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

Hi Rafaela, what do you attribute your success to?
For me, the most important factor behind my success is for sure – and it may sound cheesy but it’s just the truth – is the people in my life. First of all, I would be nothing and nowhere without my family and their immense support. I’m an only daughter, you can only imagine what my parents had to let go and sacrifice in order for me to move to the US so young and by myself to follow a dream I’ve been dreaming since I was 5. Next comes my friends for sure, the ones I grew up with and heard me say everyday I’d be here today, the ones I made along the way in college or working, the ones who became my family outside of Brazil… I’m so grateful to all of them, they give me the strength to keep going and reaching higher and higher every time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe what sets me apart is the love for collaborating and learning with my dear collaborators. That is why I do what I do. I love meeting people, working with them, learning with them. I’m actually opening up my production company soon, but I already sign my projects with “Half N Rafa Productions.” It started as a joke with the correct pronunciation of my name (Rafa is my nickname and the “R” in Brazilian Portuguese sounds in this case like the American “H”) but then the name actually grew on me, not only because I’m SUCH a coffee person (lol) but also because everything I do, I want it to be half me and also half whoever I’m working with! Like, “we’re in this together, and you’re as important as me in everything we do,” no matter if I’m the producer or not.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is SO MUCH to do in LA, and that’s why I love it here. I’d say visit as many different beaches as possible, piers, go hiking on different trails, go stargazing in the desert, to Universal Studios and Disney, to studio tours… Try a little bit of everything LA has to offer! And don’t forget to try the many amazing little coffee shops LA has!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and friends are everything to me, I shoutout to them everyday, every hour, every second. In special, I would like to shoutout to Rigan Machado, who lately has been such a rock for me! We met not too long ago and he already basically adopted me and brought me under his wing to some many amazing opportunities – more recently co-producing, acting and assisting in directing in his directorial debut with his first feature film that is coming soon, “Blow for Blow.” He has such a big heart and he’s basically family now.

Website: https://itsrafaelagoncalve.wixsite.com/rafaelagoncalves

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrafaelagoncalves/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaela-goncalves-162a402b8/

Other: TikTok: @itsrafaelagoncalves

Image Credits
Kevin Alexander @ny_donuts

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