We had the good fortune of connecting with Regina González and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Regina, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor is not being afraid of failing or being rejected. In this industry there isn’t a clear path to success, which can be sometimes a curse and sometimes a blessing, sometimes it can really make you feel lost but most of the times it forces you to put yourself out there and try in so many different ways. As an actor and as a person, although it takes a lot of patience, there’s something liberating about finding rejection or failure as just another opportunity to learn. I strongly believe that no effort we make will ever be in vain, everything that you do to work towards your goals will eventually take you there, so even when things don’t go the way you want them to, you never go back to zero. I think understanding that makes me live in a constant feeling of “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I know I’m doing it” which helps me see seeking new opportunities as something exciting instead of intimidating.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a NYC based actress born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. I started out in theatre when I was in middle school and during high school I started exploring Film & TV as well. I participated in a few projects in my hometown like plays and short films, but it wasn’t until after I graduated high school that I decided to move to New York and pursue acting professionally. I had the incredible opportunity of attending The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute’s 2-Year Conservatory where I was awarded both the Eleonora Duse Scholarship and the Vincent D’Onofrio Award to successfully complete my studies. Aside from acting, I’ve always had these ideas that I wanted to write down and never knew how to, until I started acting school and I was so immersed in plays and scripts and scenes that it almost became inevitable. I usually love writing about topics of female empowerment, the relationship between cause and consequences and interesting dreams that I’ve had. Last year, I produced and starred in Ember Alert which is the first short film I’ve co-written alongside my sister (who is a writer) and it was a huge experience in every way. Bringing a story to life was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, for weeks I talked to teachers, friends and classmates about writing, directing and acting your own scripts, and tried to absorb their knowledge as best as I could. I think that creating is a big part about being an artist, and the more you want to create, the more you need to learn. And, during that process, I realized that the only way of learning is by doing, so even though the process was stressful, it made me grow so much as an actor, be more confident in my ideas as a writer and know specifically what I can improve for future projects.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! Every time someone visits me DUMBO has to be the first stop, I love to have something to eat at Time Out Market, then get an ice cream, sit by the river and just enjoy the view. Both during winter and summer, Bryant Park is one of my favorite places in NYC, in the winter I love the Christmas market and the ice skating rink and in the summer I love to go eat something there or see one of the movies they project on Monday nights. Also, going to Coney Island or having a picnic in Central Park on a nice and sunny day is such a good plan. Talking about museums, my favorite ones would have to be the MoMa and the American Museum of Natural History, so they are a must! Talking about food I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I think I would go to Max Brenner first, they have delicious burgers, pastas and amazing desserts too, I could eat everything on the menu. I also love Ruby’s Cafe for their pastas and salads, Tacombi or Tacos No.1 if you’re looking for really good tacos, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer for good burgers and huge milkshakes, and I would go to Bubby’s, Flipper’s or The Grey Dog for brunch. Finally, we have to go see a Broadway show, I would let them choose which one but not going is not an option. And that’s all I can think of right now, but I also love when the people that visit me want to try things that are new to me as well.
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?
I completely agree with this! First off, shoutout to my family in Mexico who have supported me since I can remember, they helped me and believed in me when I decided to move to NYC, they’re always making sure I’m healthy and happy, and they’re always rooting for me. Also, big big shoutout to my amazing and talented friends, the ones from back home and the ones I’ve met here in the city, for constantly hyping each other up. They are so inspiring to me, how kind, hardworking, resilient, creative and loving they are, they make me be a better person and artist everyday. And, last but not least, shoutout to the incredible teachers I’ve had the fortune to meet and learn from throughout my life, teachers that you can tell how much they love what they do and they push you to do the same. I’m aware of all the knowledge they have passed on to me and how they’ve changed my life for the better. To all the people I’ve mentioned, I want you to know that I see you, appreciate you and will be forever grateful to you.
Website: regina-gonzalez.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginaglezc/
Image Credits
Headshots by: Pamela Torres