Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Tasslo.

Hi Melissa , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m Spanish-Peruvian, and ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to anything artistic. Whether it was painting, music, ballet, or art in general, I was always the happiest when I was creating. But acting was my biggest dream .

Growing up, becoming an actress didn’t seem like a realistic career. In the town where I was raised, acting simply wasn’t something people pursued, so I kept that dream to myself and hoped that one day I’d find a way to make it happen.

After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to pursue acting professionally. I started researching schools online and discovered that New York Film Academy was coming to my city for a university fair. I signed up, and while I was there, I learned they were holding auditions for a scholarship. I prepared two monologues, gave it my all, and two weeks later I found out I had been awarded the scholarship.

So 2015, I packed my bags and moved to Los Angeles to earn my BFA in Acting. It was an incredible experience where I had the opportunity to work with and learn from incredible people while gaining unforgettable experiences both on and off set.

After Los Angeles, I moved to Madrid, where I completed a Master’s degree in Film Production. Today, I continue to work in the film industry both as an actress and as a producer. Experiencing both sides of filmmaking has given me a deeper understanding of the industry and has strengthened my passion for telling meaningful stories.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been an easy road. In fact, it wasn’t easy even before I started, because acting was a dream I honestly thought I could never achieve.

I had to go against what society often thinks about this profession, that it’s just a hobby and not a real career. It was also a surprise for my family, because it’s not the path people usually expect you to choose. A lot of people don’t see acting as a real job, which can make following your dream even more challenging.

On top of that, it’s a very tough industry. There are so many talented actors, which makes it incredibly competitive. It’s not easy to get your foot in the door, and to keep booking projects. Rejection is simply part of the journey.

But if this is truly your passion, you just keep going. You keep creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for them to come. I think it’s incredibly important to surround yourself with people who share the same passion for storytelling and creativity. When you connect with people who believe in creating meaningful work, you can build amazing projects together. That’s something I’ve always believed in, and it’s what continues to motivate me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actress and producer currently based in Madrid.

As an actress, I’ve worked on several short films, some of which have received awards, and I recently wrapped filming a Spanish feature in Madrid. I’m really excited about it, and I can’t wait to share more details soon.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to produce several projects. Last year, I co-produced a short film that will soon begin its festival run, which I’m incredibly excited about. Here in Spain, I was also part of the production team on several TV shows in the Canary Islands, where I gained valuable experience working behind the scenes.

I’m also expanding into screenwriting because I strongly believe in creating your own opportunities rather than waiting for them. I’m currently developing my first feature film, written entirely in Spanish, and I’m excited to continue telling stories both in front of and behind the camera.

One thing that’s also very important to me is continuing to learn and grow, which is why I became a trilingual actress. I speak Spanish, English, and French, and I believe that speaking multiple languages opens up so many opportunities, both personally and professionally.

Traveling is another huge part of who I am. I like to say that I’m a citizen of the world because I truly love discovering new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. I believe that every place you visit and every person you meet teaches you something new, and that has become a huge source of inspiration for me as an artist. It constantly fuels my creativity and the way I tell stories.

Because of that, I’ve had the opportunity to live in seven different countries so far, and I hope to keep adding more to that list. Every place I’ve lived has shaped me in a different way, both as a person and as an actress.

I’m incredibly proud of the projects I’ve been a part of, both as an actress and as a producer. More than anything, I’m proud that I continue to collaborate with talented, creative people who share the same passion for storytelling. That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it’s what continues to inspire me every day.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t a destination. it’s a journey. Every little thing you experience in life, even rejection or when things don’t go the way you wanted them to, is meant to teach you something. I think those lessons are a very important part of achieving your goals.

For me, success doesn’t mean just one thing. It mainly means being truthful to yourself, to your craft, and to what you’re doing. It’s about being genuine and being yourself.

I also don’t think success is only about how many goals you achieve. It’s also about the impact you have on the people you meet along the way. I want people to see me as a kind and caring person, someone who treats others with respect, who is professional, passionate about what she does, and who makes people feel valued. If someone finishes working with me and thinks, “She’s a genuinely kind person, and she was wonderful to work with,” that means just as much to me as any professional achievement.

I also think success is understanding that everybody has different dreams and that life is not a competition. We all have our own path, and we all achieve our dreams at the right time. Comparing yourself to others only takes away from your own journey.

Contact Info:

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Image Credits
Viktoria- Lumiere Art Studio
Javier Mantrana
Luz Villalobos

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