Meet Isabella Peña Giraldo | Actriz y Modelo
We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabella Peña Giraldo and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Isabella, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks has been a key part of my personal, emotional, and professional growth. I firmly believe that risk is what pushes us out of the familiar, challenges us, and allows us to discover what we’re truly made of. Many times, our inner fears and limiting thoughts hold us back from pursuing our dreams. But when we confront those fears and dare to take the leap even with uncertainty we realize there is always something valuable on the other side: growth, learning, and strength.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was deciding to leave my country and come to study at the New York Film Academy. It was a decision filled with doubts and fears: I didn’t know if I would be able to adapt, if I had what it took to succeed, or if I would simply give up along the way. It was also incredibly hard to leave my family behind in Colombia. However, today I can say with complete certainty that I have no regrets. Looking back at everything I’ve experienced fills me with pride. I’m deeply grateful I took that risk, because it not only brought me closer to my goals, but also helped me discover who I am, grow, and become the woman I am today.
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.
Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. It’s been a long journey, full of ups and downs, and I know it will continue to be if I keep fighting for my dreams.
What I love most about art is its ability to capture what I feel when words fall short. I don’t think what sets me apart is a specific technique, but rather the intention behind what I create—I want my work to inspire others and move even just one person.
What excites me the most is being able to transform difficult moments into something meaningful through art. None of this has been easy. I’ve faced doubts, setbacks, and often felt like I wasn’t making progress. But instead of giving up, I’ve learned to ask myself better questions, to allow myself to fail, and to keep creating no matter what.
The challenges have taught me to trust myself more and the process I’ve followed. They’ve made me stronger, more aware of my limits, and also more humble. I’ve learned that there are no shortcuts—just hard work, patience, and surrounding myself with people who believe in me, even when I can’t.
I want people to know they don’t have to wait until they feel “ready” to share their voice. My story, like so many others, is imperfect, but it’s real. And my art is my way of saying, “This is who I am, and I’m here.” If someone connects with that, then I’ve already fulfilled my purpose.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d do everything I could to make him feel at home and ensure his trip was truly worthwhile especially after so much time apart. I’d take him to see all the must-visit spots: Santa Monica, Long Beach, the Hollywood Sign, Disneyland, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Griffith Observatory, and more, so he could experience just how stunning this city is, nestled between the mountains. And of course, I’d plan an unforgettable adventure.
I’d also introduce him to my friends, who’ve become like family, so he’d feel welcomed and surrounded by great company from start to the end.
Ultimately, it’s not just about sightseeing it’s about creating meaningful memories. Because what really matters isn’t the itinerary itself, but who you share it with.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I thank God. I am a deeply faithful person, and I truly believe that many of the beautiful things that have happened in my life are the result of His guidance and constant presence. I am also incredibly grateful to my parents and my maternal grandmother, who have been fundamental pillars in my upbringing. Thanks to their example, love, and the values they instilled in me from a very young age, I can now see the person I’ve become. Every lesson they taught me continues to be reflected in the woman I am today.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/is.pena_09?igsh=ZWJnYzN3d3pnbjQ5
Image Credits
WhyWPhotos
Iris Model Agency
Kiara Beltran
Pedro Bentacourt
Kushagra Jain
NYFA
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