Meet Karissa Montaner | Actress, writer, photographer

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

Hi Karissa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk has been the impetus in my life. I was sheltered from an early age and then when life hit me in the face I knew I had to make decisions that made impact in order to create change. I’m a person who likes to move forward, so I’ve heard that doing the same thing over and over with different results is the definition of insanity, and I think it’s true. That expression is how I keep myself in check. We as humans have to risk sometimes to find another way.

I am from Puerto Rico and my family lives there with the exception of my parents. I was there for Hurricane Maria. It was a really tumultuous time. I was literally in survival mode like everyone else. My anxiety was so so high. I finally left a month later and when I got to my parents house I was like, “ok how do I deal with this, what do I do next.” Staying at my parents felt like it would stop my dreams–acting—so I jumped to NYC with a friend who told me I could stay with her rent free for a month while I found a job. My mental health was…something. Not sure what, but I was still in survival mode. Pushing against anything negative so I could push towards something positive. Risking, risking, risking to find something that would stick and move me forward.
A month later I got a call from my agency in Puerto Rico, I was asked to be a stand in for a show I had previously acted in for 3 months. I jumped at the opportunity for some big quick cash, being on set, and going back home. Another risk. No thinking really. I did the gig and the money was **literally** enough to get me to California and move there. One risk that led to another. Once I got to Cali and I was set, I had another, “ok what do I do now.” What was so unexpected for me was that the answer to that question was to work on me. I had done so many things, jumped place to place, but I hadn’t dealt with the emotions I was carrying. Not just the Hurricane but in my life, my traumas. I got to a point where I couldn’t move my life forward anymore because I needed to find who I truly was in between the weeds and thorns of my anxiety and PTSD that were in my way. The biggest risk I took was to embrace my feelings of pain, feelings of being undeserving, and doubt. It felt like a risk to face everything within myself that I had run away from. Convincing myself that I just needed to move forward. I can’t say risk didn’t work, it brought me to where I am. But in the process of risking “myself,” I found a part of me that still existed in peace and love for myself through burning the brush away and facing my demons.
I still struggle sometimes–I am human. But I have become a stronger in myself and this changed the way I viewed my work as an actress too. Being an actor, to me, means giving justice to someone’s story by truly putting yourself in their shoes. This requires empathy and strength. It requires hard work and patience to find who that person is. I already made the risk to get into the depth of myself, I wasn’t afraid of that anymore–so to reach into someone else’s depths was easier to embrace and revel in. I think the same goes for my writing. I have to put myself in a character’s shoes as well and it can feel very vulnerable since the words come from me, so having the confidence to create characters and worlds comes from the confidence that I have found in myself.

I think that everything happens for a reason, and I had to move forward to prepare myself for coming to California. So that when I got here, I could really find myself , and as an actress, ands a writer. Finding myself meant that I was free, free from chains I didn’t even know I bore, and others that I feared. It means that I choose love and strength. I embrace risk.
For those that are on that journey–it’s worth it, I promise, it’s WORTH it. Without risk there is no growth, with no growth we become stagnant, and to become stagnant feels like death. Risking doesn’t mean making big moves always, it can simply be a choice to love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart… interesting question. I think my passion to selflessly embody another character to give their story justice is always what I think. It’s so important to me. Being ten steps ahead, too! Acting is about acting yes, but I look at it as being my own business as well. The hustle brings opportunities so working hard in keeping up with classes and better my craft, never taking no for an answer, and being relentless in saying YES I DESERVE this unapologetically. What sets me apart is that I am me–other people could be doing the same things that I am, but they’re not me! I Karissa, am passionate, a hustle machine, a force to be reckoned with, but kind. Can’t get in my way when there’s something that I’m looking to do.

Professionally my journey has been interesting. I have worked in a lot of theatre and done some film. I’m so proud of Despite These Marks, it was a play about AIDS that was done with Broadway Cares Fights Aids. It really meant something to give voices to people who suffer from AIDS and everything that comes with that emotionally. I’m proud of the work that I did in Start Up, it was my first experience on a SAG production and “big time” set. I learned so much! I am excited to host a kids show that I will start filming this spring! Being back on set and in a greater capacity will be super exciting and feel so incredible, I’m excited.

To be an actress means to have a tumultuous career I think. Lots of ups and downs. For any creative artist really I think! It takes a lot of resilience and gumption to stay in LA. My greatest ally has been people’s experiences. Actors many times look for who can help me get what I want– agent, role, whatever it may be. It’s not often that someone will magically give you what you want, but they can help fill in the roadmap to get you there. I see it as a secret treasure map. Every person that gives me tidbits along the way fills in another piece to get to the gold. The gold being a working actor. It’s definitely not always easy. A lot of people are secretive about the things they know about the industry for some reason. So if you don’t meet people to help fill in the map, it can feel overwhelming. There’s A LOT of work to do to get to the goal and I am willing to do it because I am meant to be here and be a working actor.
I’m currently seeking an agent and manager in LA and any actor looking for reps knows the struggle. I know I need to find someone that needs to be as hungry and hard working as I am to get to where I want to be. Finding the RIGHT agent and manager, that’s when my hard work will flourish, with someone who knows how to market me. I’ve been with some agents who weren’t quite right for me, and now I’m on the hunt once again! Excited for new representation!

Knowing innately that I could not do anything that is not acting or writing is huge relief. I’ve learned that working hard to get to where I want to be and then being patience along the way is what keeps me going. The road is tough honey, but I am tougher!

