Meet Kenia Munguia | Actress and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenia Munguia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I think about risk, I immediately think about running after the sun has set. I wear dull colors. I triple knot my shoes. I don’t wear headphones.

But when I’m onstage or onscreen––I’m wearing someone else’s identity––and I want to be seen from every angle.

It’s a perverse power play on my fear that is entirely based on the risk of being seen, but I couldn’t imagine pursuing anything else.

Exploring these contradictions has introduced me to so many inspiring and like-minded creatives that have pushed me to challenge and expand my comfort zone. It’s thrilling to know I never would have learned and seen what I have if I hadn’t pushed back on my innate anxiety of being seen by the wrong person, because the right people have entered my life in moments where I wonder if I’m following my true north.

In short, I owe risk everything.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s so true it’s cliche; your uniqueness is your superpower.

In this industry, it’s easy to get bogged down in the check boxes that ask you if you’re Latinx, African-American, Asian American, White, or the “I see no color” brand of Ethnically Ambiguous. Casting calls and representatives assign you a role before you can even audition for the part, and it drove me insane for years until I realized my value as an artist came from my own evaluation. Not theirs.

I love that I look the way I look and sound the way I do. I might not be enough for one gatekeeper, but I am more than enough for the right opportunity. Where I am professionally is due to two things, equally: the time I’ve spent learning the craft and the time I’ve spent embracing my identity. I am a proud Latinx artist that imbibes every art form of every background greedily, and that is reflected in my work. I have been inspired by artists like Luis Alfaro, directors like Paolo Sorrentino, actors like Park Shin Hye, and writers like Josefina López. Those are just four of dozens and hundreds of creators that float and influence my artistry on the regular, but even then, I never would have even learned about them without my community.

They fostered my unique identity by accepting me and pointing me in the direction of influences that totaled their whole. Each recommendation or “hey, you should watch this” is another opportunity to learn and pick from when I need it in a character outline or performance.

All of those experiences, people, and recommendations contribute to the same cooking pot that is constantly sifting and I’m lucky and happy to be where I am.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We start off the day like we always should: breakfast. I will always default to my roots, and the best Central American desayuno is served hot and ready at El Carrusel in Reseda. There they have plátanos dulces, casamiento, huevos rancheros, and pupusas of every variety. The spot is frequented by locals who crave a meal like the one their mamás would make, so the flavor rating couldn’t be higher or more authentic.

The San Fernando Valley is often overlooked and mislabeled as a suburbia, so I’m here to squash those misconceptions with a quick detour to the Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys. There, you’ll get a crash course on exactly how and why The Valley is so iconic while laying your eyes on a vintage wonderland and relics like a letter from Isaac Newton Van Nuys written in 1865. With some historic context, Van Nuys is just as iconic as Hollywood or Beverly Hills.

Since we’ve set the tone for the day with a hearty breakfast and history lesson, I’d suggest we do a light lunch with a cocktail at an SFV staple, Casa Vega. Their esquites are served hot on a sizzling skillet with a perfect balance of sweet corn, cotija cheese, butter, and chile. It’s the perfect size for a duo to share, and it can be paired with any of their broad selection of tequilas, mezcals, and cocktails. The guava margarita is sublime and light, so that we can continue to see what the city has to offer.

If you’re a literary enthusiast, I would highly recommend Small World Books in Venice Beach. It’s overlooked due to the popularity of The Last Bookstore in DTLA, but I’m here to tell you what any local will say: The Last Bookstore is overrated, overcrowded, and overhyped. Real readers will stare open-mouthed at the wide-selection of limited edition prints of their favorite books and authors at Small World Books. When you find your perfect read for your LA stay, you can step right out onto the boardwalk and take some time to read your new book right on the beach.

As the sun starts to dip and appetites begin surge, I’d suggest heading to Koreatown to crown off the day with a meal at Dan Sung Sa and a round of anthems at Pharaoh Karaoke Lounge. Dan Sung Sa has classic Korean staples like steamed pork belly with crystal noodles and stir-fried kimchi and pork with tofu in addition to shareable plates of barbecue short-ribs and chicken gangjung. This spot is great for groups and dates, and it’s only 10 minutes away from the best karaoke lounge in the city. Pharaoh’s is underground and it offers private rooms with thousands songs to choose from.

If karaoke isn’t your thing and you would rather dance to your favorite song, look no further than The Mayan. This nightclub is in a gorgeous historical landmark and it’s fitted with state-of-the-art sound and screens to amplify the ambiance of their two dance floors dedicated to music from all over Latin America, Top 40, and R&B. Anyone and everyone you take there is bound to have a great time to cap off an eventful day in the greatest city on the west coast.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where do I start?

Everything I’ve learned has been from other people, and it all started with Amanda Reed at the Acting Center. She was my first acting teacher, and she taught me an entirely new and original foundation based on a new technique developed by the Acting Center. With her, I learned what it was like to fully become another person with a different life, view, and experience than my own.

From there, I was fortunate enough to meet and work with Steve Eastin in his studio in Burbank, CA. He taught me the value of breath and intuition. The man is the walking embodiment of a beating heart. He taught me to carry depth and nuance in my work.

Beyond those two acting institutions, I’ve worked with two mentors that have completely expanded my view of my own artistry: Dan Winerman and Cynthia Santos DeCure. They’ve helped me realize my potential in ways I never would have envisioned otherwise.

And then, there are my fellow deviants, explorers, family and friends. I could clock in a million hours in class, but those experiences pale in comparison to the ones you’ve given me. You know who you are.

Thank you.

Website: imdb.me/keniamunguia

Instagram: kenia_munguia

Twitter: @kmunguiaramos

Image Credits
Negine Sekandari – Photographer Her website – neginejasmine.com