Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing the talented Frankie Rodriguez, an inspiring and enlightening experience. Frankie is an accomplished LGBTQ actor, singer, performer, and entrepreneur. He is most famously known for his role as Carlos in the Emmy-nominated Disney+ hit “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” His portrayal of Carlos, an enthusiastic and confident student choreographer, has resonated with audiences worldwide. Besides his work on Disney+, Frankie has made notable appearances on popular TV shows such as “Bunk’d,” “Will & Grace,” and “Modern Family.”
photo by: Laura Irion
Frankie’s journey from his humble beginnings in Selma, California, to the bustling streets of New York City is remarkable. While growing up in Selma and attending Sanger High School, Frankie was deeply connected to the Central Valley. After high school, he took a bold step, saved up for a year, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. His dedication and talent quickly set him apart in the industry.
One of the exciting new ventures in Frankie’s career is his upcoming role in Hulu’s half-hour comedy series “Chad Powers.” He will be starring alongside Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, and Perry Mattfield. The series, based on an ESPN+ sketch by Eli Manning, promises to be a hit with its unique premise and comedic elements. Frankie plays Danny, the mascot of the college football team, a role that he describes as one of the more complex characters he has ever played.
In addition to his acting career, Frankie is also stepping into the entrepreneurial world with his new nail polish brand, Freeland. Launching during Pride Month on June 25th, Freeland is a vibrant, creative playground where nail polish, colors, and theme parties come together. Inspired by his love for beauty and the success of his Instagram Live nail painting sessions, Frankie developed a line of five rainbow-bright nail polishes. The brand emphasizes self-expression, creativity, and individuality, reflecting Frankie’s flair for style and eye-catching design.
The nail color names, in rainbow order, are:
- Pink Fizz Fiesta
- Orange Dreamsicle
- Glow Stick Dance Party
- Kiwi Cake Pop
- Bounce House Blue
Freeland is more than just a nail polish brand; it’s a celebration of fun and creativity. Each bottle is priced at $14, or you can get the whole set of five colors for $60. Frankie shared that he chose the name Freeland because it means “free man” or “free land” in Latin, perfectly capturing the essence of the brand. He envisions Freeland as a platform for advocating for equality and pushing forward the message of self-expression and acceptance.
Frankie’s journey has not been without its challenges. He candidly spoke about the difficulties he faced as an openly gay actor in Hollywood. Despite the progress made in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of acceptance and equality. Frankie’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity are truly commendable. He continues to forge ahead, determined to share his stories and advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Frankie Rodriguez is of Mexican descent and is the youngest of three siblings. With a BFA in Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Frankie’s passion for the arts is unwavering. He is a proud part of the LGBTQ community and a strong advocate for authentic representation and respectful portrayal of queer characters in media. Frankie tirelessly works to create safe spaces for all LGBTQIA+ individuals and is deeply invested in supporting LGBTQ+ organizations and advocating for environmental causes.
As we look towards the future, Frankie’s goals are clear. He is excited to see how far Freeland can grow and hopes to host real-life pop-up events to bring the brand to life. In his acting career, he is eager to start filming “Chad Powers” and continue exploring diverse roles that challenge and inspire him.
Frankie Rodriguez is a shining example of talent, perseverance, and authenticity. His journey from the Central Valley to Hollywood is a testament to the power of following one’s dreams and staying true to oneself. As he continues to break barriers and inspire others, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this remarkable individual.
You can find and follow Frankie on social here
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I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.
I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.
Fresno? I say FresYES
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