Meet Daniela Lugo | Actress & Filmmaker

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

Hi Daniela, why did you pursue a creative career?
I come from a strong business family. I have been learning how to manage a company and its finances since I was a child. However, I always knew deep down in me that my true passion was the arts rather than the business.

I started taking theatre acting classes at the age of 5. I have had a strong connection with the arts from my childhood. I’ve always been fascinated by how we humans can connect to other individuals by means of the artistic expression and make other people temporarily go through life events and circumstances that they have never experienced before, but in a safe environment, in the 3rd person, and as a collective experience.

Subsequently, I became an actress for film and theatre. I have been witnessing outstanding artistic achievements thanks to my job. Things like making characters come to live, or telling stories that deserve to be told that also make us everybody better human beings since they help us gain knowledge and understand things that happen in everyday life for the rest of the people. Making people live other lives and feel represented in what they see brings me a lot of joy.

The arts have saved us during many hard times. The current pandemic is a good example of this. Many people recently reinvented themselves and discovered things that they didn’t know they were actually good at. My mom, for instance, took painting lessons, began painting for fun, and discovered she is actually good at it. She is now switching careers from being a businesswoman to being a painter in Mexico!

Telling people that I wanted to become an actress and filmmaker was actually quite hard for me, tho. It wasn’t easy because there were a lot of people who never believed on what I was doing at that time and were rude to me making my self-esteem and my confidence on my true passion fade away. However, I stood up, wiped those tears, took a leap of faith in what I was doing, and now I am where I am thanks to those people forcing me to stand up for myself.

I am also where I am thanks to having had the opportunity to work with incredible talented people like Alfonso Cuarón and Bella Thorne. Nevertheless, while I am using every opportunity that I have to make progress in my career as an actress (I actually just booked a movie that I know is gonna change my life), I am also producing two amazing short films that I never thought I would get to make happen. In a few words, I’m living my very own LA LA LAND fantasy with all its ups and downs.

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.
I am a Latina actress and filmmaker currently living in LA. I have always wanted to pursue acting. Specially here in the States.

I was very lucky to be accepted at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, were Anne Hathaway, Danny DeVito, Paul Rudd and Jessica Chastain, among many other notable actors studied acting.

I graduated in May of 2022, and after that, I have been pursuing acting and filmmaking professionally.

I try to bring characters alive through my work as an actress,. I have been lucky to have worked with many prestigious filmmakers here in Hollywood like Chris Stokes, Alfonso Cuarón and Bella Thorne, among others. I booked a movie (I will talk more about it on my social media) that is going to be on a major platform that I am sure many of you have. Stay tuned!

Now, talking about my work as a filmmaker, I try to tell stories that deserve to be told. Stories that feel relatable. Through my projects, I also try to tell stories about my LatinX Community.

Right now, I am producing a short film in Mexico that is going to be about how hard it is to make the decision of leaving your home country to pursue the so- called American Dream. It’s going to premiere in June this year in Mexico and we are gonna distribute it in Latin America and the US. I am also so excited to talk about my new short film here in “SHOUT OUT LA”, the name is “THE WIFI DATE”. It is a comedy about a funny romantic misunderstanding. It’s going to premiere in April this year here in Los Angeles. I can’t wait for you all to watch it.
We are gonna distribute the project in many countries around the world like Italy, Spain, Mexico, Colombia and Portugal, among others. I just can’t believe all the wonderful thing happening to me right now.

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 my best friend came to visit me, I would take her to my favorite spots and restaurants in LA. The first spot that I would take her to would be Disneyland. Because who doesn’t love Disney, Right?

I would also go for a hike to the Griffith Observatory. I love the view of Los Angeles from that place. And I am a huge fan of the Observatory thanks to the La La Land movie. I would try to go right before sunrise or sunset to enjoy better the view.

I would also take her to my favorite restaurant in LA, the name is “TACOS 1986”. If you want to try REAL MEXICAN FOOD, go to that amazing place. I always go there with my boyfriend and friends.

I would also take my best friend to the beaches, LA has incredible beaches with amazing views. Whenever I want to disconnect from work and stuff, I go to the beach.

In addition, I would take her to two of my favorite museums here: “LACMA” and “The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures”.

This city has some incredible places. It is hard to answer this question. There are a lot of incredible places here where you can have a good time and have the time of your life.

If you ever want to visit LA, send me a message and I will recommend you many good stuff and places worth to visit. LA is INCREDIBLE!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I personally would love to thank my parents. I still don’t think I deserve them. They have been there from the very beginning and they have always supported me with all my choices. I have no words to say how thankful and blessed I feel because of them.

Also, I would love to mention Alberto Anaya. He has been an incredible mentor for me. All his advice has helped me to become a better artist and a better person. I love him so much and I will always feel grateful for having him by my side.

And finally, I would love to thank, my brothers, my grandfather, friends, the rest of my family, and my teachers for being always there for me and for being so supportive with me. I would be nobody without their love and support.

They mean everything to me.

Website: https://www.danielalugoactress.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniela_lugo_mtz/?hl=es

Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/danielalugo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danny.lugomartinez/

Other: imdb.me/DanielaLugo

Image Credits
WIFI DATE – PRODUCTION BTS CADET – PRODUCTION BTS HOLA MEXICO FILM FESTIVAL – FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHER THE BIG CONN (APPLE TV) – PREMIER PHOTOGRAPHER MEN ON BOATS – COMPANY PHOTOGRAPHER