I am also a photographer, I started doing shoots last month when COVID went down and I’m building my portfolio to where I want it so I can start doing headshots for actors. It’s been a fun process to learn and it’s taken some patience, but helping other actors go for their dreams will be an incredible feeling. Being an actor I understand the importance of having awesome headshots and what that means to market myself forward. So I’m excited to master that kind of photography and make some awesome art out of some awesome actors!

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.
Oh I love being tour guide. Day by day here we go:

Day 1- Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard and downtown LA.
When people think of LA they think Hollywood and movie stars. Any friend who is not in LA that I talked to always wants to see the walk of fame. I really like the Oscar experience as well. To see where the Oscars are presented at the Dolby Theatre.
Ahead of time you can sign up for Jimmy Kimmel tickets and go to a taping. El Capitan theatre also shows lots of old Disney movies at the right time! The ACE hotel downtown a bit more has a rooftop bar that is a nice place for drinks and some fresh air with a view.

Day 2-Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA to start. There are hundreds of species of plants and it is just so cool. Afterward The Broad Museum that is a perfect insta spot. The exhibits are so unique and with reservation it is free!

Day 3-
Downtown I love Olvera Street. It’s like a little Mexico in LA. There are Mexican kiosks of goods, foods, restaurants, and the first house built in Los Angeles. There is a free self tour and it’s a lot of fun! La Golondrina is the oldest restaurant on the street and has really delicious Mexican food. Down a couple of blocks is also the Grand Central Market, that has so many different foods from different cultures and you can pick from so many different foods, or try many of them!
The people are so welcoming and there’s such a nice sense of kindness and community on the street. Very familial. Nearby, about a block up from Olvera Street is the Los Angeles City hall where you can go to the top floor very high up and see all of Los Angeles (for free!)
The Last Book store is a really cool place to go to in LA for any book fans.

Day 3- Hiking. People tend to want to go to Griffith Park and go to the observatory or the Hollywood sign. And that’s fun and all but I like to take people on the Wild Mustard Loop. There are really beautiful views and lots of wildlife like turtles. It’s really peaceful and a different view than just the city of LA. There are lots of lakes, flowers, trees, and clear blue sky. For dinner I would go to the Americana in Glendale. I LOVE Din Tai Fung. They’ve got the BEST dumplings. If my guests prefer to be outside and see the hustle and bustle of the street people, Frida’s mexican restaurant is good as well as Katsuya for sushi. For Cuban, Porto’s bakery is soooo good!

Day 4: The Grove. The Grove has nice shopping, including the American Girl store (which I personally think is cool because I go in there and relive my childhood dreams.) The Farmers market is so much fun and the environment is a blast!

Day 5: LACMA and Tar Pits of LA. I love art and the art museum has so many exhibits. Right next to it are the tar pits and the Tar Pit Museum. If there are any actors visiting, the official SAG building is just a block down! There are some pretty wicked food trucks in front and I love getting street food like tacos, burgers. There’s plenty of variety.

Day 6: The Warner Brothers Tour. Seeing where and learning how movies are made is so cool. I think this tour is the best one. And afterward The Smokehouse is a restaurant nearby with old Hollywood, old timey vibes. The food is delicious.

Day 7-Self Realization Fellowship center in Glendale. Sounds weird. But super gorgeous. I have never found a more peaceful place. There is a gorgeous over look of LA. You have to be quiet, so it stays peaceful. But their garden smells of real roses (not the ones you buy at the grocery store.) I didn’t even know that roses could smell that good. The Self Realization Fellowship lake shrine is just so breathtaking and peaceful.
After my guests are relaxed I would take them to the Huntington Gardens and Museum. It’s a whole day type of deal. There are Austrailian, Chinese, Japanese gardens, rose gardens, and a million more I can’t remember the names of, on over an acre and a half at least, of land. I love the museum too! The rose garden has an English tea type place to have little sandwiches and different types of teas. 1919 Cafe makes some wicked mixed drinks. The Freshwater Dumpling and Noodle house is to DIE for, so delicious.

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?
Oh my goodness in my story there are so many players. Each one has played a different role in helping me get to where I am. Little angels, if you will. First my parents–Mama and Papa– they are the most loving and understanding people you will ever meet. Hard on me when I’ve needed it, but with love. Their encouragement to be myself is not something I think everyone gets from their parents. If they did not approve of the profession and life I wanted to find, I think my journey would have been harder or different.
On another token, I am an only child, so all my life my friends have been my family. Throughout my journey I have found who my real friends are. Those are the people that have never left my side when my anxiety was too much, who didn’t give up on me, but cheered me forward and pushed me to find change. Candace, Mariah, Monica, Meg, Paola, Caleb, Michelle…it’s been a journey, truly. But you were all here to lift me up. The ones that left me along the way, they were not meant to be in my life, and that’s ok, because I am grateful for the ones who showed up.
My fiance Mike who I love so much. I didn’t know that anyone could push me to be better as much as he does. In my journey of self love I found someone who understood me, saw what I could be and helped me find a way for myself to mold into the person I wanted to be. Never told me who to be, but let me find for myself what he and everyone else could see. His love, understanding, and relentlessness is a huge part of who I am today.

I have to thank Cheryl Strayed who wrote Wild as well. I read her book in a really dark time in my life and it helped me claw myself out of some of my darkest moments as I hiked with her as I read.

Everyone on my journey has impacted me by pushing me, giving me love, hope, sometimes a much needed kick in the ass. Some random people even are as if they were sent from heaven to give me a message I’ve needed. I am thankful for the support I have, the growth I feel, due to myself, BUT ONLY because I had others to give me light and love along the way.

Instagram: kari_montaner

Image Credits
Headshot photographer: James DePietro