We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful FRANKEE ROMERO. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with FRANKEE below.
FRANKEE, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
As a Native Tribal member I’ve always been misunderstood or mischaracterized by teachers or my peers. Trauma is real, coming to an all-white Chistian school being bullied or told your culture wasn’t good enough. even to this day, as an actor, i find me being judged by other natives in this film industry but one thing is for sure. i speak the truth and seek only the truth and that is hard for undisciplined people to comprehend. through that i am only focused with my training. the only thing i can control.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
First off, I’m a father and a proud tribal member of the Pueblo of Laguna we call Kawaika (new mexico). living in recovery I discovered an unrealized art in storytelling, it all started during the lockdowns of the pandemic. I had been playing in metal bands since I was kid, I decided to just make some money on a background gig. I ended up friending amazing people including a distant relative that explained the significance of my sobriety as a native man. which left a huge impact, an established Native actor would take his time to speak some truth about the trauma of substance and alcohol abuse as it pertains to native peoples on the rez. so, following that conversation I began this incredible journey in the film industry, I started taking acting classes and training as an actor i soon signed with an agency and booked my first feature film (The Wraith Within) I earned the chance to work alongside native actor Jonathan Joss (John Redcorn from King of Hill). Another impact on me as Jonathan Joss and i bonded as native storytellers. throughout these early stages i established my brand, not just a native actor but as a Native Storyteller and spokesman for native communities. My drive is rooted in my Pueblo Indigenous blood, reworking my language and culture has grounded me in everyday training. I still jam in my band (BLINDDRYVE) as the guitarist and audition weekly while doing what i love the most, i love to help.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
During this journey i have had to unlearn high expectations from people and just trust myself in my decisions. trust in my training that it will work itself out. prior to film i was relying on others to help me get places but film is something different takes self-determination and punishing training regiments, but end results will be seen by coaches and leadership in any field. can’t worry what people do, it’s not to say can’t trust anybody but it’s to see hard work ethics to build strong professional relationships with others willing to put in the same vibes and support.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When you ask the universe for opportunity and put that energy out there, the universe will give it to you in some crazy lessons. last summer i had 5 auditions due, and responsibilities at home with appointments waiting. most stressful moment in my early film journey. all my agent could tell me was just take a deep breath. i went one line at a time sent off the tapes. following monday my agent calls says ive booked a part. wasnt even the scenes i read for but its called “booking the room”. have to just trust yourself and know your hardwork will pay off. stand tall and live strong
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11258880/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
- Instagram: frankee_romero1
- Facebook: frankee romero
- Youtube: FrankeeRomero1
Image Credits
Robert Kazandjian, Jeremy Felipe, Tex Monarco