1 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to Morenita, a deep dive into the Latin X experience. 2 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:16,159 Speaker 1: With more Anita, we want to create a community and 3 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,599 Speaker 1: a shared space with you while sharing knowledge and inspiration. 4 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: This show is about celebrating our culture with guests who 5 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: exemplify the best of us. I'm Darrylene Gastillo Ethane Vita. 6 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: Zahira Kurier is a native New Yorker born and raised 7 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:37,959 Speaker 1: in Washington Heights with roots planted in the Dominican Republic 8 00:00:38,040 --> 00:00:42,560 Speaker 1: and Puerto Rico. She's an actress, singer, voice actress, producer, 9 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: and writer currently based in Los Angeles. In two thousand 10 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: and eighteen, she co produced the sold out all woman 11 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 1: production of Crazy, Sexy Cruel and Mama Always Said at 12 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: the Pit. She has toured with Blatanos and Cola Greens 13 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: and Mexico Beyond, Mariachi's Sugar Skull, and recently made her 14 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: TV debut on FBI Most Wanted. She's a lover of 15 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: desserts and has a cupcake company, Sassy Sweets. Zahida is 16 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: a roller coaster enthusiasts and loves traveling around the world 17 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 1: for thrills a the Hida, how are you doing? I'm 18 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: my love I'm good and did I'm so happy to 19 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: have you on. I'm so happy to hear about everything 20 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:32,160 Speaker 1: going on in your life. My New York sister moved 21 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: to l A just recently. Um, huge decision, especially with 22 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: everything that you and we'll get into all of those 23 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,400 Speaker 1: goody things that you've done here in New York. Is 24 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: there something about like l A that really drew you 25 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 1: to go there? Is it? Was it for specifically in acting? 26 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: Like is it something that was like a switch for 27 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: you that you wanted to switch over to? Like? What 28 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: was it? I mean, I know you said you had 29 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: mentors that you know, we're inspiring you to kind of 30 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: venture out, Um, but was it something career wise that 31 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: you were just like I just need to switch, Like, yeah, 32 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 1: I wanted to focus more on TV and film and 33 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:10,800 Speaker 1: that's always been um my dream and go as a 34 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: kid like I, you know, we will go to movie 35 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 1: theaters and there's just something about being transformed in a 36 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: movie theater just watching a movie. And I would remember 37 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 1: watching movie and thinking, oh, I just want to be 38 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 1: on there, and then at the end of the movie, 39 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 1: I would always run to the bottom the screen and 40 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: like just run around there and like imagine that I 41 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: that's where I would be. So it was just like 42 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: my my shift and just wanted to focus on on 43 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: more TV and film. And you know, New York is 44 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: a little more theater base and definitely have tons of opportunities, 45 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 1: but I feel like here would be just a little 46 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: more opportunities to try something out. And I feel like, 47 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 1: like you said, growing up being raised and being born 48 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 1: in New York, I almost feel spoiled. I feel that. 49 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: I feel that as in New Yorker. I feel that 50 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 1: right because you, like you said, people come to New 51 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: York like it's so rare for you to meet a 52 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: New Yorker acting in New York sometimes exactly, people are like, oh, 53 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 1: You're like, you're actually here, you are, right, It's so weird. 54 00:03:02,040 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: So I almost like spoiled, And I'm like, I almost 55 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: part of me is like I needed a different route 56 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: and like see what it's like to be and like 57 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: try something else, moving to a different part of the country. 58 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 1: And see, right, I grew up in York. What a blessing, 59 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: What a blessing to live in this city that's so insane. 60 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: But but I was like, you know, I think I 61 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: need to try something different and just feel like the 62 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: right thing to do to keep here and see what 63 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 1: it's like out here. But it is definitely different, especially 64 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:32,920 Speaker 1: being Dominican, well Domino Rican and Domino Rican. But you know, 65 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: and and it's so like interesting because you have done 66 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: so much in New York. You have done an amazing 67 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: amount of theater. You have also like done so much 68 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: for the youth, and I want to talk a little 69 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 1: bit about that. And I'm curious, how are you going 70 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: to um continue that journey coming from the East Coast 71 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: now being in the West coast. Is there something do 72 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: you have some seeds your plan? Let us know. Let's 73 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: filled everybody in a little bit on what you've done 74 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: um here in New York for the youth, because I 75 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: just think it's so incredibly inspiring. So I worked at 76 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: a few different nonprofits in New York City and I 77 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: and I helped create a couple of programming with their organizations, 78 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 1: mostly based in college preparation of because I felt like 79 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 1: when I was applying for school, I didn't know what 80 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: to apply for. Like I knew I wanted to perform. 