Conversations with Atlanta's Movers and Shakers, Actor, Host and Content Creator, Angel Fabian Rivera

Actor, Host and Content Creator, Angel-Fabian Rivera

Back in September, we were fortunate to connect and have a conversation with Actor, Host and Content Creator, Angel-Fabian Rivera.

Atlanta Film and TV: Could you share about who you are and what you do in the Atlanta Film and TV community?

Angel Fabian Rivera: I’ve been acting for ten years. I am also a content creator, and host a podcast I created about a year ago called, Lights, Camera, Latino, where I interview Latinos in the entertainment industry, showcasing and highlighting their voices.

Atlanta Film and TV: You were born and raised in Puerto Rico. How did your upbringing influence your artistic aspirations?

Angel Fabian Rivera: I come from a small town in Puerto Rico, where the arts have always surrounded me. My dad is a musician, my mom was active in the arts, and my sister was a model. Puerto Rico is full of talent and opportunities, but breaking into the industry can be challenging due to its size. Still, my island shaped me and provided what I needed to grow. I’m grateful to my parents for enrolling me in acting and singing classes, which helped me become a well-rounded artist. 

Atlanta Film and TV:. What first sparked your interest in acting, and how did you know you wanted to go on the journey of acting? 

Angel Fabian Rivera: When I started high school, I wanted to try something new. In tenth grade, I attended an arts school with theater and music programs, joining the music group and performing in shows like The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and playing Flynn in Tangled. My interest grew through these productions, so I joined an arts after-school program in Puerto Rico. My daily routine became regular school from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, then the arts program from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. High school was all about school and the arts. Through this program, I learned theater, sang in the choir, joined a dance group, and learned piano, which gave me confidence in the arts. Wanting to continue, I told my mom I wanted to study the arts in college. She encouraged me to become a doctor and do the arts on the side, but I insisted the arts were my focus. 

After graduating from high school,  I attended the University of Puerto Rico and studied drama. And by the way, this school is the only university that teaches drama in Puerto Rico, and studying drama was a big deal! Later, I got into drama a bit more, which took me to where I am today! 

Atlanta Film and TV: What motivated your move to Atlanta?

Angel Fabian Rivera: I graduated from college in 2020 and later  moved to Atlanta. When COVID hit, I found myself wondering what to do next. I landed a job in TV for two years. After that, I  started auditioning for films, which was new for me since my background was in theater and TV. Eventually, I landed a role in the Lions Gate film Plane, working alongside Jerrod Butler, Mike Coulter, and Otis Winston. We filmed in Puerto Rico for four months, and the experience was incredible. I was part of the supporting cast, and people on set were surprised this was my first film. After filming  Plane, I started thinking about my next steps. While on set, I met several people from Atlanta who talked about the city becoming a new hub for the film industry. I had planned to go to LA, but I started looking for a place in the US where I could learn about the industry, find work, and get involved.  That’s when I decided to move to Atlanta. I’ve been here for three years now, and I always say this is just one step in my journey. I’ve learned and grown so much, and I feel truly grateful for these experiences.

Atlanta Film and TV: What challenges have you faced adapting to life in

 the U.S., especially as a Latino actor with English as a second language?

Angel Fabian Rivera: I find it interesting when people approach me, and the first thing they think is that I am Middle Eastern. Sometimes, it makes me feel as though I need to prove  that I am a Latino - even though I shouldn’t have to prove it to anyone. Sometimes I ask, ‘ Do I need to explain why I look the way I do?’  I know how Latinos are portrayed in the media and that we’re constantly seeing the same representation of Latinos. All of this has been a big challenge of seeing someone and people saying, ‘this person looks like this,’ and the first thing that comes to mind is ‘ that person is Latino’, or ‘ that person is Middle Eastern.’ 

It's definitely been a challenge in auditions because of how I look.  People think I don’t look Latino, and I’ll say, ‘What else can I do to prove to you that I’m Latino? I have an accent, I was born and  raised on the island, and I’ve only been here for three years, and my first language is Spanish!  I’ve been blessed to teach people and help them understand that Latinos look different! We are diverse and mixed with Spaniards, Africans, and Indigenous People.

Though it's been a challenge, I use it as a moment to educate people and help them understand why I look the way I do. I realize there are  two options: I could ignore it and allow people to ask those questions, or use it as a teachable moment.  I feel like it’s my job to help educate and help others understand my community. 

What inspired you to host your podcast, “Lights, Camera, Latino!?” And, can you share what guests you’ve interviewed?

Angel Fabian Rivera: In 2024, the people at the  Latino  Film Festival were looking for a host for the show. My good friend and founder of Latinas in Media Atlanta,  Denise Santos, saw that the festival was looking for a host and tagged me on social media. She told me that I should try this! I then told her, ‘But it’s in New York!’  I later  found out the Latino Film Festival was looking for local people, and I ended up sending all my stuff to the film festival. This Film  Festival was the first time people gave me an opportunity to work on the other side. I was always being interviewed, but now it was my turn to be the interviewer. 

