Meet CLARA NAVARRO DE MORA-GRANADOS | Actress & Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with CLARA NAVARRO DE MORA-GRANADOS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CLARA, what role has risk played in your life or career?

This is a really interesting question because, wondering about it, I must confess that I probably have a love/hate relationship with risk.

Undoubtedly, there have been some situations in my life when taking risks in different aspects have entailed a feeling of vertigo, which was difficult to overcome. We have all been there! However, I have to admit that risk has also become a kind of addiction for me.

Every time I remember the best adventures and the most encouraging opportunities that life has brought to me, I realize that there were risks involved; there was a decision of stepping out of my comfort zone.

Actually, I am not only speaking on a personal level, but also on a professional level, in which this idea of taking risks is even more present. I am a professional actress from Spain, and I am currently studying my MFA in Los Angeles as a Fulbright Scholar. I can assure that both accomplishing this goal and leaving my country, meant a lot of risks on a physical, emotional and psychological aspect. Leaving your city, home, family, friends, job, habits, etc., is always a bit scary, even if that decision comes from a strong purpose and commitment.

Nevertheless, it also feels so good to realize that, by the time you EMBRACE the risk, a new approach arises. Accepting the vulnerability that could come with it makes you understand the priceless opportunity to find new perspectives, new things, new stimulus; a chance to “re-shape” and re-discover yourself. Then, it becomes amazing, and it becomes something that you don’t want to stop doing.

Especially in my profession as an actress, the concept of risk is at the core of our craft. Only taking risks, trusting the process, embracing the unpredictable, is that you can find interesting things. It’s also when you really start deeply understanding the characters and stories you have to embody.

It’s not only beautiful to take risks and experience them, but is also beautiful to observe other people around us doing it. For me, that’s extremely inspirational.

And of course, then there’s the “counterpart”. I guess that while reflecting about all this, the first images that come to my mind are all moments in which the risks taken turned out well. But there’s also circumstances when you go for it and it doesn’t necessarily end up as you were expecting or desiring. So I guess that -as everything in life-,it’s all about how we face and handle things.

I have a good friend that always talks about not getting stuck wondering about the “why?” behind the bad things that come to us; but rather wondering “for what?”: there is always a reason, there’s a lesson; a chance to know ourselves better. And I try to never let myself “tag” those situations as “failures”. Because they can definitely be turned into something extremely valuable and positive.

I actually would love to end these thoughts with a quote from Joseph Campbell that says “WHERE YOU STUMBLE, THERE YOU SHALL FIND YOUR TREASURE”.

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

I am an actrees currently based in Los Angeles, joining an MFA in Acting For Film at the New York Film Academy. Nevertheless, I was born in Guadalajara (Spain), and it was a Fulbright Scholarship what brought me to the USA  some months ago, in the middle of the crazyness we are all living this past year and a half…

Getting where I am right now was definitely not easy, althought the journey has been full of incredible adventures and challenges. I still remember when I moved to Madrid to study Visual Arts and Physical Theatre at university… I think it’s interesting from time to time to stop for a second, close our eyes, and have a little conversation with our younger selves, back then when we were full of dreams, excitement and love to share… And some fears as well. I always end up realizing that that young girl is still with me, closer than I think.

Being an artist have given to me the opportunity of finding a purpose in this life. Since the moment I decided to be a part of this profession, I realized that I felt it as an act of self-giving. From there on, my motivation to keep improving is based in my idea of this profession’s potential to make an impact on our society.

And that’s exactly what I think that helps me to overcome every challenge, and to keep pursuing my dream and my goals. I believe in what we -as artists- do, I believe in the beauty of my purpose. I like to think that it also makes me a better actress and it encourages me to work hard in every project I join.

Lessons learnt during all these years are innumerable, but I value the most those who make me a better person along my journey. Some of them are those that you try to remind yourself as much as you can, such as the idea of trusting your instincts, trusting the process. This has a huge impact on me because I have always been the kind of woman that pursues perfection, that wants to do everything “well”. So I had to learn to embrace and love every mistake; and to understand that -as one of my teachers says- “perfection is the enemy of progression”.

In a world like this, it’s not easy sometimes to be grounded and connected with who you are. Actually, I feel that the dynamics that society shows nowadays make it difficult to connect truthfully with other people, too. We forget about listening to each other because everything is just so quick-paced that we are addicted to the immediacy.

Something that being an actress has taught me is the beauty of the “layers” that compose every one of us. Understanding that complexity, both in ourselves and in every other person and circumstance, encourages a deeper connection. It also opens yourself to a more critical and compassionate perspective.

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?
Althought I am new in the city and I haven’t been able to truly experience LA because of the Pandemic, there are some spots that I have already fallen in love with!

Without a doubt one of my ideal mornings would be some of the beautiful hiking trails that the city offers. Giffith Observatory is beautiful and of course hiking to the Hollywood sign is something that you have to do at least once! Why not having a tasty brunch at Aeirloom Bakery or the amazing PORTO’s … I just love those cuban pastries! An evening around Venice and the atmosphere down there will also be in the plan. Maybe stopping to get a coffee at Gjusta, in Venice (I fell in love with all they offer and their patio!). Santa Monica Pier at night time would also be a “must”

Another ideal morning would be heading to Malibu to spend some hours at one of their beaches to then visit the Pier and eat some yummy food! There would also be time for some “turistic” tour around the The Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and all that area of the city. And at night, time to know some of the adorable rooftops you can find in LA. I love Mama Shelter and its vibe.

Maybe one day would be amazing to spend a night in Manhattan beach area / Long Beach / New Port ! I just love the beach right there and all the cute places to eat and how beautiful and full of a nice vibe it is at night !

The area where Universal and Walt Disney Studios are is one of those I would for sure show to anyone coming here! SO one day would be invested in visiting one of those Studios and enjoying the amazing experience of being part of Hollywood Industry! For a fancy last night at LA, a dinner in Yamashiro would be the perfect way to say goodbye!

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?
Althought I can definitely think about a lot of people that have inspired and supported me, I must say that my main mentors in life have undoubtedly being my parents. Not only I owe them my life, but also every blessing that has come with it! They are the kind of parents that you can also consider attentive friends and a source of strength and support. I feel so grateful because I can feel them so close to me wherever I go, but they also value and respect my sense of independence and have permitted me to grow and develop my very own perspective towards life.

Of course, I could never forget to mention all the people in different parts of the world that builds my “artistic family”. Art definitely helped me to understand who I am in this world and every community of artists I have had the pleasure to belong deserves also to be in this shoutout.

Finally, special shoutout for every strong woman that I have beside me. My mum, grandmothers, girl-friends, fellow professionals and mentors. I am so proud of the woman I have become, and that is all thank to the influence of incredible figures surrounding me.

Website: https://en.claranavarro.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claranavarroactor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clara.navarrodemoragranados/

Image Credits
@mp_713 @bts_by_zs @eduardo_san_flor