#174 Zaka Presents My Journey Valeria Feliciano

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Valeria Feliciano, a proud Puerto Rican filmmaker, model, and storyteller, whose mission is to dismantle stereotypes and elevate the voices of Latinas in media. Valeria opens up about the struggles she faced embracing her natural curls in an industry that often celebrates narrow beauty standards. She recounts the emotional moment when a young woman of color told her, “You are the reason I participated,” and how that became a life-changing affirmation of her purpose. From rejecting roles that reduce Latinas to stereotypes to celebrating the beauty of bilingualism, Valeria challenges the status quo while inspiring others to own their identity unapologetically.

As an immigrant Latina navigating entertainment, Valeria shares her journey of persistence from being overlooked to co-hosting an event with Vanilla Ice after a cold outreach. She speaks candidly about the importance of seeing Latinas as leaders, not just background characters, and how her upcoming podcast aims to spotlight the women who are breaking barriers behind the scenes. Valeria’s leadership is rooted in authenticity, representation, and the power of visibility. Her story is a reminder that even when the world says no, your truth can still open doors for you and for those watching.