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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1530613
time in the 70s in Miami. She was a single mother operating in a male-dominated environment where she had to fight for her respect. For Kate Silva, she is a contemporary woman from New York with her own swag, strengths, weaknesses, and secrets. She has a different struggle. I’m excited to reveal more of who she is. However, being able to embody both these women feels like a study on how Hispanic women have evolved in the workplace from the 70s to today. That’s fascinating to me. Miami Living: What was it like growing up in Miami? Can you tell us about your journey from childhood to adulthood in the city? Juliana Martinez: I have never found another city in the world like Miami. I’m so grateful to have grown up there with its culture, art, food, and resiliency of our immigrant story as a part of my upbringing. I was taught to be resourceful, to appreciate family, to dance salsa, make good Cuban coffee and work damn hard. I was reinforced to honor my Latina roots in this city and I wear it as a badge of honor. It’s something I bring to everything I do today. Miami Living: How did Miami inspire and influence your career in acting? Juliana Martinez: Truthfully, I did not have a lot of opportunities for acting in Miami. I would look at movies and TV shows and wonder “Where are we? Why don’t I see us?”. It was the love for our community and lack of opportunity here that propelled me to go to New York and study acting. That being said, Miami people live from their truth. They’re unapologetic, fierce, funny, and bold. At least the people I grew up around. I honor that and I have that inside of me. I hope to bring more of that in the future. Miami Living: How do you bring aspects of your Miami roots into your career today? Juliana Martinez: I’m first gen, so I recall growing up and hearing my papi’s sacrifice to arrive in this country and the hopes he had for me to go boldly for my dreams. I saw that everywhere in Miami. Everyone has a story here and mine is an immigrant story, as it is for many others. In terms of my career, I know that carries me through. I have a fight and determination in me that’s like, “Who’s gonna stop me?”. That has carried me through the best and worst of times. Miami Living: What is it like being a Latina woman in the Hollywood industry? What struggles do you face, and how have you overcome them? Juliana Martinez: We have come so far but there is still plenty of work to do. I acknowledge that the roles I’ve played