Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariela Irala.
Mariela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always enjoyed storytelling and I didn’t limit myself on how to do it. At age four, I got on stage at a Live National TV Show in Buenos Aires, Argentina and sang in front of hundreds of people, never having taken singing classes, so you can imagine how that went! but I felt so much excitement. I had an early desire to entertain. My family and I moved to Miami Beach when I was six and my mind exploded with the community’s diversity and opportunities. I signed up for acting, singing, dancing, gymnastics, and anything that I could find related to show business.
My mother was a flight attendant so I had the chance to travel back and forth between Buenos Aires and Miami often. My first big role was in for a Disney Latino sitcom, called Jake and Blake, a teenage musical. I continued acting there but I truly missed Miami! I began pursuing TV Host gigs since there was a stronger industry here. I worked as a host for Yahoo! Hispanic Americas where I developed most of my career. I got my Associates Degree in Journalism and my Bachelors in Film, TV and Production Technology from Miami Dade College.
That 4-year-old is still alive inside of me and I continue to dream of entertaining all the time. I have produced over 200 interviews, wrote/starred/directed a short film and I am currently doing a podcast called ‘Porque Aja’ on Youtube.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in the entertainment industry is tricky because you are constantly being judged on appearance, influencer stats, trending topics, etc. and it can be discouraging. I came to peace with this part of the job after years with some guidance, where I learned to remind myself of my purpose, that no matter how superficial it may seem, I am wholeheartedly doing this. I think it’s important to focus on your North when struggles come along, and like Tony Robbins says, to feel that life is happening for you, not to you! Being from Argentina and having an accent in Spanish got me rejected so many times from US Hispanic TV, but that ignited my desire to study film and make a short movie exactly about this issue!
Please tell us about what you do.
I’m a fully bilingual actor, Web/TV host and content creator with a BAS in Film, TV and Digital Production Technology. With over 10+ years of on-camera experience in the US and in Argentina, I’ve covered broadcast journalism, digital series, prime time TV and major events. Including Yahoo!, NBCU Telemundo, Univision, HITN, VIX Media, NATPE, FIFA World Cup, Disney Latino, Cris Morena Inc, SOBEFWW, Miami Boat Show, MB Fashion Week, and Art Basel.
An agency actor for 10 years, I have done sitcoms like “Jake and Blake” for Disney Latino, “Hitstreak” with producer Eric Foster White and many national commercials, including the viral video series “100 years of Beauty: Argentina”
As a digital series presenter, I hosted for 6+ years a daily entertainment news segment, YAHOO HOY! for Yahoo! LATAM. As on-camera talent and producer, I have done 20+ press junkets with Hollywood celebrities Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Will Ferrel, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Jamie Foxx, Genesis Rodriguez, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kermit the Frog, and The Minions among others.
With an AA in Journalism, I produced many interviews for global events. Since 2015, I’ve been the official reporter for NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives), covering all major events of the 4 day fair. As a freelancer, I worked many major events including SOBEFWW, Miami Boat Show, Mercedez Benz Fashion Week, and Art Basel for TV Unica. Her interview roster includes Norman Lear, Sophie Turner Laing, Steve Harvey, Byron Allen, Cesar Conde, Susanne Daniels, Gloria Estefan, Tom Selleck, Tommy Hilfiger, Casey Neistat, among others.
True to my country’s fandom, I have a passion for soccer and was chosen by Telemundo and Sprint as the “Fan en Futbol Mode”, a Nationwide contest to find the biggest fan to cover the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As an active content creator, I write/shoot/edit my content on YouTube (YouTube.com/Mirala) and I produce short films. I am currently pitching my latest short film, “Yo y Sho,” a feminine and multicultural short film shot in Miami with over 10 actors, which I wrote/directed/and starred in.
Who have you been inspired by?
Apart from my direct family members who’s struggles I’ve seen first hand, I grew up fascinated by Eva Peron. She was an actress who became the first lady of Argentina and educated herself to help the less fortunate, becoming a leader for women in the country at a time where they were second class citizens. When I moved to Miami, I learned so much about Jewish and Black History and I was appalled by the enormous efforts made by women. Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Anne Frank, Hedy Lamarr. Reading their stories grounded me, and gave me a sense of responsibility as a woman to remember them and to keep fighting for our rights. Currently, Jenna Kutcher is my podcast-mentor and Ellen Degeneres gives me hope about the entertainment industry.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirala/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marielamirala/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mahetita
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMqeVh13K0E
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
