Giselle, an influential model born in Colombia, embarked on her journey at the age of 20 when she commenced her studies at EAN University in Colombia, specializing in Cultural Management in Barcelona. Her move to Spain coincided with the onset of the pandemic, a challenging period as she arrived in Barcelona without any acquaintances or family nearby, just two months before the pandemic’s emergence. In Barcelona, she worked as a Community Manager for Transit Projects, creators of cultural initiatives for the European Union (ERASMUS), as part of her professional internship. After completing her studies, she decided to continue living in Spain and explore the rest of Europe.
Reflecting on her journey, Giselle said, “I sold everything I had and went to experience real life. I learned a lot here, especially about entrepreneurship and the perseverance ingrained in Spanish culture. It was one of the things that shaped me and set the direction for everything that would follow.”
For several months, Giselle worked on a project with Transit Projectes (https://www.transit.es/) to teach students in Barcelona’s schools how to use social media responsibly and create short films to combat hatred in classrooms. The project aimed to counteract hatred towards migrants and minorities through activities for secondary school students in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Giselle’s journey defies simple definition, and she has no plans to stop there.
Following her move to Spain, she graduated as a professional in Cultural Studies and Management during the pandemic, but her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue further studies. She is currently training as an interpreter and actress at Estudio Corazza, under the guidance of Juan Carlos Corazza, a renowned theater director and acting teacher in Madrid.
Welcome to Barcelona! How has the move from Colombia to Spain influenced your career and personal life?
I’ve learned a lot here, especially about entrepreneurship and the perseverance ingrained in Spanish culture, which, by the way, was one of the things that shaped me and set the direction for everything I would do later. Sharing my experience with master’s students during my internship and teaching and training children in schools not only helped me improve my understanding of Catalan (a native Spanish language) but also molded me in such a way that I now strive to connect all my projects with social causes. As a Colombian communicator and influencer, children always asked about proper social media usage and taking photos, which was challenging since they are curious adolescents.
You have had a successful career as a model. What inspired you to transition to acting, and how has your experience in the fashion industry influenced your approach to acting roles?
One of the experiences I had as a model was in the series ‘Sin senos sí hay Paraíso’ by Fox Telecolombia. I appeared as a figurative model alongside the cast, with actress Sandra Beltran. I remember this experience vividly because I played the first ‘diabla’ in this series. In one episode, Sandra appeared with the Colombian singer Galy Galiano, and I stood there with a glass of wine alongside another model, discussing the characters of ‘la diabla’ and Marcial Barrera (the narco from the old guard). Carmen Villalobos watched this character from a car. This experience has been one of the most memorable because I was 19 years old and, as a model, I was part of some of the most recognized programs that have had different versions over the years.
Currently, you are taking acting classes in Madrid, Spain. What motivated you to choose this city for your training, and how has Spanish culture influenced your artistic development?
Yes, at the moment, I am focused on my training as an actress, attending interpretation seminars with various teachers. Proper preparation is essential, as it helps exercise the ‘muscle’ of acting, making thoughts and emotions flexible and available for the needs of each character. I am studying at the Estudio Corazza, led by Juan Carlos Corazza, a theater director and acting teacher at the School of Dramatic Art in Madrid.
What motivated me was that this school trained Javier Bardem, whom I admire for his career and dedication to the profession. Training at this school gives me confidence that I am on a path that connects me with art and very precise and inspiring acting work. There are teachers with extensive experience in the industry who teach with great passion and dedication.
I’m fascinated by the Castilian language. Studying with Spanish actors and teachers helps me immerse myself in their language, with its numerous nuances and differences from the Spanish we speak in Colombia. I believe it’s much more challenging for a Colombian to speak with a Spanish accent than the other way around, but it’s also very stimulating. It greatly aids in understanding the culture and its people. The way we communicate also defines how we think and who we are; after all, you spend most of your life where you communicate the most.
Of course, Spanish cuisine is a key aspect of Spanish culture, with variations in each region, from seafood on the coast to meats and stews inland. I enjoy Spanish cuisine a lot, especially percebes, one of my favorite dishes. But I can’t forget about traditional Colombian food, like the ‘Bandeja Paisa.’ I could talk about food forever; I love it.
MUSE: Giselle Garzon @gigisellegarzon
PRODUCTION/PR: Burgerrock Media @burgerrockmedia
Irma Penunuri @burgerrock
PHOTOGRAPHER: Diego Farelo @diegofarelo
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Karla Gonzalez @karlitaa21 Jose Vielman @josevielman Baldo Mendoza @itsbaldooo Marianela Valderrama @cafe.conflores
HAIRSTYLIST: Konnor P. Ryan @konnor_ryan
MAKEUP: Dounia @messa__beauty
INTERVIEW: Nancy Martinez @hellanancy
Could you share any memorable experiences or encounters from your early days as a model that have shaped your approach to the entertainment industry?
One of the runway shows I had was for WE WORK 81 by Camila Ayala in Bogotá, for the Cali designer Camilo Díaz during Colombia’s Fashion Week. Camilo is one of the most prominent designers for actresses, beauty pageant winners, and TV presenters in Colombia, and now, he’s my favorite designer. I recommend following him on Instagram [@camilodiazmoda].
Modeling generated self-expression for me, and I believe it has helped me understand that I can portray characters effectively. One thing that has been instrumental in this journey is dance. I was a Colombian folklore dancer for six years, performing all over Colombia in theaters, parks, stages, and cultural festivals. This experience helped me understand audiences, feel their admiration, and experience the satisfaction and adrenaline that comes with performing in front of people. Being able to express myself in this way was pivotal.
**INSTAGRAM:** [@gigisellegarzon]
**TIKTOK:** [@gigisellegarzon]
**TWITTER:** [@gigisellegarzon]
**WEBSITE:** [https://bio.site/GISELLEGARZON]
