Meet Cecilia Salinas | Actress

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

Hi Cecilia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved the thrill of taking risks. Whether it be in a performance or in my everyday life, I have always enjoyed putting myself in situations where the outcome could ultimately lead me to something great…or possibly something that I could learn a lesson or two from. Growing up with that mentality ultimately pushed me to take the biggest risk of my life thus far, which was saving a little cash, adopting a dog then moving from Texas to California in order to pursue my dream of becoming an actress in TV/film. Growing up in a very traditional Mexican/American household, the idea of me moving so far away by myself was not something that was easy for my family to accept, especially because I knew nobody in California. I just knew that I had to take that risk in order to make my dreams come true and finally be happy, so that’s what I did. It has been the greatest thing I could’ve ever done for myself and I don’t regret it one bit. Could I have been more prepared and should have thought out my moving plan a little more? ABSOLUTELY. But I think if it wasn’t for me just saying “F*** this, I’m moving” and taking that jump, I don’t think I would be in Los Angeles right now. I would probably still be in Texas, working my 9-5 job and second guessing if I should leave the comfortability of being at home in order to move and start new in such a big city. So, I’m glad I’ve always had that risk bug in me, because it has taken me to where I am today and will continue to push me to succeed in the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey has not been easy at all. My dad passed away when I was 17, and that took a huge toll on my life. He was my best friend and biggest supporter. He is a big reason as to why I am who I am today and a huge part of my life’s story. He always encouraged my love for the arts and was the most creative, smartest man I’ve ever known. He introduced me to the world of cinema and we would watch Scorsese and horror films all night long. He was always at all the local theatre shows I was in and would have pictures of me performing hung up all over his office at work. He was my #1 fan. So when I lost him, my whole world just felt like it shambled into little pieces. I say this because losing your father, your best friend, at the young age of 17 really changes your life and I can’t say it’s easy to pick yourself up after that. I learned what death truly was and how to deal with the grief that comes with it at such a young age. I experienced and lived through so many dark and devastating emotions that come with it, not realizing until later that living through all of that, would actually be very beneficial in my art and creative process. I gained so much empathy and felt so much raw emotion that I can now channel in my acting.

I am also a Mexican/American, bilingual Texan raised on the border of Mexico. I lived through a true chicana experience and had the best of both worlds. I was fortunate enough to be raised with a family who spoke both English and Spanish, and always made sure I never NOT spoke Spanish. I never appreciated how important and beneficial that was until I moved out to LA. I landed my current agency all because I was able to speak both languages fluently. I consider it a super power in Hollywood because not many people can speak both languages perfectly with no accent on either one. I started my career just as the Latino movement in Hollywood was rising, so the timing of everything has been perfect and very beneficial to me. Me being bilingual has helped me so much in this career and I’m so grateful!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first I’d take them to all the tourist-y spots in LA, such as Griffith Park/Hollywood sign, drive down the Sunset Strip and have dinner on a rooftop then head out for a drink at a bar. We’d check out some museums, like The Getty, and then we’d roadtrip down south on PCH to Laguna beach and check out all the other beaches along the way. I’d also take them into malibu , have some lobster hotdogs and then take a hike in the Malibu canyons. I would also plan a 2 day camping trip in the Sequoias, because it is BREATHTAKING. Then we’d spend a day at Universal Studios or Disneyland (why not both? hehe) We could check out the nightlife on Hollywood blvd and try to find some speakeasy bars in the area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is dedicated to my amazing and wonderful family back at home in Laredo, TX, but I especially want to dedicate this to my grandfather, Homero Salinas. He passed away last year in 2022 and continues to be a huge inspiration in my life. He showed me the meaning of what it means to be a hard worker and overcome all the difficulties life brings along the way. He started from selling gum on the streets in order to provide for his entire family and wasn’t even able to afford shoes, to becoming a professional baseball player in the major leagues and even becoming a successful entrepreneur, owning businesses, properties and 2 hotels, all while raising a beautiful family. He was a true testament on how far perseverance and hard work will get you and one of my biggest influences growing up. I’m so happy he was able to see me make the leap to LA in order to pursue my dreams before he passed. At first, he actually wasn’t a fan of me moving so far away by myself, and even shut my dreams down because he was scared of the dangers that come with it. But once he saw that I was able to settle in and create a life/career for myself from scratch (just like he was able to do), he could not stop praising me every chance he got, saying how proud he was of me and how much he admired my resilience and attitude. To hear that from someone like him, meant the world to me and always made me so proud because I’ve always admired him for the same things. I miss him so much but I know he’s with me more than ever now, helping and protecting me everyday to overcome any challenges along the way.

Instagram: @ceciliaLsalinas

Other: IMDB: www.imdb.me/cecilialsalinas

Image Credits
The So Who Can’t Play Trumpet (2023), Fidelidad (2023), Erik Rozet