Today we’d like to introduce you to Liana Mendoza.
Hi Liana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started as an actor and dancer at about the age of three years old. I saw a Shirley Temple movie called “bright eyes” at that age and I remember thinking I wanted to do that so I told my mom and she immediately enrolled me in tap dance classes. My aunt and her would switch off taking me to dance classes ever since. When I was three, I remember her having to smoothly talk to the dance instructor because the minimum age requirement was five. The teacher reluctantly agreed and put me in the back of the class but soon enough, the instructor was using me as an example in the front of the class for other students. My mom still laughs when she recalls that story to this day. I have to admit, a lot of my “natural” or God-given ability comes from my bloodline. I am related to the late and great “El Rey” Vicente Fernandez and visiting the ranch with my grandparents really made an impact on me at a very young age. A lot of my relatives are extremely talented singers, dancers, actors… we are artists by design. I feel extremely humbled by my roots. After coming back to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico (Jalisco) that impression never left me. I needed to do something big! I remember first convincing my brother Adam to join me in these productions. I would make it happen with what we had. At the time, a very makeshift editing bay was made with three VCR’s splicing the tapes together after filming so I would have the perfect illusion I wanted. He wasn’t exactly all about it like I was. Until now, he truly is a great actor. I think part of the legacy left behind from my family is something to really cherish and there is definitely a good kind of pressure to keep up with the career choices made.
After being on Network Television and in a feature film with mega A list talent, I really felt I could take things to the next level so I decided to move forward on more producing after dabbling in it for a few years, always adding to other films, by producing alongside acting in them simultaneously. Once I got my additional education from NYU Tisch, I felt I really understood the production process and how to navigate that next level and now I have the knowledge to back up my dreams and bring them into reality. I ended up producing and being the leading lady of my latest feature film available NOW on Tubi TV, a psychological thriller called ‘Social Disturbance’. We filmed during the pandemic and I have since been discovered by the man himself Damon “Dame” Dash. I am so excited about my future since having been taken to this next level and being able to chill with more great, like minded successful people I can learn so much from. I am definitely already learning a lot. The fact that Dame sees me as a superstar means the world to me. We are working on movies and music. We also decided to become producing partners for many more upcoming feature films and tv shows as well. I am truly excited about what the future holds for me at Dame Dash Studios. I worked super hard for this moment that is coming into full fruition.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has been anything but a smooth road. A lot of people think that because of my background that it might be easier for me to “make it” but I never asked my family for help in anything I did or do other than having their love and support. I really attribute my ability to reach this level to having that kind of love and support to fall back on because this journey truly has been my own to conquer. Some of the struggles I have faced along the way have been the fact that most of the males in power have tried to take advantage of me in one way or another and for me to continue to say “no” to those advances and keep my integrity along the way definitely left me feeling disheartened many times and feelings of depression along with so many tears. It’s part of why I am now a mental health advocate. I kept going because I truly believed in what I want to bring to the world. More love. More hope. More health. Ascension. God called me to be a light in a dark place so I figured there would be many battles along the way. Even more recently as I continue on this journey of striving for more success, I got diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes. Dame Dash and Raquel M. Horn, his family and the new friends I’ve made, Nicolette and Kashley, have been added to my extremely small circle and they are seriously angels in my life and have helped me realize that “health is wealth” and I recently became vegetarian. I have already seen a massive difference in my mind, body and spirit. My body has reduced its inflammation, blood sugar levels dropped and Dame has helped me realize that this is all just a test. I’m ready to pass it with flying colors and spread the message universally. The vision is so clear for my future as I ride into it on this visionary spaceship. Thank you Dame. I appreciate you. You and your family are a blessing in my life. Please watch Raquel’s show “Health is Wealth”. I do. It’s so healthful, helpful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a lot of feature films and television shows in the works. Some of which include another feature film, a multi-cam sitcom and a talk show, all of which I am producing with Dame. I am known for being an actor and now producer and I think that I am most proud of my ability to take my integrity with me on this journey. It’s not the easiest thing to say “no” when you’re being offered the world or being accused of being something you are not by those you thought had your back or cared about you and your success, but I recently learned from Dr. Taje “The Hood Therapist” that those types were just after my shine anyway so I had to keep it moving. I have no problem doing that anymore like I used to. I had to do what Jesus did on the “Mount of Temptation” and know what sets me apart. I think what sets me apart from others is my energy. For me, each person is unique and brings a unique gift to the world. If they cultivate it properly it can be a blessing to humanity. That alone sets me apart from others, I am willing to embrace it and work for it. No one can do what I can do the way I can do it and that’s what sets me apart. I am owning my shine.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up with me was like being around an annoying Boss Baby haha. I know I gave my brother Adam such a hard time growing up. I always had some new idea or way of doing things and I look back now thinking it must have been hard to keep up with my shenanigans. Super inquisitive, never satisfied with an answer, etc. Now as an adult, I realize that was part of what I needed in the mix of who I am in order to accomplish all I have so far. Thankfully, everyone put up with me. From my grandparents, mom, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins and neighbors, I was definitely the entertainment on a Friday night. I remember my abuelito asking me to do certain impressions of other members of the family or even of himself and nobody got offended, it was all comedy, all love. Those were definitely the good ol’ days. Things like this shape you and for that, I am certainly eternally thankful. I was always learning a new song, singing, learning new dances and finding new ways to make my first audience entertained… Mi Familia.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imdb.me/lianamendoza
- Instagram: iamlianamendoza
- Facebook: lianamendozaofficial
- Twitter: iamlianamendoza
Image Credits
Albert Ortega and Rafael Jorge