81 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: I've known really early on, which is again even a blessing, 82 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 1: And I knew something like four or five that I 83 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: wanted to perform, but I didn't know how to go 84 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: about that. Right, there's so many this lack of resources 85 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 1: for people of color. People become so surprised because they're like, 86 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: oh my god, you live in New York, like everything 87 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: is accessible to you, but they don't realize I'm sorry, 88 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: I'm not rich exactly. And also, you know, they've cut 89 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: a lot of these programs. So I was lucky because 90 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 1: I have I was able to learn the cello for 91 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: me in elementary school, and then I had cello. I said, 92 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: the cello I should really pick up, but that was 93 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:01,840 Speaker 1: once you should pick it up again. I was like, 94 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: you're gonna buy my chello. That's like thousands of dollars. 95 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: He's like, oh, never mind, um, which was insane because 96 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: the chello, I'm sure I'm five two uh, and the 97 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 1: cello was like tallerantly large. I want to size small 98 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 1: and the cellos size extra large. Right, So you know, 99 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 1: all these programs are cut. And so in high school, 100 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: I went to an amazing I went to the environmental school, 101 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,160 Speaker 1: and everyone thought I went to performing art school because 102 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,720 Speaker 1: when I entered, there was another teacher called Georgia who 103 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 1: was amazing and she transformed that program in the school, 104 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: and so I was really lucky because she we went 105 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 1: from like one or two choir classes to having multiple 106 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: choir classes and multiple groups women'sly mentally gospel that we 107 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 1: had everything. Um and so I was able to go 108 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: and get some training there. But it wasn't you know, enough, 109 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: because I still didn't know, you know, what schools do. 110 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 1: I applied to the Internet was still a thing, but 111 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: that is like now, it's still differently behind. Yeah, it's crazy, 112 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: So I don't know what I'm doing. Um. So when 113 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 1: this opportunity kind of came up to potentially create a program, 114 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 1: I said, well, this is kind of what I needed. 115 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: I need to help preparing for auditions, even applying for school, 116 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: figure out how to fly to schools. I flayed, you know, 117 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 1: went to Kunie School and I messed up that application 118 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,279 Speaker 1: UNI application. My childhood, most of it is Washington had 119 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: done a part of the Bronx, and those opportunities weren't there, 120 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: or if they were, I didn't know how to find them. 121 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 1: It's not something that's automatically there. So you grew up 122 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 1: in Washington High how was that um for you? Growing 123 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 1: up in that area, knowing that you wanted to be 124 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: a performer, like is that something that was supported by 125 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: your community. I hit it. I hit it for a 126 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 1: long time because I didn't want to people to say no, 127 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: but you getting like I was able to do, you know, cello, 128 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 1: And then I did dance in middle school because we 129 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: had an after school for room that everybody wanted to 130 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 1: be a part of. So I had my outlets for sure, 131 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:06,839 Speaker 1: but I never really kind of told anyone that I 132 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 1: wanted to say. And I think my family kind of 133 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 1: knew because I was just kind of running around the 134 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: house with a broomstick and my sister. Now we have recordings, 135 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,720 Speaker 1: so there's proof of like the fact that we wanted 136 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 1: to do these very embarrassing videos. I would be like, 137 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 1: we're on TRL. Um, Yeah, I was on trl in 138 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: my mind that was really that happened. But so for 139 00:07:28,640 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: a long time I hit it when I like especially, 140 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:32,440 Speaker 1: I think in high school, I can I kind of 141 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: came out of my shell. I lived in theater, I 142 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: lived in the music room. I had no after school 143 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 1: programming except for music and theater, and my friends knew 144 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 1: like the moment to the moment that you sat with 145 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 1: your mom and that you were like, I'm doing this. Yeah, 146 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: they were they knew. I think my mom knew from 147 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: the beginning, like they were like, yes, great. She always 148 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: was supportive and then call it. You know, every performance 149 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:54,920 Speaker 1: she s she's like I had to go to every 150 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: performance and I'm like I know. And then she's like 151 00:07:57,920 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: can you went to college? And I thought, oh, we're good, 152 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 1: and then we had to go to more performances and 153 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 1: I'm like, yeah, it just continues. It continues, mom, It's 154 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: never ending. It's never ending, number one fan. But then 155 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: I found out, like recently that apparently