Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Priscilla Chavez
We got to chat with actor Tonatiuh about his role in Promised Land, what he hopes audiences take away after watching, and what led to his passion for storytelling.
Did your passion for storytelling and performing start at a young age?
My mom owned a beauty salon growing up. I spent hours and hours listening to her clients’ stories. I had an insatiable curiosity for others’ lives and what made them who they are. When I got to high school, I found solace in the theatre department – a safe haven for us weirdos to play and create. That inner child never grew up. I didn’t want the play to end.
Tell our readers about Promised Land. What drew you to the show?
The show is powerful. Matt Lopez, our showrunner, wrote an incredible pilot that depicted an immigrant story that mirrored my family’s. The juxtaposition of the past and future timelines helped showcase two very different worlds and experiences that are BOTH equally latine. I couldn’t help but want to be a part of that world. Antonio is complex and in pain and is trying his best to make sense of the trauma he has inside.
You play Antonio, a son who was once exiled by the family. What did you do to step in Antonio’s shoes and understand his motivations as a character?
I read a lot. I read books like The Velvet Rage, How to do the Work, Daring Greatly to see what happens to a person who is riddled with shame and begin to wonder: what would happen if I never found healing.
Antonio is revealed to be pretty mischievous as he’s working with his mother to take down his father. When you first read the script were you excited to explore this storyline?
Absolutely, an opportunity to be sneaky and nasty. How could I not be?
Promised Land of course has plot twists and juicy storylines but it also explores immigration and the pursuit of the American dream. What do you hope audiences take away from the show after watching it?
I hope it humanizes people. Unless you are native, you are an immigrant. We can’t forget that. Everyone deserves dignity, respect, and an opportunity to live. I also think it’s a bit of a cautionary tale. A warning to people to be mindful of who we become as time passes and wealth amasses.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
I’d say have a very strong why. Know why you want to be an actor. It’s not an easy life. Especially when you’re starting out and if you don’t have support from someone. Create a life that makes you happy and that feeds your soul. For many actors, the craft is more than just a hobby or a job, but you have to remember that it is a business first, second and last. You are an artist too but you are also delivering a product. Work at it and deliver the best product every time.