We recently had the chance to connect with Sonalii Castillo and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sonalii, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Honestly, I’m most proud of building myself. I’ve put a lot of intention into my physical and mental health, and into creating a personal world that feels safe and nurturing. As artists, there’s often this expectation that we should be completely accessible or endlessly available to others, but I’ve learned the value of protecting my energy and my peace. It took a lot of work—and some tough lessons—to realize that my boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re essential. Rebuilding myself from the inside out, and choosing who and what I allow into my space, is something I value deeply, even if it’s invisible to the outside world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely! My name is Sonalii Castillo. I’m an actress, filmmaker, photographer, and creative storyteller based in Los Angeles. I’ve built my career across film, television, photography, and new media, but at the heart of it all, I’m passionate about telling stories that blend vulnerability, resilience, and a bit of magic.
My brand is really about transformation, both on and off screen, and behind the lens. I’ve worked hard to create a space where art meets healing, where creative expression becomes a path to both personal and collective growth. What makes my journey unique is that I bring all of myself to my work: my heritage, my experiences, and my own process of rebuilding. Whether I’m in front of the camera, behind it, or writing a new script, I’m always reaching for truth and beauty… even in the messiest moments.
Right now, I’m focused on developing projects that uplift underrepresented voices and celebrate the power of reinvention. I’m also passionate about sharing the tools and little enchantments that have helped me along the way, whether that’s through art, music, or creative workshops. At the end of the day, I want my work to leave people feeling more seen, more hopeful, and maybe a little more inspired to write their own story.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Honestly, the relationship that’s most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with myself. Like a lot of people, I spent years searching for validation and self-worth in my relationships with others, family, friends, partners, and even the industry itself. But over time, I realized that the only relationship I could truly rely on was the one within.
Learning to care for myself, to honor my boundaries, and to accept my own journey with all its mess and magic, has been transformative. I’m still learning, every day, but that evolving relationship with myself has become the foundation for everything else in my life. It’s given me resilience, self-respect, and the courage to show up fully, both in my art and in my everyday life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that I am more resilient and more resourceful than I ever imagined. Success is beautiful, but it’s easy to take for granted. I’ve found strength in places I never thought to look, and to keep going even when things feel impossible.
Through the hard times, I figured out how to rebuild myself, piece by piece, and to appreciate even the smallest moments of joy. I’ve learned compassion, patience, and the importance of protecting my own peace. It’s shown me that the true measure of a person isn’t what they achieve when things are easy, but how they keep showing up for themselves when everything feels uncertain.
Those lessons stay with me long after the spotlight fades, and honestly, they’re what make the successes feel truly meaningful.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is absolutely real but it’s not the entire story. I show up as myself, but like anyone, I have layers that only a few people get to see. There’s a part of me that thrives in front of the camera and loves connecting with others, but there’s also a softer, quieter side that needs solitude and privacy.
I’ve learned to honor both the performer and the private person. What you see is genuine, but it’s curated. The realest parts of me are reserved for the people and spaces that feel safe. I think everyone deserves a little mystery, and I don’t believe anyone owes the world their entire self.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve come to realize that real transformation is quiet, it happens in the small, unseen choices and the way you show up for yourself when no one’s watching. People focus so much on results and recognition, but for me, the biggest breakthroughs have come from the moments I kept going, even when it felt invisible or thankless.
I deeply believe that protecting your peace and tending to your inner world isn’t selfish; it’s essential. When you care for your spirit, your intuition, your healing, your quiet growth, you become magnetic in a way that’s hard to explain, but impossible to ignore.
Most people look for magic on the outside. I’ve learned that everything you need to change your story is already within you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2342308/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonaliicastillo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spicymoore/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Spicymoore
- Other: https://www.moorishdreamer.com/
Image Credits
Photos by Sonalii Castillo/ Self Portraits.
