Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniela Pelegrin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Daniela, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I realized what my purpose in life was when I saw the impact I have standing on a stage in front of an audience. As children our imagination can take us anywhere; we are doctors, astronauts or even superheroes. We can be anything we want to be, constantly changing the answer to the question of what we want to be when we grow up. This feeling often gets lost as adults, the feeling of unlimited possibility and creativity. I have found myself wanting to restore that feeling and give back what I found a long time ago.
When I was faced with the question of what I wanted to do with my life the answer was simple; I wanted to be an actress. When I was a child, my family would take me to the theater to see shows where I realize that actors CAN be all those things we once, as children, wished we could be. As I sat in the audience, watching a show, a tingling feeling would run through my body that I could only describe as magic. That was the moment I realized; my purpose in life is to try to bring back that tingling feeling, that spark in our eyes, to as many people as possible.
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?
Since childhood, my family has taken me to plays and musicals, and that was where my love for theatre was born. I am a Mexican actress who discovered that my true purpose in life is to be on stage—dancing, singing, and acting.
I started taking dance lessons when I was just three years old because my mother wanted me to have an after-school activity during the week. However, I didn’t always stick to ballet. After four years, I decided to explore other disciplines, including hip-hop, jazz, soccer, swimming, triathlon, tennis, gymnastics, and figure skating. Of all of them, gymnastics and figure skating were the ones I enjoyed the most, and I practiced them for many years. I have always been a curious person, constantly trying new things, but I would always find my way back to the arts.
Singing wasn’t something I loved at first, but I remember the exact moment when that changed. One day, I was casually singing, and my grandfather—who has always been a great inspiration to me—told me that I should take vocal lessons because he believed I had potential. At first, I refused. But my grandparents took the initiative and reached out to my first vocal coach, Maestro Armando Mora. They took me to my very first singing lesson. I remember feeling incredibly nervous and unsure of myself. While a part of me wanted to do it, I doubted my abilities. However, my teacher assured me that with dedication and hard work, I could develop my voice and go far. That was when I made the decision to pursue it seriously.
As I immersed myself in musical theatre and the workshops available in my hometown, I gradually improved. Eventually, I realized it was time to take the next step.
I always knew I wanted to be an actress, but my family wasn’t always supportive. In the beginning, they didn’t believe that performing arts was truly my passion. They constantly asked me, “If not acting, what’s your Plan B?” I never wanted to answer that question because, deep down, I knew that my dream and my purpose were to be on stage. Over time, I proved my dedication, and little by little, I earned my family’s support in pursuing my goal.
Expressing my emotions has always been challenging for me, but I discovered that through art, I could do it effortlessly. I find it fascinating how a single movement can say more than a thousand words, how a musical note can convey the deepest emotions. Theatre and performance have helped me grow as a person and heal wounds that once held me back—wounds that have now shaped me into who I am today. There was a time in my life when things weren’t easy, but my family and best friends stood by me, constantly reminding me that I am strong and capable of achieving my dreams.
Where I come from, opportunities in musical theatre are limited. So, I decided to take action. I moved to the United States to live with my uncle, finish high school, and begin working toward my dream. It was one of the hardest changes I have ever faced—leaving my family and my best friends behind in my senior year, moving to a country where my native language wasn’t spoken, and adapting to an entirely new world. However, despite the challenges, I embraced the experience, learned valuable lessons, and prepared myself for the next step.
After graduating from high school, I moved to New York City, where I currently reside, to study at AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy). Studying at AMDA has been an incredible experience that has truly shaped me as a performer. The rigorous training, surrounded by talented and passionate individuals, has pushed me beyond my limits and helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Every class, whether in acting, singing, or dance, has challenged me to refine my technique, step out of my comfort zone, and become a more well-rounded artist. Being in such an inspiring environment has fueled my passion even more, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from exceptional mentors who have guided me toward becoming the best version of myself, both on and off the stage. It has given meaning to all the sacrifices and hard work I’ve put in over the years. Today, I am actively auditioning and seeking opportunities to fulfill my dream and my purpose.
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?
From my perspective, the three most essential qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge for a performer are discipline, storytelling, and resilience.
This industry is anything but easy, which is why discipline is crucial—it requires full commitment in every possible way. The key to success lies in maintaining a strong work ethic, dedicating time and effort to your craft, and consistently striving for improvement. As a performer, you must stay in top form across all disciplines—dance, singing, and acting. This means committing to continuous training, seeking new learning opportunities, and actively pursuing experiences that foster artistic growth.
Another fundamental aspect is storytelling—the ability to connect with an audience and convey genuine emotion. This is what makes us authentic in our industry, and authenticity is a powerful advantage for any performer.
Finally, resilience is essential. Every performer has faced rejection in auditions, hearing the words, “Thank you for coming, but we don’t have a role for you at this time.” It can be disheartening to hear those words over and over, but we must remember that everything happens in its own time, and giving up is never an option. Resilience is what allows us to endure criticism, overcome rejection, and push through the inevitable challenges of this industry.
Of course, many qualities contribute to an artist’s success, but in my experience, these three stand out as the most essential.
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?
Right now, one of the biggest challenges I face in this industry is securing my first job as a performer.
As an international artist, it becomes even more difficult due to visa restrictions, which only allow me to
work in areas related to my field of study. Despite attending multiple auditions, it can be challenging to be seen as a non-union performer, especially given the high number of Equity members auditioning for the same roles.
The hardest part is staying positive throughout the process. It can be frustrating to hear that you are not what they are looking for, and it’s easy to start questioning what you might be doing wrong. However, the truth is that casting directors often have a specific vision in mind, and sometimes, no matter how talented you are, if you don’t fit that vision, it’s simply not your time. Remembering this and not taking rejection personally can be tough.
What truly matters is staying strong, continuing to show up, and trusting that the right opportunity will come at the right time. Persistence is key giving up is never an option.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danielapelegrin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielapelegrin07/
Image Credits
Mike Petrie Jr
Dasha Horita
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