Meet Emmy Olea | Actor & Podcaster

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

Hi Emmy, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the catalyst behind the success of my Webby-nominated podcast, Crumbs, is authenticity. I don’t hold back! I’m not too worried about sharing the good, the bad, the embarrassing, and the ugly. My listeners have pointed out a rawness and vulnerability in my storytelling that they relate to. Many tend to shy away from deep, personal, and dark experiences in a public forum, but my experience has taught me there is something invaluable about identification, and this is how we connect. It’s within these vulnerable narratives that my listeners discover a reflection of their own experiences because love is universal. 

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.
As a Latina trans woman, I didn’t grow up seeing people like me in the media. I had a very “colorful” childhood, I was doomed to be a statistic and I wanted to break apart from that. I didn’t think it was possible for me, because back in the day when I was growing up times were different and the possibility of realizing my true self seemed far-fetched. Fast forward to now living in Los Angeles, having visibility in the media has given me the ability and confidence to be my authentic self and to tell my story the way I want to tell my story. Through my podcast, I’ve discovered a platform where I get to do that, unshackled from the confines of societal expectations. I had spent so many years trying to fit a mold when all I had to do was be my authentic self. When I stopped trying to be what societal norms told me I needed to be, I blossomed into the woman I am today.

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?
Los Angeles is such a magical place there’s literally so many things to do, but I’m a foodie! We have amazing food and so many hidden gems and I can’t imagine myself living anywhere else. If my best friend was visiting Los Angeles, we’d wake up in the morning, walk the dogs, drive over the hill through the canyon, grab a breakfast burrito at Cofax, make sure they get to Guisados, Pace, Night + Market, Jon & Vinny’s, take in the views from Castaway, and of course hit up Leo’s taco truck!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate the shout-out to Alex Fumero, Co-Founder of Trojan Horse Media. Alex has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, under his guidance and mentorship, I have found the courage to articulate my life story authentically. Alex saw something in me, believed in my story and knew it had to be told. Alex is an exemplary advocate, dedicated to uplifting the voices of Latine and LGBTQ+ communities. His commitment to storytelling that resonates with depth and authenticity underscores his impact as both a visionary and compassionate human.

Website: www.listentocrumbs.com

Instagram: @emmyolea11

Twitter: @emmyolea