my dad was 156 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: like not for it. Like when you found that I 157 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: was going to go to school and like study music, 158 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: he was like, she's gonna really still do that. So 159 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: my mom, but they never told me, and so like 160 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago, I was like, how dare you? Yeah, 161 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: that's such a weird. I remember my mom. I have 162 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: a similar moment in this industry where you're like I'm 163 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: kind of tired and you wake up and you're like, 164 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:33,719 Speaker 1: my body doesn't feel the same as it did five 165 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: years ago. And my mom was like, you know, I 166 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,120 Speaker 1: thought maybe you might have a plan B, but you 167 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 1: just kept going. And it's like, listen, this industry is 168 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: never fully done with you in any kind of way, 169 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: and everyone's during as different. That too. That and I'll 170 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: tell you I've done fans many times and it always 171 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: leads me back to planning. Just I'm not happy and 172 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: plenty and trying everything else, and you have to do 173 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: what you love. So do you have some plans bringing 174 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,320 Speaker 1: some stuff to like the West Coast? I just know 175 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: that you are so great with the youth. You brought 176 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: me on to do some kiw and ese um and 177 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 1: it was so inspiring. I was kind of going through 178 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 1: a speed bump and I was there discussing the industry 179 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: and I feel like you have a calling for that. 180 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: It just felt so natural for you. Um. So is 181 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 1: there something that on the West Coast that you're trying 182 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: to continue that inspiration? I see the kids and I think, well, 183 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 1: maybe it's same for me too. I want to help 184 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: others reach for their dreams and goals. And then I 185 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: take a pause and I said, well, how am I 186 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: going to do it for myself? So that's why I moved. 187 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: I said, you know what, I need to take time 188 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 1: and do this for myself as an artist. I had 189 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: like a thousand jobs, right, and tell me tell me 190 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: one of your craziest, tell me one of your craziest, 191 00:09:58,360 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: like one thousand jobs that you've had. Oh my, So recently, 192 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: I've been really really lucky the last few years because 193 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 1: everything I've done is kind of like in the industry, 194 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:07,959 Speaker 1: and so I've been an assistant and I've been like 195 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,959 Speaker 1: and that's been pretty cool. So um. And then a 196 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: lot of my jobs have been working in nonprofits, which 197 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: all was kind of like seven different like it wasn't planned. 198 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:23,359 Speaker 1: I never planned to work and nonprofits. It just happened naturally, 199 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: and I've been very great for the last few years. 200 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: Has all been in the arts. My first job was 201 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: a pure educator, and I thought about like sex which I, 202 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 1: oh my god, are we shifting this podcast? Maybe? I mean, 203 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: if you need some like sex education, I love that 204 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: some like my singing sex education, but I didn't work 205 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 1: for a non profit. And then later on as an adult, 206 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: I worked for a nonprofit co Star, and they do 207 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 1: sex education to the theater. Oh my god, this is 208 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: in New York and this isn't you are? And they 209 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: actually have apparently other programs, while other organizations have been 210 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,360 Speaker 1: froment programs all over the country. Um, but what a 211 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: wonderful way to learn about like how the education then 212 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 1: through a little mini music. I love this. Oh my god, 213 00:11:13,480 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: please send me the information and what can I do 214 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: with start? Was there a lot of like Shakespeare involved, No, 215 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 1: it was you know Shakespeare's like so dirty that thou show? 216 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 1: Now exactly like that, that's all you need. You've we 217 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,559 Speaker 1: know you saying we know you dance, we know you act, 218 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 1: we know you helped the kids, we know you teach 219 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 1: all levels of all things like that. I know you're 220 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: in l A because you want to do more TV film, 221 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 1: But what would you say, like you're more drawn to 222 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 1: Are you gonna miss theater? I think I will. I 223 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 1: think because they're they're so similar, still different. You take 224 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: months or weeks and sometimes just days to like study 225 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 1: a character for theater, and then you go on stage 226 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: and you have all these before you have to all 227 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: this rearse. But Phil, I'm not so I'm like preparing 228 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 1: myself for that where I'm like, I gotta be a 229 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: point that I don't want to be that person that's 230 00:12:07,480 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 1: like holding back anymore. And what are you doing? What 231 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: is your process for that? How are you switching from 232 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 1: theater to TV film? Are you taking specific classes or 233 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: are you just kind of jumping into it, Like, let's 