Tell about yourself and your background! *
I am a martial artist, stunt and action actress, currently living in New York City where I moved for family reasons at the start of 2021. My roots and upbringing are a bit of a melting pot, as I was born and raised in Venezuela (Latin America), but lived in China for the last 7 years. Chinese culture and Chinese Kung-fu have always been my overriding passion, although my specialties range from boxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from Korean Taekwondo to fire breathing and much more.
What inspired you to become a stunt performer?
During my years in China, while studying at the University and training kung-fu, some lucky circumstances brought me in contact with an action team formed by fellow martial artists and actors (TROY'S TEAM). I immediately fell in love with the stunt job and after some time I had the honor to join the team as a member. That’s where I learned the basics of this amazing career. I grew up watching movies such as “Drunken Master” and “Enter the Dragon” and respecting actors like Bruce Lee and Kara Hui. When I learned more about what happens in the “backstage” of those kind of movies, it was a real breakthrough moment for me. I just wanted to be a part of it!
What is your greatest skill as a stunt performer, is there a stunt behind it?
My strong orientation to team work. My years at the Kung-Fu school and TROY'S TEAM taught me how an individual’s success always depends on a collective effort. A school can work effectively when every student arrive on time at class, respect the rules, support the others. Likewise, being a stunt is all about discipline and making your best effort. On a movie’s set, it’s exactly the same. It's about self-denial while working for a greater good.
What is the best part about being a stunt performer?
It's about feeling to be special... because you belong to that small percentage of people in the world that deliberately take risks on themselves on behalf of others. The stunt job is basically about wanting to do... something dangerous that rationally you should be avoiding to do! It’s a great feeling. Luckily we are fully trained for taking those risks and have in place all the safety measures.
Tell your all-time favorite stunt story!
While I was on my honeymoon, my team called me to say that I was urgently needed for shooting a stunt previs for a movie. They didn’t want to bother me at that special time of mine, but they had no choice as during COVID it was impossible to find available actresses for that role. “I cannot let them down” I thought. “I must do it for the team, they are my family too and I never turn my back on my brothers”. So we left the beach resort and took a 4 hour-flight to reach the set. After four days of shooting, a thousand bruises on my skin and one more flight, we went back to the resort to continue the honeymoon. I’ll always remember how funny it was interrupting such romantic days with an incredibly furious stunt experience！
What advice would you give other stunt performers?
Always have a learning spirit. I know it’s hard to find time for attending training courses while working. But what I enjoy about New York City is that one can easily find specialized classes for stunts and action actors. I felt enriched after taking classes of theatrical swords and parkour. A stunt performer should always try to make the skills’ list longer.
Anything else you'd like to tell the community about?
First off, again a big heartfelt thank to Stunt Hustle Community group. I felt honored to share my experience and hopefully empower who will read it. To the community I want to say: let’s keep on being united and watch each other’s back. That’s the only way we can make it during this difficult time for our industry.
Please share your social media handles and how we can follow you!
Instagram: @aleja.g.stunt
Please include any links to stunt reels or videos you'd like to share!
