The star of 'Un Actor Malo' breaks down her evolution on screen, navigating industry pressures, and why spaces of tenderness in art are more necessary than ever.
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| Photo: Alex Palomera |
From a childhood surrounded by artistic expression in Mexicali to establishing herself on sets across Mexico City, actress Patricia Soto has emerged as one of the most powerful and conscious voices of her generation. Here, she opens her heart about the reality checks of the industry, her non-negotiable fight for safe workspaces, and the transformative impact of bringing to life stories that touch on both the wounds and hopes of modern society.
Patricia’s calling toward art was always present through physical disciplines like gymnastics and dance. However, it was in high school theater where she discovered her true professional path and an unprecedented outlet for emotional expansion. Leaving her hometown to move to the capital took tremendous courage; upon arrival, she was hit with intense solitude and nostalgia. Yet, as her studies progressed and she built a new support network, that initial isolation transformed into a sanctuary for creation.
Today, seamlessly navigating between profound drama and social critique, Patricia reflects on the role of ethics in artistic work:
"The ethics behind how we choose to do our work and the stories we decide to tell do matter. They matter in a world that is falling apart, and creating these spaces of tenderness in art is deeply healing."
Patricia Soto’s name echoed powerful reverberations following her role in the film Un Actor Malo (A Bad Actor). Her portrayal of Ximena not only resonated deeply with audiences but also sparked urgent conversations about industry abuse. The project marked a turning point in her life, making sisterhood and the fight for fair, safe, and equitable working environments a central purpose of her career.
That same delicate dedication shines in the short film Caminos de Luz, where Patricia explores the duality of grief and hope. Playing an aunt raising her young niece after the mother’s disappearance, it was an immensely complex role—built in close collaboration with the director to balance visual poetry with the weight of a heartbreaking reality.
Looking ahead, Patricia’s goals are clear: she seeks versatility, eager to inhabit multi-layered characters across comedy, horror, drama, or action, always putting her physicality at the service of fiction.
Meanwhile, she stays grounded by prioritizing her mental health, connecting with nature, and embracing her journey with tenderness. Ready for whatever comes next, the actress sums up her personal and professional philosophy with absolute conviction: "There is nothing more attractive than being yourself."
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| Photo: Alex Palomera |
Looking back, when did acting stop being just a desire and become a definitive career choice for you? Who was your biggest influence or support system early on?
Patricia Soto: The moment I took my first theater class and stepped onto a stage to act, I felt something I had never experienced before. I always knew I wanted to do something connected to physical expression and art—skating, gymnastics, circus arts, dance—but it wasn't until high school theater that I knew with absolute certainty that I wanted to dedicate my life to this craft. Something beautiful happened: I felt an unprecedented sense of freedom alongside an adrenaline rush to keep exploring. It was as if my emotions finally had a space to truly expand and thrive, which wasn't happening in my day-to-day life. My biggest influence was my grandmother. She was the visual artist of the family—a painter and master seamstress—and her ability to create beauty out of whatever was in her hands always inspired me. My mother was my greatest support; she moved me to Mexico City and has always championed my dreams.
Leaving your hometown of Mexicali to forge a path in Mexico City takes immense bravery. What was the biggest reality check or challenge you faced when you arrived?
Patricia: It’s a reality check I will never forget: the loneliness, having no community, the nostalgia of leaving behind a version of myself that would never return, and welcoming a new version I was only beginning to discover. The city felt overwhelming, and I felt so small in it. I kept getting lost and questioning if leaving everything behind was the right choice. But as classes progressed, I fell in love with what was happening at school. I built a core group of friends—a new family—and bit by bit, everything fell into place.
Looking from your earliest productions to your recent work, what do you consider your greatest lesson as an actress along this journey?
Patricia: That the ethics behind how we choose to do our work and the stories we decide to tell do matter. They matter in a world that is falling apart, and creating these spaces of tenderness in art is deeply healing. Working alongside people who share your values makes everything so much easier. And above all, you have to speak up against injustices on set. We all deserve to work in safe spaces so we can create with absolute freedom and devotion.
Who is Patricia when the cameras stop rolling and the set empties out? What do you love doing most to disconnect from the intensity of work?