234 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 1: go and see a combination of both. I just moved, 235 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: but I actually moved in April, but I've been back 236 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: and forth to New York a lot. So now is 237 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:30,080 Speaker 1: like really when I'm settling in reaching out, I'm basically 238 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: almost restarting again, which is exciting and terrifying, which is good. 239 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 1: When you're scared thing, You're alive and that means that 240 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: you're doing the right thing, um in some capacity. So 241 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: I'm I'm restarting all over again, and I'm relearning everything 242 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: in a way all over again. So I've been really 243 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 1: really lucky and blessed because a couple of my friends 244 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: moved either around the same time of me or right 245 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: before me, and and we have created this beautiful community 246 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: which we're constantly supporting each other, and we're sending like, 247 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: hey what about this class, and hey what you should 248 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 1: apply for this? And hey you should like this is 249 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 1: an audition coming up, um, and this is an agent 250 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: and this is a manager. Were friends here where we're 251 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 1: like always like communicating and figuring things out. So I'm 252 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: gonna try out some classes see how they go. And 253 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: I'm just going full for us. That's the only way 254 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,080 Speaker 1: I know how to do it. It's the only way. Yeah, 255 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: it's like you have to face your fears, and how 256 00:13:19,920 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: are you ever going to know if you don't just 257 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: go up and do it. But I love that you 258 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: have a supporting system. I love that you have some 259 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 1: friends that you're out there with. I think that's like 260 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: always the thing that holds some New York actors back. 261 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: It's like making that jump to l A. It's always 262 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:36,040 Speaker 1: that fear of starting over. It when I leave a show, 263 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: I'm like, it's starting over. You have to hustle again. 264 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 1: You have to get to no casting directors again. You 265 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: gotta even if you just come back to New York 266 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 1: and you've been touring in your New York's and your base. 267 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 1: I always call it like the game of Monopoly. You're 268 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,720 Speaker 1: just going right back to my favorite game. You kind 269 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 1: of monopolies. You know what, I don't fink as because 270 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: I'm super competitive, Like I'm really competitive. Do you have 271 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: the Game of Thrones vision? I've never seen game with 272 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: all people, I know, I need to catch up, like 273 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 1: other things. Okay, I need to get it. We'll have 274 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: another episode for just for you, just for you watching 275 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: the Thrones and see my reaction. The monopoly is great. 276 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: But yeah, it's like literally a life of an actor. 277 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: It's like we have to start all over, like a 278 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 1: job end. We go about to start, and we continue 279 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: on until we get to Park Avenue and then we're 280 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 1: back to start. Like when we would have conversations of 281 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: the kids and the kids would like come meet like 282 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: you amazing people that come and talk to them. It 283 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: was a conversations like this is not a straight road. 284 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: This is there's curves and like fourth on the road. 285 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 1: It's not you know I I know people that were 286 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: on Broadway and during the day they were auditioning, and 287 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,560 Speaker 1: I time there on Broadway. So it's you're consistently working, 288 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: like consistent working on your craft. If you're not auditioning, 289 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: then you're working on your craft. You're working on either 290 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 1: writing something or in a class somewhere. I'm so intrigued. 291 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: Auls are like, yeah, just then go happen. It's like 292 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: are you back, are you going to just go? You 293 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: really have to love it, you really have to, and 294 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: look at you. You're going off and doing something super 295 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: super scary if you're looking at it in the face 296 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: and you're like, I got this. And with that said, 297 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: you just made your TV debut. I did my one line. 298 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: Get that a co star, get that case. I'm getting 299 00:15:22,680 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: tholes like residual checks. What you had your TV debut 300 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: on FBI. Most wanted don't blink, don't blink? Tell me 301 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: what minute and what second? No, I want to know though, 302 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: like what was that like for you being on set 303 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: for the first day? Like what what was that? Oh 304 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 1: my god, I mean it was very coldd someone, it 305 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 1: was insane wild that you know, that's the crazy. Um. 306 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: First of all booking, I was like, oh my god, 307 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: I got something. And it was in the same time 308 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 1: that I decided to move. Wow, and this little thing 309 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 1: right just when I ranged four then, like everything's happening 310 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: at once. I was like, you know, we're like like 311 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: our little own little