Madison Santos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Madison, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Before I began my career, I held many of the same misconceptions as most people. I saw the entertainment industry as an untouchable, glamorous world reserved for a select few. The truth is, the glamour is mostly for show, and the industry is far from being out of reach. A common misconception is that success only means becoming an A-list actor or director. In reality, there are countless ways to build a successful, sustainable career that supports your life without achieving celebrity status. Many working actors, from supporting roles to background performers, have built fulfilling careers. The industry also requires a vast array of professionals beyond those in front of the camera. Every imaginable occupation—from janitors and cooks to prop makers, engineers, lawyers, and teachers—is needed on set. No matter your background or skill set, there is likely a role for you. My advice for anyone looking to find a way to get your foot in the industry, even if it’s not what you want to do. Once you’re in make connections and explore different roles to find what you love most. I tried many jobs before I found my niche in producing, acting, and modeling.
Also, the glamorous facade of red carpets, designer clothes, and full-glam hair and makeup is a tiny fraction of the job. Most of the real work is unseen and often unpaid, especially at the start. This includes countless auditions, acting classes, and small jobs where you are your own stylist. Even for bigger projects, the core of the work remains the same: training, preparation, and being on set. The red carpets and press tours are in reality, stressful. Even major stars endure long hours of hair and makeup, wearing uncomfortable clothes you can’t breathe in, and waiting in long lines to walk these red carpet events. The entertainment industry is designed to entertain and create an illusion of effortlessness. But the reality is that it all takes immense hard work from a dedicated team. There are countless paths to success, and it’s a world built by a diverse group of talented people, not just the celebrities you see on screen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a film producer, actor, and international model. My production company, Madison Santos Productions (MSP), specializes in film, TV, music video, and commercial production. As a majority women-run company, MSP represents the next generation of filmmakers. Our strength lies in our diverse perspectives, drawing from a vast network of talent and crew from various backgrounds. This allows us to develop projects that are not only unique but also representative of a wide array of human experiences. Our mission is to connect with global audiences by telling stories that give a voice to the unheard.
Currently, MSP is developing a diverse slate of feature films:
* “Song of the Sword”: An action-adventure film set in Bali, showcasing the Balinese people, their history, culture, and the challenges they face with over-tourism and land-grabbing. Scheduled to shoot in the third quarter of 2026.
* An action-adventure film set in Jamaica, highlighting the country’s natural beauty and its people, with a target shoot date in late 2025 or early 2026.
* “The New Monsters on the Block”: A 90s-era horror-comedy featuring a primarily Latino cast, designed as a family-friendly film for all generations.
* “Atom”: A psychological thriller that is my most exciting project. It primarily takes place in my home country, the Philippines, while also showcasing locations in Colombia and Thailand.
Our next slate of projects includes new venture like animated TV shows, feature films, and a Hallmark movie.
On the acting front, I’m thrilled to be cast in the lead or supporting roles for several of MSP’s projects. I’m also playing the role of Briah Young in the TV show “The Island of Misfitz”, created by the talented Da’Ante Bowman. After an exciting Nike x Footlocker modeling campaign in the Philippines, I’m eager to get back to modeling in the US, Southeast Asia, and hopefully Europe soon.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me most clearly, even before I could see myself, was my grandmother, Nieva Santos. I am profoundly grateful for both of my grandmothers, who provided me with unconditional love and support, allowing me the freedom to discover and embrace my true self.
