Kristina Claudio: Culture, Confidence & Chasing Her Dreams in New York
Kristina Claudio is a Puerto Rican dancer, actress, and model from New Jersey whose passion for the performing arts has taken her from local creative projects to the Puerto Rican Day Parade Festival and her first Off-Broadway appearance. Proud of her heritage and committed to authentic representation, Kristina continues to build a career rooted in creativity, confidence, and perseverance.
LaMezcla recently sat down with Kristina to discuss her journey through dance, modeling, and acting, the influence of music and culture on her life, and the lessons she’s learned while pursuing her dreams in New York City.
Q: For those who may not know you yet, tell us a little about yourself and your journey into dance, modeling, and acting.
A: My journey into dance, modeling, and acting started with a love for performing and expressing myself creatively.
There are so many home videos of me singing, performing, and entertaining people. Looking back, I think it was always in me. It’s funny because in person I’m actually very shy, but when I’m in front of a camera or on stage, I’m able to step into a different version of myself.
Acting was actually my first love. I was definitely a theater kid growing up.
Modeling didn’t come until much later, when I was in my mid-20s. One day I grabbed my iPhone, went to a local park, started taking pictures, and what began as a simple creative outlet turned into a passion and opened doors I never expected.
Dance has always been part of my life as well. I have a background in belly dancing and salsa, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until last year. Since then, it has become one of my greatest passions. Dance has challenged me, helped me grow, and given me a level of confidence I didn’t know I had.
Today, I’m grateful that I get to explore all three—acting, modeling, and dance—and continue growing as an artist through each of them.
Q: Growing up between New Jersey and New York, how did the culture around you influence who you are today?
A: I actually grew up mostly in New Jersey. I didn’t start regularly commuting to New York until my mid-20s when I decided to seriously pursue opportunities in modeling, acting, and the arts.
As a Jersey girl, I can honestly say New York completely stole my heart. One of the things I love most about the city is how unapologetically people express themselves. Whether it’s through fashion, art, music, or performance, people aren’t afraid to be who they are, and I find that incredibly inspiring.
New York taught me to dream bigger. Being surrounded by so many creative and ambitious people pushed me to take chances, step outside of my comfort zone, and pursue goals that once felt impossible.
I’ll always be grateful to New York for the opportunities it has given me, the people I’ve met, and the confidence it helped me build. While New Jersey will always be home, New York played a huge role in shaping the person and artist I am today.
Q: Music plays a huge role in Latino culture. What artists or genres had the biggest impact on you growing up?
A: I love this question because I feel like I’m a human jukebox. I grew up with so many different musical influences that it’s hard to pick just one.
From my mom’s side, I was raised on a lot of R&B and rock music, so I developed an appreciation for powerful vocals, emotion, and storytelling.
My dad, on the other hand, raised me on salsa—especially the Fania era. I swear I know almost every salsa song you can think of because that’s what was always playing in the house.
What’s funny is that as a kid, I wasn’t a huge salsa fan. I used to tell my dad to turn it off all the time. But as I got older, I began to understand the history, culture, and passion behind the music.
Now, salsa is one of my favorite genres to listen to and dance to. Looking back, I realize those songs were shaping me long before I even knew it, and they’ve had a huge impact on who I am today.
Q: When you’re getting ready for a photoshoot, performance, or audition, what music are you listening to?
A: If I really want to be feeling myself, I’m listening to the ladies I grew up on like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Shakira, and Britney Spears.
I also love listening to Anitta. I think she’s incredibly cool and inspiring.
Q: New York City is one of the most competitive places in the world for creatives. What has that experience taught you about yourself?
A: It has taught me not to compare myself to other people.
In a city filled with incredibly talented creatives, it’s easy to look around and feel like you’re not doing enough or somehow behind. But I’ve learned that everyone has their own journey, and what makes you different is often what makes you valuable.
I think creatives can sometimes be their own worst enemy. We spend so much time comparing ourselves that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve come.
I’ve also learned that being a creative requires a lot of courage. Not everyone will understand your vision, and there will always be people who project their fears, doubts, and limitations onto you. If you listen to every opinion, you can easily lose yourself.
Q: As a Puerto Rican woman working in entertainment, what does representation mean to you?
A: Representation means everything to me.
I’ve had moments in this industry where people have looked me in the face and told me that I’m not what the public is looking for because I’m a Latina woman of color.
But instead of discouraging me, those moments have fueled me. They made me realize that if someone isn’t willing to fight for me, then I have to be willing to fight for myself.
When I talk about representation, I’m talking about authentic representation. I’m talking about opening doors for Latino artists to be seen as complex, talented, and capable human beings who can tell all kinds of stories.
I want young Latina girls to see people who look like them on screen, on stage, and in positions of influence and know that they belong there too.
Representation isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being valued.
Q: You recently participated in the Puerto Rican Day Parade Festival. What did that experience mean to you personally and culturally?
