Meet Christina Araujo-Williams | Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Araujo-Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I come from a very artistic family. My grandfather use to be an opera singer, my grandmother is a writer and artist, my uncle has his own rock band and recording studio, my mother is a singer, my older sister is an artist and my two younger sisters are make up artists. When I was three years old, I was obsessed with the Latin American singer Selena Quintanilla. I knew every song by heart and I would perform in front of my family. My mother couldn’t afford to put me in music school, I learned how to read music and train my voice through choir. I wanted to be a singer and go to Juliard to study vocal performance. When I was a teenager, I use to perform at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. I was in many plays and my choir won Gold awards when we were on tour. During this time, I was also writing. I joined drama class when I was fourteen and I started writing scripts. I would be sitting in my class not paying attention because I had a new idea or song I had to write out. I didn’t pursue music after college but I continued to write. I carried notebooks with me everywhere I went so I could write. I have a degree in psychology. I have worked different jobs but nothing has ever made me as happy as when I am doing something creative.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from most is how I get my work out. If I am writing a script, I go the non conventional way. I don’t have an outline or character development done before I write. An idea will come to me and then I start writing and I see where the story takes me. I use my emotions to write. When I was younger, I had a very hard time expressing my emotions, I started writing out how I was feeling in song, poem or a story. Its the same for me now. I write what I feel. I also don’t sugar coat. If I want to write something that doesn’t always sit well with everyone because of subject matter then I do it. I don’t just touch on a subject, I go into detail and create a new world. I am most proud about my projects “The Breakdown” or “I’ll Never Love Again” because I was able to play with these projects. “The Breakdown” was taken from a personal experience. I wanted to go into detail what happens if your closest friends gaslight you. What happens when no one believes you? The actors were amazing and brought this story to life. “I’ll Never Love Again” is a project I am proud about as well because I feel like it shows my growth as a writer. I have always wanted to effectively show grief. Ratoya Banks who plays Lucy in “I’ll Never Love Again” brought her all to this role and made it what it is. It is currently going the film festival route. I got where I am today by having a great team behind me. Five years ago, I met my husband who is a director, and he pushed me to continue writing and turning my stories into something that everyone could relate to. If it wasnt for him, I dont know if I would have continued in the creative field. He has always pushed me to be my best self and that’s what has made me succeed. It was not easy to get where I am now. I have had to invest my own money to make my dream come alive. It sucks but you will never get where you want to be unless you invest in yourself. What I want the world to know about me is I am a hispanic woman trying to make her mark in an industry that doesnt always cater to minorities. You can make your dreams come true, you just have to make them happen. Don’t sit and wait for the world to come to you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my bestfriend was visiting, I’d plan the trip around the beach. One of the best things about California is the beaches. Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Venice and surrounding beaches, have the best shops and food. I ‘d take my friend to Laguna Beach. The beach is so beautiful and the shops around are fun. California weather is usually amazing. One day would be spent at Catalina Island. We’d go parasailing or scuba diving. I’d take her to dinner at Fogo De Chao. The food is amazing. Take her to Pepes red tacos in Westchester. But it would mostly be spent exploring new restaurants.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shout out to my grandmother. My mother didnt always approve of me wanting to pursue music or writing but my grandmother was. My grandmother would take me to auditions, school tours, performances and was always at my plays. Even now she still asks how she can contribute to get to where I want to go.

Website: williams4productions.com

Instagram: @christinaaraujowilliams