Meet Marian Mendez | Actor

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

Hi Marian, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?

I think most people have an idea of how difficult it is to pursue an acting career, maybe because they’ve heard from celebrities’ interviews about how they were competing against other 300 actors for a role and/or stories about how they didn’t get the part, or how they blew an audition, etc.

But what I think most people don’t know it’s how hard it is to balance personal life with your professional life and that you kinda loose agency or autonomy of your time in the sense that you never know when you’ll be working. And you can get auditions or jobs any time of the day. And then, you have to cancel that hike with your friend or that lunch with your family because you got an audition and you have to deliver it the same day because it shoots in three days, and if you get it, then you have to find someone to cover for you at your 9 to 5 so you can make it to the shoot. Sometimes it feels like it never stops, unless you decide to take a two weeks vacation then you feel the constant pressure to stay focused, to stay productive wether you’re taking classes, you’re preparing for an audition, you’re going to auditions, you’re going to networking events, etc. It can definitely feel like you’re not doing enough or like you are disappointing love ones. Once I got a part in a play and I was super excited. A few days later my cousin announce her wedding date. I was sad to hear it was during one of my performances so i was unable to go.

But even though it sounds exhausting (and it can definitely be sometimes) it’s can also be the most electrifying, invigorating, and foremost, the most rewarding experience for me.

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.
There’s a Tony Robbins’ quote: “It’s not what we get. But who we become”. It has definitely been a winding road, challenges present themselves everyday and sometimes it feels like there’s no pay off. But there is, all the lessons I’ve learned while being in this path have been extremely valuable not just at a professional level but in a personal level. I feel like I’ve learned the lessons I needed to learn to become the person that I am today. It feels almost spiritual. So when I feel challenged, when things get hard and when disappointment starts creeping in, I like to remind myself that quote. To remind myself my purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This question is giving me life! I love planning vacations and showing my friend around my town. I’d start with a nice brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter followed by a walk on Abbot Kinney. Then we can rent bikes and ride along the beach. Pass by Venice beach and Santa Monica. Then we’d have Happy Hour at Moonshadows in Malibu while we watch the sunset. We’d come back to Santa Monica and indulge our senses with delicious cuisine at Elephante. And no trip to LA is complete without visiting Hollywood at night. So we’d look for some magic at Black Rabbit Rose. If by then we’re still in the mood for partying we could hit a speak easy (maybe No Vacancy). The next day would be a lot more chill. Brunch at a small cafe. Perhaps visit The Broad or my favorite museum in LA: The Norton Simon Museum (They have an extensive Degas collection). And last but not least we can either go to the theater or watch a movie. Because after all, you have to experience Cinema if you visit Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like do a Shoutout to my fellow artists that I had the pleasure of working with while I was living in Portland, OR . In no particular order. Nelda Reyes, Vero Nunez, Carlos Adrian, Blanca Forzan, Elizabeth Huffman, Roy Arauz, Robi Arce, Matthew Sepeda, Jose Gonzalez, Danel Malan, Amalia Alarcon Morris, Elizabeth Vizcaino, Johanna Echavarria, Patricia Alvitez, Rebecca Martinez, Jon Garcia, Danielle Weathers, Sharonlee Mclean, and Jon Garcia.

Instagram: mariandi

Image Credits
Jon Garcia