Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorcianna Cortez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got started in the entertainment industry largely due to my therapist, some research, and a little bit of luck! After getting divorced, I began this chaotic and emotional journey of self-love and self-discovery which included focusing on my physical and mental health. During a therapy session, my therapist asked me “If you could do anything in this life and get paid to do it, what would you do?”. I rambled off a few things, acting and modeling included, and she challenged me to “do it”. Simple, huh?
She said, “Find a way to make acting and modeling a hobby until you can make it your career”. So, I grabbed my laptop and started researching. I spent hours searching for acting/modeling classes, doom scrolling apps listening to advice on how to get started as an actor/model, making check lists, and building my portfolio. Before I knew it, I was in lines auditioning for fashion weeks, traveling to be an Ambassador at fashion shows, and submitting myself to agencies all over the world! I had submitted myself to at least 40 agencies and received no response. Nothing.
About three months into this journey my daughter received a casting call. I had a thought, “What if I just dress as if I am auditioning? Just in case they allow me to” might as well, right? We go to the audition and the casting director asks me to audition with my daughter (here’s the LUCK), so, I do! I end up booking my first commercial role and getting signed to an agency.
From there, I started booking more commercial roles, auditioning for short and feature films, traveling to Denver and New York for fashion weeks, and connecting with so many talented people who work in various departments on set and at shows. I even became the Ambassador Manager for a clothing line I was doing ambassador content for. The more I worked, the more I found that I truly love being in creative spaces and even began working on film sets as a Production Assistant.
While I have put a lot of time, money, and energy into getting where I am today, I can’t ignore how many wonderful connections, personal and professional, that I’ve made on this journey. Many who have been so kind, open, and willing to collaborate, mentor, and take chances on me! Without that level of support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like all things in life, I have definitely experienced some obstacles and challenges. Working in entertainment comes with irregular schedules, pay, and expectations. Every project is different, requiring a large amount of adaptability and shifting into the role that you’re assigned for the current project you’re working on.
Managing a family, regular 9 to 5, and personal relationships become a bit more challenging when jobs require you to travel or work extremely long hours. I’ve had to turn down or miss out on roles I really wanted because I couldn’t take off work. Sometimes waiting 30-60 days for a payout isn’t always the most convenient but you figure out how to make it work!
In the very beginning of this journey, I struggled with rejection. I mean, no one likes to be told “thanks for trying but, no” when it comes to auditioning or really just about anything in life. After auditioning for months and booking more jobs, I came to the realization that being rejected doesn’t mean that anyone lacks talent. Not being cast for a role simply means that role wasn’t meant for me but for someone else, and that’s ok!
Understanding that casting directors, agencies, designers, and producers often have a certain look or energy they’re looking for. They hope you match what you’re looking for and if not, they will choose whoever does. Doing my best during an audition and not attaching myself, my worth, or even my abilities to getting a “yes” or “no” really helps me stay grounded in the auditioning process. Once I reframed what rejection meant to me, I wasn’t afraid to hear “no” anymore.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Actor and Model based in the Kansas City area with representation in New York as well. I specialize primarily commercial, tv, and film with experience in runway, UGC, and being a brand ambassador. I’m probably most known for the commercial work I’ve been in which includes companies like TMobile, Chinet, and The Marriot. Online, I’d say I’m known for being an Ambassador for Authentically Aligned an athleisure brand and for posting about, issues that matter, self-care, modeling, and being living authentically as possible in a society that is always hyping up another trend or product to help us “fix” something about ourselves.
I’m most proud of the impact my content and interactions have made on others. I think it’s really important to show up as your true self in every space you occupy, online and in-person. They way we show up in the world matters and can change how people view their world and even themselves, so it’s important to show kindness and intention when sharing space with others. I’ve even had people write me to express how an interaction I’ve had with them made them feel seen and heard. This makes me feel very proud!
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not afraid of being myself. I’ve made a promise to myself to never dilute myself for anyone or to be liked. I struggled with that a lot as a kid into my young adulthood. I love to create and to show people what I’ve made. I enjoy taking the time to be intentional with how I move in the world without worrying about if I’m disliked by others. Additionally, my willingness and eagerness to learning, trying, and understanding new things sets me apart from others as well. I feel like it can be extremely easy to get stuck in our routines and find a grove, which creates a sense of stability, of course. However, I’m not scared to jump out of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Just that, we only have one life to live. If there is something on your bucket list, a goal, or a dream you want to achieve, do it! We all should strive to create lives for ourselves that are rooted in authenticity and that make us feel excited and happy. Lives that allow us to create, share, learn, and grow through moments of solitude and collaboration with others. I’ll tell you what my therapist told me, I’m paraphrasing, “decide on what you want your life to look like and say ‘No.’ to anything that isn’t that”!
For talent booking information contact Moxie Talent (KC area)/Couture Modeling Agency (New York) or myself directly for Authentically Aligned Ambassadorship, collaborations, and production work opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://moxietalentagency.com/talent/dorcianna-cortez/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luv__grows/
Image Credits
@at0dd
@nickolasd.cooper
@cindyyeh.co
@divzimedia
@ty13rphoto
