Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress Vannessa Vasquez Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry

…It would definitely be a self-love movement. I think that’s something we all need to be reminded of — what self-love really is and how to practice it. I feel like we’ve grown up in a society that encourages people-pleasing. With people-pleasing, we’re trained to constantly do good for the sake of others, giving so much of our energy to other people instead of ourselves. We’re not listening to our own inner voice. But when we practice self-love, we learn to self-validate and say, “My feelings matter. My pain matters. I’m going to take some time to nurture that.” When we do that, we bring more light to ourselves and to the world. If we learn how to validate ourselves, we can better validate other people. I truly believe that one of the biggest reasons why we have wars is because people don’t know how to acknowledge or validate other people’s pain. Instead of recognizing that another country or group of people is hurting, some are quick to attack or say, “That’s what they deserve.” But no one deserves pain. When you understand that you never deserved pain and you learn to love and heal yourself, you can extend that same compassion to others. I truly believe that’s what will bring more light into the world…

We had the pleasure of talking with Vannessa Vasquez. Vannessa, an American Latina actress, producer, and writer, has emerged as a dynamic force in Hollywood, celebrated for her authentic storytelling and commitment to representing underrepresented voices. Born in Galveston, Texas, Vasquez was raised in a multicultural environment, balancing her Mexican heritage with her American upbringing. Her early love for storytelling blossomed through books and school plays, ultimately setting her on a path toward a career in acting.

After earning a degree in Psychology and Theater from the University of Houston, Vasquez pursued professional acting training at the prestigious Stella Adler Acting Conservatory in Los Angeles on a full scholarship. This rigorous training helped shape her acting philosophy, emphasizing authenticity, vulnerability, and deep character exploration.

Vasquez rose to prominence with her breakout role as Camila Barrios in Hulu’s East Los High, a groundbreaking teen drama spotlighting the lives of Latino youth in East Los Angeles. Her portrayal earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2015, marking a pivotal moment in her career. The series, celebrated for its raw depiction of social issues and complex characters, resonated with audiences worldwide. Vasquez credits the experience with raising her standards for meaningful, authentic storytelling.

Beyond acting, Vasquez has established herself as a producer and writer. Her first producing credit came with Sorrow (2014), a crime thriller in which she also played the lead role. She later co-wrote, produced, and starred in La Sangre Llama (2016), a short film inspired by her personal experiences, which premiered at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. Her production role expanded in the final seasons of East Los High, helping to steer the Emmy-nominated series to critical success.

Vasquez’s work extends into mainstream television, with roles on network series such as Walker (CW), MacGyver (CBS), The Fix (CBS), and The Brave (NBC). She has also appeared in National Treasure: Edge of History (Disney) and Divorce Bait (Goldwyn). Her performance in the film Sins of a Call Girl earned her an Imagen Award nomination, further cementing her status as a talented and versatile performer.

In 2024, Vasquez returned to the big screen with Say A Little Prayer, starring alongside Grammy-winning singer Luis Fonsi. The romantic comedy follows three women from San Antonio, Texas, whose attempt to summon lost love leads to unexpected consequences. Vasquez’s role as the lead character of Adela allowed her to reconnect with her Texas roots and explore themes of love, faith, and resilience — core aspects of her creative mission.

Looking ahead, Vasquez plans to continue creating stories that uplift and connect audiences through shared human experiences. Her career is a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and the unyielding belief in one’s calling — a journey she hopes will inspire others to embrace their unique paths with courage and faith.

Vanessa, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

I grew up in Texas, in a small town called Richmond. I was part of a first-generation immigrant family, and I was one of the first born in the U.S. It was interesting because I was growing up with two different cultures at the same time, unaware that I was creating my own unique culture in the process.

I would do little plays with my cousins in front of my family and put on performances, like a lot of kids do. But I really loved storytelling, books, and characters. Sometimes I would just hide in corners and read books. I was a huge fan of the All American Girl books because each one had a unique character, and through them, I got to learn about different cultures, lives, and perspectives. I think that’s where my love of characters really began.

