Meet Juliana LaBarbiera | Actor & Comedian

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

Hi Juliana, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
There’s no linear path to success in this industry. There’s no one way to become a working actor. It really involves you taking the time to put yourself out there, consistently, and creating a brand for yourself that others want to see over and over. Want to connect to. It’s incredibly hard. Los Angeles is hard. Finding representation that believes in you is hard. Even getting invited to audition for something is hard. This industry and career path is constant work, and usually 3 steps forward and then 8 back. You have to love it more than anything in the world. I think it’s pretty clear to the people closest to me that I love working. I love hustling, I am so passionate to create and do it all. It’s really a path that you will not understand unless you yourself are immersed in it. My friends who are actors are the hardest workers I know, working multiple jobs at a time so that they can attempt to achieve their wildest dreams. It is the coolest, craziest, most heart breaking but then rewarding thing you can do with your life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve loved talking since I could talk. I never shut up. I think my parents were like “okay, well, we should enroll her in activities where talking is encouraged because she is clearly going to keep talking forever and how do we make that someone else’s problem.” That began my acting journey. I did ballet and musical theater and plays. I studied film and acting technique in Manhattan on the weekends in middle school and ended up going to college for theater. I’ve never really thought about a “plan b” or not doing something in this industry. I joined The Second City. I booked a few commercials. I wrote sketches with friends as the world handed me things I could make satire out of. I kept slowly climbing the ladder and then 2020 happened. The covid era is weirdly the time my brand became apparent. All of a sudden there was this desperation for new content that would bring plenty of laughter and joy and ease. I sort of accidentally fell into standup comedy and I really finally recognized who I was. I understand my voice now, and I think others do too. Standup for me has been so healthy – I take moments from my life where I am heartbroken or angry or feeling really big feelings and I allow myself to feel that for about an hour, and then I make myself try and make as many jokes about it as possible. It’s been so so good for me, on a personal level, and to really feel out the crazy nonsense that’s happening politically. And it’s lead to me finally being invited to audition for television shows I’ve only dreamt of being on. I have a very clear opinion, voice, and “brand” because of my comedy career so far. And I genuinely never thought I’d be someone performing monthly at The Comedy Store, which is just crazy to even type. I could go on literally forever (see? Love talking) but for someone who has been so hard on herself in the past, I’m really really proud of how far I’ve come and how much traction I’ve made. And this is only the beginning! Even though I’m about to turn 30 and my body feels like it’s 84.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am so grateful that I’ve had so many of my best friends visit the area! I’ve made personalized spreadsheets for each one, cause I’m a psycho, trying to cater LA to them. I’ve got friends who are hikers, so I take them to Corral Canyon in Malibu or Runyon Canyon. I’ve got friends who wanted to shop along Rodeo Drive, and see their favorite celebrities walk into Gucci. If I’m not personally performing when they’re here I take them to Groundlings for an improv show OR Largo to see one of our favorite standups. All my friends are foodies – which, thankfully, is LA’s main attraction. I’ve yet to find a bad sushi spot or coffee shop in LA. I also love brewery hopping – especially in the Arts District Downtown (major shoutout to Angel City Brewing and Arts District Brewing). The North Hollywood Arts District is also home to my favorite little arcade spot: Player One. My dad is a fan of the museums so we’ll hit The Getty or occasional the strip in DTLA with The Broad and MOMA. I tend to stray from Hollywood, although if it’s a friend that’s literally never been here I’ll drive them through to see the Chinese Theatre. If we’re going to the beach, we’re going to Zuma in Malibu or the famed Santa Monica Pier. I could go on forever – BASICALLY it depends on the friend, but I have so much fun planning when someone tells me they’re coming!

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?
I am very aware of how important it is to have support in creative endeavors. I would not have attempted this in my wildest dreams without the constant cheerleading and support from my family. I am so fortunate that my mom and dad and younger sister champion this line of work and have encouraged me to keep going even when I myself do no.

Website: https://www.julianalabarbiera.com

Instagram: @julianalabarbiera

Other: Tiktok: @julianalabarbiera
Linktree: linktree/julianalabarbiera

Image Credits
Andrew Gandy
The Actors Collective
Heather Gardner