Meet Luz Elena Polanco | Award-Winning Actress, Model & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luz Elena Polanco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luz Elena, what’s your definition for success?
Success can mean different things for different people.

For my life specifically; I first see success as restoration.

To me, success is not just personal achievements, but more so, it’s rebuilding stability and unity for my family. It’s transforming our sacrifices, made by me and those behind me into opportunity, peace, and a clear path forward. It’s overcoming our struggles, It’s carrying my heritage, pushing limits, and allowing my growth to let others feel seen and supported. It’s generational healing and ensuring that risks, hardships, or struggles my family went through were not in vain.

I believe success is more personal than what the world’s standard of success is. In creative industries, social media, and many other fields; success is reduced to visibility, wealth, or status. And although those milestones matter, they often discard other growth unless attached to these things. Success looks like progress, resilience, outgrowing limitations or even pulling back from things that are no longer in alignment.

I believe we are all living different lives with different goals, talents, views of the world and things to accomplish; therefore success shouldn’t be boxed into a certain amount of worldly measured money, status, fame, or expectation; but rather in pushing through fear, or being brave enough to chase after what you know calls you.

As a local, multidisciplinary artist still building her path; the financial reward does not always reflect the work, yet the work, the achievements and how far I’ve come do reflect the courage, the evolution, and the impact that I look to have on others as I’ve moved forward, which for now, is more than enough.

In the future; I hope to continue to do what I love, have my mother watch me achieve the highest honours in my field, and look forward to continue to grow, obtain financial freedom, and all the things that my heart desires; just as much as the ability to eat a meal with grandma because we’re no longer apart, or help my siblings achieve the education that our past generations were not able to have.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a multidisciplinary artist, I exist at the intersection of modeling, acting, and creative direction.

I think what sets me apart is my ability to approach every project with emotional intention: looking to give it meaning. Whether modeling, acting, or directing, I don’t necessarily see these disciplines as separate, but rather as different expressions of the same thing: storytelling.
They’re simply the ability to communicate emotions through different forms.

As an immigrant building away from home and navigating creative industries independently; I’ve had to grow into each opportunity. The journey has not been anywhere near linear, easy, or clear. There were and are seasons where the work demanded more belief than grind or validation. I’ve faced financial uncertainty, cultural barriers, injustice, and the pressure to fit into the predefined industry boxes, alongside all of the doubt, discouragement and weariness that comes with each of these seasons. What helped me overcome these challenges was my clarity of the vision. The belief that it will work despite of my inability. The understanding of knowing that this is what I wanted. My faith in God; and knowing he is bigger than the barrier.

My passion for my craft and not picturing a life without it is what I believe put me in a place where I am still here. But how I got here, came from trying even if I wasn’t fully ready. I never really saw my lack as failure, but rather as a way to note what to work on next or improve on, and I believe that having this mentality shaped my way in because if you don’t see it as failure, you don’t have a reason to quit. I saw things as “oh I’ll learn another pose next time so the photos look better” rather than “I’m not good enough”.

My challenges, as well as my pursue of the arts has taught me patience, timing, and perspective. I’ve learnt that growth often happens quietly before it’s visible to others. I’ve learnt that the right time to do it is now, yet right now may not be your time. What I mean by this is the right time is always now. To begin, to try again. To show up anyways. But “right now” may not be your season of recognition, profit or award. Right now the opportunity may not open the door because now is about becoming ready rather than becoming viral/big or profitable. But that’s the point. What I’ve learnt is that starting and arriving are two different points, and they’re both just as equally important.

Sometimes, the results don’t immediately reflect the effort, and that’s ok! The key is in continuing to push through. I had to keep refining my craft, and trusting that consistency would compound overtime.

Lastly, what I’d want the world to know or identify me with when it comes to my work and as an individual is the roots behind my identity. I want my work to build something meaningful and lasting; while staying connected to my faith, where I’m from, the people and experiences that shaped me. My goal is to build for momentum and legacy rather than a moment. For success that feels whole, not just visible. And for my growth to always feel shared rather than isolated. If what I create or achieve opens a door; any good door, restores something, or makes someone feel less alone or more seen; then I know I’m moving in the right direction.

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.
My bestie is another creative in the city! If I were to make a week long plan, we’d check out some of my favourite local businesses, some creative spaces in the city, and a few of its hidden gems.

Starting with the glow up! I’d love for us to visit Dory’s Designs, a beautiful and Hispanic beauty bar that feels like a hug as soon as you’re welcomed by the team! They offer all around beauty services and amazing coffee! Another great space if we were getting our hair braided is JOS Studios. They are another amazing beauty club tailor to the black and Latino community who struggle with finding spaces where their hair and appointment experiences are fare, and the treatment of their texture hair is not just well, but also respected.

For creative spaces, I’d look into EYE DOT Studio’s events such as critic nights where you can present your work, MOTORISTA Studios which runs a ton of events or Content & Chill for a co-creating night at Content Day.

For food, Kensington market is great! I’d love to bring her to check out all of their great food and hidden spots within the area!

Another place I really love is the Drive In! It’s about an hour away from the city of Toronto, but totally worth the nostalgia!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this article to my grandfather. My Abuelito Miguel.

Miguel was a man in the Dominican Republic who despite all odds, pushed forward. He made the most of everything, providing for my grandmother, mother and all his children. He loved wholeheartedly in ways that had no measure, and fought for the happiness of my abuelita, always.

My grandfather was a tailor. He made, altered, and repaired clothing; mostly pants, for his household and the barrio he lived in. What began as necessity became his craft, and eventually his livelihood. While he made a humble living from it, he earned enough to start saving for an apartment out of the barrio without telling anyone or changing his lifestyle in any way. And overtime, he bought the apartment for my grandmother – not only “out the barrio” and now safe, but the exact one she’d dreamed of living in!

Later in life, he started to lose his memory and lost most, but remembered her, and his love for her. He passed last year in peace.

I think my grandfather would have been so proud to have witnessed my journey; specially in the many ways we mirror each other through craft, perspective, and the desire to build something for the people we love.

As I carry him with me, I see him in every risk I take, every dream I dare to pursue. I see him in the ways I’ve loved and in every stitch of restoration I try to make. So in honor of his sacrifice, his artistry, and his quiet resilience that made his family’s path possible; I dedicate this to him. Miguel.

Instagram: @luzelena.polanco

Image Credits
Jotam Michael
Kiros Images
Fashion Art Toronto
Matt Reid
Surmoi
Qweenfecy
Anmol Honda
Ryan’s Media
Lynn Moyer