Rising Stars: Meet Kenia Romero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenia Romero.

Kenia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
I was born and raised in Miami, FL. As the youngest of three siblings raised by my hardworking single mom, I often found myself with plenty of alone time. I turned to books and television for comfort. I had a vivid imagination and loved storytelling. From my earliest memories, I’ve always known that I wanted to be an actor. My sister claims that I would re-enact scenes from The Lion King when I was a toddler. It just really felt like I was meant to do something creative with my life. When I was 13, my mom and my sister scraped together enough money to buy me my first set of acting classes at the local community college. We had a little show at the end of the month, and I got to perform for my mom. It was exhilarating and I knew I could do it forever. 

I went to a performing arts high school, but unfortunately, funding was severely cut to the program after my freshman year. It was devastating, but the experience made me a hustler. To raise money, I used to perform monologues on the train and sell candy to kids at school. I also hosted talent shows with my friends and charged admission. The profits I made helped me pay for my participation in theatre field trips and competitions. I was president of the drama club throughout high school, but I also took academics very seriously. I was an AP student and graduated with the eleventh-highest GPA among approximately 700 students in my senior class. When it came time for me to go to college, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that would challenge me artistically AND academically. I was the first person in my family to pursue a bachelor’s degree, so I really put a lot of pressure on myself. Ultimately, I earned my degree in Theatre at the University of Southern California. USC was on my vision board in high school, so it was a full-circle moment to fulfill that dream! After college, I moved into an apartment in The Valley and have been pursuing acting ever since! I’ve done a lot of theater around LA, such as with the Latino Theatre Co., Open Fist Theatre Co., and the Hollywood Fringe Festival. I shot a co-star on a pilot for SHOWTIME with Gael García Bernal and directed by Jonás Cuarón that unfortunately will most likely never air. That’s showbiz, baby! I was also a finalist in the NBC/Nosotros Ya Tu Sabes Monologue Slam, where I won the Audience Choice Award. 

On a personal note, I’m extremely passionate about health and wellness. As strange as it might sound, it was a childhood dream of mine to be able to eat healthy, organic food one day. Growing up, I had limited access to healthy options and often suffered with digestive issues. In my teens, I read Fitness magazine and yearned to be healthy and strong like the women featured on the cover. When I left Miami, I was excited to have autonomy over my diet. I went vegan in college, and it was the best thing I ever did for my health. My skin cleared up, my stomach aches went away, and my energy levels improved. I knew in my soul it was the right decision for me. I’m proud to say I went vegan before it was cool! These days, I regularly share my health and wellness tips on Instagram. I recently got my bloodwork done, and my nurse practitioner said she wishes all her patients had numbers like mine! I’m so grateful for the path that my life has taken. While I feel like I still have so much more to accomplish personally and professionally, I feel like I’m living out my dreams. 

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The toughest hurdle I’ve faced was battling overwhelming self-doubt during my college years. Looking back, I empathize with my younger self, as my insecurities were largely shaped by my surroundings.Throughout my theater training, I often felt self-conscious about not being thin enough, having big curly hair, being the only Latina in the room, being poor, not having “successful” parents, etc. I noticed how some of my teachers treated me differently than my classmates who were thin, blonde, sorority types. I experienced microaggressions. It really messed with my confidence. Looking back, I regret feeling so insecure during that time. I had to do a lot of work on myself and grow a thicker skin. I am extremely grateful for my training and had some wonderful teachers, but I felt like they broke me down to build me back up. By the time I graduated, I knew I was talented and capable, but despite this, I remember being terrified to enter the “real world.” What if there wasn’t room for me in Hollywood? However, that changed the day I filmed the co-star I mentioned earlier for SHOWTIME. In the scene, I was playing a runaway migrant. I had zero makeup on. In fact, the makeup artist threw dirt to my face and frizzed up my hair. Plus, I got to act in Spanish alongside a Latino legend! It was God’s way of telling me that I am enough exactly as I am. There truly is room for all of us. Though there’s still a long way to go, things are changing in Hollywood and it’s reassuring to see more diversity on screen these days. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Authenticity is a trademark of my personal brand. I’m proud of the woman I’ve become. I am truly confident in myself and who I am. It took me a while to realize that success comes from staying true to myself, and I’m not budging on that! I’ve been told before by a career coach that I should straighten my hair because I might be taken more seriously. But if I did that, I would feel like I betrayed myself. Why can’t a woman of color with textured hair be taken seriously? I want to show young girls who look like me that you can succeed by being yourself! Actresses like America Ferrera and Viola Davis, who advocate for and empower women of color, are my role models. I’ve long admired their work, especially on shows like How to Get Away with Murder and Ugly Betty, which resonated with me deeply. My ultimate dream is to contribute to a project that shares the same heartfelt and uplifting spirit as Ugly Betty. Working on a show like that would be an absolute dream come true! 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
To those pursuing an artistic life, please remember that YOU ARE ENOUGH. When discussing personal branding, Tyra Banks once said, “Different is better than better.” Being the most talented person isn’t always what gets you the job. It’s your uniqueness and special sazón that will help you go far in your career and in life. Additionally, it’s important to remember to pace yourself. Success in acting is not about reaching a finish line; it’s about enjoying the journey. Cultivate passions, hopes, and dreams beyond acting. Live a vibrant, active life and strive to be a well-rounded individual! Personally, I’m passionate about health, salsa dancing, and traveling. 

On a practical note, I highly encourage financial literacy for creatives. Even if it’s just $20 a month, get in the habit of saving! Deposit money into a high-yield savings account and a retirement fund. Your future self will be so glad you did! Being an actor is like starting your own business. All business owners have to invest time and money into their business before seeing returns. Investing in your acting career often means spending money on classes, filming scenes for your reel, headshots, coaching, and more. It’s natural to feel hesitant about these expenses but don’t let fear hold you back. For years, I hesitated to invest in high-quality materials. However, once I stopped resisting and embraced the idea of investing in myself, I found a well-paying day job that allowed me to afford quality headshots and film a reel of a high production value. I shifted my mindset, and soon after, I experienced a breakthrough. I booked the NBC/Nosotros Ya Tu Sabes Monologue Slam, secured a manager and an agent, and have been auditioning consistently ever since! 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/keniarosemary
• Youtube: youtube.com/keniarosemary
• Other: tiktok.com/@keniarosemary