Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Bahena-Benitez.
Hi Katherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Saludos amores. Mi nombre es Katherine Bahena-Benítez. I am a multidisciplinary artist. My inspiration for the arts came at the young age of twelve. While sitting with Mami in the living room, I came across a film starring Michelle Rodriguez. It was her performance of bravery which inspired me to dream of a life in the arts. I knew then I wanted to have the same impact for people of my background. I’ve since pursued the art of storytelling not only as an actor but as a poet, playwright, dancer, director, filmmaker, model, and stage manager. My expression through the arts in the panoply of these modalities has grown to be expansive, fluid, and bold. And this artistic path has provided me with the gift to share my art nationally and globally. My deep appreciation for and dedication to the arts is in no small part due to the opportunities I’ve been afforded to see the ideas I have cultivated throughout the years come to fruition. What has proven to be most amazing is to have independently and collaboratively crafted these creations while operating as an actor, a writer, a poet, and/or a director both on stage and on film. My deep appreciation and dedication for the arts is what has allowed me to do so. I am now creating art with artists from all over the world, which has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I truly owe it to my family, friends, and community who have always supported me throughout my journey to continue to strive for both excellence and innovation throughout my career. The constancy of their support for and celebration of my craft, along with their boundless outpouring of love has enabled me to dream as big as my imagination will allow.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The path to becoming who I am today has been as beautiful as it has been challenging. At various times throughout the evolution of my life, often due to political factors, I’ve had to endure moments of stillness in order to process life and all the layers that come with being a child of Mexican and Indigenous immigrant farm workers. In addition, being first generation set the stage for living life defying stereotypes ascribed to someone of my background which did come with hardship, especially at various emotionally ladened developmental stages of my life. I remember as a result, feeling no one understood me. Though, that has not stopped me from pursuing my dreams. If anything, I’ve used it as my fuel and driving force to continue dreaming big. I now dare to transcend any negative connotations given to someone of my background. Because I truly believe we can all achieve what we want in life, a message I now share in my artistic practice is: en la vida todo es posible/ in life everything is possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a person who is deeply inspired by my community. So much so that it is my driving force and inspiration in this craft. I thank my parents for setting that example. As there has not been a time where my parents neglected to remind me: ten orgullo de tus raíces mija, que nunca se te olvide, dónde vienes, be proud of your roots mija, never forget where you come from. And for that, I thank them. I’d also like to share with all readers, if I can summarize the theme of my artistic journey, it would be: my craft is driven by us… for us… del corazón, from the heart.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Throughout the years, I’ve had the gift to reside in different cities. Every single city has been memorable in its own unique way. While living in cities in Massachusetts and Connecticut, I found inspiration in the natural beauty unique to the Eastern Seaboard. Now that I live in both New York City and a town in Northern California, I can appreciate the contrast each place contributes to my creative process. In New York, I admire, respect, and care for the communities which have been there for generations. I love how my adopted community in NYC continues to reveal multiethnic hidden gems of local spots I so enjoy visiting! I’ve especially grown to love the art community here. Since I am originally from California, I’ve long appreciated the diversity found in Northern, Southern, and Central Valley California cities, so my home state does hold a special place in my heart. Every time I return, I go straight to my favorite local Mexican restaurants. The food, the people, the music, and the culture provides a sweet memory of the times I’ve spent with family in Mexico. As much as I treasure living and working in so many cities, I admit I often find it to be bittersweet as I am often not in close proximity to my family – specifically my parents. Since the nature of my career currently requires me to work and travel so frequently, I look forward to the day when it is feasible for them to travel, see the world, and accompany me on my adventures; I imagine this is probably a wish every child of immigrant parents has: to provide for their parents everything on par with the sacrifices their parents made in order to give them the best opportunities they could. I believe that one day I will be able to give my parents the life they always dreamt of. I have faith that this and all of my goals will come to pass.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Katherinebenitez
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_imjstlivin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.benitez.167527
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-bahena-benitez-1b9a7a263/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@katherinebenitez9850?si=xnxmks5dz-KKcV2y
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@benitezkay
Image Credits
Headshot (first image for cover of article: Tiffany Galicia, Photographer Credits for Images in order: IMAGE #1- Nora Enamor, Photographer IMAGE #2- Lauren Bravo, Creative Director and Photographer IMAGE #3- Nora Enamor, Photographer IMAGE #4- Nora Enamor, Photographer IMAGE #5- Brittany Bravo, Photographer IMAGE #6- @Photobyayala IMAGE #7- Lauren Bravo, Creative Director and Photographer IMAGE #8- Brittany Bravo, Photographer
