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

Hi Carolina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I grew up in a household where people truly believe in stability. My mom is a dentist and, besides her private practice, she would also work for the city, and she had tenure in that job. Dad is an agricultural engineer and also had tenure working for the State of Rio de Janeiro.

My sister is an electronic engineer and also a teacher with tenure. Whenever they have a chance to tell me to pursue the same thing, believe me, they do.

And of course, they do – they want the best for me and they know how hard it can be for anyone to live off their art. It’s too absurd an idea for a middle-class, working family to comprehend.

Nevertheless, I was happy to say goodbye to my job in TV in 2016 and to Brazil. In 2017, I moved to Los Angeles to study and I guess not even I could imagine I would wound up staying. There were times when I was really desperate and really wanted to quit – it’s not easy being so far away from your family and from everything you know, and being broke on top of that. Because that’s the reality of art if you don’t come from money: it will be tough. But it can also be very rewarding.

Nowadays I guess I found the balance between a “regular” job and my art: I teach English to Brazilians part-time and it’s very fun. I get to pay the bills and have time to write as much as I want.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I believe I bring a sharp and critical perspective on the human condition, most specifically the woman condition in today’s society. As a journalist, I am also very trained in observing and exploring through my writing the trenches of injustice in our world, and/though I choose to approach those topics/matters in a humorous and sardonic way.

The challenges I had to overcome as a woman trying to find her space in a male-oriented world turned me / have transformed me into a keen observer of my generation. Consequently, I see myself not only as a result of the Zeitgeist we currently live in but also as a critical interpreter of these fast-paced times.

I believe that modern/contemporary writing must encompass the complexities of the human condition, without giving in to pre-conceived formulas or the easy track of Manicheism.

My work, in that regard, brings an honest look towards society, addressing contemporary dilemmas with a comedic and often sardonic approach. Through my narrative skills, I seek to reach the masses by discussing contemporary issues such as the clashes between generations, feminism, and oppression, always in a light but substantial way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I would love to take her to eat at the Sugar Fish in Beverly Hills. I would also show her the UCLA campus, where I was so happy and perfected my English skills.

I would take her to Hollywood Blvd so she could see some stars – my best friend is Brazilian, so of course, I would proudly show her the Carmen Miranda star.

I would take her to the Chinese theater, the Madame Tussaud museum (since she’s into that kind of touristy stuff), and the Griffith Observatory.

By the way, anywhere in Los Feliz that has a view is a great spot. And why not anywhere in the Hollywood Hills?

The places by my house are also fun – I’m close to Universal Studios and Warner Studios and they even have tours for those. If she wanted to go to the park at Universal, I would beg to come with her.

And if only we could take a day off to go to Anaheim, that would be like a dream come true, because I’ve never been to Disneyland.

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?
My sponsor Gareth Williams made it possible for me to get my work visa in his beautiful country and has shown nothing but respect, gratitude, and loyalty during our 5-year professional relationship.

Website: https://linktr.ee/cmassote

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/for.migarosa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-massote-0298802b/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvx2htHeIZ55y7_B_ynMLSQ?app=desktop

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.