PASSIONATE: KATHERINE KRISTINE NUNEZ
NEW YORK, NEW YORK | Katherine Kristine Nunez
INTERVIEW TINA MONIQUE PHOTO ALUMNIINE
Katherine Kristine Nunez began her journey in entertainment as a model and eventually transitioned into hosting, including “The Day Off Show” on Iheartradio and “The Party & Bullshit Show” with Jack Thriller. Nowadays Katherine is acting and has landed a leading role in several independent films. A person moved by her passions, she says “I’ve always made sure that I’ve done things from a place of love and passion and that’s what motivates me. I believe that if you’re not passionate about it, and if you don’t love it, then you will never do it the way it needs to be done.” Validated caught up with Katherine to discuss what self expression means to her, upcoming film releases, what’s next for her and more.
“Do not believe the hype. A lot of times things look glamorous, things look great but people don’t show the nitty-gritty side of the industry.” - Katherine Kristine Nunez
VALIDATED: You started your career as a model, what was it about modeling that sparked your interest initially?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Ever since I was a little girl I loved being in front of the camera. Something about getting dressed up, putting on make up and taking pictures was exciting to me. it still is, till this very day and that’s how I know that my true passion has always been in the arts.
VALIDATED: What would you tell someone looking to get into acting or modeling?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: What I would tell someone that’s looking to get into acting or modeling is number 1, study your craft. Yeah things are a lot easier now with social media, but I think that it’s very important to still maintain those old-fashioned ways of learning your craft and studying and being on point. It’s very important to know your angles when it comes to modeling and it’s very important to study your lines and know which acting methods you’re going to use when it comes to acting. And unless you take some sort of course, you’re not going to know these things, so investing into your career is very important.
VALIDATED: You later transitioned into acting and hosting, how did those opportunities come about?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Well When I was modeling I realized that I was at the bottom of the barrel and even though I loved being a model, alot of times you’re not respected in the industry. I decided that I wanted to transition into something that was still in my lane, but you know more reputable. so I started doing some research, started taking some acting classes and started working as a host on two different podcasts.
VALIDATED: You hosted “The Day Off Show” on iHeartRadio and co-hosted “The Party & Bullshit Show” with host Jack Thriller, what did you learn most from these experiences?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: I learned that I didn’t wanna interview people, that I wanted to be the one that was being interviewed. lmao I definitely had a lot of fun working on those shows but I realized that it wasn’t my passion.
VALIDATED: You’ve landed the lead role in a few independent films including “Trapped”, “Ruthless”, “My Sisters Keeper” and “Better Than My Last”. How would you describe acting?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: The way I would describe Acting for me is honestly very therapeutic. I love telling stories, I love reading scripts, I love breaking down scripts, building up my character and studying the script every single day from the moment I get it. I’ll go home, I’ll sit down and read the entire script and break it down, then I ask questions about my character. Acting is something that you definitely have to be passionate about because it takes a lot of energy and you have to be very vulnerable. you have to be very open and you have to be willing to strip down completely.
VALIDATED: Do you prefer modeling or acting? Which one comes naturally for you?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Modeling comes Naturally, but acting is what I love. The challenge of making people engage with me and feel me through the screen is extremely powerful.
VALIDATED: If you could choose any actor or actress, past or present as a mentor, who would it be?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino and Penelope Cruz. I couldn’t pick one.
VALIDATED: If you weren’t acting and hosting what other career would you be pursuing?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: If I wasn’t acting or hosting I don’t even know what I would be doing because this is all I know. so to be honest I wouldn’t wanna do anything else other than acting and modeling for the rest of my life. this is what I love, this is my passion. But if I had to choose I guess I can see myself doing make up for the rest of my life. I would be a makeup artist.
VALIDATED: Knowing what you know now, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Do not believe the hype. A lot of times things look glamorous, things look great but people don’t show the nitty-gritty side of the industry. so I will tell Girls to not believe the hype, be prepared, be aware, be smart, be business minded, move militantly and don’t tolerate nonsense.
VALIDATED: You’ve managed to accomplish all of this while balancing being a mother of two, obviously family is your motivation but what would you attribute your work ethic to?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: I attribute My work ethic to the fact that I’m very passionate about the things that I’m doing right now. I’ve always made sure that I’ve done things from a place of love and passion and that’s what motivates me. I believe that if you’re not passionate about it, and if you don’t love it, then you will never do it the way it needs to be done.
VALIDATED: Being someone who represents independence, what does freedom of self expression mean to you?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: I think self-expression is very important for ones own sanity, but sometimes people can express themselves too much. so I do feel that there is a time and a place for self expression and it should be done in a classy way. Self expression is considered an opinion and opinions only matter to people that you care about. I’m very mindful about how I express myself in any way, shape or form to people that don’t know me or that don’t care about me because they might misconstrue my words and make it sound like it’s something else. I do think that self-expression is important but there is a time and place for everything.
VALIDATED: You don’t allow personal setbacks to stop you from pursuing your goals, where would you say your resilience comes from?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: My kids keep me resilient. I don’t give up because they would call me a quitter and I can’t have that.
VALIDATED: What’s next for Katherine Nunez?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: I have so many projects coming out, “Pocket Full Of Game”, “Better Than My Last”, “Foster Sin” and “Deviant in Blue”. Just stay intuned through all of my social media.
VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts?
Katherine Kristine Nunez: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @KatherineKNunez.