Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Camelia Iturregui Fuertes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Camelia, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
From a young age, my parents taught me the phrase “Lo que uno da, recibe”— what you give, you receive. Whether it’s kindness, respect, or small acts of generosity, I’ve let that phrase shape my attitude toward life and be the compass of my daily actions. You never know what someone else is going through, and maybe that smile across the subway bench was the hug they’ve needed for weeks.
We are mirrors of what we wish to see in this world, yes. But I also believe we are prisms— continuously refracting light off one another, adding more color and brilliance to the lifetime we share. That unconscious smile you once gave to a stranger is the light— bouncing from soul to soul, until one day, it finds itself back to you when you least expect it. To me, generosity is and has always been a magic in motion.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Camelia (kah-MEH-lee-ah) — like the flower, yes, but with a hint of sofrito.
I’m an actress, writer, and singer from the magical island of Puerto Rico, who took the right turn on Electric Avenue and landed in NYC to pursue my dream of being an artist.
I’m a multilingual Latina that exists within vibrant colors, musicality, and lots of laughter. Fluent in Spanish, English, and French—with a dash of German—I have a keen ear for accents and a magnetic, mischievous presence onstage and on screen. I’ve always been drawn to coming-of-age narratives infused with comedy, adventures, and a little rock n’ roll. I tell stories that center heart, humor, and humanity – because if we’re not laughing, crying, or dancing under a disco ball, what are we even doing here?
I earned my BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, with a Minor in Film Production. I also trained at the Atlantic Acting School, Stonestreet Studios Conservatory (Film/TV), and the NYU Berlin Acting Residency in collaboration with the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts.
After graduating, I was selected among the top 10% of Latine actors from the Casting Society of America’s Mi Gente Global Open Call, and appeared in several Off-Broadway productions: Bianca in Taming of the Shrew (ATA Theater), Regan in King Lear (Frog and Peach Theatre Company), Briana in Tell Your Mom I Miss Her (The Tank), Nedra in Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (Linda Gross Theater).
This past year was one for the books. After having been scouted at a performance, I made my feature film debut (with fabulous 80’s hair) Elaine Del Valle’s Brownsville Bred, which premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, and then played in theaters across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The film is now available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Fandango at Home.
And stay tuned for something exciting… I star as the lead in the upcoming comedy series Routrip—a project dear to my heart that feels like a love letter to young dreamers figuring life out on the road.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. The Artistic Reminder
Do something every day that reminds you, you’re an artist – Whether it’s submitting an audition, writing a poem, or reaching out to an artist you admire, do something that aligns you with your bigger purpose and concretizes your goals. It’s all about keeping the momentum.
2. Reach Out to Your Network
… and if you don’t have one, make one. It’s easy to say you don’t know anyone in the industry, but it takes the same effort to create your own doors and step through them. Sit down and think of all the people you know who could potentially orient you in your craft or business, and send. that. email. ! More likely than not, people are willing to help out and connect you with others.
3. Trust Is Your Superpower
The same way you trust your scene partner, your director, or the people who support you, you have to trust yourself and your worthiness to be at the table. Once you believe that the potential already lies within you, all you need to decide is how much you are committed to expanding that insatiable and limitless flame.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I think a big part of having success as an artist comes down to where you place your focus. As artists, we are constantly being presented with opportunities, and it’s tempting to say yes to everything in the hopes of exposure, networking, or experience. Lately, I’ve been prioritizing the things I truly want to work on and reminding myself that saying “no” is okay. We should have jurisdiction over the art we want to create or partake in. Sometimes, saying no isn’t a missed opportunity, but rather a pivot into the right one.
I’m slowly learning that protecting your focus and aligning with the work that excites me is what sets forth a yellow-brick road of meaningful growth and kaleidoscopic creativity. And with that, I want to start creating my own work, setting pen to paper and ideas to flight. There’s a certain vulnerability that comes with that, but it’s up to me to say “yes” to myself and bring it to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cameliaiturreguifuertes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dafunkcamel/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camelia-iturregui-fuertes-3145071b2
Image Credits
Krystal Pagán, LALIFF, SubUrban Photography, Maria Baranova, @big.dave.photography,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