It wasn’t until I was 11 years old that I read my first play in class, which was Huckleberry Finn. My teacher made me play the part of Becky because I was so quiet and shy — at least in school, which was weird. I got the acting bug then, though I didn’t realize it at the time. After that, I was in theater classes all the way through college. Theater became a constant in my life.

But even then, I didn’t know if acting was a real possibility for me. I just knew I wanted to do something that made a difference in people’s lives. I wanted to bring more light into the world — that was always clear to me. At the same time, I was really interested in psychology. My first psychology class was a college-level course I took in high school. Learning about human behavior and why people act the way they do, while studying theater and acting, all meshed together perfectly. I found a lot of healing in storytelling.

I always thought that maybe someday I could tell stories that moved or healed people in some way — or at least brought more light into the world. With storytelling, especially through the hero’s journey, I believe that happens with every story you tell.

After college, I followed the traditional path: I got married and did what I thought I was “supposed” to do. But I realized I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t living my truth or my purpose. Deep down, I felt a bigger calling to move to Los Angeles, but coming from a big immigrant family, that seemed impossible. No one in my life had ever done something like that. In my family, the mindset was: “We stick to the tribe — you can’t leave.”

It took a lot for me to believe in my dreams, to stop gaslighting myself into thinking I was crazy for wanting something different. I had to close a lot of chapters, which was really difficult, but necessary. Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams, and I’ve been here for the last 12 years doing just that.

I truly believe that once you take that leap of faith, the universe meets you halfway. When I first got to Los Angeles, things started falling into place, even though I came from a working-class family and didn’t have the resources to pay for acting classes. I had to figure everything out on my own. I got a scholarship from Stella Adler, and to me, that felt like a sign from the universe. It was such a beautiful experience. I really believe the journey is such an essential part of everything — you can’t have your dreams without the journey.

As artists in this industry, we’ve been through so much — the pandemic, the MeToo movement, the strikes. There’s been a lot of reshifting over the past five or six years, but I believe it’s all been for the greater good. Like everyone else, I’ve just kept going, kept pushing forward. And now, here I am, working on another story that I believe brings faith and light to people. It feels like it’s part of my purpose, and now I’m here talking with you.

I’d love to hear about the next chapter. Tell us about your first break into Hollywood — how it started and how it developed.

I think my first real break was on a TV show called East Los High. I was on it from 2014 to 2018 on Hulu, and it was such an incredible experience. It was a pioneering show — not just for streaming services but also for American Latino content.

It was the first time you saw American Latinos in a high school setting, dealing with real-life issues that affect working-class communities in Los Angeles — in this case, East LA. But what was amazing about the show was how universal the stories were. We had fans from all over the world who said, “I know y’all are in East LA, but we’re going through the same struggles in our working-class neighborhoods.”

Seeing people connect with those stories and being able to portray American Latinos as heroic, fully realized characters was powerful. It showed that no matter where you’re from or what your background is, we all share similar human experiences.

What made the experience even more special was that Hulu, being a newer platform at the time, gave us the creative freedom to tell authentic stories without limitations. They basically said, “Say what you need to say,” and we did. It resonated deeply with so many people.

For me, as an artist, East Los High set a high bar. It gave me a taste of what authentic storytelling feels like, and after that, it became harder for me to accept roles that didn’t feel truthful or meaningful. I know what truth feels like in storytelling now, and when something comes along that feels shallow or inauthentic, it’s hard for me to get excited about it.

Maybe that’s just my personal thing — I’m passionate about telling stories that resonate with reality, move people, and bring greater awareness to the world. That’s what drives me as an artist.

You probably have so many incredible stories from different parts of your career. Can you share one or two that stand out the most and represent your professional journey?

I think the biggest lesson I learned was about the law of attraction. Before I moved to Los Angeles, I read this book called The Secret, and I remember being so excited about it. I was telling everyone, “Oh my God, guys, our dreams are real! There’s this thing called the Law of Attraction. If we think positively and focus on our goals, our dreams are going to come true.”