Patricia: I’m someone who loves nature, being surrounded by loved ones, spending time with Asha (my dog), and connecting with solitude and quiet. I manage my anxiety through breathwork, and over time I’ve learned to treat myself with tenderness in a career defined by constant instability and an acute awareness of the world's harshness. I really enjoy staying active—it does wonders for my mental health—dancing, and staying in touch with my emotions, releasing them through writing, reading, and working on personal projects.
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| Photo: Alex Palomera |
An acting career brings a lot of public exposure and an unpredictable routine. How do you stay grounded and maintain connection with your roots and loved ones?
Patricia: I always remind myself of how it all started, where I come from, and everything I’ve been through to get where I am today. I do a lot of inner work to process what I feel daily—what I see, hear, and who I surround myself with. I stay in constant touch with my family and try never to lose sight of life's essentials, keeping my sense of wonder alive and prioritizing my mental health. I’m also open to how I evolve over time. Connecting with my female friends and unpacking topics that matter to us as women and creators helps ground me immensely.
"Over time, I've learned that comparison only delays my creative process and pulls me away from who I truly am"
There is intense pressure on actresses regarding the "perfect image." How do you navigate this, and what is your perspective on keeping things real—both on screen and off?
Patricia: There is nothing more attractive than being yourself. Over time, I’ve learned that comparison only delays my creative process and pulls me away from who I truly am. Cheering yourself on, remembering you are unique, recognizing that our body and voice are our best tools for this often winding road, and taking care of ourselves is the best thing we can do. Social media also requires caution so it remains a professional tool rather than turning into something toxic. I rely heavily on my support system and seek out content that brings me closer to my authentic self, helping me welcome my insecurities with grace. As a person and an actress, I strive to stay present, experiment, and live dynamic experiences where I can act in alignment with who I am becoming over time.
Your work in Un Actor Malo had a massive impact and opened vital conversations in the industry. What was it like for you to reap the fruits of that project and see how your character resonated with the public?
Patricia: That film changed my life. As an artist and a woman, I was never the same. We knew it wouldn’t go unnoticed, and the fact that it sparked real dialogue was incredible because the issue demanded to be voiced and seen. The way I carry myself on set now is completely different. The sisterhood I developed through that work and in my personal life, along with my push for fair, equitable, and healthy work environments, became a core purpose after that opportunity. Ximena filled me with strength and connected me deeply with the audience; together, we reflected on the importance of calling things by their name—specifically, the abuses that have hurt us for so long. It gave me the strength to keep going and confirmed that what is meant for you will find you. Playing her was my destiny, and it remains one of the greatest gifts of my career.
Moving on to your work in the short film Caminos de Luz, you portray the pain of an aunt caring for her niece while processing the disappearance of the child's mother. How did you emotionally prepare to embody that constant state of vigilance, balancing grief with the need to stay strong?
Patricia: I worked deeply with hope, empathy, and discomfort. I placed myself in a space where I surrendered completely to my emotional side. I focused heavily on the grief of those left behind—that heavy, somber atmosphere you feel in your body, in the air, in every second of your day. At the same time, I had to balance that by being a source of comfort, grounding, and calm. Exploring that duality as a creator and facing it head-on was deeply enriching.
Given that it's a dramatic project with such a specific aesthetic sensitivity, what was the collaboration with the director like to build an atmosphere that is both poetic and painful?
Patricia: The entire crew was deeply committed. They really took care of me and held space for me after some very intense moments during filming. I spoke with the director about the root of the story and how crucial it was to amplify the love and tenderness between the young girl and my character. We made sure that delicacy was never lost in the execution. Even though it was a space of intense grief, we also highlighted the light. We wanted to handle the themes of disappearances, searching, uncertainty, and the profound ache left at home with extreme care—showing how life somehow manages to carry on afterward. We focused on deeply human characters and contextualized that family dynamic to inhabit that dual atmosphere of profound pain and living hope.
Finally, with so many roles behind you and new projects brewing, what is your main focus or major goal in acting over the coming years?
Patricia: I want to diversify. I want to keep acting in alignment with projects and characters that resonate with me and my worldview. I want to inhabit characters that are given the screen time to fully develop all their layers. A comedy, a horror film, a solid drama, or even action—which has always intrigued me. I love working with my body and putting it at the service of storytelling. I’m open to possibilities and eager to do it all: theater, film, and television. I’m looking for real challenges as an actress, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.
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