Maylen Calienes was born in Cuba and grew up in Miami. She began her career in theatre, until establishing herself in the Indie Film world in Los Angeles, CA. Her films, "Esta es tu Cuba" and "And the Brave Shall Rise" were Academy Award contenders.  As an Executive Producer of "The Shadow of the Sun," Venezuela's official selection for Best International Film for the 96th Academy Awards, she is dismantling barriers and amplifying our voices to create a more inclusive narrative in filmmaking. In 2024, LFN marked a decade of community at the Sundance Film Festival.

AW had an opportunity to interview the award-winning Producer, Writer, Director, and Founder of the Latino Filmmaker Network (⁠LFN⁠). We discussed Sundance, Latinos in the film industry, Latino support, and how all of us can make individual contributions to the change.

To learn more about LFN, visit www.latinofilmakers.com or Instagram@latinofilmakers

Maylen Calienes was born in Cuba and grew up in Miami. She began her career in theatre, until establishing herself in the Indie Film world in Los Angeles, CA. Her films, "Esta es tu Cuba" and "And the Brave Shall Rise" were Academy Award contenders.  As an Executive Producer of "The Shadow of the Sun," Venezuela's official selection for Best International Film for the 96th Academy Awards, she is dismantling barriers and amplifying our voices to create a more inclusive narrative in filmmaking. In 2024, LFN marked a decade of community at the Sundance Film Festival.

AW had an opportunity to interview the award-winning Producer, Writer, Director, and Founder of the Latino Filmmaker Network (LFN). We discussed Sundance, Latinos in the film industry, Latino support, and how all of us can make individual contributions to the change.

To learn more about LFN, visit www.latinofilmakers.com or Instagram@latinofilmakers

TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE, VIOLENCE. NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES.

Emma Ramos was born and raised in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. A place known for its violence and notorious cartels. Despite the terror endured by its residents, her parents made sure to fill her childhood memories with beautiful sunsets and great seafood.

The Mexican Actress has built an impressive portfolio of acting credits that include recurring roles on hit television dramas, such as New Amsterdam, Law & Order SUV, The Endgame, and Unforgettable. You can also see her in the upcoming feature film, opposite, René Pérez Joglar ("Residente"), set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. She is also set to star in the upcoming "Seven Cemeteries" with Danny Trejo.  Emma has added Writer to her resume with Nickelodeon's DORA!

Her TEDx talk,"Muerta de risa. No muerta" (Dead laughing. Not dead.) is as powerful, as it is impactful. She shares an account of her "Secuestro Express," which references a 2005 Venezuelan film that follows the kidnapping of a young girl and boyfriend in Caracas, Venezuela.  An emotional and painful secret she kept to herself for 20 years. But instead of letting it poison her, she opted for resilience and turned tragedy into comedy and she draws from personal experiences to bring out her character's emotional truths.

AW had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Emma for a candid interview about the traumatic experience. We discussed how the moment changed her, the TEDx talk, family, and much more.

To learn more about Emma, visit www.emmaramos.com or Instagram@⁠iamemmaramos⁠

TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE, VIOLENCE. NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES.

Emma Ramos was born and raised in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. A place known for its violence and notorious cartels. Despite the terror endured by its residents, her parents made sure to fill her childhood memories with beautiful sunsets and great seafood.

The Mexican Actress has built an impressive portfolio of acting credits that include recurring roles on hit television dramas, such as New Amsterdam, Law & Order SUV, The Endgame, and Unforgettable. You can also see her in the upcoming feature film, opposite, René Pérez Joglar ("Residente"), set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. She is also set to star in the upcoming "Seven Cemeteries" with Danny Trejo.  Emma has added Writer to her resume with Nickelodeon's DORA!

Her TEDx talk,"Muerta de risa. No muerta" (Dead laughing. Not dead.) is as powerful, as it is impactful. She shares an account of her "Secuestro Express," which references a 2005 Venezuelan film that follows the kidnapping of a young girl and boyfriend in Caracas, Venezuela.  An emotional and painful secret she kept to herself for 20 years. But instead of letting it poison her, she opted for resilience and turned tragedy into comedy and she draws from personal experiences to bring out her character's emotional truths.

AW had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Emma for a candid interview about the traumatic experience. We discussed how the moment changed her, the TEDx talk, family, and much more.

