Meet Maria Fernanda Rico | Actor & Visual Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Fernanda Rico and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria Fernanda, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico; however at a very young age I had to leave my home country. When I was around ten years old, due to my father’s work I moved to Qatar; which is in the Middle East. As it can be imagined, that was quite a dramatic change for a girl. I was so used to a specific way of life, a certain culture, traditions, food, and even language; that moving literally across the globe impacted me in ways I could have never imagined. Not only was leaving my friends and part of my family behind hard, but at the time I didn’t speak English properly, so communicating was also difficult. Nonetheless, I was excited to learn and experience the new and impressive culture I had now to face. Qatar is a very international and welcoming country, one where people from around the world go to build a better future. Because of this, I grew up in such a mixed and international environment. Learning from first hand experience about the different cultures and traditions of the world I learned to be more open minded and accepting of individuals. I learned not to judge based on background, ethnicity, nationality or anything for that matter. I learned how and why people are the way they are, and was able to have a better understanding of how the world works. Growing up in Qatar and having the privilege to travel often aided me in becoming more knowledgeable and cultured, as I learned about other countries, their histories, customs, and values. This upbringing impacted greatly who I am as an adult, as I have become a bigger risk taking, understanding, reflective, and open minded individual. I will be forever grateful for the upbringing I had as I can critically appreciate my own culture and personal history, as well as the values and traditions of others by showing empathy, compassion and respect.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I was a child, I’ve been deeply intrigued by the world of art, whether it’s visual, performing, or anything in between. I’ve always been amazed by how art has the power to stir emotions in people. Whether it’s a painting, a song, or characters in a film or play, each form can deeply resonate with audiences. This passion ignited a sense of purpose in me early on. The idea of creating art and telling stories visually was my ultimate dream. With the encouragement of my family, I began exploring the arts from a young age, enrolling in painting, acting, and dance classes. Every class, exhibition, and performance only deepened my love for the craft. So, when the time came to choose a career, I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than being part of the film industry. I pursued acting for film at the New York Film Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. That academic journey was invaluable in shaping my skills, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. However, I’ve always pushed myself to grow as an artist, and my college years were just one step in that evolution. My experiences in various film projects have expanded my horizons and helped me develop significantly. Over time, my passion for acting has only intensified, and I’ve also discovered an interest in other areas of filmmaking. Driven by a desire for continual growth, I’ve become fascinated by roles in production design, costume design, and script supervising. Alongside acting, I’ve taken on these roles in short films and music videos, learning a great deal from each project. Whether I’m in front of the camera or behind it, being on set is where I’ve always dreamed of being, and I’m committed to further honing my craft every day.

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?
Oh, I love this! If my best friend was visiting LA for a week, I’d make sure we hit all the classic spots, but also dive into some local favorites and hidden gems. LA has so much to offer, from the beach to the mountains, to the best sunsets there are (in my opinion), the food, the culture, the art, and nevertheless the film industry! For starters I would take them to the beach, as an intro to LA, we would stroll around Venice beach, then bike to Santa Monica and go on the ferris wheel. Another day we could go explore the Getty Center, where you can find an amazing matcha, later in the evening see the stars at the Hollywood walk of fame, and finish the night off with drinks at Bar Lis in Hollywood. The next day I would take them downtown to grab lunch at the Grand Central Market, visit The Last Bookstore and The Broad Museum, finishing off the day watching the sunset at the Griffith Observatory (if traffic allows us). Burbank is a must, we’d probably take the Warner Bros Studio Tour or maybe a day in Universal Studios, just to finish the day off by grabbing a burger and a mocha milkshake from Bob’s Big Boy. Finally, one cannot leave LA without going on a hike, I would leave it up to my friend to decide whether to take the Hollywood sign hike or one in Malibu. Whatever they choose I know it’s going to be amazing. This pretty much sums up my ideal itinerary once in LA, but I am sure there are many more places to explore and enjoy!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to both of my parents for always supporting me throughout my artistic journey. I want to thank them for always standing by me no matter what and teaching me the values and lessons that made me into the adult I am today. I could have never done it without them or their guidance. I believe the path of an artist is never easy, but it takes courage to fight for your dreams and for your art. I believe I get this courage and resilience from my parents as they always taught me to fight for what I want. My mom always used to tell me, ‘fight for your dreams to the best of your abilities, because it’s better to try and fail, than to never try at all’ Both her and my father always pushed me to be the best version I could possibly be, both personally and professionally, and for that I thank them. The support I have received from both has been one if not the main reason as to why I decided to follow my passion and become an actor and visual storyteller.

Instagram: @mariferrico