Growing up in a traditional Asian family, this kind of acceptance was not the norm. I often felt immense pressure to be someone I wasn’t, to conform to expectations, to avoid becoming a family disappointment. I was frequently told I was “too much,” “not enough,” “too skinny,” “too selfish,” and “not Filipino enough” to be worthy of love. My grandmother was my quiet refuge and my greatest ally when I was around my Filipino family. She offered a much-needed safe space during a time when others tried to box me into labels that were untrue. Her passing in late 2024 was hard for me, as it felt like the one person who truly knew me on my mother’s side of the family was gone. Yet, through reflection, I’ve come to realize that her love and support gave me the resilience and self-awareness to thrive, even when faced with family members who tried to define me differently. I am grateful for the strength she helped me build to be confident in who I am today, and for my grandmother on my father’s side of the family, Lorna McKnight, who is still here, cheering me on from the sidelines and helping me remember who I am when things get hard.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I spent my whole life hiding my pain. Growing up, I was taught to be strong, believing my problems would be a burden to others. I also desperately wanted to fit in, which led me to focus on superficial topics like makeup, fashion, or dating to connect with people. I will never forget the day that someone called me out for being fake, and it really affected me. I thought I was trying to connect and relate with people, that I was being genuine in my want to make others feel safe and understood, because that’s what I always wanted. It took me a while to figure out that people could feel the inauthenticity in me pretending to be okay, pretending to care about things I didn’t actually care about, not allowing them to ever see the real me or what I have been through.
After hitting a low point, I traveled to Colombia and had a vision for a movie based on my spiritual journey. For the next year, I meticulously documented my experiences to turn them into a script. This creative process forced me to confront a fundamental choice: to either remain guarded or expose my deepest truths. To tell my story, I had to let go of my old way of thinking and embrace vulnerability. I learned to own my truth and turn it into my power. This journey of self-discovery and storytelling has freed me from lifelong fears and limiting beliefs. I now share my story with pride, recognizing that my experiences are what have shaped me into the person I am today — with a fulfilling career, a loving relationship, and an incredible support system.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I am most committed to, regardless of how long it takes, is a script I’m currently developing called “Atom.” This has quickly become my passion project. Like stated in the previous question, the concept for “Atom” came to me in late 2022 while I was traveling in Colombia. I had an overwhelming feeling that my own spiritual journey was meant to be documented and shared with the world.
I dont really know how to explain it, but something inside of me told me this is what I need to write and produce. It felt like whatever journey I was about to go on was meant to be seen. I couldn’t ignore that call, and shortly after, I sold all my belongings and moved to the Philippines at the beginning of 2023. For a year, I meticulously documented a profound journey of healing from childhood traumas. As I shared my own experiences, I realized I was not alone. With so many people going through similar struggles, it felt like a collective awakening was happening, and that this story is bigger than just me. I spent all of 2024 turning my detailed documentation into a treatment, and I’m now working with co-writers in 2025 to finalize the script.
Some projects can be written, developed, and shot in a few months, while others can take years, even decades. But this process has taught me that the longest journeys are often the most rewarding. As a creative, the best thing you can do is stop focusing on what everyone else wants and simply create what you want to see. Chances are, there’s an audience out there waiting for that exact story.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What false labels are you still carrying?
I am immensely proud of the personal and spiritual growth I’ve experienced. My journey has been one of deep healing, and I’ve been able to let go of so much that once held me back. However, I’ve come to realize that healing isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous process. Life is full of ups and downs, and with them come new challenges and old mindsets that resurface. The most persistent one for me is imposter syndrome.
This feeling is a constant battle. It’s the voice that whispers, “You can’t do it. You’re a fraud, and everyone is going to find out that you have no idea what you’re doing.” It’s an internal struggle where your external reality and your internal beliefs are in direct conflict. Even though my career is literally defined by my work as an actor, a model, and a producer, a part of me still struggles to truly own those titles. I may be getting paid for my work, but internally, I still don’t always feel like a “real” professional.
I believe this stems from a lifelong habit of defining my worth through external validation rather than internal conviction. This self-doubt is fueled by a profound fear of not being good enough, a fear that has been a part of my identity for as long as I can remember. The biggest critic I will ever face is myself, and a crucial part of my continued growth is learning to be kinder, more gracious, and more patient with that inner voice. I’ve had to make a conscious effort to stop focusing on the big, daunting milestones and instead celebrate every small win, no matter how insignificant it might seem to the outside world. Each step, whether it’s a successful pitch, a productive day on set, or a moment of genuine self-compassion, is part of my journey toward both professional and personal fulfillment. It’s a daily practice of choosing to believe in myself, even when the old fears try to creep back in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madisonsantosproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonsantosofficial
- Linkedin: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm12227392/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Image Credits
Dustin Newhouse
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