Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Hernandez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I came to the U.S. when I was three years old and was raised south of the city. I come from extremely hard working parents, so that’s definitely been passed down. I first started acting in middle school. I was in drama class and it actually helped a lot because I use to be extremely timid. My mom would take us on auditions here and there. I didn’t know much about the industry back then as I do now, so I kind of left it behind going into high school. I did a play for a church once and I believe that’s when the calling was coming back around slowly.
After I graduated high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and I realized I didn’t want to go to college. Not only because I had come from an immigrant background, but also I didn’t feel in my gut and soul that I needed to go and it wasn’t going to stop me or discourage me. Thank God, DACA eventually became effective, and so that helped me start working. I will never forget that moment. I worked for a doctor for almost two years, then I realized being in the medical field wasn’t feeling fulfilling long term. I started working for this skincare network marketing company for a while. It’s so crazy to think back because their welcome package came with a book that truly started to change my thought system. I remember that’s when I fell in love with reading. One day, my mom told me to audition for this studio in LA and I thought it was so random and crazy, but I did it anyway. Mostly, for fun, cause I sure didn’t know what I was getting into. I sent it and didn’t think much of it, but then, I heard back.
To make a long story short, I was convinced by my mom and family to pursue this crazy acting course in Los Angeles. I was 19 and I thought it was a perfect time because I wasn’t in school and I wasn’t in a job I was in love with. I ended up moving to California with $600 bucks and without knowing anyone that summer of 2014. The idea was to just stay for three months, that’s how long the acting course was, but that’s not what happened. I ended up staying, jobless for five months. Those two years were some of the best times of my life filled with so many ups and so many downs. Telling you my experience in LA is a whole other story, but I can say I did learn some of the biggest lessons and experienced things I need to go through to grow. I eventually moved back to Atlanta to be with my family, due to some unfortunate circumstances, apart from me missing them and feeling lost.
This time around, I was battling depression and when I started to get anxiety. I was jobless yet again for another 5/6 months, this time around was because the renewal of a work permit can take quite a while. You can only imagine how devastated and down I was. Yet, I still kept pushing forward day by day. Eventually, I started picking up gigs that a great friend had told me about, doing various types of events in the marketing world. I realized I could make good money while still focusing on acting, and I really didn’t want to go back to a 9 to 5. I took the leap of faith and continued to do just that. I started working so much, then I realized I could travel, and so now it was a whole lot of work, mostly because I went so long without working, but it got to the point where I wasn’t working on me anymore and I was going around with unhealed trauma from things I had not dealt with. 2017 was an overwhelming year for me, but again it was what I was meant to go through. I was having suicidal thoughts, I was isolating myself, I pushed important people away unintentionally, so it was like I was spiraling down. That’s when I realized I needed help and decided to do therapy again. I am a huge believer in talking and speaking up when you need help and not bottling it all up, so that tremendously saved my life. Toward the fall of that year, I started getting back into class and feeling more like myself, I started reading more again and writing. Those things I will never take for granted: therapy and acting class in the same time frame, because to me it is intricately connected.
Being in this industry, you have to get used to being rejected even if it hurts sometimes, but you have to truly, deeply believe that this is for you. Not just a hobby for a couple of years, but a grind, a career for life. Acting to me is more than just being on screen and what seems like a glamorous life. I have fallen in love with storytelling because you get to connect with the world by sharing powerful, life-changing stories worth telling and being vulnerable sharing what it means to be human. I’ve had a lot of opportunities come my way and because everything in life is a choice, each one has led me to where I am now. I’m still learning how to balance work, acting, and my personal life. I still have bad days, but every moment is exactly where I’m supposed to be. Practicing gratitude and self-care is crucial in this day in age and I make time for it. I want to end with saying that a strong support system, a close group of friends you trust, and people who push you to be the best you can is one of the greatest things to have.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. Rejection after rejection, doubting yourself, being surrounded by toxic people, ignoring your mental, physical, and emotional health. Failing forward is something we should start embracing more because that is how we keep learning. Please reach out to people and ask for help in whatever field you are in. Study those who have been in the biz for years and who are successful. Don’t fall for scams or con artists. Ask questions!! Don’t be afraid to go to things/events/network on your own. Be yourself.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an actor and brand specialist. I get to play, to film, to write, travel, and work with many brands, and various events. I am focused on being in class and constantly evolving as an actor, being represented by a reputable agency, and finishing up my first short film. I am proud of sticking to this industry, and I don’t see myself doing anything else out of this artistic realm.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Yes! Having a mentor has definitely helped. Getting to hear what can help you advance in your career and what you can do and avoid in five years vs. ten years. I believe it’s important to learn from people who have already been through similar experiences and are there to give you a helping hand.
Contact Info:
- Email: lizhernandez127@gmail.com
- Instagram: lizherrnandezz
- Facebook: elizabethhernandezacosta
Image Credit:
Kalonji A, GA Swarm, Varanasi short film, Brian Jones photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
