FEATURE
16
TOWER
|
Summer 2014
“You have to hustle,” she declared. “You learn to hustle,
learn to adapt. I have a huge appreciation for where I come
from.That’s wheremy platform to success originated.”
Themove jump-started her career – she acted inmovie
shorts,wrote two screenplays and a sitcom pilot, obtained
a role in anHBO pilot called “Tretch,”and produced and
starred in her first bilingual short, “Salt,”which won a
Silver Remi Award at the 2009Houston International
Film Festival.
Colón also became certified in interior design and
landed a job with the firm InteriorMotives. Later, she
launched her own firm calledWanda ColónDesigns.
Her work has appeared in the homes of Hollywood
stars Kelsey Grammer and Paul Stanley of Kiss.
“I think every actor inL.A. has five other professions,”
Colón laughed.
Along the way,Colón’s passion for acting
and interior designmeshed, and shemade
guest appearances onHGTV’s “Designer’s
Challenge”and “Designing for the Sexes,”
before joining the network’s popular show
“24HourDesign”as co-host and designer.
The experience was intense, the days were long and
Colón loved everyminute of it.But after four seasons,
“24HourDesign”was canceled.Colónwas lucky and
received an offer fromTLC right away.
“That doesn’t always happen,” saidColón,whowas
tapped to be the lead designer on “HomeMade Simple,”
a show that redesigned rooms using simple, inexpensive
design tricks.
“With the first show, I didn’t have a lot of interior
I
n 2001, after working as a set designer and actress in
NewYork andPhiladelphia,WANDACOLÓN ’93 left
everything behind to start over inLos Angeles.
Although she had to contendwith uncertainty, culture
shock, inflated rent and, later, 18-hour days on the set of
“24HourDesign,” she persevered.An artist, actress,TV
host, chef and interior designer,Colón is a renaissance
woman – she can do it all, andwith style.
“I believe that in life, there is always an open door,”
saidColón. “Behind it, opportunity awaits.The choice
is yours whether or not towalk through.When I was
growing up, if someone toldme I would be living in
California and hosting shows onHGTV andTLC,
I wouldn’t have believed them.”
Colón, who is a native of Reading, Pa., was
always creative.
While the Catholic school nuns chastised her
for “doodling,” her parents encouraged their
daughter, letting her paint her bedroom a vibrant
collage of pinks, purples and oranges.When she
auditioned for her first play, at Reading’sGenesius
Theatre, they cheered her on. Later, when she
decided to major in theatre at Kutztown, they told her to
follow her dream.
After graduation,Colón got her first big break,with a
recurring role on the set ofHBO’s “Sex and theCity.”
More roles followed, andColón landed parts inM.
Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable”and Steve Buscemi’s
“Animal Factory.”
WhenColónmoved toLos Angeles, she had no illusions
about becoming an overnight success.
WANDACOLÓN ’93
IS
FEARLESS
Chasingher dreams ledher fromReading, Pa.,
to thebright lightsof LosAngeles
BY: GRETA CUYLER