But everyone in my circle at the time was like, “Yeah, right. Okay, sure.” People laughed in my face, and that’s when I realized I was in the wrong environment. When I started connecting with people who were fascinated by the book and believed in the same principles, I saw that there were others out there who thought like me, people with big dreams who were sharing similar stories.

That realization was such a pivotal moment in terms of developing a success mindset — understanding how important it is to surround yourself with people who think like you. Had I not experienced that shift in awareness — realizing I wasn’t crazy, that my dreams were valid, and that other people were chasing theirs too — I don’t think I would’ve had the confidence to launch into my journey.

It gave me the courage to move to Los Angeles, figure things out, look for the signs, and make it happen.

It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting out in acting and the lesson you learned from it?

Well, I think I’d say that we learn as we go, right? You’re going to make little mistakes here and there, but you realize every mistake kind of leads you to something else. It reminds me of Kung Fu Panda — the turtle says something like, “There are no mistakes (or accidents).” And honestly, it’s true.

If I had to pick one, I think the biggest “mistake” I made was believing things had to be perfect — that I was going to move here, study, become an actor, and that would be it. The mistake was thinking the path would be straightforward and smooth. I didn’t realize that mistakes are a crucial part of the journey.

Now, I don’t even believe in rejection — only redirection. Every “no” is just moving you toward the right “yes.” I think if I’d understood that earlier, I would’ve been less discouraged at times. I would’ve realized it wasn’t going to be all glitz and glamour. It was going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of faith, and a lot of resilience.

I also had to learn to say no to things that didn’t align with me, while being able to handle the no’s when I didn’t get a part. The key was to keep searching for my yes. That’s something I still tell myself whenever I’m chasing a dream — keep searching for your yes.

I actually want to write a book about that someday. So if anyone out there is listening… But really, that’s the advice I always share: just keep searching for your yes. That’s it.

We love hearing stories where someone further ahead opens a door or creates an opportunity that changes someone’s career trajectory. Do you have a story like that where someone did that for you, or where you did that for someone else?

Yeah, definitely. For me, I’ve always believed in the power of positive energy. I try to be supportive, especially when I see people struggling or working toward something meaningful. On my own platform, I share inspirational quotes and personal experiences because I think no matter what field you’re in — whether it’s acting or something entirely different — life isn’t easy for anyone. Everyone faces challenges.

Whenever I have the chance, I try to offer whatever advice or encouragement I can about following your dreams and staying on the path to success. At the same time, I’ve been fortunate to have people who truly believe in me. They see my work ethic and continue to support me, even speaking my name in rooms where I’m not present — and I’m so grateful for that. Those are the people who see you, who recognize what you’re doing because they’re working hard toward something too.

I try to do the same. When I see someone chasing their dreams with that same passion, I want to uplift them however I can. One of my close friends owns a jewelry business, and I remember when he first launched it. The way he talked about his vision and his goals reminded me so much of how I felt when I started pursuing acting.

It made me realize that no matter what your dream is, or what obstacle you’re trying to overcome, the process is always similar. It takes faith, courage, belief in yourself, and — most importantly — the willingness to embrace change and step into uncertainty.

Even when you can’t see the entire picture, taking small steps in the right direction can feel empowering. Eventually, those steps will guide you to wherever you’re meant to be.

You have so much impressive work, Vanessa. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects that you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?

Right now, I have a romantic comedy called Say A Little Prayer that’s still in select theaters. We’ve been having a really good run. What’s interesting about the film is that it’s about having faith — believing in your dreams, believing in what you deserve in terms of love and your career, and realizing that you can have it all.

I think for women especially, that’s something we sometimes struggle with. Maybe men do too — I can’t speak for men — but I know that as women, we often ask ourselves: Can I have a career? Can I have a family and still find love? Can I balance it all? Each of those can seem like separate dreams, but putting them together feels like one big, overwhelming dream. And yet, the message of the movie is: Yes, this is your full dream. You are deserving of it. You are worthy of it.