Eventually, I  booked the job,  went to New York for a week, and I interviewed Latino Filmmakers and Actors. It was beautiful to listen to other people’s stories, and to celebrate their films, heritage, and where they come from. Afterwards, I told myself,  ‘This could be a thing! How do I make this into something, and how do I continue growing in that area?’ That’s when I decided to start my podcast. I said this is a one-man show, I’m going to wear all the hats, and I’m not going to wait for anybody. I opened the platform, Lights, Camera, Latino, and I started sharing stories from people and talent. I started interviewing people I knew, because I wanted to highlight voices that haven’t been highlighted. For me,  I thought, ‘We know about these big Latino stars, but how about this Latino artist  that has been in the business for twenty years and is making a difference, and nobody knows about them?’' 

My first interview was with two people I knew: Rose Bianco and Juliane Artiste. Rose was an actress, and Juliane was a stunt woman, both in Cobra Kai. Most of my interviews were with Latinos who live in Atlanta, New York, LA, and Puerto Rico. 

Currently, I have over 27 episodes, and it’s been amazing! It hasn’t been a year yet, but it's been a year of growth, because I will go and look at my first and most recent episode, and I definitely see a difference, which is beautiful! 

Click here for our full conversation.

Atlanta Film and TV: What was your favorite project you’ve worked on recently or in the past?

Angel Fabian Rivera: I will always say Plane was my favorite project, because it was my first experience working with big-name actors. But, recently, I have done my first Telenovela, which I am very proud of, and it was an amazing experience! Initially, I didn’t audition for a role, but my agent in Miami called and told me that I wasn’t picked for a role, but they wanted me for something else. Then, my agent asked if I could be in Miami in a week. And, of course, I said ‘yes! You know I’m going to make myself available!’ At the time I booked the role for the Telenovela, I was  rehearsing for another show here in Atlanta for the theater. I told everyone, ‘I am so sorry, but I’ve got to stop here! I have one day to get out of here!’Obviously, they understood, and my understudy came in my place for the show.  I thought, when an opportunity like the one I had to be a part of a telenovela comes, you gotta take it! 

Afterwards, I flew to Miami and filmed for two days. It was an amazing experience because it was my first time acting in a Telenovela, and it was my first time using neutral Spanish, which in Puerto Rico and every Spanish-speaking country has their own accent and words. But, Telenovelas create their own neutral Spanish, which, by the way, was a challenge because I’m not used to speaking neutral Spanish. I had an accent coach with me, and it took me a while to get the neutral Spanish accent, but once I got it, I got it because it's a whole different experience! I always say my Telenovela experience was like a film and theater mixed together, but in the end, I had the time of my life! 

Atlanta Film and TV: Can you share about any upcoming projects you’re working on?

Angel Fabian Rivera: You can watch the Telenovela Velvet on Peacock. The movie Plane is on Netflix, and I am filming commercials. I am also a part of a show in January 2026  at the Alliance Theater here in Atlanta called Dinosaur. And, I most recently was nominated for A Wrinkle in Time at the Georgia Ensemble Theater (GET),  and we will do the show again next year. Lastly, I just received the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia Award! I am doing my best in connecting the Latino community, being that voice, and helping each other, because I enjoy connecting people. 

Atlanta Film and TV: What tips do you have for  graduating high school students, looking to pursue a career in acting?

Angel Fabian Rivera: First, be sure to learn everything you can. Work for free, which is one of the ways you can meet, connect, and learn from those you meet. Even if you do work as an extra and try to understand how big-budget films work.

 Second, be sure to have a side job. Don’t feel because you’re an actor that’s it, because it’s not that easy! Even actors who actively work have a side job. Don’t feel like you’re less because you have to get a side job, because it doesn’t make you less of an actor, it only makes you a better human being! 

Next, be sure to live! Because part of acting is living. The more you live, the more experience you will have when you go into a room and act and showcase your talent. Lastly, have fun and build a strong mindset because it’s not easy. You will receive at least 80 percent ‘no’s, and somewhere in there, you’ll receive a ‘yes!’ 

Atlanta Film and TV: Do you have any G.E.M.S. you would like to share for our readers and viewers. G.E.M.S. stands for great educational moments with movers and shakers.

Angel Fabian Rivera: You got this! Because your path is your path. There’s no wrong or right - everybody has their own path, and everybody gets to their point that they want to get to because of different things. So, don’t feel bad because your path is different from someone else and they are “doing it,” that you aren’t going to make it. That’s not it! Because you are in your own lane, and you will have your moment when it's time. Don’t feel bad or less than because of that. Be sure to surround yourself with people who will support you, and who will bring the best out of you, and lift you up when you are at your lowest. 

Acting is not an easy career - no career is!  If it were easy, then what’s the point?  What’s the story? One day, you’re going to look back and say, ‘Ten years ago, I was there and look at me now!’ Which is the beauty of having a career in acting. You got this! You can do it, just trust yourself! 

Atlanta Film and TV: How can people connect with you?

Angel Fabian Rivera People can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, @angelfabianrivera and you’ll see my face on every platform! You can also find my podcast, Lights Camera Latino, we are on YouTube and every podcast streaming platform, Spotify, and Apple Podcast, etc.