To learn more about Emma, visit www.emmaramos.com or Instagram@iamemmaramos

Mabel Martinez is a seasoned journalist turned social media maven, who has worked at top-tier publications like People Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Siempre Mujer, El Diario La Prensa, and many other platforms. Her career pivoted when she took on the role of Social Media and Communications Coordinator at Dress for Success, followed by Junior Copywriter at Bare Minerals. The Dominican beauty then moved on to carve a path at L'Oreal, where she worked at Maybelline, managing social strategy. She orchestrated the viral success of the Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick "Thrill Seeker." Currently, Mabel is the Senior Social Media and Influencer Manager at Lancôme.

At the end of 2022, Mabel experienced a health scare. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos, an inflammation of the thyroid gland causing the underproduction of the thyroid hormone. There were no symptoms or anything indicating she was sick.

The first day of meeting Mabel was a bonding experience. I told her about my experience with my disease, and it opened the door to sharing our truth. AW had the incredible opportunity to sit with Mabel and discuss our ordeal. This is a personal story for us but one we choose to tell, in hopes that it can help anyone who may be part of that 60% suffering the same disorder, unknowingly.

To learn more about Mabel, visit www.mabelmartinez.com or Instagram@msmabelmartinez

According to the American Thyroid Association, it is estimated that 20 million people in the US have thyroid disease, and as many as 60% don't know they have it. Thyroid Disease is any dysfunction of the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck (thyroid). Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone.  Hypothyroidism is 7.5 times more common than hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of the hormone.

Mabel Martinez is a seasoned journalist turned social media maven, who has worked at top-tier publications like People Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Siempre Mujer, El Diario La Prensa, and many other platforms. Her career pivoted when she took on the role of Social Media and Communications Coordinator at Dress for Success, followed by Junior Copywriter at Bare Minerals. The Dominican beauty then moved on to carve a path at L'Oreal, where she worked at Maybelline, managing social strategy. She orchestrated the viral success of the Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick "Thrill Seeker." Currently, Mabel is the Senior Social Media and Influencer Manager at Lancôme.

At the end of 2022, Mabel experienced a health scare. She was diagnosed with Hashimotos, an inflammation of the thyroid gland causing the underproduction of the thyroid hormone. There were no symptoms or anything indicating she was sick.

The first day of meeting Mabel was a bonding experience. I told her about my experience with my disease, and it opened the door to sharing our truth. AW had the incredible opportunity to sit with Mabel and discuss our ordeal. This is a personal story for us but one we choose to tell, in hopes that it can help anyone who may be part of that 60% suffering the same disorder, unknowingly.

To learn more about Mabel, visit www.mabelmartinez.com or Instagram@msmabelmartinez

Gilbert Saldivar is an Actor and Dancer, known for roles in From Justin to Kelly, Dexter, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Shine, and other films. Most recently, he plays opposite Jennifer Lopez, as New Guy in REBOUND, "This is Me... Now: A Love Story."

AW sat down with the Actor to talk about getting the role, working with Jennifer Lopez, and what he has learned from the experience.

To learn more about Gilbert, visit Instagram @Gilbertsaldivar

Gilbert Saldivar is an Actor and Dancer, known for roles in From Justin to Kelly, Dexter, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Shine, and other films. Most recently, he plays opposite Jennifer Lopez, as New Guy in REBOUND, "This is Me... Now: A Love Story."

AW sat down with the Actor to talk about getting the role, working with Jennifer Lopez, and what he has learned from the experience.

To learn more about Gilbert, visit Instagram @Gilbertsaldivar

Actor, Ernie Hudson has an endless count of film credits. The well-respected talent is a familiar face on the big and small screen. He is part of the Ghostbusters franchise, The Family Business, The Retirement Plan, LA's Finest, Grace and Frankie, Ballers, Spiderman, Modern Family, Champions, and many more!

Most recently, audiences can see him on NBC's Quantum Leap, as "Magic." The show is about a time traveler, played by Raymond Lee, leaping from life to life, fixing the wrongs of others, and leaving matters better than before.

In this interview, Ernie discussed the show, his character, life, and more!

To learn more about Ernie, visit Instagram @erniehudsonofficial

Actor, Ernie Hudson has an endless count of film credits. The well-respected talent is a familiar face on the big and small screen. He is part of the Ghostbusters franchise, The Family Business, The Retirement Plan, LA's Finest, Grace and Frankie, Ballers, Spiderman, Modern Family, Champions, and many more!

Most recently, audiences can see him on NBC's Quantum Leap, as "Magic." The show is about a time traveler, played by Raymond Lee, leaping from life to life, fixing the wrongs of others, and leaving matters better than before.

In this interview, Ernie discussed the show, his character, life, and more!

To learn more about Ernie, visit Instagram @erniehudsonofficial