We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gilda Mercado. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Gilda, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of acting, something that has been bringing me a lot of joy lately is drawing and painting. It started as a way to clear my mind and distract myself, but it’s also become a meditative practice where time seems to stop. I especially love creating portraits of people I know or things I feel connected to, it’s my way of capturing someone’s soul or essence through my perception and lens, often combining realism with a touch of fantastical elements.
What I value most about it is how it teaches me to trust the process. Every time I begin a portrait, I doubt myself and think I won’t be able to create something of substance or beauty. Even in the middle of it, I feel fear, but I also experience a state of flow. By the time I finish, I’m always surprised by what I was able to create, as long as I had the patience to see it through. This also helps me with my acting, because it’s the same process, sometimes I feel lost, like I won’t be able to find the character or the truth of the scene, but if I throw myself in and trust the work, something genuine always emerges.
With painting and drawing, I can be both critical and appreciative: I can step back, notice what works, and also celebrate the things I did well. In acting, however, I tend to be overly critical. It’s harder for me to acknowledge when something is flowing or truthful, because I’m so focused on what feels wrong or what I should fix. And since acting is deeply personal; my body, my voice, my essence, it’s easy to lose perspective. That’s why drawing and painting feel liberating: they give me a way to create, see the work outside of myself, and appreciate both the flaws and the beauty in what I’ve made.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Gilda Mercado, and I’m a Mexican actress and theater maker. I see myself as a child of the theater, an international performer whose work has taken me to stages in New York City, London, Glasgow, and Mexico City. At the same time, I’ve also been building my career in film, which excites me because it allows me to explore intimacy and truth on screen in a different way.
What defines me as an artist is my passion for understanding humanity in all its sides, the beauty, the darkness, the light, and telling stories that reveal depth, vulnerability, and truthfulness. Right now, I’m working on projects that let me expand across both international stages and screens, building a body of work that continues to challenge and inspire me.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think I’ve always been authentically myself, but when I was younger, the environment I grew up in and society’s norms made me feel that certain traits of mine were “wrong” or not enough. I was quiet, introverted, often described as tender, and I learned early on that those qualities were seen as weaknesses, especially for someone who dreamed of becoming an actor. People expected me to be louder, stronger, more talkative.
At the same time, I always loved the arts and theater, yet I came from a world where no one I knew was an actor. My family and friends all had traditional jobs, doctors, lawyers, architects, entrepreneurs, so my dream felt unusual and hard to imagine as real.
What I’ve come to realize is that being myself is more than enough. There are many ways of being strong and being seen, and I don’t have to fit into someone else’s definition of what that looks like. Success, to me, comes from staying authentic, not from reshaping myself to meet expectations.
And that discovery is ongoing. I’m still learning who I am, exploring the parts of myself I once held back, and letting go of what no longer helps me grow. It’s a continuous journey, but one that makes me feel more rooted in who I am, both as a person and as an artist.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been the fear of not being good enough and not being chosen. From a young age, I internalized the idea that I had to be perfect in order to be valued. For a long time, my sense of worth depended on how others reacted to me or to my work.
Over time, I’ve learned to shift that perspective. I now remind myself that not being chosen for a role does not mean I lack value, it’s often about timing, fit, or someone else’s vision, not my worth as a person or an artist. I’ve come to see rejection as subjective rather than as a reflection of my abilities.
What has helped me heal is putting myself out there again and again, submitting auditions, performing, and creating even when fear is present. Each time I face that fear, it loses some of its power. I’ve also learned to see mistakes not as proof of inadequacy, but as opportunities for growth and expansion.
Healing, for me, is an ongoing process. I still confront that fear, but now with more awareness and compassion for myself. My focus has shifted from being “perfect enough to be chosen” to trusting that my value is inherent, and that every step, success or setback, helps me grow into the artist and person I want to be.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to creating a career and a life faithful to who I am, even if it means taking the longer, more challenging path rather than the easy one. What inspires me are the trees I admire most: those that are tall, strong, and deeply rooted; they didn’t grow overnight, it took years for them to stand with such presence and grace. In the same way, I know that the career and impact I want to create may take longer to build, but the depth, quality, and truth I aim for are worth that time.
For me, this commitment shows up both in my work and in everyday life: whether it’s striving to create art that makes others feel seen, or simply offering kindness and generosity in small daily interactions, I believe that, just like those trees, if I stay rooted in my values and continue to grow steadily, I will create something lasting and meaningful.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
What I would regret most is not doing everything in my hands to create the life I want to live. That means putting myself out there fully, building the things I want to build, and giving my best effort to bring my dreams to life. Even if rejection comes, at least I know I tried, and if something doesn’t develop, it will be because it wasn’t meant for me, not because I held myself back. This commitment translates into every part of my life: my career, my relationships with friends, family, and loved ones, and also in the experiences I choose for myself, like traveling or doing things that scare me. Sometimes starting is the hardest part, but once I begin, I don’t give up; my greatest fear would be not giving things a real chance or failing to do everything within my reach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gildamercado.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gildamarianamer/
Image Credits
Headshot by Jeff Mosier
“Macbeth” (Live Performance Photos) by Will O’Hare.
Portrait by Esteban Calderon
Still from Short film “Elevados”
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