Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonor Varela.
Leonor, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I came to LA to promote a mini-series where I played Cleopatra in 1999, with teo suitcases, and ended up staying in the USA since. Coming from Paris, I had a hard time understanding LA and its culture, and I also didn’t drive, so I moved to NY for a year while a soaked up the culture and ways of the business, and returned to LA a year later to get back to work in the industry. I moved to Venice in 2003 and have lived on the west side ever since. The beach and nature suit me. So much so that I have now settled in Ojai and only come to LA a couple of days a week. I have loved in Venice, Santa Monica, and Malibu in many different homes at different stages of my family life. I am Chilean-born, but I grew up traveling a LOT: grew up in Colorado, then some years in Chile and Germany, and finally in Paris for my formative teens where I fell into the Arts.
I am passionate about conservation and have collaborated with many nonprofits to help create marine parks and conservation landmarks in my home country of Chile. I have had two kids and my husband is Lucas Aksokin an Argentine producer and actor who moved to the US at the same time than me, but to the East Coast.
Alright, 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?
Life? I’m not sure what you mean. Nothing is ever smooth…! right? but how we face it and go through those hard things is everything. I am very resilient and have learned to churn the murk into magic, because… well, I am a woman, and my superpower is to feel my way through things and transmute them into kindness and Love. At least, that is my intention 🙂
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an actress and a writer. IMDb is probably best to list my movies and TV shows…If you’re curious.
I am multicultural and feel like a citizen of the world. I speak five languages.
I am most proud of writing my first book about the loss of our firstborn kid because it has been a blessing to share with others how to move through such hard grief. And because I am proud of who I became through it all.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck…sorry 🙂 I think we attract things because of how we are showing up in the world, and then we seize them or decide to walk away. Being prepared and ready to seize the opportunity is a much more empowering thought than being subject to “luck”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.leonorvarela.com
- Instagram: @la_leovarela
- Facebook: @iamleovarela
Image Credits
Javiera Eyzaguirre Film “The Cow that Song a Song into the future” by Francisca Alegria Tomas Mugica
