Rising Stars: Meet Carolyn Ordoñez of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Ordoñez.

Hi Carolyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from the Valley, growing up in the Toluca Lake area. As a kid, I always loved performing for the family or anyone who came over. So I auditioned for the school choir at St. Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood at 9 years old, and got in! Little did I know that my choir director was a total legend, Paul Salamunovich (Grammy-nominated director of the Master Chorale). A few years into that, my mom put me in a performing arts summer program, to give me something to do while I was off school for the summer, and she was at work. That’s where I fell in love with dance, sang some more, and developed a passion for acting. I auditioned for the play, and booked the lead role! I remember I was so obsessed with the process, that I would read the script over and over and over. I knew not only all of my lines, but I knew everyone else’s too. The play was a comedy, and performing and hearing people laugh hysterically, and then receive so much praise for it, felt incredible. But what I realized most was that when I performed, I felt most alive. Over the years I continued singing, dancing, and acting in theatre. I really started to focus on dance up until my mid 20’s. I was a very dedicated dancer, working at a famous dance studio for years and constantly in class training. I auditioned for big tours, like Janet Jackson and Britney Spears, and I trained with their choreographers and dancers. But I didn’t get my first agent until I was 24 years old. I auditioned in commercials, and then I got a dance agent and would audition for commercials, music videos, tours, etc. That agent started sending me on acting auditions too, and I was booking jobs. AND I loved it. So that’s when I transitioned to a focus in acting. Shortly after that, I got my SAG-AFTRA union card. It’s been a journey since then. I’ve learned so much and been stretched as an actor and as a human. The ups and downs of the entertainment industry are certainly not for the faint of heart.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh man, definitely not! The rejection in the beginning was hard. Especially as a dancer, you audition in front of everyone. And they would sometimes do this thing called type casting, where they would line everyone up and just go down the row: yes, no, no, no, yes. I’ve got to tell you, it gave me some really thick skin! I remember I used to cry when I wanted a job so bad and either came so close or just never heard back. Now, all of that rolls off my back. A few still sting a bit (when you really want it), but you learn to just keep moving forward. In fact, I remember when I booked Seal Team on CBS. I was actually in Maine shooting another project, when my agent called and told me I booked the job. I genuinely didn’t even remember auditioning for it! I had gotten so good at auditioning and moving on from each project, instead of waiting obsessively for a call or email about it. So that was a really nice surprise! And I was also proud of myself for getting to that point of churning out auditions that I’m proud of, and still moving forward, whether or not I booked the job. In recent years, with Covid and the strikes, streaming and AI, all of that has really put a lot of strain and hardship on everyone in the industry. Though, I think times like this really do weed out those who are in it for the wrong reasons. You really have to love it, because it is so hard and so incredibly inconsistent. If you’re doing it to be famous, that will never end well, even if you do make it, in my opinion.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As you know, I started as a singer, dancer, and actress. But I have been solely focused on acting for many years now. It is definitely my passion. I really love playing characters and bringing the words on the page to life. I also really love seeing other actors do it. It is really such an incredible art form. I just remember during the pandemic, when we were all at home, people went to the arts to escape, to cope, to feel. It’s essential to society, and I feel like it’s essential to me too. Though I started out in theatre, I work as an on-camera actor now. TV, Film, and Commercials. I do a bit of print modeling too. I would say the job I did that people are most excited about was How I Met Your Mother. So many people are massive fans of that show. I just remember the set being so welcoming. Pamela Fryman was the director and announced my name over the microphone as I walked onto set, just before announcing Neil Patrick Harris. She made everyone feel so special, even if they were there just for the day. I did a scene with Neil and Josh Radnor, and they were also so so nice and welcoming. They really made me feel comfortable. I also met Jason Siegel on set, and he was so funny and kind. It’s so great to see how his career has evolved since then. I’m definitely a fan. I would say what sets me apart from others is having a performing arts background and speaking Spanish. I’m Colombian-American. My mom came to the US pregnant with me. I’m really grateful for her bravery. So those skills are definitely utilized in my acting. But we all have our life experiences and our unique selves that make us stand out. I think what I’m most proud of is when I hear that I made someone’s day, made them laugh, cheered them up, entertained them, made them feel something deeply, or have a good cry. Making someone feel seen. That goes for on and off the screen. All we have in this life is each other, so I feel it’s important we not lose sight of that. That we not lose our empathy. And I think that’s what acting is when you boil it all down, it’s empathy for a character (whether they’re likable or not), and telling that story.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Definitely to be present. In life, we always look to the goal ahead that we’re striving for. But once we’re there, we can’t help but to think back on all of the memories of the journey to get there. So I’ve definitely learned that the journey matters most. Soak up every moment, because it’s fleeting. That can sound depressing, but I think it’s quite beautiful. Every moment is so very unique, even if it’s painful, so live it to the fullest. You’ll never get that moment again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CarolynOrdonez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CarolynOrdonez
• Other: https://www.IMDB.me/CarolynOrdonez

Image Credits
Main image is by photographer, David Muller.

Second additional photo by photographer, Tinks Lovelace.

Fourth additional photo is a screen grab. Production company: Biscuit Filmworks.