Meet Daniela Ichiyanagui

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniela Ichiyanagui a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daniela, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

For me, purpose wasn’t something I arrived at all at once — it was something that revealed itself through experience, discomfort, and the quiet pull toward something deeper.

I’ve always been drawn to stories — not just the ones we watch, but the ones we carry inside us. Growing up with a multicultural background — Peruvian, Spanish, and Japanese — I never quite fit neatly into a single box. And for a long time, I didn’t know where I belonged. But acting gave me a space to explore that in-between place — to turn questions into characters, and displacement into connection.

I found my purpose in the moments when storytelling helped me feel seen — and then, in the moments when something I created made someone else feel seen too. That was when it clicked: this work isn’t about being in the spotlight — it’s about shining a light. On emotion. On nuance. On truth. That’s where my voice lives.

Moving to New York alone, training intensely, working across cultures and mediums — every choice I’ve made has been in service of that deeper mission. To tell stories with sensitivity, beauty, and intention. To build bridges between people who may never meet, but who share something human and invisible.

That’s my purpose. To keep showing up for the craft with honesty, and to use my work to remind people that they are not alone.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m an actress and creative based in New York, working at the intersection of film, fashion, and storytelling. I’m drawn to projects that explore identity, transformation, and human vulnerability — the moments that connect us beneath the surface.

What excites me most is using my work to offer emotional truth — to create performances that resonate quietly but stay with people. I recently appeared in a Tiffany & Co. campaign submitted to the Cannes Lions Festival, as well as in the Open Door commercial, which was also submitted for Cannes. I’ve performed Off-Broadway in the sold-out production of A Sketch of New York, modeled for the Museum of Ice Cream, and acted in several short films that have been submitted to international film festivals — each one a chance to explore nuanced, character-driven storytelling on screen.

As an artist with Peruvian, Spanish, and Japanese roots, I aim to bring a pluricultural lens into every collaboration. My goal is to tell stories that feel specific and universal at once — to create work that reflects real emotion while expanding what representation can look like onscreen.

Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding my impact through new partnerships, select international campaigns, and original work that continues to push both artistic and cultural boundaries. I believe storytelling can shift how people feel, think, and see — and that’s the space I’m building in.

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?

Resilience allowed me to keep showing up — especially when things were uncertain or slow. In a creative career, there are more “in-between” seasons than most people realize, and the ability to stay rooted in your vision even when there’s no external validation is everything.

Sensitivity is what connects me to the work. It’s what makes performances feel honest, and what helps me see people — both on screen and in real life — with depth. At first, I thought it made me too soft for this industry. Now I know it’s one of my greatest strengths.

And curiosity is what keeps me growing. It’s what pushed me to train across disciplines, to explore different cultures, to ask questions of every character I meet, and of myself. Staying curious keeps the work alive.

My advice to anyone starting out would be: protect your sensitivity, trust the long road, and let curiosity guide you when certainty disappears. That’s often where your voice is hiding.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to trust my voice — not just as an actress, but as a creative force in my own right.

For a long time, I waited for external validation — for someone else to tell me I was ready, talented enough, or allowed to take up space. But this past year shifted something. I stopped waiting. I began stepping into opportunities with more confidence, making bolder choices in my work, and honoring the kind of stories I truly want to tell.

I’ve grown not just in skill, but in presence — learning to lead with intention, to navigate uncertainty with more calm, and to see myself as someone building a lasting body of work, not just chasing the next role.

This year taught me that growth doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it’s quiet and internal. But those are the shifts that change everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danielaichiyanagui.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaichiyanagui
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-ichiyanagui
• Other: TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielaichiyanagui

Image Credits

Headshot by Thomas Brunot