Meet Valery Rozo | Actress and Artist

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

Hi Valery, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
First of all thanks for having me and giving me the chance to share my story and thoughts.

Now to the question; Finding balance in life was difficult at the beginning of my career, and it became even harder once I started college. I still don’t believe I have found the perfect balance, but I am definitely at a point in my life where I feel happy with where I am.

Right now, my days are filled with what I love most: being at the theater academy. Most of my time is spent there—between classes, rehearsals, and performances. As I’m writing this, I’ve just finished three shows for SD1A at LACC, and it has been an incredible experience. It was my stage debut, and it was a very intense time because almost all was new for me. Through it all, I learned a lot about balancing my time and energy so I could practice and perform at my best.

During that time, I had to learn when to step back from personal plans to focus on professional responsibilities, while still finding moments to enjoy my own time and take care of myself on simplers ways like talking a walk or a nap to recharge.
I realized that balancing your time doesn’t mean completely avoiding everything outside of work or professional commitments. Instead, it’s about learning where those things fit in your schedule. Life shouldn’t be only about work, but it also shouldn’t be only about fun. The key is saying yes when you truly believe you can handle something—not just because you feel obligated. It’s important not to take on more than you can carry.

I feel very fortunate to have found amazing friends at the academy who are understanding and share a similar path. Because of that, they truly understand the challenges, and they make the whole process much easier and more enjoyable.

Another important factor in learning how to balance my life has been going to therapy. Even though theater itself can feel therapeutic to me, talking to a professional therapist has helped me tremendously along with journaling. I truly encourage people to consider therapy—it’s a great step toward taking care of yourself.

At the end of the day, I believe we all need to be kind and patient with ourselves. A perfect balance doesn’t exist, and what feels balanced for one person may not feel the same for someone else. The most important thing is to find your own version of balance—one where you feel happy and comfortable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets me apart is a combination of many factors. First, all of my life experiences have led me to where I am today. Every good and bad decision I have made has shaped who I am, and that helps me portray my characters in a unique and honest way. Each character I have played so far carries a small piece of me—whether it’s an experience, a feeling, or a memory that I connect with in order to bring authenticity to the role. Sometimes I relate so deeply to a character that it almost feels like I am simply being myself.

Another factor that drives me every day in my career is that acting is not just something I want—it is something I need. I have sacrificed so much to pursue this path, and I am willing to sacrifice even more. Because of that, giving up is not an option for me. I push myself to always give my best, because that is the only way I will reach my goals. I cannot allow myself to approach this lightly or treat it as something casual.

It has never been easy. Moving to a new country, adapting to a new language and culture, and joining the academy all came with many challenges. At times, everything has felt very heavy. But whenever I feel that weight, I remember the support I have from the people who love me and believe in me, and that gives me the strength to keep going.

I have overcome these challenges through hard work and personal growth. I have learned the importance of taking care of my well-being while pursuing my career. I have also been fortunate to receive guidance and support from others in the industry who have helped me overcome many obstacles. In the end, what motivates me most is the desire to make my younger self proud and to honor the people who believed in my future. I want them to see that their trust was worth it.

Along the way, I have learned that when talent is not enough, hard work can compensate for it—and vice versa. Talent without study is incomplete because you lack the fundamentals and the foundation needed to grow. At the same time, if the natural spark is not there, no amount of training alone can fully replace it. I believe both are necessary to truly stand out.

Ultimately, I want the world to know me as someone who represents resilience—someone people can relate to and feel connected to. I want to be known as an immigrant Latina who overcame the challenges of building a career in this industry, in this country and that I made it possible for others to dream as big and as brightly as I once did.

In the present, I want people to see me and remember not to be afraid, especially during difficult political moments surrounding immigration and the Latino community as it is right now. I want to show that art can be loud and unbreakable against the injustices and that artists can use their voices to support others. We are not here to be less. No matter where you come from, you can become a star in the field you choose if you work hard enough—even if it sometimes requires twice the effort.

That is the person I want to be in my career and in my life. Even if my voice is not as big as some celebrities out there, but I will always use whatever platform I have to speak about the things that matter to me.

That is who I want people to know me as, this is who I am proud to be every day and I’m excited to see what the world have for me in the future.

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 someone came to visit me and I had to plan a great itinerary for them in Los Angeles, I would start the day with breakfast at Layla Bagels. In my opinion, they have some of the best bagels in the city. I especially love whatever seasonal fruit bagel they have available—it’s always a good choice, whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory.

After breakfast, I would take them to one of my favorite places: the movies. I love going to the theater whenever I have the chance, or sometimes to a play, depending on what’s showing and what catches my attention. Of course, you can watch movies anywhere in the world, but there’s something special about sharing that experience with someone you care about. Spending that kind of quality time together makes it feel different.

Next, I would take them to a museum. Los Angeles has many incredible ones, but the one that has impressed me the most so far is the Getty Center. The art collection there is amazing, and the entire place is inspiring—from the architecture to the views of the city.

I would also show them Little Tokyo, which I absolutely love. It has such a unique atmosphere, great food, and interesting shops. At the same time, I try not to make the plan too focused on the most touristic spots. Honestly, I’m probably not the best person to create a strict itinerary for a whole week. I would rather walk around the city, share stories, and show them places naturally along the way. For me, spending meaningful time with the person matters more than the exact location.

For lunch or dinner, I would probably take them to Petit Trois. They never disappoint. I love trying different dishes there, and even their desserts are excellent.

For something fun and lighthearted, we could also visit Universal CityWalk Hollywood. It’s a fun place to walk around, check out the stores, take pictures, and enjoy the energy of the area.

And for a more cinematic moment—something that feels straight out of La La Land—I would end the day at the Griffith Observatory, looking at the stars and the incredible view of the city.

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?
After the incredible experience I had during SD1A doing the “Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman at LACC, I can’t stop thinking about how grateful I am to my director, Jasmine White, for everything she taught me. Throughout the entire process, she gave us constant support, encouragement, and care.

For me, the trust she placed in me during my first production at the academy—and my stage debut—meant a lot. It played a huge role in building my confidence and strengthening my belief in my own abilities. She pushed us beyond our limits, but always in a safe and supportive environment. Because of that, I was even surprised by the things I discovered I was capable of doing.

She is truly an example of the kind of director I hope to work with throughout my career. She was patient, yet firm when necessary. She always cared about our mental health and physical well-being, and she remained open to hearing new ideas and perspectives. She was flexible, understanding, and fully committed to helping us create the best show possible.

At the same time, she was managing her own acting projects, along with classes, which made her dedication even more admirable. To me, that level of passion and commitment to the craft deserves so much more recognition.
All this while doing it with such a brave posture, positive energy and a beautiful smile everyday.

Her mentorship has been a turning point in my journey. It has truly marked a before and after in my path as an actor, and I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to work with her again in the future.

Website: https://valeryrozoportfolio.my.canva.site/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf8luMRKovccCccRb_9IOnRbnhjCNjdCSG0yRHvm7Zb-iphvMGZod2kwNN6hg_aem_aOyCkWtPFTUNdVngnVIeCQ

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHH4BZSzU5_QyZo4u6DjyiA

Image Credits
Main photo IG: @omniemon
Waitress and Yellow Walpaper photos IG: @boyatoms
Yellow Walpaper women IG: @lizzncarter , @kyeonguklee , @bosslady_876
Waitress and Yellow Woman outfit looks photos: @mdcam9224
B&W photos: @msr_photography13