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

Hi Tatyana, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I started acting, I was a kid and I fell in love with the magic and ludic experience of the theater and how fascinating that new world was, where anything could be possible. Eventually, as I become more mature and acting became my career I realized how important art is in everyone’s life and how art can impact someone’s life. I felt like it was my duty to use acting as a tool to communicate, to connect and to transform society. Back in Brazil, theater is very strong and powerful, and a lot of people go to watch plays to feel, to learn, and to grow as a human being. Later on, I experienced acting for film. It was a completely different world for me, a different experience. The wonderful thing about movies is that once made, they will be forever available to anyone through different cultures, ethnicity, countries, age range and generations. The power of film is able to reach beyond theater, making a bigger impact on the entire world, if well made.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
That’s a hard question to answer. I am very critical about what I do, and it’s been a long process for me to believe that I am enough. I feel like when I was in Brazil, I had more confidence, I was playing lead roles and I felt nothing could stop me. However, since I came to America, things changed a lot. Dealing with another language, another culture, and being an immigrant sets you apart from American actors. I am already classified as someone different because of my language, accent, and nationality. To improve, I have been working on connecting my experiences from Brazil, my culture, and combining it with my new self that I became since moving to America. I guess being authentic and real as well as having experience with different cultures puts me on a different level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow that’s going to be a busy week! haha I love LA, that’s one of the reasons I live here. I love the weather and the people, so I would definitely bring my best friend to all touristy spots and the hidden ones that tourists don’t know about. First, I would probably give a tour through Hollywood Blvd, Walk of Fame, so my friend could have an idea of the biggest Hollywood staple. Then a hike in the Canyons until the Hollywood Sign and to the Observatory. I am vegan, but very open for new experiences and different cuisines, so I would probably bring my friend to my favorite vegan spots such as: Vegan Studio, HOPE, Something Vegan, Gracias Madre, Gratitude cafe, Sage Vegan Bistro, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, Lotus Vegan and some other spots that aren’t vegan but I love such as L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele and Rio Zonas Acai (Brazilian place). For some fun, I would go to Universal Studios, Six Flags and Disneyland. To enjoy the sun and the beaches in California, for sure Santa Monica Pier, Malibu and maybe a bit further like Dana Point. To feel fancy, we would walk around Beverly Hills and check out some of the stores, cafes, and bars. I also would give a tour of West Hollywood, one of my favorite areas. It’s so clean and organized, with sooo many healthy restaurants and great bars. Now, if we really would have some extra time, I would looove to go to Las Vegas and hit the casinos, nightclubs and go eat at Nacho Daddy, another amazing Mexican spot with tons of vegan options that are sooo good that even a meat eater would give in to their vegan nachos!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely. I mean, I had tons of supporters and artists that have been inspiring me throughout the years. People that come and go, people that I have met only once, but they left me so much in terms of knowledge and inspiration. To begin, my parents. They were always on my side and always supporting whatever I would choose in life as long as it would make me happy. Then I met directors and teachers in Brazil who were great examples and mentors in my acting career. I can truly say that all of my teachers from my college “Anhembi Morumbi”, where I graduated with a degree in Theater, and my acting school “Wolf Maya”, all had an impact on my life as well as changing the way I see art in our society, and how I can help transform people’s life though my art. Though even then I had and still have some famous artists who were and are my idols, such Wagner Moura, Rodrigo Santoro, Fernanda Montenegro, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and the list goes on…

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatyanafigueiredo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tatyfig
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actresstatyanafigueiredo
Other: Food page (with vegan recipes): https://www.instagram.com/tatytable/

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