Diana Elizabeth Torres

Photographed By Michael Roud

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Culiacán Sinaloa, Mexico, and grew up in many different states all over the country. My family eventually settled in Mexico City where I received my training as an actress at CasAzul. And now I live in L.A. It's been four years now since I moved here.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN ACTING?
I've always like stories and portraying characters. I was doing theater at school and stuff like that but I was constantly moving from city to city. I always knew that I wanted to be it. But it was something that was out of reach. It never seemed real, until one day it literally knocked my door. My dad who works in construction told me that the company he worked for was financially supporting a film and that he had showed them a picture of me. They got in contact and offered me a small role and I became part of the whole experience.

ARE YOU ENGAGED IN OTHER AREAS OF THE MOVIE INDUSTRY?
I'm starting to get more involved in production and writing. The entire process of making a film is fascinating to me.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THE DIRECTORS YOU HAVE WORKED WITH THUS FAR? 
To work towards a common goal. Sometimes they have a different vision of the character or the story and I have be flexible, willing to adapt and co-create for the sake of the film. Or defend my viewpoint and explain why I think the character is a certain way, and add depth to the character. I love being directed. I like getting feedback and I trust my directors.

WHO IS YOU FAVOURITE ACTOR?
Gosh, I have so many. Judy Dench, Meryl Streep, Marion Cotillard, Cate Blanchet, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Emma Thompson and of course Daniel Day-Lewis, Johnny Depp, and the list goes on.

HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR CHARACTER IN “EAST SIDE SUSHI” AND HAVE YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED SIMILAR BIAS AS JUANA?
I think we've all been in a similar position. Either having three jobs to survive, dealing with frustration, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by life, having family issues or a dream and getting rejected. I personally have had a pretty normal life. It was when I moved here where I got to see the other side of the coin, met a lot of amazing people, heard many stories and felt inspired by them. All those mothers, fathers and hardworking people who have the courage and the strength to survive. And who dare to dream of a better life for themselves and their kids. After I read the script for the first time I started observing restaurants and it's true! There's always a Latino in the back. It doesn't matter if the restaurant is Indian or French. I'm beyond grateful that I had the honor to be their voice through Juana. I learned a lot talking to them and sushi chefs, too. I took one knife lesson and practiced every day. I put myself on tape so I got to see my own progression with the knife. I attended the Sushi Chef Institute and Chef Andy Matsuda was very nice to give me and Yutaka Takeuchi (Aki) free lessons. We learned how to make sushi, nigiri, tamago, and cut fish, plus a lot of other fun things.

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT SUSHI FROM SHOOTING THIS MOVIE?
A lot! East Side Sushi helped me to open up myself to try new things. Anthony, Vicki and Julie (our producers) where so familiarized with food from other cultures. It was great hanging out with them and learning more. I thought I knew about sushi, until I read the script and met more Japanese people, it literally helped me to “think outside the bento box”.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE AND DO YOU HAVE ANY UNCONVENTIONAL BEAUTY ROUTINES THAT YOU SWEAR BY?
I like the sauna a lot. I need my time to relax. I taking vitamins, minerals, drink gallons of water and sweat all the toxins out of my system for hours. I don't like machines or exercising in a closed place. I like nature, open spaces, hiking, yoga, exploring, trying new things like trapeze or archery, I enjoy classes and boot camps. Ah! And chocolate! That's my daily routine.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO OUTSIDE OF YOUR PROFESSION?
Life! I enjoy observing life, having the opportunity to talk to people and change their day or let them have an impact on mine. An act of kindness can be very powerful. My family, talking to them. Just thinking about them makes me feel recharged. They lift my spirit. And traveling because it reconnects me with the natural cycles of life. You get to see new places and your attention is in present time, enjoying the moment.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE ASPIRING TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
Study! We think we know it all, but it's important to have a solid foundation. Being a star is very different than being a true actor. When you study you have a better perspective of what acting really means. Learn! Try to get something from all the people you cross paths with, you’ll be surprised how much you can learn from their stories. Cultivate your mind, expand your knowledge, life is about more than the Internet and social media. Make a real human connection and improve yourself every single day. Being a better humanbeing is also being a better actor.