Meet Luisa Azevedo

We recently connected with Luisa Azevedo and have shared our conversation below.

Luisa, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Honestly, I think I grew up wired to be optimistic. My dad was always telling me to chase my dreams, to stay curious, to believe that good things can happen if you keep moving forward and that really shaped me. I was that friend who tried to cheer everyone up, who always found some kind of silver lining… or at least a little bit of hope to hold onto.

I think a lot of it also came from the stories I loved. I grew up reading tons of fiction and watching movies, especially those magical Disney ones, and they made me believe that life has this mix of wonder, joy and possibility if you’re open to it.

But a few years ago, that part of me kind of… disappeared. I wasn’t booking the acting jobs I was hoping for, I kept putting myself out there and feeling like nothing “big” was happening, and I lost sight of the small amazing things that were happening. I fell into this really negative space, and I didn’t like the version of myself I became. It was tough.

The good news is: I got my optimism back. Over these last few months, something shifted. I started feeling more like myself again, lighter, more hopeful. I realized that optimism isn’t just a personality trait; it’s something you have to nurture. For me, it comes from paying attention to the little wins, letting myself dream without putting a deadline on it, and remembering why I love what I do in the first place.

Now it feels less like naive positivity and more like… grounded optimism. The kind that says, “Yeah, things get hard, but they also get better.” And honestly, I’m really grateful to be back in that place.

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?

well.. I was born and raised in Brazil, and I’ve always been in love with the arts. Dancing and writing were my first soulmates, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more “me” than when I’m moving to music or writing short stories, mostly romance haha. And when I was on the stage… the stage was where everything clicked. Whether I was dancing or performing in a small theater, I always felt the most honest version of myself under those lights.

After the pandemic, I got a scholarship to the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, and I did the wildest thing I’ve ever done: I went. Alone. I was about to turn 20, had never been to LA, knew absolutely no one, and my entire family and friends were back in Brazil. And still, I was so excited. Nervous, but excited.

And honestly? It ended up being one of the happiest chapters of my life. I found my people there, friends who feel like family and I learned more about filmmaking and about myself than I ever expected to.

I acted in short films, and eventually I produced my first one, Adeus, in 2023. That project changed me. I completely fell in love with production and with the magic that happens behind the camera. I realized how powerful it is to build a story from the ground up, to shape the heart of a film before it ever reaches the audience.

Right now, I’m spending some time in Brazil working on new projects and dreaming bigger. One of my biggest goals is to bring Brazilian stories, culture, and faces to the screen, not just here, but to the world. Our people have so much beauty, humor, complexity, and soul. I want to be part of the wave that shows that to everyone.

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?

When I look back, I think the first thing that shaped my journey was the ability to dream big and actually trust those dreams enough to chase them. It sounds simple, but dreaming is a skill. It takes imagination, yes, but it also takes courage. You have to be brave enough to say, “This is what I want,” even when people don’t understand it or when the path looks impossible.
My advice? Let yourself want things. Big things. Even the things that scare you a little. Especially those.

The second thing was courage or maybe “doing it scared.” Every important step I took, from moving to LA alone to making my first short film, happened way before I felt ready. So to anyone starting out: don’t wait to feel confident. Confidence comes after the leap, not before.

And the third thing was definitely the people around me. Staying close to friends and family who genuinely bring me light made everything feel possible, even on the hardest days. My advice: protect your circle. Choose people who want to see you shine, who remind you of who you are on the days you forget. And just as important be that person for others too.

And honestly, be gentle with yourself. Your journey doesn’t need to be rushed. Just stay curious, keep learning, keep going and trust that every small step is leading somewhere beautiful.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Honestly, this past year has been all about grounding myself and growing in ways that feel deeper than any role or achievement. Coming back to Brazil was a huge part of that. I think my biggest area of growth has been learning to take intentional, gentle, consistent steps toward the kind of artist I want to become, instead of trying to leap straight into the “big moment.”

Spending time here, reconnecting with my roots, working on projects that matter to me, and really understanding the beauty and strength of Brazilian stories… it changed me. I’ve grown in patience, in vision, and in the ability to build something slowly, with care. I’m writing more, creating more, dreaming more, but in a way that feels real and grounded, not rushed.

And I think that’s the growth I’m proudest of: realizing that making an impact doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s spending months shaping an idea, or believing in a story no one else can see yet. Sometimes it’s choosing to invest in your country, your culture, your people, even when it feels like the harder path.

I feel like I’m becoming braver, more focused, and more connected to the artist, and the woman I want to be. And that, to me, is the biggest growth of my year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://azevedoluisa.my.canva.site/atriz/
• Instagram: @luisazevedo_