cubicles. We couldn't talk to anyone 312 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: or see anyone because co But at some point, because 313 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 1: we were there pretty much all they were just kind 314 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 1: of waiting because we ended up being that we were 315 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: like the there was a few extra of us, more 316 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 1: of us, Um, can we all have like one liners 317 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: and we were there all day. We were the last 318 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: people to shoot. But at some point, like they close 319 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: these little cubicles off kind of Indian trailers, you can 320 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: kind of talk to someone on the other side. So 321 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: so my niece and I just kind of started having 322 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: a conversation um through the wall. Oh oh day um. 323 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: But it was awesome, and we went on set and 324 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: it was very again, very specific, like everyone had to 325 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: kind of be in their own spaces far away, just 326 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: like a whole new world, figuring it out, whole new right. 327 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: And we got yelled at at some point, not us, 328 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: but like POA was like ringing us to get on 329 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: set because there are self people there were just like 330 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: very much about like you have to say, six part people, 331 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: you know, apart that their job was like making sure 332 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 1: everything is safe, and so there was like some stuff 333 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: happen and I was like, well, just what do we do? 334 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: What do we throw? And for TV film, they've been 335 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: very on it. They just want to get back. I 336 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 1: definitely felt safe. I've experienced too, and I've also early 337 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: on during COVID I've heard that it's just always been 338 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 1: so that's amazing. I love this. I can't wait to 339 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 1: see way can what do you play? Oh? It's a 340 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:19,720 Speaker 1: lottery winning and but it took me so long to 341 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: even get the credit on IMDb because they were like, 342 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: I don't we don't believe you. Did you high to 343 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:29,479 Speaker 1: submit it yourself? I submitted it because I knew like 344 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 1: that I have met on set. I met some really 345 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,960 Speaker 1: amazing um people on set to that we're doing the 346 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:36,880 Speaker 1: same thing. That again. We just submitted and they accepted, 347 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: and but for me, they were like, no, we don't 348 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 1: believe you. Why did they try to play my girl? 349 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: I don't know. I was like, I know, this is 350 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 1: like newty y'alls. I have a couple of other things 351 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: on here. I'm real. Tell us more. Zeid to um, 352 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: you literally have your own business. I have Sassy Sweets, 353 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:01,439 Speaker 1: which was kind of like the plan b Um. I thought, well, no, 354 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:03,360 Speaker 1: it was part of plenty because I was like, Oh, 355 00:18:03,840 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 1: I'll create my own business and then I'll make my 356 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: own schedule and then probably pop it. Oh that is 357 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: not the case. Owning a business is a lot of 358 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,919 Speaker 1: work and it's a big commitment. It's huge, and all 359 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 1: the women of color doing their thing because it is 360 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:23,679 Speaker 1: a lot of work, and please, please, please please go 361 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 1: out support women of color, people of color, and small 362 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: businesses because it does make the economy go around the 363 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 1: world because it's a lot of work, puts money in 364 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 1: people's pockets. It really does. We need to support one another, 365 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: especially when the cupcakes are good, y'all because her cupcakes slap. 366 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: I do want to eventually owned like a brick and mortar, 367 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: like a location, but Plenty first you gotta get Plenty 368 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 1: going and then and then I can do that. So 369 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: it's it's still that on the back of yeah, opening 370 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 1: like the location. We're both a part of this new generation, 371 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: this new vibe of the industry that claims to be changing, 372 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 1: and it's a white and let's I'm talking about that 373 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,159 Speaker 1: right now. Have you felt some changes for Afro Latinos 374 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: in the industry? Um? For yourself? Have you seen anything 375 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: personally that you might want to share or maybe there's 376 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,440 Speaker 1: some things that still need some tweaking. No, I think 377 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: it's we need a lot of change. If you go 378 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:29,639 Speaker 1: through the last thirty years, um, things that have it changed? Yeah? Sure? 379 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: Do we need more change? Absolutely? I don't really watch 380 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: awards shoals very often because we're never really represented, and 381 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 1: so I feel like I'm gonna see another person waving 382 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: their flag on the stage, you know, then I'll be 383 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 1: more excited. We need more opportunities. I tried my best 384 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 1: to really sit down and watch shows with people of color, 385 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:51,720 Speaker 1: and they're not a lot. They're just not enough. There's 386 00:19:51,760 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: not enough writers in the room. And I know so 387 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: many talented writers, and I'm like, why are you not working? 