Unlocking Voices: ‘Encanto’ Star Stephanie Beatriz Empowers Students to Find Their Voice

Actress Stephanie Beatriz recently visited Cal State Fullerton to inspire students at the last Associated Students Beyond the Conversation event for the semester. Known for her role as Rosa Diaz in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and voicing Mirabel in Disney’s “Encanto,” Beatriz shared how her background influenced the characters she plays.

As a child who moved from Argentina to the United States at two, Beatriz found her passion for the arts through watching television. Being part of Disney, especially as a Latina character, meant a lot to her. She reflected on her childhood dreams while watching animated films, wondering if she could ever fit into those stories. “Suddenly it is for you, and suddenly it’s for all of us,” she expressed, highlighting the significance of representation in media.

Beatriz illuminated the power of storytelling. “Art is such a powerful way to get ideas into people’s heads,” she explained. It can foster empathy and understanding, making people connect with those from different walks of life.

During her talk, Beatriz shared a funny moment about visiting Disneyland and seeing a character dressed as Mirabel, joking about how she could do the character’s movements better. She remarked on how surreal it felt to see elements of her performance translated into animation.

Her journey towards becoming an actress gained momentum in middle school. With the internet rising, Beatriz felt an undeniable urge to perform. She pursued theatre at Stephens College and sought out lesser-known playwrights, showing that her interests lay beyond conventional choices.

When it comes to her iconic role as Rosa Diaz, the character was originally written as someone completely different. Beatriz’s unique take helped shape Rosa into the fierce and complex character that audiences love today. When it came time for Rosa to come out as queer in the show, Beatriz used her own experiences to portray the moment authentically.

Beatriz even shared a touching moment when her father reached out after seeing her portrayal of Rosa’s father’s acceptance in the show. “He used lines from a television show to express to his queer daughter that he loved her,” she shared, emphasizing the impactful connection that art can create in real life.

Beatriz wrapped up her talk with a simple but powerful message: the importance of speaking up. It doesn’t have to be grand or heavy. “Just start to do it,” she advised, encouraging students to find their voice.

In a world where representation is crucial, Beatriz stands as a shining example of how personal identity and storytelling can intertwine to create meaningful change. Her journey not only enriches her work but also resonates with people striving for authenticity in their own lives.



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