- Tell us about your success journey. How did everything get started with your music and entertainment career?
Oh, wow, I got started falling in love with creativity at a really young age. I’d put on performances, me and my sister for my mom. I loved to create- tell stories, dance, sing, and act. Looking back, I used to pretend to be a teacher with my stuffed animals in my room but now that I think of it, it was my first stage as a young child. In college, I booked my first commercial and that solidified that I belonged on this journey. I was doing very well at UCLA, but I knew what my heart wanted. The director worked with Britney Spears a lot and I got to jump out of the window to go to the MTV awards for pretend, haha, in the commercial. I got to bring my mom to set and everything was just perfect.
The athleticism kicked in for what they were asking and it just worked. Since then I’ve had roles on — Vampire Diaries, CSI NY, Days of Our Lives, and there’s this cult following of this Outkast song I did — International Players Anthem — where I play Andre 3000’s wife and people get a kick out of that in meetings, people who loved that video because there were so many legendary musicians in the video. Music came to me during a time when I needed to step out of my shell and do something I was afraid to do. Ultimately, I love it so much, but the fear of not doing it kicked me out of the plane so to speak.
I was hanging in the studio with an artist, and he asked me to sing something out of the blue. I sang something really old maybe from the 50’s. He liked my tone and maybe that I went for something so left field and we ended up working on three records together — Blackout, which I just released a video for, Scales, and Pistols — they’re all on my first project, The Cusp [EP].
I’ve got new music on the way that I’m really excited about. It’s a completely new sound from me, other than what you’ve heard. It’s a really good pocket for me.
2. What advice would you give to a young girl who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Follow whatever is in your heart. That, somehow will lead you to where you want to be. It’s ok to be scared, but then charge through it with courage. Have a balance in our life to relax and dream….but then get into everything. All of your interests. Learn some skills that you like just for the fun of it and to meet new friends. I love on Grey’s Anatomy when Christina Yang (played by Sandra Oh) tells Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) that she’s the sun. Fall in love, it’s not an exchange of who you are as an individual. That man, life, experience is all waiting for you, but the fun part is crafting who you are. All of the mistakes, not really knowing what you’re doing, but you love it. A teacher taught me that loving something is so important because it’s almost a part of your DNA, there’s a reason why you may be inclined to a craft, and even if there isn’t meaning attached to it, the fact that you love it, go for it! There are mountains ahead of you regardless, so climb one that you love.
3. What do you do for your well being?
I make it a point to enjoy life. Write. Exercising. Walks and hikes. Whatever makes my soul happy. I love seeing my family, it’s a moment in heaven. We reminisce or I play with the new little ones in the family. The beach is my ticket to reset. Just going and letting the salty air hit you is refreshing and seeing the water. I avoid meat as much as I can, it forces me to find and eat new vegetables and fruit. There’s this cute saying on the internet about drinking your water and minding your business, somehow more than ever it’s so applicable. A clean house on a Sunday afternoon with the wind blowing in the windows, light jazz or classical, a good book and a cappuccino… is perfect for my well being. Friday nights I dance with my girls!
BIOGRAPHY:
Salina Soto is a singer with roles in Vampire Diaries, CSI:NY, Days Of Our Lives, and numerous commercials. She’s modeled for well-known brands and made the cover of Photography Magazine, shot by Peter Hurley. Salina played bride to Andre 3000 in the iconic “International Player’s Anthem” music video and appeared in Vogue.
Salina makes her musical debut with release of “The Cusp” EP, a smooth mix of rn’b, rock, and soul. One of the standout tracks on the 4 song EP is “Blackout”, and Salina has now unveiled its visuals, co-directed by herself and Forrest Aaron.
Watch the new video for “Blackout” and stream the EP on Spotify. Also, follow Salina on social media and look out for new music coming soon! For more information, visit: https://www.salinasoto.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/salinasoto_