Pablo Castelblanco finds deep pride in telling stories that are universal and lead with love. He emphasizes that while there are many important fights and struggles to depict, there is also immense value in showing Latino joy and happiness.
Castelblanco describes his current work as a “hug at the end of the day,” providing a sense of celebration that he feels the community needs more of. For him, being part of a space where Latinos can celebrate one another is essential to well-rounded representation.
Pablo Castelblanco attends the annual Impact Awards Gala
This past weekend, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) hosted its annual Impact Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. Hosted by comedian Chris Estrada and actress Isabella Gomez, the evening celebrated individuals and series in the entertainment industry that are creating and empowering accurate, positive portrayals of the Latino community in television and film.
Pablo Castelblanco attended the gala as a presenter for the Outstanding Actress Performance in a Series Award, which was presented to his “Happy’s Place” co-star Belissa Escobedo. Castelblanco shared the stage with fellow castmate and presenter Melissa Peterman to honor Escobedo’s work.
Pablo Castelblanco on Representation and the Superpower of Identity
While on the Red Carpet at the Gala, Pablo Castelblanco spoke with journalist Emily (Movie Mija) to discuss the importance of community, the influence of his colleagues, and why he believes centering joy is a radical act in modern storytelling. For Castelblanco, the journey toward embracing his identity as a cornerstone of his work has been an evolving process, heavily influenced by his peer, Belissa Escobedo. He shared how this perspective has shifted his approach to his career and his sense of self.
When asked about the pressure of representing a multi-generational community, Castelblanco credited Escobedo with helping him realize that one’s heritage isn’t just a fact—it’s an asset. Sometimes you want to remind people that you are more than just Latino, Castelblanco explained. “What she’s taught me is that it’s not only enough, that is your superpower.”
He expressed that this realization marks a new chapter in his professional life, one where his identity leads his creative choices. “I am just excited to like this new cycle of my career… having that lead my actions and the work we do,” he noted.
Choosing Joy Over Struggle
In an industry where diverse stories are often framed through the lens of hardship or trauma, Castelblanco is passionate about the “hug at the end of the day” that Happy’s Place provides. For him, the connection the audience feels toward the show stems from its commitment to positivity.
“One of the things that I love about our show is that we’re like a show of joy and happiness… we’re not leading with struggle. We already have so much struggle out there, so just to be sharing two Latinos ‘in joy’ is something that I’m proud to put out there.”
The event itself served as a reminder of the necessity of spaces specifically dedicated to celebrating Latino talent. Castelblanco emphasized that while there are many systemic fights still to be won, there is equal value in simply being seen and celebrated in a positive light.
“I’m so happy, and we need to do more of these. We need to celebrate ourselves more,” he told Movie Mija. “We have a lot of fights to give, but then we also have the opportunity to show smiles and show that we can also like clean up well and have fun.”
As Castelblanco continues his work on Happy’s Place, he remains focused on that new cycle of his career. One defined by authenticity, community, and the superpower of being exactly who he is.