388 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 1: We need more of our people in higher positions, because 389 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: that's just the reality of it. Like, if we're not 390 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 1: in higher positions, and then who are those people? You 391 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:10,080 Speaker 1: know who are making decisions for us are not really 392 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: look like us, and we need those people as allies, 393 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: of course, but we also need are people people of color, 394 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:22,159 Speaker 1: women of color, Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, so on and 395 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 1: so forth in those positions. With those people in those positions, 396 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: that we're gonna have more opportunities. But I'm so grateful 397 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: for everyone who's like pushing forward and continue to write. 398 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 1: And I know there's so many in the industry right 399 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 1: now America, for like, there's so many people that are 400 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: really doing the thing and pushing for our for our 401 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:42,120 Speaker 1: voices to be heard. We just hope that those opportunities 402 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:46,960 Speaker 1: for those stick so they can continue rising. Everybody else 403 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: you know above with them, I feel you on that. 404 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 1: I think work does need to be done and opportunities. 405 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:09,640 Speaker 1: You've built a community around something incredible called Dance Project 406 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: of Washington Heights, and I'd love for you to like 407 00:21:12,119 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 1: tell us a little bit more about that. So that 408 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 1: was the relation that I just joined recently. Heather Bath 409 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:23,120 Speaker 1: three is the founder and she lives at Washington Heights. 410 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 1: And this great opportunity for kids of town to to 411 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 1: take dance classes like pay what you can, which is 412 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 1: amazing as well. And I joined them in September of 413 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: last year, and what an honor it's been because of 414 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 1: the work they're doing in the neighborhood. I absolutely love them. 415 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 1: I've also worked with um People's Theater Project, which is 416 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:45,120 Speaker 1: another organization of town. I've been really lucky to work 417 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 1: with like some really amazing organization of Washington Heights. Yeah, 418 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:50,920 Speaker 1: you have like some really great connects up there. Every 419 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: time I see your page, you're always doing some incredible stuff. 420 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 1: What kind of dance classes is Dance Project of Washington 421 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 1: Heights do? So they have the right now they're ontly 422 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 1: doing for children, but they to have like ballet and 423 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: tap and hip hop. I know we've been in discussions 424 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: of like re and more like Bomblena. Sometimes it's those 425 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 1: are ones, you know, like even Balo like the Yeah 426 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 1: for for me culturally, dances that I've never been I've 427 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:18,159 Speaker 1: had had the opportunity. I mean now I'm an adults. 428 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:20,439 Speaker 1: I can, I can now I'm making I want to 429 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,640 Speaker 1: make the time to really learn because they're like our 430 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 1: heritage and roots. I mean, of course salimitting, of course, 431 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: Well can we learn some bomb? Can we learn some 432 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: like something from our roots? And those drums? I can't. 433 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:39,959 Speaker 1: I can't when whenever like drums come on from I'm 434 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 1: just like, I'm like transport to different. I'm like so happy. 435 00:22:42,960 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 1: How does the community like for Washington Heights? How has 436 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 1: it response been? Like with all? I mean, You've been 437 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 1: a part of so many, but just specifically like Dance 438 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 1: Project of Washington Heights. How has how did that even 439 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: start for you? Um? So, I was a good friend 440 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:57,959 Speaker 1: of Heather for many years because I worked on multiple 441 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 1: different nonprofits and opportunities kind of showed up in September 442 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 1: and She's like, do you want to join us? And 443 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:07,600 Speaker 1: I was like okay, which is kind of the how 444 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 1: it happens every single time, because even when I work 445 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: for people theater product, they were just like, hey, do 446 00:23:12,560 --> 00:23:14,120 Speaker 1: you want to be an apprentice? And I had extra 447 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 1: time in my hand. I was like okay. And then 448 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 1: a year or less later, they're like, also, we're gonna 449 00:23:19,119 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 1: hire you, and also you're gonna be a teaching teaching artist, 450 00:23:21,680 --> 00:23:25,160 Speaker 1: and I was like, okay. So that is literally how 451 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: I know you, like you say yes and you are 452 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:31,680 Speaker 1: a part of so much like every time I talk 453 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: to you, you are doing this, and then the next 454 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:35,960 Speaker 1: month I talked to you, You're like, oh, I'm a 455 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,640 Speaker 1: part of this organization now, and I'm like, how does 456 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: she do it? Actually, how do you do? I actually 457 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 1: did ask how do you do it? Tell us how 458 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: you do? Now I'm learning how to make time, but again, 459 00:23:48,359 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: like right now, what I'm really learning and focusing is 460 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:52,679 Speaker 1: like making time for me and what I want to 461 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 1: do in my career. I was going back to the kids. 462 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: They inspire me because I see them living their dreams 463 00:23:57,960 --> 00:23:59,479 Speaker 1: and I was like, yes, yes, I said, I'm so 464 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:01,360 Speaker 1: proud of you. And then I'm like, okay, I kind 465 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:02,639 Speaker 1: of gotta take a step back, and I have to 466 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,040 Speaker 1: kind of make time for me and going back to 467 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: a conversation, that's what I was going to go back 468 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 1: saying that I had a conversation with someone who's in 469 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 1: the industry and they were like, how you have so 470 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:13,080 Speaker 1: many jobs. I was like, yeah, but I'm just like 471 00:24:13,080 --> 00:24:14,919 Speaker 1: atil committed to everything and I have to. They were like, 472 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 1: but if you have a job like I'm Broadway, you 473 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 1: just drop everything. And I was like, yeah, kind of thing. 