Meet Ruby Barrios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Barrios.

Ruby, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The day to day hurdles are never a reflection of the world not needing you. I would not have realized that I had something to contribute if it wasn’t for my family, friends and my fascination for storytelling that plunged me into Acting and Writing. From a very young age, I was always fighting for my right to be here. I never took life for granted and that is one of the greatest gifts that being born with a chronic illness has given me.

Constantly being aware that life is temporary removed any form of judgment and immediately made me fall in love with the small details of life. My parents are such gems and I cannot thank them enough for introducing me to the power of having your own individual story. For every hospitalization and surgery, they constantly reminded me that the experience holds so much power. It didn’t finally click until I started hosting monthly parent support groups at Children’s Hospital LA. I began to speak with parents who had children themselves who were also battling a life-threatening condition. Every family had aspirations and hope. We all celebrated things that many take for granted. We celebrated someone’s transition from homeschooling to public schooling, the first-ever sleepover, to finally being able to eat. This celebration of life sparked the idea for Ruby’s Button, my first published picture book. Not only does the story capture the essence of leading with self-love, it also touches on how every child’s experience should be acknowledged.

I aim to remove the stigma that “children are too young to understand.” Ruby’s missing button is in fact vouching for the process of accepting how our bodies change as a result of undergoing many surgeries. While I was working on Ruby’s Button, I was also in the midst of completing my Acting BFA at AMDA College of the Performing Arts where I further explored various media of writing and trained heavily as an actor. While being a full time student, I was also working for the Student Affairs and Admissions department. I am so grateful that I got the chance to attend a college where everyone is passionate for their craft and respects their individual voice. As a recent graduate, I am so excited to ignite my career as an Actor and published writer. Yes, I am working on a second book called Ruby’s Melody and can’t wait to share this new story soon.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone who is plunging themselves into their craft and fully pursuing their art as their career is constantly being told that they will struggle. Not only that, while we are telling our story, there is often a voice(internal or external)that tells us our story isn’t good enough. I used to give this contradiction more power than it deserved. I am grateful that I found acting and writing at a very young age to know that any “no’s” should be seen as redirection not an indication of worth. Today, I am still being told that I do not fit the stereotype that Hollywood wants for me as a Hispanic female. Although I am fully aware that this may be a hurdle when it comes to auditioning, it also excites me to know that I will be able to play roles that crush those biased expectations in the future.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a published children’s book author and Actor. I am represented by AEFH Talent Agency and actively auditioning. I recently had the opportunity to have a Barnes and Noble book signing for the release of Ruby’s Button! Being able to meet new families and how excited they were to see a storybook character look just like their child is one of my proudest moments for my writing. Ruby’s Button was also showcased at Inner-City Arts 30 Visions art exhibit. I have been a very active member of Inner-City Arts since high school and Inner-City Arts will always be my home. I am also a member of the SCBWI(Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Definitely, the very first time that I set foot on stage as a character. Opening night of my middle school production of Cinderella. My drama teacher, Jane McEneaney, recognized that the “conventional” Cinderella did not reflect my personal experiences. She allowed me to play a Hispanic Cinderella rather than a Hispanic girl attempting to play “the ideal” Cinderella. This memory continued to follow me and was the very first time I knew that I would be pursuing Acting.

Pricing:

• Ruby’s Button: $9.95 (Now Available on Amazon)

Contact Info:

• Website: rubysbutton.com
• Email: rubybarrios99@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Headshot – Light and Shine Photography by Conrad

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