Meet Vanesa Melendez Bugarin | Actor & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanesa Melendez Bugarin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanesa, how do you think about risk?
In all honesty, I didn’t grow up fond of taking risks. I preferred a calculated approach to success—one that ensured predictable results. But over time, I realized that the most inventive, impactful, and fearless individuals I admired embraced risks and lived in a way that felt foreign to most people.

I remember back in September 2022, while attending the University of California, Riverside, I had a sudden realization: I wasn’t meant to take a conventional path in my acting career.

I was lying on my small twin-sized bed, scrolling through TikTok, when I stumbled upon the celebrity guest list for Beyoncé’s birthday. Now, I don’t know Beyoncé personally, but seeing people my age achieving great things—attending exclusive events, celebrating each other’s creativity, and carving their own space in the entertainment world—sparked an inexplicable sense of yearning in me. I felt a mix of frustration and ambition, but more than anything, I felt certainty. Forty-five minutes later, I dropped out of college. An old roommate of mine still makes fun of me to this day for being unpredictable enough to do it, it’s hilarious.

Since then, my life has only become more fulfilling when I take risks. I now understand that the privilege of leading and inspiring comes at the cost of the life you leave behind. As I continue to navigate the industry through this new lens, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to practice my craft and audition for major studios, including Netflix, A24, Disney, and Blumhouse Productions.

The real risk wasn’t dropping out—it was betting on myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an artist who has always found ways to create—especially when crafting gifts for people when I didn’t have enough money to buy them—it’s never been difficult to tap into my desire to tell a story with my work, whether I’m acting or painting. However, finding my distinct style was a different story. For those who may not be familiar with the process of finding a personal style in the creative world, it can be one of the most challenging obstacles you face, especially when trying to establish a career around it.

I’ve learned that the key to discovering your style is acceptance of who you are and what you cannot change. This doesn’t mean accepting the parts of yourself that you have the ability to improve, like procrastination or laziness, but rather embracing those aspects of you that are inherent to your being (like curiosity or a deep sense of justice) . It’s about allowing your inner child to be as free as possible in order to fully absorb the creative energy around you, which is no easy feat due to societal expectations.

In my experience, I was the quiet kid with my nose buried in books and a sketchbook in hand, so you can imagine what my school experience must have looked like. My journey toward finding where I belonged creatively was incredibly difficult, largely because I struggled on a personal level—not feeling like I could properly fit in or relate to my peers. I was fortunate later on to find a good group of friends in high school who accepted me despite my “weirdness,” and, in many ways, they were protective of me when others ridiculed my differences.

It wasn’t until I witnessed someone I loved very much being bullied for being their authentic self that I found the courage to do something about it. Something inside me shifted that day, and I was able to channel that energy into my creative work, embracing my unapologetic love for the macabre and the obscure, while also gaining a new sense of confidence. This self-acceptance of my “weirdness” and differences became the key that unlocked my unique style, allowing me to fully express myself without fear of judgment or fitting into conventional norms. My ultimate goal became using my admiration for surrealism and nature to connect with people in ways that words may not always succeed in—reminding us that, at our core, we too are animals who have been gifted with consciousness.

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?
Living in Los Angeles, there’s never a shortage of things to do—unless you grew up here, in which case, the usual tourist spots might not be as exciting. I’m someone who prefers unique, niche experiences over big crowds, so if my best friend were visiting, I’d want to show them the side of LA that most people overlook.

We’d start the week off with a slow, scenic morning at Cafe 27, a hidden gem perched on a cliffside in Topanga Canyon. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, tucked away in the mountains. After that, we’d head to Hidden Treasures, a vintage shop that looks like something out of a storybook, packed with one-of-a-kind pieces and quirky trinkets. Then, we’d drive down through Malibu’s scenic coastline and visit The Getty Villa—because who doesn’t love a bit of history and art? And since I’m a bit of a romantic, we’d end the day with wine tasting at Malibu Estate Vineyards, catching the sunset over the hills.

One of my favorite underrated spots in LA is the Magnolia Strip in Burbank, so that would definitely be on the list. It’s lined with crystal shops, vintage boutiques, and cool little oddities like The Mystic Museum. We’d grab coffee at Three Sisters Cafe, a place that’s oddly brought me a lot of good luck when I needed it most .

For a change of pace, we’d spend a day reconnecting with nature in the Los Angeles National Forest. Most people don’t even realize it exists, but it’s one of my safe spaces. After hiking, we’d head to Old Pasadena—a beautiful, historic part of town with great architecture, amazing food, and a sense of community, especially after the recent fires. There’s a store called Blick Artists Materials I always visit when Im in the area, art supplies are super affordable there.

Of course, a trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without some art, so The Getty Center would be a must. Beyond the exhibits, even the building itself is stunning, and there’s something oddly peaceful about taking the tram up the hill. From there, if we’re feeling social, we’d head to West Hollywood to check out the food spots and smaller, more intimate exhibits.

By Friday, it’s time to embrace the city energy. Instead of dealing with traffic, we’d take the subway downtown and start at Los Feliz Flea, a perfect place to connect with young creatives and find unique pieces. After that, we’d make our way to the Piñata District, a vibrant area filled with Latin American food, party supplies, and the kind of hidden treasures you wouldn’t find in the more polished parts of LA. To wrap up the night, we’d hit an LA Night Market—maybe Imperial, Alameda, or 626—because nothing beats ending the night with good food and an electric atmosphere.

The weekend would be all about unwinding—walking along the beach, visiting open green spaces like Greystone Mansion, and taking in the view from Griffith Observatory. And if my friend really wanted to check out the more “touristy” spots, I’d save those for last—because once you’ve seen the real LA, Hollywood Boulevard is just a bonus.

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?
The Los Angeles Public Library has always been a safe space for me—an escape. While many artists and individuals have inspired me to push forward and chase my goals, the library near my old home holds a special place in my heart. It was a beacon of reassurance when my parents couldn’t provide that for me. Unlike a person or a music subscription you might not always have the money to maintain, the library was something I could always call my own—a constant in my life.

As a kid, it was where my tiny mind could roam free, absorbing what felt like an infinite wealth of knowledge. The funniest part was watching my mother’s reaction as her nine-year-old checked out 30 books at a time—all about animal facts and Egyptian mythology.

There will be many moments when I can go in-depth about the special people who have believed in me and guided me in ways I never imagined I would need. But I think it’s just as important to remember that knowledge is priceless—and we should take full advantage of everything available to us.

Instagram: @Thevanesamelendez

Other: TikTok: @Thevanesamelendez