I love this film because so many women — and people in general — are resonating with that idea of finding love again and believing in love. There are so many single people in the world right now, and I think dating apps have made things a lot more complicated. But if we can come back to that core belief — that love is possible — that’s really powerful. It’s just another dream, and even though dating today can feel full of fleeting moments and endless options, you can still believe that your person is out there.

I see people coming out of the theater with hope, their faces lighting up, saying, “Oh my God, I want to say this little prayer. I’m not even Catholic, I don’t even believe in anything — but somehow, I believe in this little prayer, and I’m going to say it so I can find the love of my life.”

Like I said, it’s beautiful to be part of projects that bring more light into the world. This one feels especially meaningful because it’s giving people hope, and I think that’s something we really need right now.

How would you compare and contrast your personal character Vanessa to Adela, the character you play in Say A Little Prayer? How are you similar and how are you different?

You know, I feel like I always learn something from my characters. With Adela, she really reminded me of my roots. The character is from a small town in Texas, and the things she would say felt so familiar to me. Adela came from a small town but moved to San Antonio because she had big dreams and always felt this calling toward something bigger. Saying her lines while filming in Texas brought me back to that same feeling I had when I was there — remembering where I came from and why I wanted to tell stories that make people feel seen.

In Texas, especially growing up, there weren’t a lot of stories about Tejanos — the American Latinos from that region. The only major one we ever really saw was Selena, and that does something to you when you don’t see yourself represented. You start to wonder: Do I matter? Does my culture matter? Does how I was raised and who I am even matter?

But being able to highlight that culture and show the world: These are the kinds of people who live here. This is their culture. This is how beautiful, funny, and resilient they are. And they’re searching for the same things everyone else is — that felt really meaningful. It reminded me of my bigger purpose in storytelling, which is making people feel seen, heard, and understood through the stories we tell.

I think people really resonated with Adela’s journey, and honestly, so did I — especially in her search for love. At one point, I even thought to myself, You know what? Maybe I should say the prayer too.

You mentioned that you got a full scholarship to the Stella Adler Acting Conservatory. That’s a great achievement. Thank you. Can you share some of the insights you learned there that really stuck with you?

Yeah, I mean, when I was coming out here, I had this deep desire to study where some of the greats had studied. I researched and googled the best acting schools. I wanted to know where Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and others had trained. Stella Adler kept coming up. I read her book and learned about the conservatory, but then I saw how expensive it was.

I noticed they had a scholarship program, and I thought, “Okay, I’ve been doing a lot of work — not just acting but also using my plays to create fundraisers and give back to the community.” So, I applied from the perspective that my acting wasn’t just about wanting to be an actor — it was driven by purpose. I knew what I wanted and what I had to do. I applied, got accepted, and received the scholarship.

The intensity of the acting training there was beyond anything I’d ever experienced. Even now, I still train at different studios to stay sharp, but the training at Stella Adler was on another level. It demanded intense focus, commitment, and studying the works of great actors and playwrights.

More than anything, it required surrender — letting go of everything you think you know about yourself. They tell you right from the start: “This is not for the weak.” They push you hard, and not everyone makes it through. I came to understand that it’s all about tapping into your vulnerability so you can portray characters authentically.

The training breaks down everything — how you think, walk, breathe, the sound of your voice — all of it. The psychology behind it resonated deeply with me because I already had a psychology degree. It helped me see that we’re all unique characters shaped by our life experiences. Everyone has a story. Everyone is their own unique character walking through life.

The biggest lesson I learned was to respect the character. You have to fully find the character — walk, talk, and think like them — to portray them truthfully. That’s when you understand why some actors win Oscars, why some of the greatest become legends. It comes down to this level of training and respect for the craft, which I absolutely loved and still feel so fortunate to have experienced.

So you mentioned your psychology background and your degree in psychology. Are there other examples where you find yourself drawing on your psychology experience when you’re acting or filmmaking?

