Meet Alesandra Álvarez | Actor

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

Hi Alesandra, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
To be honest, balance is something I still struggle with. Especially because my work tends to be so intense and all-consuming when I’m in the middle of a project. When I’m filming, for example, I don’t even have time to read, write, or really hang out with friends. Everything goes into the work, and I love that focus—but then, when it ends, it’s like everything I’ve put aside comes rushing back at once, and it’s hard to find my balance again.
It’s strange. Suddenly I have time again, but instead of resting, I feel this urgency to do everything I couldn’t do during the intense months: finish all the books, catch up on films, go to the theater, reconnect with everyone I love. And ironically, I get mentally exhausted—not from doing, but from the pressure of having to do it all.
I think I’m learning to soften that transition, to not expect myself to switch gears so abruptly. Balance for me isn’t about equal hours of work and rest—it’s more about recognizing my own rhythms and learning to give myself grace in the in-between moments. I probably handle it better than I think… but I’m definitely still learning.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart… haha, that’s such a hard question. Maybe because I don’t really think of myself as someone who’s “set apart.” There’s always this weird pressure to feel special—and I’m just trying to do the work as honestly as I can.

I guess what’s true for me is that my work comes from a very emotional place. I don’t approach characters from the head. I’m not like, “What’s their backstory and how do I show that?” It’s more like… I open the door, I let them come in, and then I try not to get in the way too much. Dios… I know I sound kind of mystical—but it really does happen like that. I can’t help it.

If there’s one quality I’d say defines my process, it’s permeability. I don’t know if that’s the right word in English, but in Spanish it makes perfect sense. It’s like… I let things affect me. Sometimes it honestly doesn’t even feel like I’m the one doing it. I take the first step—I surrender, I step into the character—and the rest just unfolds. Obviously, having a good script and a solid director helps a lot, haha.

As for what I’m most proud of… I’d probably say my persistence. That I haven’t let others decide for me who I am or what I’m capable of. There are moments of doubt, of course, but I always try to come back to what truly moves me—and that’s love for the craft.

Now, in terms of how I got here… No path is ever truly easy. Even people who come from certain families or are born into a name or reputation—they still have their own battles. Some are just more visible than others. In my case, I come from a very humble family, and we lived far from everything. I left home when I was 18, and I had to work to pay for my studies, my rent… it was a lot, honestly. There were times I was exhausted—not just physically, but mentally, from carrying so much responsibility so young.

I don’t want to romanticize what it meant to not have financial ease or to come from a place with limited access. But I will say that, looking back, even though at the time it felt unfair or overwhelming, it gave me a lot: independence, resourcefulness, and a willingness to take risks—because I didn’t have a safety net to fall back on.

I realized early on that no one was going to build my life for me—I had to do it. And strangely enough, that became a kind of fuel.

And finally… if there’s one thing I’d love people to know about me and what I do—it’s that I’m here for the long run. For the work, for the depth, for the ride. I’m still figuring things out—but I’m in it. Fully.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Amoeba Music, definitely. I’d also have taken them to The Original Pantry Café before it closed—haha, that place was iconic. Then probably Highland Park Bowl for some fun.

Honestly, part of the time I’d definitely improvise—finding weird little shops, vintage spots, local galleries, or random bookstores we didn’t mean to end up in.

Driving around… I love a good ride with great company and music. I’d take them on long beach walks too—probably El Matador Beach. It’s kind of hidden, dramatic, and just stunning.

And I’d definitely throw in something architectural—maybe The Sowden House in Los Feliz. It’s this moody, Mayan-inspired building.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oooh… I love this question, because I honestly feel so deeply grateful to so many people I’ve crossed paths with.

This year especially, I’ve been working closely with two people to whom I feel incredibly grateful in terms of my growth as an actor: Javier Galitó-Cava and Joe Goscinski.

Javier completely opened a new way of approaching the craft. He has this clarity—almost like a sixth sense—for seeing exactly where the truth of the character lies and how to guide me there. We were recently working on building a character, and I honestly couldn’t believe how deep we were able to go. Every time I work with him, I discover something new. When I feel stuck or like I can’t go any deeper—or when I feel like I just can’t make that jump into the character—he somehow knows exactly what’s missing and shows me how to click into it. Everything he teaches me and the places I’m able to reach with him make me feel unstoppable.
It’s like… if I’m able to explore the craft at that depth—what can’t I do? Of course, it takes work, and it’s not immediate, but his guidance is incredibly powerful.

And Joe… Joe is an amazing actor, director, coach, and speech instructor. He has this effortless way of diving into a character and offering new perspectives. The way he plays with what you say, how you say it, and where you say it from—it’s like opening doors you didn’t even know were there. And above all, the authenticity with which he sees things—character, emotion, intention—is truly inspiring.
I’m endlessly grateful to both of them.

Website: https://alesandraalvarez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alesandra_alvarez/

Image Credits
Irene C.H.

https://www.instagram.com/irenesce