Meet Sonalii Castillo: Actor, model, writer, director, producer

The end goal for me, as an artist, as an actor, writer, producer, director and model, is to be able to leave behind a beautiful body of work. To leave behind a piece of myself that family, friends, and future fans can relate to and enjoy. I want to continue to write films and stories that will uplift, encourage, give hope, and of course entertain and allow others to know that if you want it badly enough, if you can see it, you can become who your inner child always knew she or he could be. I want to continue to push boundaries and to break molds. I want to continue to break away from what society has told me I should be. I want to continue to be the one who shows my younger family members that you can break away from the traditions set by our elders and family members that came before us, and allow your heart to reach for that star that seems so unreachable. I want to look back at the end of my life and know that I did and tried everything I wanted and have no to very few regrets. I want others to know that it’s ok and that it is safe to dream and believe in yourself, to believe in YOU!. It all starts with a dream.

I am an artist. Yes I am an actor, but I am so much more than that. I feel that what sets me apart is that I love to produce and write my own work. Yes I’ve been on TV and movies, National commercials  and national modeling campaigns, and I’ve had the time of my life. Meeting so many new creatives, spending time with amazing folks and learning from my directors and fellow actors. I’ve taken all of that in and I’ve used my drive to create my own body of work and art. I keep pushing. No matter what has been thrown at me. No matter how much or how little I have to work with, I find a way to stay creative. I love to write stories. Movies, TV even music video treatments. I am also a photographer so now I get to take photos of others that I have always wanted taken of me. It feeds that artist soul in me that being in front of the camera doesn’t always feed. Now where I am in life, I can do it all. I can be in front of the camera and also behind it. I know what it takes to do all facets of my job and I feel that is invaluable. It wasn’t easy getting here and I am blessed to have a great team who make it possible for me to stay creative. Overcoming the challenges thrown at me was a way to make what I wanted to happen happen. It sounds easier than what it was trust me. That old saying, ‘when one door closes…’ yeah, that has been very true in my life. Now I try to embrace it. I try to make my own doors when other doors close for me. Yet, I am incredibly grateful when a door opens and I get to work with amazing people again. It’s always a blessing and I look forward to having more of those moments happen.

Living in Los Angeles, it’s tempting to just go sight seeing the most popular “HOLLYWOOD” things to do. But for me… NAH. I crave adventures. So whenever anyone comes to visit me they know that if they want to do the typical Hollywood stuff, they will need to find time on their own because that is not my thing. I love the outdoors. I love the desert. Salton sea is by far my favorite place to go. Also Salvation mountain is another favorite. I love hiking to my favorite spots because most involve a waterfall at the end and that for me is a prize. I am a huge fan of road trips, so yeah, all of my outings consist of a long drive. The beach is nice but most are so saturated with people and over crowded.  When I do go there I go to ‘El Matador’ or ‘Pirates cove’ in Malibu. And of course, the one touristy thing that I do if I have to is the HOLLYWOOD sign because come one, I’m not that big of a tourist Scrooge 😉

Honestly, for me to say names of those that have encouraged me and stood by me all these years is a lovely shout out and well deserved. I just came back from spending three weeks with family and was reminded of the most important one of all. So today, this shout out goes to my maker A.K.A. my mother. I grew up watching this beautiful, strong willed woman, live her life for her children. Fight for her children. Work so hard for her children, give to her church and community and she never asked for anything in return. I learned my work ethics from her. I learned not to give up and keep on pushing when life throws lemons by the truck full in your path. She taught me the importance of loyalty, of hard work, of truth, of sacrifice. I don’t want to repeat her life and because of her I can fully live mine as I choose. So this is a small thank you to my maker, my heart, my soul because she doesn’t get enough recognition for her life that she gave to make sure her children could live their lives as they chose to. I wouldn’t be me or here today without her. She’s my superwoman. As far as books, the book that helped me dream and see life for what it could be, to find beauty in everything and understand loss and love, will always be ‘Le petit prince’ , The little prince. The alchemist is a strong second of course.