Spotlight: Arianna Lemus

ARIANNA LEMUS

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Arianna Lemus and are excited to share our conversation below.

Thank you for sharing your story with us! Could you start by telling our readers a bit about your background and how your journey began?

Thank you so much for having me! I’m Arianna Lemus, a producer, actress, and founder of MíraLA Media. My journey really begins with my family. I grew up in a proud immigrant household. My grandparents came to the U.S. to build a better life, my mom worked tirelessly to provide for us, and my dad spent his career in the transportation department. Their dedication taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and staying the course no matter how tough it gets. Those lessons shaped everything I do today. I started in pageants, becoming Miss Colorado USA, but later decided to resign my title to stand for women’s empowerment, a defining moment that pushed me to fully embrace storytelling as my calling. Since then, I’ve produced three short films, launched the MíraLA Film Festival, and am now developing my first feature documentary, creating spaces for underrepresented creatives to share their stories..

What challenges have you faced along the way, and what lessons have you learned? Looking back, would you say the journey has been smooth or full of obstacles?

The journey has definitely had its ups and downs. My mom immigrated to the U.S. and worked incredibly hard to give my siblings and me opportunities, and my dad built a career in the transportation department. Watching them taught me that perseverance is everything and that nothing comes without commitment and sacrifice. There have been financial challenges, moments of self-doubt, and times when I’ve had to advocate for myself and my projects. But I’ve learned not to let the highs or the lows define me, they’re simply lessons that prepare me for the next level. Every win reminds me to stay humble, and every obstacle reminds me to stay resilient. Those lessons continue to shape me as a producer, actress, and festival director, and they fuel my commitment to create space for others to share their stories too.

In your opinion, what has been the key factor in your success?

For me, the key factor has been my mindset. Competing in pageants taught me that failure isn’t the end, it’s simply feedback. Every time I didn’t win, I learned to pause, reevaluate what wasn’t working, and make the necessary adjustments. That mindset has carried into everything I do now as a producer and entrepreneur. Instead of seeing setbacks as stop signs, I view them as opportunities to grow and refine my approach. That perspective has allowed me to keep moving forward, even when things didn’t go as planned, and to build the resilience needed to create my own path in this industry.

Let’s shift the focus to your work for a moment—can you tell us more about what you do and what sets your work apart?

I’m a producer, actress, and founder of MíraLA Media, where I focus on creating platforms for Latina and femme-led storytelling through film, television, and live events. What sets me apart is that I consider myself a woman advocate — not just a feminist. I work in a male, white-dominated industry, and I make it my mission to use my voice to speak up when I feel minimized or overlooked. When I’m the only woman in the room, I see it as my responsibility to make space for more women to remind everyone at the table that representation matters and that we need diverse voices shaping our stories. My work isn’t just about producing projects; it’s about changing the culture behind the scenes and making sure the next generation of women creatives has a seat at the table.

Do you have any advice for those who are just starting out on a similar path?

My biggest advice is to see yourself as the changemaker from day one. Think highly of yourself and never forget how special and unique you are — no one else has your exact perspective or voice. The moment I learned to practice self-acceptance and self-love, everything shifted. It allowed me to show up fully, both in my work and my life, and become a better version of myself. When you lead with that kind of confidence and authenticity, you not only move closer to your goals but also inspire the next woman — or the next person — to believe they can do it too.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned throughout your journey?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is not to let my past decisions define my present ones. Our past is just information it shows us who we used to be and what we thought we deserved at that time. That’s why education and healing are so important. When you release what no longer serves you, you create space for what you do deserve. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to think highly of yourself and to say no — especially as a woman of color in this industry. My comfort and well-being are more important than making others comfortable first. That shift has been liberating and has allowed me to show up as my truest, most powerful self.

From your perspective, what’s the most fulfilling part of being a creative?

The most fulfilling part of being a creative is the freedom to express my ideas. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. People often tell me how inspiring I am, and that fuels me to keep showing up fully. For me, it’s so important to live unapologetically as my biggest, truest self — not in a selfish way, but in a selfless way that reminds others they can do the same. Creativity allows me to motivate, uplift, and permit others to take up space with their own dreams.