Rising Stars: Meet Christian Gonzales of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Gonzales.

Hi Christian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Houston. My mom worked herself to the bone to keep us afloat, and if I learned anything early, it was that she was absolutely unshakable. She’s the reason I always knew what real love and sacrifice looked like. My dad gave me something I’ve carried my whole life. He showed me toughness, work ethic, how to keep your head down and finish the job. Not toughness in the loud, fake way, but in the way where you just get it done and don’t complain.

My brother was my closest friend. We lived outside as kids; hiking, building worlds out of the woods, sword fighting with sticks, wrestling, watching the stars like we’d see a UFO. When he went into the Navy, it hit me: I was chasing my dreams in film, but those dreams ended at me. I was making art because I loved it, and I still do, but he made me think bigger. Beyond myself. That’s where the idea of pursuing a longtime dream in computer science, and afterwards, the Space Force, started to stick.

My sister was the one I’d tease, and she’d throw it right back at me, but there was always that feeling of protection underneath. We always had each other’s backs. Watching her grow into motherhood changed me in ways I didn’t expect. Meeting my niece for the first time did something to me. It made me want to take on more, be more, carry more weight than I thought I could.

But I can’t talk about my childhood without talking about the darker side. I was sexually abused. Raped before I even knew what that word really was. I didn’t talk about it for years, but it shaped everything. Not to look for silver linings, but it hardened me, and not always in ways I’m proud of, but it also gave me this fire that I can’t put out. The kind of fire that says: no one is coming to save you. If you want something, you stand up, take the hit, and keep moving.

That’s why I started writing. First it was inspiration, writing about superheroes. Later it became books—poetry that told the truth the way I couldn’t out loud. Then film came, and I threw myself into directing and assistant directing. Long hours, chaos, working with crews and casts, pushing projects across the finish line.

Now I’m in another chapter. I’m studying computer science at Arizona State, moving toward space operations. Growing up in Colorado, I saw skies most people never get to see. Real stars. That view never left me. Space isn’t just science—it’s survival, it’s imagination, it’s the next step for us as human beings. I want to be part of building that future.

My life hasn’t been easy, but I don’t want easy. Pain taught me to fight. Family taught me to love and to lead. Everything I’ve gone through made me relentless. And that’s the one thing I know for sure: as long as I keep moving, nothing can stop me.

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?
Has it been smooth? No. And I wouldn’t expect it to be.

With everything I talked about, what I went through as a kid, the way I had to build myself, I don’t even look for smooth anymore. The film industry sure wasn’t. Like most in the business, I’ve done the endless days, chasing a paycheck that never shows up, or gets shorted, running on nothing but fumes, then dragging myself into an early shift at my day job. I’ve worked probably a thousand hours working free gigs that never see the light of day. That kind of grind teaches you quick whether you’re serious or not.

And then there was my marriage. I was the one who ended it, which made me feel like the bad guy. I encumbered myself with that for a long time. But deep down I knew I had changed, and the relationship couldn’t hold who I, or she, was becoming. Walking away hurt, but it forced me to figure out who I really was without her. It made me face myself in a way nothing else had.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But that’s alright. The rough road is where you grow. It’s where you figure out if you’ve got what it takes to keep moving forward

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?
Writing’s always been my outlet—poetry, stories—that’s how I process things. But that’s for me.

Film’s where I connect. I love the grind of a set, the chaos, the teamwork. Nothing beats pulling a crew together and getting the job done.

Now I’m chasing something bigger. The Space Force. Writing and film helped shape me and conquer ym past, but space is the future, and I want to be in that fight.

What I’m most proud of? I don’t tell my heart no. If I feel it, I go after it. Film—I did it. Space—I’m doing it. Publishing books. Whatever it is, I make it happen. I don’t wait around.

How do you think about happiness?
Growth.

Watching the people I care about chase their lives and get better. My brother in the Navy, pushing himself every day. My niece, growing up fast, reminding me what it means to protect and lead. My sister stepping into motherhood. My friends grinding on their own dreams.

And me—looking back and seeing that I’m not the same man I was a year ago. That I’m better. Stronger. More focused. That’s happiness to me. Growth. Because if you’re not growing, you’re dying.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiangonzal.es
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrjgonzales
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrjgonzales/

Image Credits
Zen Pe