TERE CHADWICK – THE ARTIST
Tere is a Chilean artist. Having graduated from Central Saint Martins and studying a masters at Royal College of Art, Tere has already had five solo exhibitions and participated in more than 15 shows in 4 different continents, including in Santiago (Chile) London, Spain, Romania, the US, China and even Easter Island.
“I grew up in Santiago. I was very hiperactive and never stopped inventing things. I would write a theatre script, make the costumes and force my siblings to perform, or install an exhibition, design invitations for my family and made awful snacks for them. I invented perfumes, wrote poetry, put on an Olympics games for my family or pretend I was a lawyer and write contracts to organise the usage of the couch.” Who has been the most influential figure in your life? My grandfather, who we used to call Fox (in English), because he was very cunning. He came from a very old Basque family, was tough, strict and a workaholic. Even though we were constantly arguing, he taught me to be honest, humble and persevering, and to always fight for my ideals. The most useful piece of advice you’ve been given… I was studying for my BA in Chile with a renowned Chilean actor, Carlos Díaz. I was a very dedicated but, going through a hard time, I was late a couple of times. Rather than get understanding, he was incredibly harsh and told me that it didn’t matter if I was having a bad time in life, that I had responsibilities. That day I hated him. But I thought about what he said a lot and it made me grow up. I realised that the only way of dealing with problems is to take responsibility and find solutions, rather than project your difficulties onto others. How did your idea of London compare to the reality? My grandmother is half Scottish and she transmitted a very Victorian idea of her Britishness. She told me to cut my hair before coming to London, that I looked like a gypsy, and it would be frowned on. I thought London was going to be super clean and organised and I was a bit overwhelmed by the chaos. But now I love it; I never stop meeting interesting people from all over the world. I love the open-mindedness, the freedom to discover who you are, the opportunities to develop my career. The worst thing is not being able to find fruit or vegetables with flavour and the lack of sun.
How has being Latin American informed your outlook?
I come from the country with the most earthquakes of the world; you grow up feeling the earth is alive. In school, we are taught Western history but also all the wisdom of the Pre-Colombian tribes and civilisations, so we get a more complete view. We have less resources, which us more flexible and able to improvise. We see a lot of poverty, and know its never far away, so I’m also used to working long hours and not taking anything for granted, I know opportunities don’t magically arrive, you have to make them.
SOLVY HERNANDEZ – THE INFLUENCER
Solvy Hernández worked as a journalist, TV and radio presenter back in Venezuela and, since moving to the UK in 2014, has launched her own YouTube channel which has 21.2K Subscribers. She also has a Podcast called ‘De Vidas Comunes’, which has 13.5K downloads, and an Instagram following of 26.1K.
“I started as a model when I was 12-years-old and began singing in regional choir, then the Venezuelan National Choir, which gave me discipline and focus during my teens. Before graduating from university, I started working at one of Venezuela’s most important radio stations ‘La Mega’, then worked as a TV sports presenter. I was sent to cover the Olympic Games London 2012 and decided to move to London. My YouTube channel and podcasts are motivational platforms, where I share my personal experiences on specific topics, from self-esteem and how to succeed as an immigrant to entrepreneurship and coming through difficult moments.”
What drives you to do what you do?
Getting to know so many stories from people like me, the need to share how similar we are as human beings, spreading love and compassion in the world, motivating people to work for their dreams and being able to inspire others that want to start their own business.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
Going through early stage cervical cancer. It made me understand the importance of being grateful for what we have but most importantly, it gave me the motivation to share my experience with others and to create a platform for those whose lives were also changed by unexpected events.
What world event has had most impact on your way of seeing the world?
To see what Venezuela is going through; I’ve learnt that there’s no bigger power than fighting for freedom, that this world is in serious need of more compassion and we have the responsibility of planting that seed in our hearts.
A film that changed your life
‘Seven Pounds’ with Will Smith. For me that movie represents need to live at service of others. There’s always someone that needs your help, even if they don’t ask for it, we just need to pay attention.
GABRIELA GARCIA – THE ACTRESS
Gabriela arrived in London from Mexico at 16 to pursue a career in Musical Theatre. She played the lead role of 'Nina' in the Olivier Award winning show In The Heights which got her a nomination for ‘best actress in a musical’. Most recently she played the lead 'Fran' in Strictly Ballroom in London's West End, and will soon be playing the lead role, 'Maria', in West Side Story at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.
“I was born in Guanajuato, central Mexico. When I was four, we moved to Tapachula, Chiapas, a beautiful place but with lots of poverty. We stayed there two years, before moving to Costa Rica and then Mexico City. When I was 16 I moved to London because Tring Park, a boarding school that did Musical Theatre, offered me a scholarship.”
What drove you to do musical theatre?
