21 Apr Stephanie Beatriz Gets Real: A Journey of Vulnerability and Courage.
- ASI hosts the last Beyond the Conversation segment of the Spring 2025 semester, with special guest, singer and actress, Stephanie Beatriz.
- Beatriz shares about her journey getting into Hollywood and the industry.
- Beatriz embraces the student’s engagement and shares advice on career, drive and invites them into vulnerable experiences in her personal life.
Latina actress, director and singer Stephanie Beatriz graced the Cal State Fullerton campus with her personal and professional journey insights. On April 10, 2025, Beatriz – best known for her role as a tough detective in “Brooklyn 99” and as the voice of Maribel in Disney’s “Encanto,” opened a conversation about embracing who you are and owning it.
Moderator and Programming student Tanya Gonzalez asked meaningful questions about Beatriz’s experience as a Latina actress in Hollywood. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Moderator and CSUF student Tanya Gonzalez guided the evenings discussion, drawing the audience into the world of Stephanie Beatriz – her journey, her work and the stories that shaped her.
Before the Spotlight: Insecurity, Identity and Dreaming Big
Beatriz poses with the students in attendance to take a giant selfie with them. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
At the age of two, Beatriz immigrated from Argentina to America and like many first-generation and immigrant children, television was her first exposure to entertainment. While her parents were busy at work, Beatriz indulged in shows like “Sesame Street” and “The Muppets”. Not knowing how television worked then, she truly felt like she was being transported into these new worlds.
Growing up in Texas with limited access to the arts, Beatriz made the most of what she had by joining school plays and community theater.
Beatriz shared that many advised her that she should have a backup plan in case she never reached fame.
“I knew that if I built a safety net for me to fall back on, I would fall back on it,” said Beatriz. “For me it was important to not have that and just put all my eggs in one basket and actually try.”
She made the decision to attend Stephens College, an all-women’s college in Missouri. Being in a school where she felt safe and confident enough to raise her hand in class—without feeling like she had to fight for a seat at the table—helped strengthen her sense of identity and overall confidence.
This emphasized the idea that a school, campus environment and overall college experience play a major role in shaping personal and career development.
More Than a Role: How Rosa and Maribel Reflect Stephanie Beatriz’s Real-Life Strength
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Initially auditioning for a different role for “Brooklyn 99”, Beatriz was redirected to the character of detective Rosa Diaz; one that would challenge her to trust her knowledge of sitcom tropes- a great reminder to students on campus that bigger opportunities sometimes do come later with experience.
“One of the things that I really loved about Brooklyn 99 is that they embraced who I am,” said Beatriz.
Production changed the character’s name to reflect a Latina identity and later revealed she was queer- both aspects Beatriz proudly shares. These changes happened because Beatriz had the courage to share her ideas with the writers, showing Titans in the room the power of speaking up for what you believe in.
CSUF students in the audience were entertained by Beatriz’s humorous charisma and storytelling. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
During her childhood, the characters and storylines Disney focused on did not look familiar to her. With time, Disney has introduced storylines and characters that people of many backgrounds can relate to in a deeper way.
“Encanto” was the perfect opportunity for her to bring forth a story that a new wave of people could embrace in a way that she didn’t necessarily have.
“Voicing Maribel was a dream come true,” said Beatriz. “Even auditioning for it was a dream come true. I never in a million years would’ve thought that I would get to play a Latina heroine in a Disney animated movie.”
By staying true to what she loved and choosing roles that felt right, Beatriz built a career that’s steadily climbed with purpose and passion.
With a father proud of his Colombian roots, “Encanto” resonated deeply with Beatriz, helping her connect with the characters and reflect on her own family relationships.
CSUF musical theatre student Magaly Becerra shared, “Seeing someone on stage or in a film who represents you as a woman of color is meaningful to me.”
Stories like these drew students in more by finding connections they can relate to.
Conversations Create Change: Equity, Mental Health and Representation
Beatriz’s experiences appealed across varying ages and ethnicities. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
Hollywood may shine with glamour and fame, but it also holds a history of underrepresentation and inequity for marginalized communities. Beatriz shared her personal experience when she realized she was getting severely underpaid compared to a co-star.
Breaking the taboo around salary transparency can open doors that remain closed simply because people are afraid to ask. The same goes for the lack of representation.
“Open your mouth,” said Beatriz. “If you see your field, place of work even your group of friends is looking or sounding one sort of way, maybe it’s worth the discussion.”
As a campus that strives to be inclusive, the message Beatriz shared was one that ASI staff and leaders are proud to share and exemplify.
Feeling represented, valued and heard is vital to mental health. Beatriz then spoke about the challenge of balancing her career while staying mentally and emotionally well. She stressed that drugs and alcohol are only temporary fixes—and that her success came from finding healthier ways to cope.
Beatriz took questions from students all over the audience asking about her experiences. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Beatriz’s journey toward better mental health—through admitting she needed help, taking medication for anxiety and depression, and working with a life coach—has been a powerful recipe for success. Her vulnerability resonated with students who admired her openness.
“I really connected with her story about family, drugs and mental health,” said CSUF Communications in Entertainment and Tourism student Jade Sauro. “When she said drugs and alcohol aren’t the solution, it hit home for me.”
Mental health is central to academic, spiritual, and physical well-being, and Beatriz’s message to students was clear: prioritize it. On stage, she encouraged Titans to take the necessary steps toward bettering themselves.
“My advice is to try the harder route,” Beatriz shared. “See what therapy and psychiatry can do for you—because for me, that’s the path forward.”
Inspiring Social Change: It Starts Small
Rosa Parks of “Brooklyn 99” reflected Beatriz’s actual experiences and identity as a queer Latina. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Beatriz is grateful for playing a Latina queer woman in Brooklyn 99, especially since she didn’t grow up seeing characters or stories that represented her in this way. She emphasized that making changes in equity and representation does not need to be huge and scary.
Beatriz gave the example of American singer-songwriter and performing artist Lady Gaga. She first started as a fun, light and eccentric pop-artist but later in her art and fame incorporated advocating for queer and transgender people’s rights.
“It doesn’t have to be as big and as heavy as you think,” Beatriz said. “With that said, art does have ripples of effects and it’s good to ask when you’re making art, ask who it’s for, why you’re making it and how different people might perceive it.”
It takes courage to lead conversations in spaces that may feel unwelcome, but the power of storytelling makes it necessary. With Stephanie Beatriz closing out the last installment of Beyond the Conversation series for the 2024-2025 school year, the message of embracing your truth was evident.
Beyond the Conversation series allows students to engage directly with their role models while gaining advice for their career fields. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
At the end of the special event, CSUF Communications in Entertainment and Tourism student Elena Esmilla expressed how she loved Beatriz’s definition of success, sharing, “It’s very moving and it made decide to focus on what I’m passionate about and put all my eggs in one basket too.”
Students can learn more about Beyond the Conversation and upcoming student events by visiting the ASI Programming Webpage.