Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Padilla.
Hi Juliana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in Mexico, where I first discovered the joy of performing and the power of storytelling. One of my earliest memories is a kindergarten talent show, where my best friend and I performed ‘Two Voices, One Song’ from Barbie & the Diamond Castle. I remember being so passionate about putting it all together—my mother, a fashion designer, even created our costumes. When the day finally came and I stepped onto that stage, I had the time of my life.
I went on to perform in the yearly talent show until I graduated from that school, and continued performing as a hobby throughout my formative years. Over time, that hobby grew into a true calling—carrying all the passion needed to become a life choice and a commitment. At 17, I took my first steps into the professional world, performing in productions that challenged me and confirmed that this wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I was meant to pursue. From the beginning, the arts were never just an interest; they were a way of expressing and understanding myself and the world around me. I felt compelled and responsible of telling the stories I thought were important to echo.
Pursuing this path has meant sacrifices: Long rehearsals, missed family gatherings, and later, the challenge of immigrating to the U.S. in search of greater opportunities. Moving countries pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me resilience, while also opening doors I never imagined. In New York City, I’ve begun finding my footing not only as a performer but as a multi-hyphenate creative. I’ve been woven into the vibrant cabaret scene, co-founded a Latin representation production company with a friend, ventured into film and directing, and expanded my artistry through modeling. I’ve even had the privilege of working at New York Fashion Week as a creative, which allowed me to merge my performance background with the world of fashion.
Today, I no longer see myself solely as a performer, but as a multi-dimensional artist dedicated to telling stories across mediums. My focus is on creating work that resonates, amplifies underrepresented voices, and honors the journey that brought me here. For me, this is more than a career—it’s a way of life, and every new chapter feels like both the culmination of past effort and the exciting beginning of what’s to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I also have to say I’ve been incredibly supported along the way. That’s why I consider myself blessed and privileged. I’ve always had people rooting for me, even in the hardest moments. The people close to me have chosen to believe in my dreams even more than I do myself at times, and have supported every twist and turn I have chosen no matter what.
When I first moved to New York, I was only 17. I was the youngest in my graduating conservatory class, and navigating the city as an immigrant at that age was overwhelming. The pace and the weight of trying to build a life in such a competitive environment so young caught up with me. Eventually, after much thought on what was the best way forward considering immigration opportunities and my education, I made the decision to go back to Mexico. At the time, it felt like the right choice, and in hindsight, I believe it was. I needed to breathe, to be closer to home, to heal, to mature, to try on another version of myself and another set of dreams. I invested my time in Mexico to fully go after what that alternate path looked like, and to be honest, it was a path I liked. I booked a project the first month back there that kept me performing every week through my entire time there. I was training more than ever and making valuable connections both personally and professionally. I kept trying, and succeeding, to convince myself that that was the future I wanted.
But something never fully clicked. I made a trip to NYC to direct a show I had previously committed to before moving back home, and the moment I stepped foot here I realized I had, in some way, given up on my lifelong dream too early. I wasn’t being fully honest with myself about the kind of artist I wanted to become, and that artist felt, and still feels, aligned with New York. The city challenges me, inspires me, and pushes me to grow in ways no other place has.
Coming back wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to be truthful to myself. It taught me that detours aren’t failures, they’re part of the process of finding clarity. And sometimes, the most important thing you can do is admit when you’ve stepped off your path, take what you’ve learned, and have the courage to return to where you truly belong.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I’m most proud of is the ability to take ownership of my career and create my own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come. I From directing productions to developing my own shows and collaborating across different artistic fields, I’ve cultivated a path that reflects my values, my heritage, and my vision for inclusive storytelling.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see myself solely as a performer. I approach every project as a holistic artist. I combine performance, production, and creative direction in ways that allow me to tell richer, more layered stories. I care deeply about the work I create and the impact it has on both audiences and collaborators, and I’m committed to pushing boundaries while staying authentic to who I am as an artist.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love collaborating with other artists, creatives, and organizations who share a passion for storytelling and meaningful work. I’ll say, as of late, I have found a particular calling and interest to bring Latinx voices foreword and truthfully represented. Whether it’s performing, directing, producing, or developing new projects, I’m always open to partnerships that challenge and inspire me. People can work with me by reaching out directly to discuss creative collaborations, casting opportunities, or production partnerships.
For those who want to support my work, following my projects, attending performances, sharing them with your networks, or commissioning new work are all wonderful ways to help bring these stories to life. I am not the most social media heavy person, but on this day and age and with this career I do my best to be! You can follow updates mainly on my instagram. I’m deeply grateful for any support, and I strive to create experiences that resonate, uplift, and leave a lasting impact on both collaborators and audiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.julianapadilla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliannaaapadilla/?hl=en
Image Credits
Christopher Chanfreau
FotoMau
Sofia Sonntag
