Meet Jackie Quinones

We were lucky to catch up with Jackie Quinones recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jackie, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence and self-esteem are definitely ongoing journeys for me. I’m not always feeling 100%, and like everyone, I have my insecurities and flaws. But I’ve found that building confidence starts with being honest with myself about where I am, even when it’s uncomfortable. That naturally carries over into how I show up with and for others. When I lean in authentically like that, things begin to align. Not through force, but with a sense of ease. Pursuing my goals feels more effortless and manageable when I’m coming from a place of truth. Being transparent, even when it’s messy, removes a lot of pressure. I’m not wasting energy trying to maintain a version of myself that others expect, or second-guessing what I actually want. I think a lot of struggles with confidence stem from worrying about how others perceive you, but when I focus on being genuine and unapologetically me, that worry fades.

My commitment to truth really took shape during my time as a USGF Junior Olympic gymnast. Gymnastics is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports. It requires you to be fully present and honest with yourself about what your body can handle. This kind of alignment between mind and body is essential. It requires deep self-awareness and the discipline to know your limits while still pushing yourself to improve. If you’re not in tune with yourself, you risk serious injury. Learning to check in with myself and respect what was real rather than what I wished were true, taught me discipline, focus, and the value of preparation. It also showed me how important it is to push myself in a way that honors both my goals and my well-being. And even though gymnastics can feel like a solitary sport, it’s quite the opposite. It taught me the importance of trust and teamwork, qualities that also thrive in environments where honesty is present. These are all lessons that translate directly to filmmaking and confidence. Whether you’re on set or in the gym, you’re part of a unit. Everyone has a role. Being honest, dependable, and supportive of the people around you is what makes the whole thing work. And when you’re surrounded by the right team, people who see you, challenge you, and have your back, it makes it a whole lot easier to believe in yourself.

That sense of support is something I’ve also been lucky to experience at home. My family has absolutely been my rock. I was raised with the belief that hard work beats talent every time, and that values like honesty, loyalty, and perseverance build true character. Their support and those lessons keep me grounded and remind me to always bring my best self forward. Even though my confidence can waver from time to time, as all of ours does, my family and these experiences help me stay true to who I am and face those moments with resilience.

And when doubt creeps in? Lean in. Embrace the fear. Do it scared.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I began my creative career as a hip hop artist, which eventually opened the door to acting and storytelling in new ways – including writing, directing and producing. I was fortunate to appear in the 2x Independent Spirit Award-nominated “Anne B. Real” in my first acting role. Soon after I starred opposite Wesley Snipes in my second film, which turned out to be an incredible learning experience. Over time, I transitioned from talent management into production, marketing and development roles, consulting on films such as “Molly’s Game”, “Bad Moms”, “The Happytime Murders”, and “The Gift”. This diverse background has given me both a unique springboard as a filmmaker, and a bird’s eye perspective on storytelling and the many ways stories can be crafted and shared.

That range of experience ultimately helped shape the kind of stories I feel called to tell. What excites me most about my work now, is bringing authentic, often underrepresented voices to the screen. I focus on stories that explore complex, real-life struggles with heart. I’m especially drawn to exploring the psyche of female characters – their complexities, contradictions, and the messy, beautiful ways they navigate the world. Bringing these perspectives to life in a genuine and relatable way is really important to me.

I think this passion translates in my debut feature film, “Miles Away”, which I’m really proud and excited to be premiering on the festival circuit this fall. It was executive produced by Luis Guzmán and Andre Royo, two artists I deeply admire. Working with them has been both inspiring and humbling, and their support helped bring this story to life in ways I could never have imagined. For this, and many other reasons, “Miles Away” is a project that means a lot to me. It’s an unvarnished take on real life. A comedic drama about resilience, it centers on a woman navigating her dreams, difficult family dynamics, and the daily grind of survival. The story explores themes of mental health and personal reinvention with a tone that’s raw, relatable, and sometimes unexpectedly funny.

Ultimately, at the heart of everything I do is a drive for authenticity and connection. I’m drawn to stories that reflect life in all its complexity, and I strive to create work that resonates, challenges, and uplifts audiences. “Miles Away” represents exactly that. It’s a major milestone in my professional filmmaking journey and I can’t wait to share it with viewers soon.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’d say the three most important qualities that help ease the growing pains of starting out in the entertainment industry, or really, any industry, are resilience, work ethic, and confidence.

Funny enough, my debut film “Miles Away” is all about resilience. That’s been the one quality I have that’s shaped my journey the most. Life and this industry throw a lot at you. Being able to bounce back, keep moving, and adapt has made all the difference.

Alongside that, it’s equally important to be willing and unafraid to do the work. This path is tough. There’s no sugarcoating it. But I’ve found that breaking things down into manageable steps, rather than trying to tackle everything at once, makes it far less overwhelming. Small, consistent effort really does build momentum.

And then there’s confidence, or more specifically, the ability to embrace uncertainty and still show up as yourself. Like I mentioned earlier, confidence often falters when we’re too focused on how others perceive us. But when you lean into authenticity and take risks despite the fear, that’s when real growth happens. It’s about aligning your actions with your values and moving forward even when it feels uncomfortable or scary.

These aren’t just career tools, they are life essentials. Without them, it’s difficult to navigate challenges, stay the course, or take the risks necessary to grow. So, for anyone early in their journey: embrace resilience, commit to the work step by step, and don’t wait for perfect confidence. Be willing to do it scared and stay true to who you are. It’s won’t always be easy, but it will absolutely be worth it.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to collaborating with scrappy, passionate filmmakers who aren’t afraid to dive in and get their hands dirty. Right now, I’m specifically looking for producers, financiers, and representation who really resonate with the stories I’m telling and the way I work. I’ve got a few exciting projects in different phases of development – some with collaborators Andre Royo and Luis Guzmán – and finding the right partners is key.

As they say, jump and the net will appear. Although I recommend jumping with a solid plan, a good coffee, and maybe a helmet just in case.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jerome Spurlin

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