May 14

May 14 Javiera and the Art of Being Authentic

By Manuel Palacios Espinoza

Photos: MPE Photo & Media LLC.

While spending a few months in Florida, Afro-Peruvian actress Javiera Arnillas sat down with Superhype for an intimate conversation. After gracing the cover of our magazine back in 2018, we now meet a woman transformed. Known for her work in the performing arts, fashion runways, and influencer campaigns, Javiera opens up from a more personal perspective — reflecting on life, growth, and dreams.

Over time, Javiera has cultivated something that shines through both her eyes and her work: emotional maturity. This growth hasn’t dulled her creative spark — it has sharpened it, giving her new tools to dive deeper into her characters. “Life experience enriches an actor’s work and allows you to understand your character with greater sensitivity,” she shares. Acting is no longer just about delivering lines — it’s about connecting from a lived, honest place. Her personal challenges and transitions have allowed her to approach her roles with deeper empathy, more complexity, and authenticity.

Much of her evolution has come from her travels. Two places, in particular, left lasting marks: Argentina and Thailand. “My connection to Argentina is deep and special — that’s where my idea of success changed,” she says. It was there that she realized success wasn’t about external validation or public approval, but something more internal. In Thailand, on the other hand, the lessons came through adversity — through challenges that brought out a quiet resilience that now defines her. Thanks to these journeys, Javiera feels wiser, stronger, and at peace with herself.

Staying true to herself hasn’t always been easy, especially in an industry as image-driven as fashion. “There have been many times I was told my body should look a certain way,” she admits. But she’s always stood firm in her belief that physical change should be a personal choice — never a reaction to outside pressure. “The day we feel truly comfortable in our own skin is the day what we say about ourselves will matter more than anyone else's opinion.” Her message is clear: authenticity is non-negotiable.

One of the most transformative roles of her career was Rebecca Roberts in *The Doctor*, directed by Urpi Gibbons at Teatro La Plaza. The three-month theater run, with nightly performances, was a new and intense experience. “In theater, everything happens live, in the moment. Every mistake or obstacle has to be resolved on stage,” she says. Coming from indie film, where post-production can polish performance, this was a different kind of challenge. It wasn’t just artistic — it was deeply human. The live connection with the audience and the collaborative energy with fellow cast members became a powerful teacher.

To those still searching for their identity or struggling for acceptance, Javiera offers a powerful message: “It’s never wrong to feel different. In fact, that’s where our true beauty lies.” She believes identity is something built day by day — and the more honest we are with ourselves, the stronger we become.

If she could speak to her younger self, just starting out in the industry, she’d tell her one thing: that everything she needs is already inside her. “Live. Travel. Fall in love. But always remember your greatest strength will come from being able to grow on your own,” she says. People will come and go, and each will teach a lesson — but only by standing firmly on her own can she truly open herself to others. “The most important approval you’ll ever need is the one you give yourself.”

Today, Javiera Arnillas has built more than just a successful career in acting, fashion, and media — she has built an authentic life. One where every step, no matter how uncertain, has brought her closer to herself. Because at the end of the day, her story isn’t just about spotlights and scripts — it’s about a woman who’s learned to embrace every part of herself, without apology.