We were lucky to catch up with Natalie Gimon Valencia recently and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I definitely get my work ethic from my mom. While my dad always encouraged me to dream big and believe in myself, my mom taught me what it means to actually roll up my sleeves and put in the work to turn those dreams into reality. She’s my personal superhero.
From as early as I can remember, my mom has always been there—driving me to dance practices, attending every competition, helping me with hair and makeup, and everything in between. No matter how busy her own schedule was, she always found a way to show up for me, even if it meant sacrificing her own time. But she didn’t stop there. She somehow managed to balance her career, ensure our home ran smoothly, and have family dinner ready by 7pm…just in time for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
I’m constantly amazed by how she does it all and makes it look so effortless. Her dedication, selflessness, and unwavering support have shaped who I am today. She taught me that no matter how hard life gets, it’s important to keep showing up—whether it is for yourself or for the people you love. She is my rock and the one I turn to when I need advice, encouragement, or even just a shoulder to lean on. A kind, hardworking and selfless person; I can only hope to become half the woman she is one day.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Natalie Gimon Valencia, and I’m a first-generation Colombian-Venezuelan artist born and raised in Toronto, Canada. My journey into the performing arts began at 13 when a trip to New York City and seeing Young Frankenstein on Broadway ignited my love for dance. This experience led me to audition for the arts program at Iona Catholic Secondary School, where I focused on dance. I later expanded my interests to community theatre, discovering a passion for acting and singing along the way.
After high school, I followed a childhood dream of becoming a cheerleader and joined the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. This experience not only taught me discipline and teamwork but also gave me a sense of pride in representing something larger than myself. I also pursued dance training under renowned choreographers through The Scholarship Dance Program, which opened doors for me as a backup dancer for artists like Bingo Players and Hedley.
However, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. At 22, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a life-altering illness that left me bedridden and struggling with my health. But despite the physical and emotional toll, I fought back. That experience taught me the power of resilience and gave me a second chance at life—one that I was determined to make count. I grew a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue pursuing my dreams, no matter the obstacles.
When the pandemic hit, I decided to pivot my career and focus on acting, enrolling at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles. During my time there, I became deeply interested in producing after assisting with various events at the institute. My strong organizational skills, developed through my years as a brand ambassador, allowed me to excel in producing film and theatre. This led to my first project as a producer and actress on the same project, The Guest, directed by Kaushik Vignesh, which solidified my passion for working both behind and in front of the camera.
Today, I balance my work as an actress and producer with my role as a mentor. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of Dance 4 Wellness, a company offering after-school musical theatre programs for students in vulnerable communities. It has been a fulfilling opportunity to help nurture the next generation of artists while continuing to pursue my own career. I also have two films in the festival circuit—Tomorrow, directed by Jackson Schlekewey, and Comet Orphan, directed by Hyejin “Grace” Park.
What sets me apart is my resilience and unwavering determination to push forward, no matter the odds. I’ve faced overwhelming challenges—physical pain, financial hardship, and the isolation of living alone in a foreign country—but I never gave up. I didn’t just survive; I thrived, turning adversity into fuel for my creativity and passion. I am not just an actor or a producer; I’m a fighter and a survivor, proving that when you refuse to quit, you can achieve greatness. I’m most proud of the strength I’ve found within myself to overcome these challenges.
What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about me is that I’m dedicated to making an impact—not just through my craft but through the way I live my life. I approach everything I do with passion, integrity, and a belief in the power of perseverance. My work is a reflection of my personal journey, and I hope that my story inspires others to always keep pushing forward.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, I would say that the three most impactful qualities that have shaped me as a producer and an actor are perseverance, creativity, and my artistic skill set.
First and foremost, perseverance has been essential. There have been many moments in my career where I faced challenges that made me question whether I wanted to keep pushing forward. But it was in those moments of adversity that I found the strongest clarity about why I chose this path in the first place. I truly believe that embracing the struggles and pushing through them is what solidifies your passion and commitment to your craft. My advice to anyone facing doubt or setbacks is to keep your eye on the end goal and always ask yourself: Why did you start this journey in the first place? Reconnecting with your “why” can provide you with the strength and determination to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
The second quality that has been incredibly impactful is creativity. Creativity is what drives me to think outside the box, both on set and behind the scenes. As a producer and actor, there are always challenges that require unconventional solutions. I’ve learned that when you approach problems from a creative perspective, you can find innovative solutions to get things done. For example, while producing a short film that featured a rocket ship, we ran into a major obstacle just one week before we were set to start shooting. Both of our production designers had to unexpectedly leave the project, and the rocket ship—which was a critical element of the film—still hadn’t been designed or built. With limited budget and even less time, I knew we had to come up with a solution quickly. I took it upon myself to brainstorm and started sketching out ideas for how we could bring this rocket to life with everyday objects. Instead of relying on a traditional design, I thought about what we already had access to, and how we could repurpose common items. Slowly but surely, the ideas started to flow and with a bit of ingenuity and some duct tape, we pieced together a surprisingly effective—and very creative—rocket ship. I would encourage anyone in a creative field to never let limitations hold them back. When you allow your imagination to roam free and refuse to be boxed in, that’s when you can create something truly unique and meaningful.
Lastly, my experience in other artistic disciplines, namely dance, song, and a deep understanding of physicality, has been invaluable in shaping the way I approach my work. Dance, for example, taught me how to use the body as a tool for storytelling, which enhances my performances as an actor. Similarly, my background in music and singing has provided me with a greater appreciation for how sound and rhythm can influence the atmosphere of a scene. These skills have enriched my creative process and molded me into a better collaborator. My advice to anyone in the arts, especially those just starting out, is to never limit yourself to one form of creativity. Experiment with other mediums and skills—what you learn from them may surprise you, enhancing your primary craft in ways you never expected.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
The past year has been a profound period of growth for me, both personally and professionally. If I had to pinpoint the biggest area of improvement, it would be in my emotional maturity. I’ve learned how to pause and breathe before reacting—something that hasn’t always come naturally to me. In the past, I might have acted impulsively or let my emotions drive my decisions, but now I have the ability to step back, observe, and respond thoughtfully.
This shift has gifted me with a new sense of freedom. I’ve come to understand that sometimes, the best course of action is simply to let go—to trust that what is meant for me will come, and what isn’t will naturally fade away. Accepting this has brought me a deep sense of peace. It’s allowed me to release the need to control every outcome and instead embrace life as it unfolds.
As a result, I feel healthier, more creative, and more at peace with who I am than I ever have before. I’ve been able to forgive more easily, both others and myself, and find comfort in allowing things fall into place as they may. It’s a liberating feeling, and I truly believe that all of this has been possible because I’ve grown into a stronger, more grounded woman—one with her feet firmly planted and her heart full of gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nataliegimonvalencia
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm13928249?s=a2c8db43-4c01-3d08-e19a-43b1bab4522d&site_preference=normal
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