Oh yeah, all the time. I can’t read a character without psychoanalyzing it first. I can’t portray one without understanding its childhood trauma or at least reinventing it on some level. It all coincides. The things that happen to us as kids and how we overcame those obstacles shape who we are now. Sometimes, when we don’t like certain things or fall into patterns that aren’t healthy, it’s important to dive back into our past, at least to recognize and be aware of how those experiences may have shaped us or influenced what we’re attracted to — whether it’s certain types of people, behaviors, or patterns.

I’m always analyzing people and my characters — in a good way, though. It’s about holding space for them so we can get to a deeper level of connection, either with other human beings or with my character.

Beautiful. So this is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things that you need to thrive and succeed in entertainment?

Yes, you need faith — number one.

You need physical, mental, and spiritual health because, honestly, this industry — or any path you pursue — is not for the weak. As you encounter obstacles, it’s important to understand, learn, and grow from them.

You also need a good team around you. You need strong boundaries and the ability to say no to things that aren’t in alignment with your goals.

And,I think you need to learn how to love yourself. At the core of everything, if you have self-love, you’ll always respect your career, respect yourself, and if you mess up, you’ll know how to forgive yourself, start over, and keep learning and growing.

In this industry, things can get very focused on vanity — how you look, how many followers you have, what your next big project is. But what if that project doesn’t work out? What if you get sick and your health isn’t at its best? If you have a foundation of self-love or practice self-love regularly, you can always come back to yourself, try again, and keep moving forward.

So, surround yourself with positive people — good people who have similar dreams — and take care of yourself. Love yourself.

Can you share with our readers any of the self-care routines you follow to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Yes. I work out daily — cardio and weights, not at the same time, but back-to-back. I’ve learned that both are super important. More recently, I’ve been focusing on taking care of my gut health and understanding how it affects my mental health. I think that’s something we don’t talk about enough. Our gut is often referred to as our second brain, and I’ve found that caring for it makes a huge difference.

For my mental health, meditation has been life-changing. I used to struggle with really bad panic attacks, especially when flying. I would get so scared because I thought I was going to have a panic attack mid-flight. But through meditation, I’ve learned how to control my thoughts and my breath, and now I can fly without anxiety. It’s definitely a practice — it’s not something that works overnight — but it does work if you stay committed to it. For anyone thinking about starting meditation, I highly encourage you to try it and be patient with yourself. It takes time, but it’s worth it.

I also journal a lot and see a therapist when I need extra support. Spending time in nature has also become a key part of my self-care routine. I’ve learned that nature is nurture. When you need emotional support, spiritual grounding, or just mental clarity, go outside. Spend time in nature, take off your shoes, and let your feet and hands touch the ground. It has a way of rebalancing you. That’s something I try to practice daily or at least weekly — just getting outside, letting my feet get dirty, and grounding myself.

Okay, this is our final aspirational question. Vanessa, because of your amazing work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

It would definitely be a self-love movement. I think that’s something we all need to be reminded of — what self-love really is and how to practice it. I feel like we’ve grown up in a society that encourages people-pleasing. With people-pleasing, we’re trained to constantly do good for the sake of others, giving so much of our energy to other people instead of ourselves. We’re not listening to our own inner voice.

But when we practice self-love, we learn to self-validate and say, “My feelings matter. My pain matters. I’m going to take some time to nurture that.” When we do that, we bring more light to ourselves and to the world. If we learn how to validate ourselves, we can better validate other people.

I truly believe that one of the biggest reasons why we have wars is because people don’t know how to acknowledge or validate other people’s pain. Instead of recognizing that another country or group of people is hurting, some are quick to attack or say, “That’s what they deserve.” But no one deserves pain.

When you understand that you never deserved pain and you learn to love and heal yourself, you can extend that same compassion to others. I truly believe that’s what will bring more light into the world.

Beautiful. Vanessa, thank you so much for these amazing stories and insights. We wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year.

Oh, thank you! Me too. This was fun.