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

Hi Agustina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking has been central to my journey as an actress and journalist. Moving from Chile to LA to pursue my dream of being a performer was a huge leap of faith. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew that if I wanted to give myself the chance to grow, I had to take that risk. I left behind a stable career and the familiarity of home to face the unknown in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Risks have shaped my career in more ways than one. For instance, I was hesitant at first to immerse myself in LA’s entertainment industry, but the first project I got involved in—a horror short film—confirmed my love for acting. The experience not only affirmed that I was on the right path but also fueled my passion to keep pursuing more opportunities that challenge me emotionally and give me range in different genres.

Meeting new people and forming genuine connections has also been a huge reward from taking risks. I now have a network of fellow creatives who have built up my confidence and made this journey feel less daunting. Risk, to me, is necessary for growth—without it, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my passion, challenge myself, or find the community that I now call my support system.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is my unique blend of experiences as both an actress and journalist, coupled with my drive to take on emotionally challenging roles in thrillers, dramas, and comedies. I moved from Chile to LA to pursue my passion for acting, and that journey itself is something I’m incredibly proud of. It wasn’t an easy transition, but leaving behind a stable career and diving into a completely new world has shaped me into the person and performer I am today.

Professionally, it’s been a path of perseverance. I have a theater background from Chile, but my focus now is on building my camera presence, which I’ve been doing since arriving in LA. Breaking into the industry was difficult, and for a while, I struggled with putting myself out there. One of the turning points came when I was cast in a horror short film last year—a genre I love. That project confirmed my passion for acting and reminded me why I came here in the first place: to tell stories that are both different from and larger than myself. I’ve also done background work on other projects, including Grey’s Anatomy, which has been an exciting step in gaining more on-set experience.

I wouldn’t say it was easy. I had to overcome self-doubt, financial hurdles, and the challenge of building a new network from scratch in a city where I knew almost no one. But I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive family who believed in me and recognized my efforts. And I found a community here in LA—friends and collaborators who share my vision and passion. Being able to study acting at UCLA Extension was another important step in my growth, and it opened doors to more opportunities and confidence.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that resilience and connection are key. Nothing happens overnight, and success requires patience, risk-taking, and finding the right people who believe in you. I want the world to know that my story is one of persistence, passion, and community. I didn’t get here alone, but I’ve worked tirelessly to be where I am, and I’m excited for what’s to come as I continue to grow in this industry.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting LA for a week, I’d want to show them a mix of my favorite places and some of LA’s best experiences. Here’s how I’d plan the perfect week:

Day 1: Hammer Museum and Westwood We’d start the trip with a visit to the Hammer Museum in Westwood, one of my favorite spots where I used to work. It’s such an inspiring place with its contemporary art and rotating exhibits. Afterward, we’d grab lunch at Fundamental LA for some fresh, modern American food. To finish the day, we’d get ice cream at Saffron & Rose, known for its Persian-style flavors.

Day 2: Hollywood and Lookouts We’d explore some of the classic LA sights. In the morning, we’d head up to Runyon Canyon for a hike and take in the incredible city views at the top. Then we’d visit Griffith Observatory in the afternoon, where the lookout over the city and the Hollywood sign is breathtaking. For dinner, we’d hit up Katsuya in Hollywood before enjoying a movie at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre.

Day 3: Beach Day in Malibu A beach day is a must! We’d head to Malibu for some relaxation on the sand at Zuma Beach, one of my favorites. For lunch, we’d hit Malibu Farm on the pier for some fresh, beachside food. To close out the day, we’d have dinner at Geoffrey’s Malibu—the sunset views from the cliffside restaurant are unbeatable.

Day 4: West Hollywood Party Night We’d kick off the day with brunch at Gracias Madre, an amazing plant-based Mexican restaurant in West Hollywood. After a chill afternoon wandering around Melrose Avenue, checking out street art and boutiques, we’d prep for a night out. We’d party in West Hollywood, starting with drinks at The Abbey (always a lively spot!) before dancing the night away at Pump or Heart WeHo.

Day 5: Silver Lake Bars and Downtown LA After a more relaxed morning, we’d explore Silver Lake and grab a casual lunch at Pine & Crane, a cozy Taiwanese restaurant. In the evening, we’d hop around Silver Lake’s coolest bars like Bar Stella or The Thirsty Crow—great places for a laid-back, trendy night out. We could even catch a rooftop movie at Rooftop Cinema Club in Downtown LA afterward.

Day 6: Ice Cream, Lookouts, and Movies We’d dedicate this day to some of my favorites! First, we’d grab ice cream at Salt & Straw in Larchmont. Then, we’d drive up to the Mulholland Drive Lookout for incredible views of the city and surrounding hills. For dinner, we’d go to Little Dom’s in Los Feliz, a cozy Italian spot. Afterward, we could catch a classic movie screening at New Beverly Cinema, a must for any movie lover.

Day 7: Venice Beach and Santa Monica We’d wrap up the week with a beach day at Venice Beach. After walking along the boardwalk and checking out the street performers, we’d bike up to Santa Monica Pier. Lunch would be at Blue Plate Oysterette, where we could enjoy seafood with ocean views. We’d finish off with some sunset drinks at Elephante in Santa Monica, a beautiful rooftop bar with coastal views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say I am where I am right now thanks to my family, who have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. They’ve never doubted my abilities and have always recognized the effort I’ve put into achieving my goals. I’m also very grateful for UCLA Extension and its teachers, where I took classes to train and grow as an actor.

Website: https://chuchuagus.wixsite.com/agustina-alvarado

Instagram: agusalvaradol

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agustina-alvarado-4b41a1193?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits
steve hull and helena lu

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