Today we’d like to introduce you to Reyna Papotto.
Hi Reyna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Reyna Papotto! I am an aspiring actress/singer/model. As a young girl, I have always wanted to be a performer. I was such an introverted person growing up, I never wanted to be the center of attention (I still don’t to this day).
As soon as my mom forced me to audition for a musical in 8th grade, I never wanted to leave the stage. All throughout high school, I was a part of all types of plays and musicals officiated with school/and community theatre. I love the art of taking someone away from reality and bringing them into my world on stage, whether I’m singing or acting. It is the most rewarding thing for me.
When graduating high school, I knew I wanted to do this performing thing full time. I went on a journey to discover what the right school/city was for me to kickstart fulfilling my dreams. I spent time in Charleston/Atlanta doing work for “Outer Banks” and a new Netflix movie, yet to be released, “Do Revenge”. After years of getting multiple professional experiences, I stumbled upon SCAD/Savannah!
Ever since getting here, I have been met with opportunities I would’ve never dreamt of! I have been able to sing alongside the wonderful Candice Glover and George Lovett in the Black History Month Concert, BAM! where I got a lot of exposure. I have had so many audition/performance opportunities since then! I have been so grateful to also be offered a great number of modeling opportunities in the city!
I have been able to work with so many phenomenal photographers in the area and as a part of SCAD. I never thought that I could successfully model as someone who is 5’2, but I have been so blessed to continue to be considered as someone that can deliver on so many creative projects!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a pretty rocky road, I must admit. It’s so hard to not compare your journey to others in the industry.
I am someone that gets into my head easily. It does make it hard at times to see the light at the end of the tunnel relating to reaching society’s definition of “success”. But I will say, every hardship has made me into a more determined artist. I wouldn’t trade in any of the difficult moments.
The struggles I have faced have definitely been experiencing levels of comparison.
As well as not knowing where to start. I have been gifted with so many talents, for the longest time I was trying to subject myself to one thing. It was really hard to start exploring a part of myself I wanted to share with the world because I always thought I was abandoning another part that should’ve been brought out.
But I now understand that all of these gifts will always stay with me, and when it is their time to come to light I will touch someone in a beautiful way without forcing anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a performing artist of all kinds. My passions/What I specialize in are singing, dancing, acting, and modeling.
I am most known for singing, acting, and modeling.
I am most proud of performing alongside the mega-talented company of BAM! I have never experienced such a supportive and loving team of singers, as well as audience members for the memorable one-night-only performance celebrating Black artists in music.
I think what sets me apart from most people is that I have a sort of light in me. I have heard this from so many people throughout my life I have lost count. It is always such a reassuring and beautiful compliment. I am always a very positive person, I look on the bright side of things in every situation.
I am just so thankful for the good bad and the ugly, and I think that’s a really hard mindset to have all of the time when working as an aspiring artist.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I absolutely love collaborating with people. Savanah has such an amazing collaborative community, it is my favorite thing to see so many people be so on fire about working and creating with others.
I am super into creative directing on sets for photo/film and I can’t wait to dive more into that as I’m in Savannah!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @reynapapotto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reyna.papotto.9
Image Credits
Anna McGregor, Kendra Frankle, Kyla and Emily Budine, Florence Sullivan, Taylor Golda, and Sebastian Mendez
