Meet Aveda Torres | Model, dancer, creative director, and actor

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

Hi Aveda, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Life is all about taking risks. I have learned that you honestly can’t get certain opportunities without accepting the risk of failure. Once you find that the benefits outweigh the risks, you can successfully take that leap of faith. If I didn’t take any risks throughout my life, I’m not quite sure where I would be today. I wouldn’t have gotten this far with modeling, dance, or acting without taking those risks to grow further in those skills.

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?
The journey is never going to be linear, and I definitely faced some ups and downs as I ventured into different industries. With modeling, I learned a lot about myself. There are certain things that people are looking for that I will never be able to fulfill, but I’ve had to learn to love and accept myself first before anything else. I am content with my height, my features, and my size although some people in the industry may usually be looking for more. The key to it all is truly loving yourself enough to be able to hear the “no’s” without growing discouraged. I let my passions push me to keep going because I know where I want to be and the impact I want to make, and I am the only person who has the power to keep me from getting there. I am proud of myself for continuing to take dance classes or going to casting calls and auditions despite feeling discouraged because those are the things I love to do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to downtown Atlanta and introduce them to some of Atlanta’s most well-known hangout spots like Ponce City Market and the Beltline, the Museums, or even Atlantic Station. These spots are well-known attractions in the city and they have a plethora of different activities to do. For restaurants, I love me a good Korean BBQ, Soul Food, or Seafood spot so those would be the types of restaurants I would go to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To start, I want to thank God for where I am today. My faith is truly what has kept me motivated and grounded, and without looking to God for guidance through my journey I wouldn’t have the strength to push past my fears. My parents have also been my foundation and they always motivate me to do the things I love without worrying about the risks. Lastly, I want to thank my mentors, my friends, and all the people who have witnessed my growth and supported me along the way.

Instagram: @mylifeasve

Image Credits
@jaedonperry @allworldproductions @ljproofs @dopesimag @_dstyles_ @christopher_v_photography