474 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 1: So how I committed? Are you? So I wanted to 475 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 1: figure out how to commit to my dreams and goals 476 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:28,359 Speaker 1: and then also make sure, like it's so important for 477 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 1: me to give back consistently that how do I hid 478 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:33,679 Speaker 1: do I make time for both of them? And so 479 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,360 Speaker 1: that's what I'm learning now, And how do I continue 480 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:38,880 Speaker 1: to get back to community because that's that's number one? Right, 481 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,439 Speaker 1: I think, and and I think for a lot of 482 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:44,120 Speaker 1: us that are immigrants and children of immigrants, our goal 483 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 1: is always to make it so that we're going to 484 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:48,920 Speaker 1: push forward our community people in our circles. That is 485 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 1: the most important thing for me, Like, all right, this 486 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: is the goals that I want to accomplish, and this 487 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 1: is what success that's like to me. But now, how 488 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 1: do I make sure that when I get to that point, 489 00:24:57,920 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 1: that I make sure that I bring in my community, 490 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:04,160 Speaker 1: raising my company, that I'm making opportunity as for my communities. 491 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: And that's what's almost important to So right now I'm 492 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: working with one organization because I moved to a different 493 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:14,040 Speaker 1: part of the country. My goal is definitely, in some capacity, 494 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 1: continue to work with other one. I think all artists 495 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 1: we are givers, like in some sort some sense whatever 496 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: capacity and artists does. How has this been feeling for you? 497 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: Because you you've mentioned you have given up a little 498 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: bit of giving and now you're kind of giving to 499 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 1: yourself right now. How is that transition? How is that 500 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:43,879 Speaker 1: feeling for you? I'm learning to accept that it's okay 501 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:47,760 Speaker 1: to take care of myself, um and to put other 502 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 1: things on pause for a little bit while I focus 503 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:54,639 Speaker 1: on me and my dreams. And I want to help everyone, 504 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:56,760 Speaker 1: and I want to like make everyone's dreams anyway that 505 00:25:56,800 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 1: I can help, that is definitely what I want. I 506 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 1: want to come system maybe helping guys. I've had to 507 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: learn to like take a little bit of a home 508 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 1: to just step back to focus on my dreams. And 509 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: my goals um because I know that by doing that, 510 00:26:10,359 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: I will also be pushing for learning and be able 511 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 1: to give back in other capacities. And then that's what 512 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:18,199 Speaker 1: I'm learning. How do I get back like I am 513 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 1: not extracting much from my um my cup and continue 514 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:25,159 Speaker 1: to fill my cup while also giving back to the 515 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 1: community and giving back to others. Yeah, because it's so 516 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: easy for us to just say yes, yes, yes, everything 517 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: and everything is. You don't want to miss out. You 518 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: want to like you want to be there for that opportunity, right, 519 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: you never know, But sometimes for an opportunity to come, 520 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:45,040 Speaker 1: you have to like sit yeah, and like really take 521 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,880 Speaker 1: care of yourself and even stay home if you want to. Period. 522 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: I'm an insane extrovert, but at such an introvert, like 523 00:26:51,880 --> 00:26:53,679 Speaker 1: I want to be outside all day, like let's hang out, 524 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,439 Speaker 1: let's talk with let's do these things, like let's be 525 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:57,320 Speaker 1: on stage all the time, and then I have to 526 00:26:57,320 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 1: go home and talk to me for for even sometimes 527 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,959 Speaker 1: like sometimes I go into the mountains, like in December, 528 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,600 Speaker 1: I went into like Massachusetts, into the mountains for a 529 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 1: couple of days to just be by myself. I think 530 00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:11,400 Speaker 1: we're like, are you really gonna do this, Like, yeah, 531 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 1: I just need to be alone for a few days. 532 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:15,600 Speaker 1: And if I want to talk to talk to people 533 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: and if I don't know, just sit in silence or 534 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,239 Speaker 1: look at that I don't know. The trees you're like 535 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 1: the birds kayaking. Oh my god, Reagan, there's kayaking, like 536 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 1: showing when the mountains. Yeah, like are we meant to 537 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:35,200 Speaker 1: do anything? But like absolutely, we come from countries that day, 538 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: my god. Hello, gonna remind myself like hellos like hello 539 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 1: come from mountainous regions like the beach and the mountains, 540 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 1: says I. Honestly, I love the mountain more like I 541 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: really mean trees, which is what I'm trying to figure 542 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:51,639 Speaker 1: out here in l A, Like where do I find 543 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: I need to be surrounded by trees? I'm curious, what 544 00:27:56,119 --> 00:28:01,280 Speaker 1: would you say, Zahida, to someone who is a giver, 545 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,919 Speaker 1: who is now focusing on themselves, taking a leap of 546 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:09,920 Speaker 1: faith and looking at fear and facing it and pushing through. 