If you’ve not already heard of Dominican/Venezuelan actress, Isadora Ortega, you should keep your eyes peeled because she’s rising up in the entertainment industry as a woman to watch. Already making strides as a triple threat, Isadora has made herself known as an award winning actress, producer and writer.

Isadora has not only executive produced projects but she also self-stars in her award-winning film drama, Another Love Story.  

In Another Love Story, Isadora plays budding novelist Miriam Ramos, a woman fresh out of a toxic relationship, who quickly finds herself in a dark place, desperately seeking to live a lavish life and to be romantically in love. The film has gone on to win multiple awards ahead of its release in July, including Best Director, (Brandon Morson) and Best Actress (Isadora Ortega) at the 2021 New York Int Film Awards, and most recently selected as Best Feature Film at the 2022 Gold Movie Awards. 

Speaking to Isadora and her work on Another Love Story with its dark look at abusive relationships seems appropriate, given that October is Domestic Abuse awareness month and that the film touches on some of these themes.

You're somewhat of a triple threat, actor/producer/writer - how do you have time to do all three?

That is a very good question because, honestly, I don't know. I have multiple planners, and I have to keep myself very organised from the moment I wake up until bedtime. I give myself enough time in the morning to pray and meditate, and in the evening, I do the same.

Rest and nutrition are very important because I put my body and mind through a lot every day.

Tell us a little about you as well as the self-funded film you've been involved in called Another Love Story (where you're both an executive producer and a star). What was that process like?

Producing is difficult and very technical compared to acting. It was very difficult to remove the producing hat and go through makeup and hair to get ready to live the life of the character I was playing.

When I am producing, I get in when my crew gets in, and I am usually one of the last people to go home. I do believe that if more actors saw what happens before they get to set, they would have more love and appreciation for the crew because they work hard. I am very grateful to my team because they have been very hands-on. 

How has mental health affected or touched your own career, and do you feel enough light is shone on mental health in the acting industry?

I speak to a licensed therapist, which I find so important to do because sometimes we don't fully heal or deal with childhood traumas or past relationships.

Life keeps moving, and I was taught growing up that we needed to get up when something bad happens and keep on moving. For the record, I do believe that we need to get up and move on, but only after we do a self-assessment on how a particular experience changed or affected us.

I live in Los Angeles, and people are always saying that the issue of homelessness is fully connected to the lack of housing, and I don't fully agree. The homelessness problem in Los Angeles is connected to mental health and drug abuse. We don't have mental hospitals in Los Angeles where people with mental problems can be treated. Mental health is connected to everything, including domestic abuse from the abuser to the victim. 

As a Dominican and Venezuelan actress of Haitian and Cuban descent, is there enough diversity in acting and roles out there that showcase people with multicultural backgrounds and heritage?

No, just no. 

I'm so intrigued about your writing career (another string to the bow!). What can you tell me about your graphic novel, The Curse of the Flower?

"The Curse of the Flower"//"La Maldicion De La Flor" is based on the legend of Anacaona. The novel follows the leader of her tribe, Anacaona, as her people's lives are turned around by conquistadores, who too willingly took more than was offered. To protect her people, Anacaona's rage quickly evolved in a way no one saw coming, developing into a night where everything was set into motion so she could visit our world…time is an interesting thing; sometimes, it heals you and sometimes allows your rage to grow. But Anacaona's legacy will not be silenced, only impact our world. It was so great to see my novel praised by fans, and happy to share we are currently in pre-production on the short film, to be directed by Oscar-nominated director David Massi and expected to make its rounds in the festival circuit soon to follow its release. 

What other women do you admire/take inspiration from?

My grandmother, my mother, Shonda Rhimes, Beyoncé, and Maya Angelou, to name a few.

What's next for you now that Another Love Story has officially been released?

I have a Christmas movie in post-production. I am the executive producer of "Hope Street Holiday," co-writer with Brandon Morson, and I play the role of Galia Garcia, aka Lia Garcia. Lia loses her way when her mom and best friend pass. She's living the life she thought she always wanted, but now it feels empty and meaningless. The holidays are the best time for her to go back home, and she finds herself and her passion around family while finding the real meaning of life and love. 

We have a beautiful cast; they are all very talented. Three beautiful and talented Afro-Latina actresses play my aunties. I felt at home with this amazing cast. So many people are going to be able to relate to the characters in this film.

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Founder of The C Word Magazine, Emily is currently living in London. She is passionate about art, travel, culture, cinema, fashion, sports, feminism and a whole lot more. She is currently working on her own podcast with a friend and also dabbles in graphic design, when not doing her day job as an Associate Director of Media Planning. Find her on Instagram @emlrking or chatting on Confession Sessions, The C Word Mag’s own podcast.