s how I realized that all those negative thoughts were only in my head. I had the luck to book some acting roles very quickly, either in theater and on camera Acting. I participated in plays such as Stags and Hens (Linda), Exit Laughing (Rachel) and Radio Ridiculous. In camera, I got to participate in movies such as La Banda Presidencial (The Presidential Band) by Eduardo Mendoza and Mundo Gordo (Fat World) by Sandro Ventura. I was living my dream, but content creation was no longer a challenge. I needed to leave my comfort zone and seek for bigger challenges. For me, the way to get a change is to put yourself in an uncomfortable position try your best to reach a higher point.
That’s how I ended up in LA, I came here to keep on learning from a great film industry fulfilled with great instructors. I want to learn how the business works and improve my skills as an actress and as a storyteller in general. I’ve been here since September of 2022 and I’m grateful for the experience I’m having so far and the talented people I’m meeting. Only a month of staying here I got to act on a music video for the artist Aboy (Let me in), produced by Kevin Khun (Thailand) and directed by Marie Rouhban (France). I’m very excited to see what 2023 got for me, the way it will challenge me and how it will make me grow as a person and as an artist.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The most challenging thing for me is being away from my family and friends since I’m very close to them. My family is my rock to everything and nothing will matter if I don’t have love in my life. Fortunately, I came with my boyfriend, Alonso Garcia, who is also an actor, so we are sharing this path together and that makes it easier.
Another challenge for me is to start acting in another language than Spanish, I don’t mind my accent, I think it’s cute and it’s part of who I am and where I’m from. But I’m always working on making myself understood, that a non-negotiable for me.
Also another challenge is to start from scratch. Like I said, I left my comfort zone and my secure work to follow my dreams and to challenge myself, that’s not an easy decision to make.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Like I mentioned in a more extended way, I started as a content creator, that gave me the opportunity to work with many worldwide brands that believed in me and I’m very grateful for. But the thing I’m more proud of in this area is the connection I got to create with my community during the years, I think we’re growing up together, going through the same challenges that every time of life give us and feeling happy for our success. For me, human relationships will be my most precious treasure. In Acting, I’m proud that I keep challenging myself, for me it’s never enough; there’s always something new to learn and another day to be better at you work. I’m proud I take mistakes and even castings as a way of learning and getting better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think that the role that got me luck was my first play. I played Rachel on Exit Laughing (directed by Peruvian director Rodrigo Falla) and since then, people could see my work and the chain started. One role lead to another and I got the opportunity to meet talented and hardworking directors, producers and actors. Through my work, I got the opportunity to be represented by Neopolis, a Peruvian Acting representation company that has been (and still) in the road with me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ximenagaliano
- Facebook: Ximena Galiano
- Youtube: Ximena Galiano
Image Credits
Eugenia Orellana