I must have watched ’Singing in the Rain’ a hundred times when I was a kid. I used to try and get the choreography by rewinding and watching again. Beyoncé also inspired me. When you watch her, she lives and gives everything on that stage. She sings and dances to an incredible standard.
Who was the most influential figure for you growing up?
My mum: she cares deeply about her family - I like to think I do too. My dad: his perseverance and never accepting ‘No’ for an answer. And my sister who always says: “Chill, it's not that big a deal.” And she's right I need to enjoy the journey more and be present in my life.
Who is the most inspiring person in your life?
My husband, he’s always aware of issues in the world and you see him trying to do something to help change them - he's always challenging my mind and the way I view things. We support a charity there called 'Mision Mexico' - a home in Chiapas for children who have been abused, neglected, orphaned or abandoned, and mostly from backgrounds of extreme poverty.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
I would love to create a new role from scratch in a musical, I would love to sing and act in my own language too! And of course give back to my Country and do some theatre or film there. My husband and I want to renovate a theatre and create a cultural hub for communities that have no access to theatre.
MARIA BUSTILLOS – THE FASHION DESIGNER
Ecuadorian born Maria Bustillos is a fashion designer has alaunched her own fashion label and is considered to be one of London’s up and coming designers. She’ll be exhibiting her latest collection at London Fashion Week this month
“I grew up in Quito with three older brothers, but instead of being a tomboy it made me define myself to the contrary. I used to love watching my mum sew and I used to always make clothes for my many dolls. I always followed fashion but studied something completely different. It was only, after we moved to London, when I saw a leaflet about a fashion design course that I realised that this was what I wanted. I did a BA Hons in Fashion design and didn’t look back”
What part has your family played in your career?
I think I get my creativity form my mum and my good humour from my dad, but my sister is really motivational. In difficult moments she always says “Just shake it off, get up. If you really want something you have pay the price; have faith, take the necessary steps. There is no easy way!
What inspires you?
I love London, because there is so much freedom and opportunity here, but I am totally inspired by my Ecuadorian culture, its boldness, passion, strength and emotion. I try to transmit this emotion through my collections.
The two dresses on the far left and in the centre are part of Maria's latest collection. Maria sits in the middle at the back
KEIDDY CRUZ ROJAS – THE SINGER
19-year-old Keiddy Cruz Rojas is a singer-songwriter who released her first urban latin single 'Pa Ti' in July and is moving fast. She’s will release her EP later this year, all while finishing her studies at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and preparing to have a baby!
“I grew up in Guildford, to Colombian parents. My earliest memory is from when I was about 4; I was about to have an operation and I started singing to the Surgeon in Spanish. ‘’Yo soy un monstro, y me lo voy a comer’’ (I’m a monster and I’m going to eat you). My parents brought all the nurses in to listen to me and laugh.
As with most Latin families, music was a huge part of our life: from waking up hearing salsa and knowing it was a day of cleaning, to hearing my brother playing reggaetón while he was studying. When we were going to Colombia one year, my dad taught me how to dance, because ‘you can’t survive in Colombia if you don’t know how to dance.’ My mum spoke to us only in Spanish at home. So I write songs in both languages.”
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to face?
Growing up in quite a white, welathy area proved difficult and upsetting sometimes. We were neither white or wealthy, and I was aware of being an outsider. From a young age I was subject to racism various times, told I ‘should go back to my country’ and made to feel embarrassed about where I was from. But all that shaped me into the person I am today; proud of my ethnicity and culture.
The best piece of advice you’ve been given…
My mum and dad always encouraged me to be myself and embrace my difference. They told me that there will always be people who will judge me and think negatively, but they are the ones who matter least in your life. They told me to keep pursuing what I love and what makes me happy, because at the end of the day this is the only life I’ll get, so I need to make the most of it and choose to focus on positivity instead.
Sadly, shortly after the shoot took place, Keiddy's father died. She asked us to publish the following message: "Dad, thank you for being my best friend, my biggest supporter and my inspiration. You were always the one who motivated me to do my best, and whatever I accomplished you never failed to mention how proud of me you were. I cannot thank you enough for your love and for your faith in me, I genuinely wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for you. From you buying me my first piano, to putting me in youth theatre, you always believed in my talents and I am so lucky to have been able to grow up with a man like you constantly by my side. I will always be grateful to God for allowing me to be raised by the most wonderful father. Your last words to me were that you were already so proud of me and that all you ask is that I continue working hard and focus in succeeding in what I love, and I promise dad that is what I will do. I already miss you so much and will never stop loving you. Thank you for the most incredible 20 years, I! will cherish them for the rest of my life. Te amo papi. Love your daughter, Keiddy Johana."
See part 2 of Latinas Rising here
View the 'behind the scenes' gallery here
If you are a Latina in the UK, we want to know about you. Please get in touch