547 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:14,080 Speaker 1: What would you say, um to some of our listeners 548 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 1: who might be inspired by your story, maybe wanting to 549 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,280 Speaker 1: do the same thinking about it. What kind of message 550 00:28:21,359 --> 00:28:23,160 Speaker 1: or a little note do you want to leave for them? 551 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 1: Take a leap um leap of faith. It's okay to 552 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:32,080 Speaker 1: be afraid, Um, I know someone. However, it's multiple times 553 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:34,639 Speaker 1: there's something that you're afraid of me. Right now, I'm 554 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: in a big, huge fear bubble. So it's scary every 555 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 1: day right now. No, No, it's so worth it. Like 556 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 1: I was medicining today and the three things that came 557 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: up leg and for me that was legal fear and 558 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 1: fear is always going to be around. That's this part 559 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:52,360 Speaker 1: of life us. It is what it is. But for me, 560 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: as when I'm afraid of something, it's because I know 561 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 1: that it's just something more than I can cheach. And 562 00:28:58,120 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 1: of course as they're different than like fight or flight 563 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 1: fee let's pfect. Yeah, let's make that very clear, right um. 564 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:06,600 Speaker 1: But you know for your in a situation versus fear 565 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: of like trying something new is what we different. But 566 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: when you earn that fight or flights for the records, 567 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 1: trust your instinct and that's actually a big one even 568 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:16,520 Speaker 1: in less trust your instinct. We're not taught and that's 569 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:18,840 Speaker 1: I think also very cultural thing in America where you're 570 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 1: not really kind of taught to do, like you're trying 571 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: to like follow what everyone else is doing or do 572 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 1: what we say, But no, forget that. Trust your instinct 573 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 1: because your instincts are going to tell you where you 574 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 1: and that takes some time to like learn and um, 575 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:33,880 Speaker 1: sometimes you just have to have to sit with yourself 576 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,960 Speaker 1: and and kind of grow and figure out what that 577 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:39,120 Speaker 1: is and how do you trust that instinct? But trust 578 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:41,120 Speaker 1: it all the time. Whatever is not serving you, let 579 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:43,960 Speaker 1: oh that focus, sit down. Make a list for me, 580 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 1: lists are really important something. I'll make a list and 581 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 1: then I go through and then I put data on. 582 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:50,320 Speaker 1: And I had about my list for two years ago 583 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,080 Speaker 1: that I was gonna move and it was off by 584 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 1: a few months, but I made it. And the last 585 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:57,200 Speaker 1: thing is be kind, be kind to yourself, Beklind to others. 586 00:29:57,920 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 1: For me, it was like, I'm still going to let 587 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:02,440 Speaker 1: go over go when I can't say yes all the time, Um, 588 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:04,760 Speaker 1: but no, but later on I can say yes. Later 589 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:06,600 Speaker 1: on I can do something that I'll be in a 590 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:09,120 Speaker 1: different position where I can give up even more. So, 591 00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 1: just you know, be kind with yourself when you're making 592 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:15,480 Speaker 1: these transitions, putting boundaries for yourself, because that's important. The 593 00:30:15,560 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 1: kind self, Zahida. If we want to follow you and 594 00:30:18,520 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 1: follow your journey. How do we do that? You follow 595 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: me everything to make it easy for the world. Uh, 596 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:28,880 Speaker 1: thank you like sassysassy and people are like what um, 597 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:33,200 Speaker 1: but Sassi is my family making Yeah but yes, follow me. 598 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 1: Cannot wait to see all the amazing things you do 599 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:39,680 Speaker 1: in l A. Thank you so much for spending this 600 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 1: time business. Zahida is taking a leap of faith after 601 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:49,400 Speaker 1: giving so much to others in her community. She's found 602 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:52,479 Speaker 1: the importance of taking care of herself without neglecting her 603 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 1: career while staying persistent. Sometimes saying yes to everything doesn't 604 00:30:57,920 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 1: always serve you. So how are you taking care of yourself? 605 00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 1: To be the best versions of ourselves, we have to 606 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 1: prioritize our dreams so that we can continue to rise together. 607 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:16,080 Speaker 1: By Lante mon Anita is a production of Sonato in 608 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: partnership with I Heart Radios Microcuda podcast Network. For more 609 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:23,520 Speaker 1: podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I Heart Radio app, 610 00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 1: Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.