A: Oh my God, it was amazing. Shout out to David from PuertoRicanFlagsUp for presenting the opportunity.
I was very nervous because I had never been in front of that many people before.
But everyone made me feel so welcomed. It was a full-circle moment for me. I didn’t even care that no one knew who I was. I was just happy to be around my people and express the joy and pride I have as a Puerto Rican woman.
Q: You also made your first Off-Broadway appearance with Case Crackers Productions. How did it feel stepping onto that stage and reaching that milestone?
A: It honestly felt surreal.
I hadn’t acted since high school, so stepping onto an Off-Broadway stage for the first time was both exciting and a little intimidating.
Luckily, I had an incredible support system in the directors, Andrew and Carlos. They spent time coaching me, encouraging me, and helping me prepare before the show.
More than anything, the experience reconnected me with a part of myself that I hadn’t seen in years. It brought me back to that teenager who fell in love with theater.
Q: Dance, acting, and modeling all require different skill sets. Which one feels most natural to you and why?
A: I would honestly say modeling comes the most naturally to me because I’ve been doing it the longest.
What’s interesting is that dance and acting have actually made me a better model.
Each discipline has taught me something valuable, but modeling is where I feel most at home.
Q: Many people see the finished photos, performances, and social media posts but not the work behind them. What does a typical day in your life look like?
A: I think my life is actually pretty boring compared to what people might imagine from social media.
A typical day starts around 5 a.m. I wake up for work, make myself a cup of coffee, and spend some time with my dog before heading out for the day.
After work, you’ll usually find me in a dance class or at Muay Thai training. Those have become important outlets for me—not just physically, but mentally as well.
At the end of the night, I like to slow down, write down ideas, reflect on my day, and spend some quiet time talking with God.
While my life may not seem glamorous behind the scenes, it’s built around growth, creativity, faith, and continuously working toward becoming the best version of myself.
Q: Social media often highlights perfection. How do you stay confident and authentic while building your personal brand?
A: I love allowing people to see the real person behind the photos and performances.
I don’t want to pretend my life is perfect because it isn’t. I’ve had moments of self-doubt, setbacks, and times when I questioned myself, just like anyone else.
At the end of the day, my personal brand is simply an extension of who I am. I want people to see someone who is passionate, hardworking, proud of her culture, and willing to keep showing up for her dreams even when things get difficult.
To me, that’s much more powerful than trying to be perfect.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced pursuing a career in entertainment?
A: One of the biggest challenges has been learning to believe in myself despite rejection and outside opinions.
Entertainment is a very competitive industry, and there have been moments where I’ve been told I wasn’t what people were looking for or that I didn’t fit a certain mold.
Another challenge has been balancing my creative pursuits with everyday responsibilities.
I’m not someone who gets to focus on entertainment full-time. I work, commute, train, and then dedicate my free time to acting, dance, and modeling. It takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, performer, actor, or creative, who would it be and why?
A: It would definitely be Lin-Manuel Miranda.
He has opened so many doors for Latinos in the entertainment industry. I was so emotional when I saw In The Heights, and I still hope to watch it on Broadway one day.
Working with him would truly be a dream come true.
Q: What role does Puerto Rican culture play in your everyday life?
A: Puerto Rican culture plays a huge role in my everyday life, especially when I think about my grandmother and the sacrifices that were made before me.
My grandmother came to this country with almost nothing to her name and barely spoke English.
When I think about the courage, determination, and faith that must have taken, it inspires me every day.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become even more intentional about learning the history of Puerto Rico and understanding the sacrifices that came before me.
It reminds me that I come from people who endured, adapted, and continued to celebrate who they were despite obstacles.
Q: Looking back at your younger self, what advice would you give the young Kristina who was just beginning her journey?
A: I would tell her that it gets better.
Despite all the pain she went through, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and there’s a reason she never gave up.
Q: What can fans and supporters expect from you over the next year?
A: As much as I’d love to share, I’d rather keep it private.
I do have many goals and exciting things I’m working toward, but for now I’d like to keep them to myself and let the work speak when the time comes.
Q: Before we wrap up, what message would you like to share with young Latinas who dream of pursuing careers in dance, modeling, acting, or entertainment?
A: My message to young Latinas is simple: keep going.
There will be people who try to tell you what’s acceptable, what you should look like, or what your place is in this industry. Don’t let those voices define you.
We are talented, creative, intelligent, and deserving of having our voices heard.
There may be moments when you feel overlooked or discouraged, but don’t give up on yourself. Every time you continue showing up, you’re helping break barriers for the next generation.
Keep believing in yourself, keep working hard, and keep taking up space.
You may not realize it now, but you could be the person who inspires the next generation to dream even bigger.
Follow Kristina Claudio on Instagram @king_krissss.x3 and stay connected as she continues her journey in dance, modeling, acting, and entertainment while proudly representing Puerto Rican culture and inspiring the next generation of creatives.
