Tamara Vallarta is an actress from Mexico City, trained both in Mexico and at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, in the U.K. She has worked in theater, film, and television, and loves that each one of these fields has taught her something different.
When did you decide to become an actress?
I wanted to study so many things, all related to science, and acting stood somewhere in the “hobby” area, until I was abroad in the U.K. and took my optional theater lessons. It was then that I realized that certain subjects I had never enjoyed at school–history, specifically– were suddenly fun and interesting when I was researching everything about a play’s and playwright’s contexts. Then, back in Mexico, I did a crazy move in order to be able to perform in the NY Musical Theater Festival. I changed schools during my last year of high school, leaving behind all the friends I’d known since I was three years old.
It started to become obvious that acting wasn’t just a hobby. And I ended up doing what my teacher from the U.K. told me when I asked if she believed I could become an actress: study a year in acting school, see whether you like it or not; if you do, stick with it, and if you don’t, there’s a bunch of other things you might want to do.
Just before entering acting school, I was helping out on a medical campaign and almost changed plans, but as soon as I took my first acting lesson, I was overwhelmed about how human and beautiful it is. And I am still loving it, so I’m sticking to it.
I think acting is a mixture of the search for truth and empathy, teamwork, and a space where everything can happen, where you are safe to be vulnerable and where you can trust everyone. Sounds like a Utopia, right?
Tell me a little about yourself.
I am someone curious. Friends from my MA in London used to make fun of me because I am always asking questions-- I learned that the day I arrived, saying “Guys, I got a book called Curiosity! How amazing is that?” They laughed a lot. I did too. I am someone who laughs a lot, that’s something else about me. And they say that if you ever hear my laugh, you will always be able to find me.
Going back to curiosity-- I guess being curious is what keeps us in awe of life, of others, of ourselves, and it’s the key to acting.
Who are your biggest influences?
A few days ago I was talking about reflections. And how our classmates, our colleagues, will always be our mirrors. We are constantly and profoundly learning from them. So I will say that it’s them, and my teachers, my directors, both from Mexico and the U.K. Just thinking about that makes me smile. Those guys are great.
What is your main strength as an actress?
I love to dig in and study as much as I can about the world the character lives in. That, combined with vulnerability, playfulness... and curiosity.
How difficult is it to establish yourself in the film industry?
Pffff! So hard! One has to learn to receive a lot of “no”s and keep going, resiliently.
What’s your dream, your ultimate goal? Do you feel like you’re on the path to this goal, or do you feel as if you’ve already achieved that dream?
I do wish I could act in the West End. And I have a long list of people I’d love to work with. Hopefully I will live long enough to do so!
What is your main message for your fans?
Keep asking questions. There’s never just one answer.
Photo Credits: Tijuana (original Netflix series)
CONNECT WITH TAMARA
IG: @tamaravallarta
Get featured! - Heart Of Hollywood Magazine
Become a Heart of Hollywood Motion Pictures Member
Subscribe
Contact us